Malmö or Bust (a Eurovision 2024 Preview)

April 3, 2024 12:48 PM

The 2024 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Malmö, Sweden this year after Loreen secured a second victory with her song Tattoo, last year in Liverpool. Sweden has won the Contest seven times, tied with Ireland for the most victories ever by a single country. Thirty-seven countries are competing in this 68th edition of Eurovision. This year, it consists of two semifinals on May 7th and 9th, with the Grand Final on May 11th. Get ready for an introduction of all the submissions from the Class of 2024!

Every year brings about rule changes, interesting trends, and exciting new developments to the Eurovision Song Contest, and this year is no exception. Eighteen of the thirty-seven (48.6%) competing countries this year have submitted songs that contain lyrics in languages other than English, the highest percentage in over a decade!

The biggest rule updates thus far: Both semifinals continue to be televote-only in the wake of a vote-rigging scandal two years ago. However, the Big Five and Sweden (the host country) will be performing in the semifinals this year (although you can’t vote for any of them). Voting will also open the minute the show begins, instead of after the last song is finished. The Rest of the World (RotW) will be given a vote again this year, but for 24 hours before the shows begin.

There’s been controversy galore this year, from a televoting scandal involving Iceland’s national final, to Israel's controversial participation. There’s also the general issue of keeping the Contest apolitical when everything is political. Furthermore, what do you mean we’re not getting new slogans anymore?

So far, there’s no obvious front runner, but current favorites include: Croatia’s song about the struggles of brain drain in their hometown, Italy’s ode to defying expectations, and the Dutch entry about honoring his deceased father through embracing European values. Switzerland also really, really wants you to know they're done with sad boy ballads!

The competing countries have submitted their songs, the running order is finalized, so all that’s left to do is prepare the pyrotechnics and rev up the fog machines!

Semifinal 1 – May 7, 2024
1. Cyprus / Silia Kapsis - Liar
2. Serbia / TEYA DORA - RAMONDA
3. Lithuania / Silvester Belt - Luktelk
4. Ireland / Bambie Thug - Doomsday Blue
United Kingdom / Olly Alexander - Dizzy
5. Ukraine / alyona alyona & Jerry Heil - Teresa & Maria
6. Poland / LUNA - The Tower
7. Croatia / Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim
8. Iceland / Hera Björk - Scared of Heights
Germany / ISAAK - Always On The Run
9. Slovenia / Raiven - Veronika
10. Finland / Windows95man - No Rules!
11. Moldova / Natalia Barbu - In The Middle
Sweden / Marcus & Martinus - Unforgettable
12. Azerbaijan / FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov - Özünlə Apar
13. Australia / Electric Fields - One Milkali (One Blood)
14. Portugal / iolanda - Grito
15. Luxembourg / TALI - Fighter

Semifinal 2 – May 9, 2024
1. Malta / Sarah Bonnici - Loop
2. Albania / BESA - TITAN
3. Greece / Marina Satti - ZARI
4. Switzerland / Nemo - The Code
5. Czechia / Aiko - Pedestal
France / Slimane - Mon Amour
6. Austria / Kaleen - We Will Rave
7. Denmark / SABA - SAND
8. Armenia / LADANIVA - Jako
9. Latvia / Dons - Hollow
Spain / Nebulossa - ZORRA
10. San Marino / MEGARA - 11:11
11. Georgia / Nutsa Buzaladze - Firefighter
12. Belgium / Mustii - Before The Party's Over
13. Estonia / 5MIINUST x Puuluup - (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
Italy / Angelina Mango - La Noia
14. Israel / Eden Golan - Hurricane
15. Norway / Gåte - Ulveham
16. Netherlands / Joost Klein – Europapa

posted by PearlRose (34 comments total)

Several of my favorite perpetually weirdo entrants aren't on board this year.

Guess I'll have to go all in on Moldova.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 1:06 PM on April 3 [4 favorites]

Finland was ROBBED last year and everyone knows it!! Bah.
posted by orrnyereg at 1:12 PM on April 3 [12 favorites]

Thank you for this awesome post, PearlRose! You covered many important angles. I will note that here in Sweden, a few of us are a wee bit grumpy that Sweden's entry consists of a pair of Norwegian brothers. You probably know how that happened but it seems weird to me when the artists representing a country are not from that country. Is it as weird as countries like Israel and Australia being a part of Eurovision? Probably not. But then again, at least Eurovision isn't boring...to some of us, anyway.

Will we have open threads during the semi-finals and final? I live for those threads.
posted by Bella Donna at 1:12 PM on April 3 [7 favorites]

Thrilled to see Puuluup representing Estonia. Hey, I was into them before they were cool!

Puuluup previously.
posted by jackbishop at 1:24 PM on April 3 [3 favorites]

In Iceland’s national finals, the format is usually such that the audience votes again between the two top vote getters, and invariably it’s one that’s a bit off-beat and different, and one that’s a by-the-book Eurovision song. The latter usually wins, and so we end up with something that’s okay, but not much more than that. The song we have this year is fine, but what we could’ve sent is a song co-written by Hatari performed by a Palestinian singer who lives in Iceland. The song is about cowboys and I link to the Icelandic language version from the national semifinals, because that performance was better than the one in the final.
posted by Kattullus at 1:26 PM on April 3 [10 favorites]

So far my faves include Croatia (doilies on the drums and guitar!), Austria (so very, very 1990's gay), and Greece for finally having a sense of humour.

Disappointments so far are Cyprus (Cyprus is always bad and cheesy but this one looks like it was paid for by the resort where it was filmed) and Ireland (I love Eurovision weird, but this mall goth ain't it).
posted by thecjm at 1:33 PM on April 3 [1 favorite]

Current thoughts: Why is San Marino's 11:11 in slot 10?! I feel like an opportunity was missed.

I think Moldova is way too safe and bland this year. (Personally, I think Armenia has the superior groovy folk entry.)

Croatia, on the other hand, clearly realized that taking a chance and sending something weird and also quintessentially theirs is the way to go.

Otherwise, YAY ELECTRIC FIELDS!!! 2000 and Whatever was a joy that had the misfortune of being an national finalist entrant in the same year as ZERO GRAVITY. Australia's SBS seems to be reaching out to national final runner-ups to select entrants, and Voyager was excellent last year, so I hope the plan continues to work out for them.

This year, I'm also really into Spain's song, ZORRA. A fifty-something hairdresser decides to submit an entry for Spain's national final about taking back a sexist, derogatory term? Then wins it all? Yes, please.
posted by PearlRose at 1:50 PM on April 3 [1 favorite]

Is this something I would have to have a VPN for?

Thinking about March Madness vs. Eurovision…

EDIT: Finland Rocks! It’s the country where I want to be…
posted by Windopaene at 1:53 PM on April 3 [2 favorites]

Is this something I would have to have a VPN for?

Last year Eurovision streamed on Peacock, and it's doing it again this year. A month of Peacock is probably cheaper than a month of VPN and easier to set up, so unless you're already using a VPN for other purposes, I'd suggest that.
posted by jackbishop at 1:58 PM on April 3

In past years the stream from Swedish broadcaster SVT has been available worldwide, too, if you don’t mind commentary in Swedish.
posted by mbrubeck at 2:09 PM on April 3 [4 favorites]

Is this where we can talk about the Malmö Oat Milkers? (Actually I need to make a crazy MiLB thread for that. :)
posted by drewbage1847 at 2:13 PM on April 3 [1 favorite]

If you don’t speak Swedish the handy thing about watching it on Swedish TV is that you can just ignore the commentary. Which is harder to do if you can speak Swedish. But then I don’t care for commentators in general so that’s possibly just me.
posted by Bella Donna at 3:00 PM on April 3 [3 favorites]

I do find it disappointing that protest against Israel's inclusion (and boycotts) is only given a single line here, sandwiched among concerns such as "we're not getting new slogans." I think this is really emblematic of Europe's complicity in the crimes Israel is committing - and has committed - against Palestinians. It's simply not a big deal.

Let's be clear:

Israel is a racist apartheid state that is currently committing, if not genocide, then war crimes on a massive scale. Its army is executing children in hospitals and sniping them in the streets. It is bombing entire families in their homes, wiping out entire lineages. It is inducing massive famine by restricting aid, attacking people attempting to reach aid, and killing aid workers.

It initially entered this contest with a song that was a clear reference to Oct 7th, which has been ruthlessly exploited as a justification for the collective punishment of all Palestinians. Israel's exclusion would be political, but its inclusion is also political, especially when contrasted with the fact that Russia was excluded. The EBU is willing to take a political stance here--just not one against the mass killing of Arabs.

I will not be watching Eurovision this year and I encourage you all not to as well.

I know this is a futile request. I will get responses along the lines of how we can't boycott everything, how everyone else is going to watch it so why shouldn't you. But I don't think I can watch Eurovision without seeing a father carrying his children in plastic bags, or hearing Hind Rajab begging for help, or seeing bodies run over and torn apart by bulldozers in a hospital parking lot.

I urge you also to see Israel's war crimes as a big fucking deal and worth even such minor forms of protest, rather than something that you can ignore to enjoy some silly songs.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 3:17 PM on April 3 [33 favorites]

Yeah, this is one year when you really should sit out the Eurovision. I know, I know, it’s fun, all really well done, etc etc, but this year one of the entering states is eradicating its neighbour. Boycott Eurovision 2024.
posted by The River Ivel at 3:28 PM on April 3 [10 favorites]

I was too much of a coward to mention this, and I thank Kutsuwamushi for having the stones to say it

and I'm ashamed I didn't say it first
posted by elkevelvet at 3:29 PM on April 3 [8 favorites]

I don't if I will even bother watching this year. My hope is, at the very least, that Israel get no votes whatsoever, from anyone.
posted by Fuchsoid at 4:18 PM on April 3 [3 favorites]

My hope is, at the very least, that Israel get no votes whatsoever, from anyone.

They'll likely get a bunch from Germany, because Germany has decided they're all in on Israel, no matter what. Seriously, the public discourse there makes the one in the US look reasonable.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 4:51 PM on April 3 [4 favorites]

Also, FYI, there's a Spotify playlist of all the 2024 nominees.
posted by neuracnu at 5:38 PM on April 3 [4 favorites]

I clicked on Finland thinking maybe it was some fun vaporware vibes and NO, but holy denim jackets I needed the laugh it provided.
posted by cobaltnine at 5:47 PM on April 3 [2 favorites]

Maybe we'll have fewer Sad Boy Ballads, but after Loreen's victory last year, double the number of singers lying down, and maybe some bonus panini presses, too.

Not happy about Israel's participation this time but Europe gonna Europe -_-;

Now to figure out what Swedish treats I want to bake for this year's shindig...
posted by May Kasahara at 6:01 PM on April 3 [1 favorite]

I will not be watching Eurovision this year and I encourage you all not to as well.

This is me since COVID season when we're doing teleparties and a group did Eurovision and I was like, why is this West Asian country in here?? Anyway that's how I found out about Israel in this.
posted by cendawanita at 6:59 PM on April 3 [3 favorites]

Its current song ("Hurricane") is also an October 7th song btw, which is clear when you track the language post-attacks from official and pro-Israel accounts.
posted by cendawanita at 7:02 PM on April 3 [3 favorites]

I'll be honest, I've done the Eurovision preview threads for a few years now and almost didn't post one for this year because of Israel.

I appreciate those posting who are able to provide more accurate information than I could provide. I'm sorry I am not capable of going into the deeper details. I do not wish to minimize the situation at all.

Please enjoy the music if you can but I understand why many will boycott this year.
posted by PearlRose at 8:32 PM on April 3 [11 favorites]

I feel so lucky that this year I’ll be IN EUROPE for EUROVISION, the first time since Dana International won. It’s been a lifetime!

Sure, I’m duty-bound to support my old country of the Netherlands, and their entry is simply horrific this year, but still — SO EXCITED!
posted by Capt. Renault at 9:03 PM on April 3 [1 favorite]

their entry is simply horrific this year

Hard disagree. I love Joost Klein. Here is his breakout hit Friesenjung .
posted by Pendragon at 12:19 AM on April 4 [1 favorite]

Agree with Pendragon. The Netherlands entry is hugely popular here in the actual Netherlands. It has become a meme of sorts. I even referenced it the other day when I was asked if I plan to stay in Europe or do I have plans to go back to the US and I responded: "Ik blijf hier tot ik dood ga" (I'm staying here until I die.) They did get the reference.

The inclusion of Israel is indeed criminal. It is a political statement because Eurovision has always been deeply political, from the songs, to the languages used, to the actual voting results. If you think its just a song contest, you haven't been paying attention.
posted by vacapinta at 2:01 AM on April 4 [5 favorites]

I will not be watching Eurovision this year and I encourage you all not to as well.

Seconded, I love Eurovision but cannot watch it this year with what they’re doing.
posted by ellieBOA at 2:07 AM on April 4 [2 favorites]

I feel so lucky that this year I’ll be IN EUROPE for EUROVISION

I was in Paris during Eurovision a few years ago. We were having dinner in a bistro and told our server we had to finish up to go watch Eurovision and the sneer we got in return was so wonderfully Parisian.
posted by thecjm at 5:48 AM on April 4 [2 favorites]

I don't want to make everything about Gaza but just wanted to note that the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement is requesting that those who support the people of Palestine boycott Eurovision this year, given that Israel was not banned from the contest (the song that they originally submitted was explicitly about the 10/7 attacks but had to be changed due to the ban on political content), as Russia has been due to the war in Ukraine.

Eurovision artists have rejected the calls to boycott but 10, including the UK entrant Olly Alexander signed a letter in solidarity with Palestine.

I will definitely be boycotting it this year and encourage others to do so as well.

EDIT: Sorry, just saw someone posted this upthread! I only read the original post and was disappointed at the minimization of the politics around Eurovision this year and wanted to further uplift that point.
posted by lizard2590 at 8:51 AM on April 4 [5 favorites]

I like the ludicrous stuff ("Who The Hell Is Edgar?" last year rocked), so Europapa (even though it gets serious at the end, with fire, what the hell?) and No Rules! were quite fun. Rim Tim Tagi Dim was also fun, gave me some "Into The Woods" vibes with selling the cow.

I'm not sure what's going on in The Code.

I admit I wasn't that into anything more serious this year upon looking at all the YouTubes. Scared of Heights was something I liked, as well as The Tower, but nothing hugely memorable to me after the fact, I guess.

If they banned Russia this year, why not ban Israel too? Seems equivalent.
posted by jenfullmoon at 8:55 AM on April 4

If they banned Russia this year, why not ban Israel too?

The dehumanization of Palestinians is so extreme that they simply don't see it as a double-standard: Palestinians aren't seen as full human beings with full human rights, so the full horror of the crimes against them is something that can be justified, excused, glossed over, or ignored.

Israel is going to enter Eurovision and they're going to get a lot of votes from those who support the genocide, which is too many people. Other people will just feel a little uncomfortable during their song and cast a vote against them - but will otherwise enjoy their silly song contest.

I'm not really excusing myself here. I could be doing more as well. But in this case, the EBU is making a very clear political choice not to value the lives of Palestinians in the same way as they value white European lives. They're taking a stance, a stance that is worth protesting.

But hey, songs!
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 11:10 AM on April 4 [7 favorites]

Hard pass on any cultural event where Israel is allowed to participate as though it isn't a blood-soaked genocidal rogue state, sorry.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 10:15 AM on April 5 [2 favorites]

I totally understand your position! I’m gonna watch it anyway. At least all of the songs that do not involve Israel. I’m gonna be at home alone watching TV. I do other things to support the Palestinians in Gaza. I think this is very much a “ your mileage may vary” situation.
posted by Bella Donna at 12:40 PM on April 5 [4 favorites]

I’m gonna watch it anyway

I used to follow Formula One, for years; quit watching when they decided to go racing in Saudi Arabia. Still love the sport and have a lot of respect for some of the drivers, but even if I watch the races that aren't in Saudi Arabia I'd still supporting a sport that's engaged in helping the Saudis whitewash their global image. I don't see Israeli participation in Eurovision any differently; they shouldn't be there, and if they are, I won't watch.
posted by Pseudonymous Cognomen at 1:14 PM on April 5 [2 favorites]