Whilst we’ve not quite hit a Super Saturday yet, this weekend still offers an intriguing mix of selections. Lithuania will continue their search, Norway will complete their line up for the MGP finale and we’ll find out who’ll be the first artist to represent Luxembourg at Eurovision for the first time in over three decades. Before all that though…all eyes are on Ireland.
Since Ireland’s Eurosong returned to The Late Late Show there have been plenty of highlights. Sure, no one’s been called an odious little man yet (there’s always time!) but we have seen Auntie Maureen in the crowd, a year’s supply of peanut butter and a taxidermy fox. The last of those I have now milked for all it’s worth.
Notably though, none of those highlights include the actual entries themselves. Many of us grew to love Brooke’s That’s Rich from 2022, sadly not enough of us to get her to a Eurovision final. Other than that though, it’s been serious slim pickings. When a punk-turned-butter-pusher is the most interesting thing you’ve got to offer you know you’re on to a loser.
Although they may hold the (now joint) record for wins that’s what Ireland have sadly become at modern Eurovision, the loser. Six years on from their solitary final appearance of the last decade it feels like now, more than ever, they need something different. Something fresh to help turn the tide. And you know what, they might just have it…
There’s been no huge revolution here. Most of the line-up is still your run of the mill pop entries, even including a fresh faced, Louis Walsh-backed boyband. However, like many who have gone before me, I have no interest in Louis Walsh’s entry. Eurosong features two acts who are not only bucking the recent Eurosong trend, they’re going to melt poor Auntie Maureen’s face off.
In Ailsha’s Go Tobann we are treated to a thumping rock banger all about the complexities of the Irish language being taught in schools. Ironically, were this to make it to the big show, it would be the first time in over 50 years that the language was featured. In any other year (no, do not mention the Logan!) this would be my pick for Ireland but there’s something even more beguiling, even more bewtiching…
Bambie!
Bambie Thug’s Doomsday Blue is the sort of song I never thought I’d hear coming from Ireland. In three minutes so many genres of music are blended together creating a mysteriously enthralling soundscape, the like of which would only enhance a Eurovision final. This is the song and this is the performer I am most excited to see live this weekend. Sure, The Late Late Show stage is never the best showcase but I’m certain Bambie will own it.
I would be delighted if Ailsha made it to Eurovision, I be would madly over the moon with delight if Bambie Thug is chosen but…going up against a boyband backed by Louis Walsh? We know how this ends.
🇮🇪 Next in Line will win Eurosong 🇮🇪
If you thought RTE’s sudden interest in having a variety of genres meant we were rid of bland, inoffensive playlists this weekend, you are sadly mistaken. Having announced their return on the eve of last year’s final there was much excitement within Eurovision community for Luxembourg to return after 30 years. Now we know their songs? Not so much.
To be fair that’s harsh, it’s still great to have countries return. Especially when so many have dropped out over the past few years. It’s especially brilliant to have a country with such pedigree back in the fray. If I’m being reasonable then it’s entirely fair enough that after all this time that they’d play if safe. It has, however, resulted in a line up that makes the BBC’s You Decide era look like prime Vidbir!
This even field compared with zero knowledge of how the Luxembourgers vote in such selections make calling a winner especially difficult. Going solely on my gut instinct my guess is Naomi Ayé with Paumée sur terre. It’s the only one out the group that, if the live vocal matches the studio quality, would fit in on the Eurovision stage. If she does indeed win then Naomi would be the first Eurovision entrant born in 2008. A fact, I think we can all agree, is truly terrifying.
🇱🇺 Naomi Ayé will win Luxembourg Song Contest 🇱🇺
Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix will hold it’s final heat tomorrow, thus completing the line up for the final next Saturday. Despite Damdiggida being the weakest of their three entries Keiino are still safely through. Name recognition and a busy PR campaign in the lead up will make sure of that. Just shame they didn’t enter 2021’s Monument this year, that would’ve won the thing at a canter. I’m definitely not still bitter about that one…
In the first two heats those performed in positions 1-3 were eliminated and those in 4-6 made the cut. With the aforementioned Keiino performing last that’ll help keep up the run. I’m also of the belief that 5th place in the running order will see a 100% hit rate with Miia’s rousing pop entry, Green Lights being one of the stronger in this bunch. However, with Annprincess 4th in the order I don’t foresee a full repeat once again.
Personally I would be over the moon if Mistra’s Waltz of Death made the cut. After MGP didn’t disappoint in the staging of Gåte’s Ulveham I have every hope this dark and gloomy rock opera epic is going to be a thing to behold. However, it all just feels a tad niche to garner mass support. In stark contrast, Vidar Villa is opening the show with the typically cheery and upbeat Mer. This one feels like the most obvious qualifier out the remaining bunch.
🇳🇴 Vidar Villa, Miia and Keiino will qualify for the MGP final 🇳🇴
Lastly, we have the continuation of Lithuania’s national selection. Last week felt like a real low point. With entries I’ll politely describe as middling, being performed with all the verve and vigour of a Teams call on a Monday morning, it was miss after miss. With the big names coming in the later shows, last week felt like a burner show.
Having waded through eight entries competing tomorrow there is a slight improvement but it really is slight. Whilst two of these entries will make the final I can guarantee none are winning Lithuania’s spot at Eurovision. The strongest of the bunch is probably Baltos Varnos with In the Night. The twin sisters’ folky sound brings a touch of class to proceedings and feels like a safe bet.
The other one I’m backing is Sid Hallow‘s Here We Go Again. It’s a fairly standard piano driven pop ballad, with choral influences as the song progresses. Providing the lad Sid has the pipes live to match to the pre-recorded vocal this should gobble up jury points like the Irish television viewing public going through peanut butter.
🇱🇹 Baltos Varnos & Sid Hallow qualify for the final of Eurovizija.LT. 🇱🇹
And after all that we’ll basically be done for January. Spain’s Benidorm Fest starts on the 30th but other than that we’ll be heading into February where no fewer than 14 national selections will reach their conclusions. Now it’s time for, to quote RAFAL, the ride of your life!
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