2024

🇨🇿 🇬🇧 🇮🇱 🇳🇱 🇸🇮 🇸🇪 Update after a turbulent week

It has been a turbulent week in the world of Eurovision. No less than four countries presented their participant, one of which also included a song. And as if that was not enough, the EBU also presented the theme art. Israel Let’s all start were it started. The 10th of december was the day of the next round in Israel. This was the result: Malki Lipsker, 95% Raz Levi, 53% Dor Shimon, 93% Yehuda Saado, 73% None of them took part before in Kokhav Nolad when it was the national final for Eurovision. However, Yehuda Saado won the contest in 2005, way before it became the Eurovision national final. The Netherlands Last Monday, it was announced that the Netherlands will be represented by Joost Klein. Joost is especially known for his international hit “Frieschenjung”. You can read everything about Joost here. The song will be presented in March. Slovenia Tuesday was the day of Slovenia. Rumour had it already, but now it was confirmed that Raiven will be the Slovenian representative. Raiven took part in the national selection EMA more than once. Read all about it here. Czechia Wednesday, the result of the Czech final was announced. Aiko is the happy one, her song “Pedestal” will be the Czech entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. You can also find out who Aiko is at her page on our site. Theme Art Thursday, the theme art was published. The theme art makes it possible to have a consistent experience regardless of platform or screen size. Also good to know: the allocation draw, in which it will be decided which country will perform in which semifinal, will be held on January 30. United Kingdom Surprise, surprise, Saturday evening Olly Alexander suddenly announced that he will be the 2024 UK representant. The song will be announced later, in 2024. But until then, you can find all the information about Olly here.

Olly Alexander

©EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts NameOliver Alexander Thornton Born15 July 1990 Nationality🇬🇧 British National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongDizzy (2024) Biography Olly Alexander, born Oliver Alexander Thornton on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, is a multifaceted artist known for his work as a musician, singer-songwriter, actor, and LGBTQ advocate. His journey in the entertainment industry is marked by notable achievements in both music and acting. Alexander is best known as the lead vocalist of the synth-pop band Years & Years, which he joined in 2010. His entry into the band was somewhat serendipitous; he was overheard singing in the shower by band member Mikey Goldsworthy, who was impressed by his voice. Years & Years achieved significant success with their music, which is a blend of electropop, R&B, and 1990s house elements. Their debut single “I Wish I Knew” was released in 2012, and they gained further attention with the release of their second single “Traps” in 2013. The band’s most successful single, “King,” topped the UK Single Chart in March 2015, and their debut album, “Communion,” released in July 2015, entered the UK Albums Chart at number one. Their second studio album, “Palo Santo,” was released in 2018. In March 2021, Years & Years became the solo project of Olly Alexander. Alexander’s acting career is equally impressive. He made his acting debut in the 2008 film “Summerhill” and appeared in the British-French-Australian biographical fiction romantic drama “Bright Star” in 2009. He has worked in various films, television series, and theatre plays, including notable roles in “The Dish & the Spoon” (2010), “Peter and Alice” (2013), and the musical drama “God Help the Girl” (2014). In 2021, Alexander starred in the critically acclaimed Channel 4 and HBO Max drama “It’s a Sin,” which depicts gay life in the 1980s and early 1990s during the onset of HIV/AIDS. His performance in the show was highly praised and sparked discussions about a potential BAFTA nomination. Alexander is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, safer sex, and HIV screening. He has been open about his struggles with mental health issues, including depression and anxiety, which he has experienced since the age of 13. Alexander came out to his mother at the age of 20 and has been vocal about his experiences as a gay man in the entertainment industry. He was involved in a high-profile relationship with Neil Amin-Smith, a violinist from Clean Bandit, though they separated in 2015. In November 2020, he won the LGBT Celebrity of the Year award at the British LGBT Awards. He has also been recognized by Queerty, being named among the 50 heroes “leading the nation toward equality, acceptance, and dignity for all people” in June 2020. In late 2023, it was announced that Olly Alexander was going to represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. On the 1st of March, 2024, his song “Dizzy” was presented. He reached an 18th place in the Grand Final of the contest. Entries Dizzy Country🇬🇧 Country Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsOlly AlexanderDaniel Harle MusicOlly AlexanderDaniel Harle BackingsAlex BrownEdd ArnoldHarrison ClaxtonRaymond Wade Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 46Position: 18Running order: 13 https://youtu.be/q0_FdJqyQW0?si=UVo-NEuDqGSpOZud

Olly Alexander represents the UK

Tonight, the BBC announced that Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest. It was said during the Grand final of Strictly Come Dance. Olly Alexander, born Oliver Alexander Thornton on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, is a celebrated British musician, actor, and LGBTQ advocate. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the synth-pop band Years & Years, which he joined in 2010. The band achieved significant success with hits like “King” and albums such as “Communion” (2015) and “Palo Santo” (2018). Their music, a blend of electropop and R&B, has topped charts and resonated with fans worldwide. In addition to his musical achievements, Alexander has also made a mark in acting. He debuted in the film “Summerhill” in 2008 and gained further recognition with roles in “Bright Star” (2009) and “God Help the Girl” (2014). His portrayal in the 2021 drama series “It’s a Sin” was critically acclaimed, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Beyond entertainment, Alexander is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights and mental health awareness. He has openly discussed his experiences with depression and anxiety, and his activism extends to promoting safer sex and HIV screening. The song Olly will sing will be presented in 2024. The United Kingdom will be automatically added to the final. This is Years and Years’ biggest hit, “King”, from 2015: And this is a more recent one:

EBU and SVT reveal theme art

The theme art of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest is revealed. The theme art will be presented under the name “The Eurovision Lights”. The visual identity for Eurovision 2024, titled ‘The Eurovision Lights,’ merges the awe-inspiring northern lights with the rhythmic patterns of sound equalizers. This concept draws its inspiration from the parallel vertical lines that are characteristic of both the aurora borealis and sound equalizers. Utilizing simple linear gradients, this design has been crafted for adaptability and versatility, allowing it to be easily modified to suit various requirements and devices. SVT’s Christel Tholse Willers, Deputy Executive Producer of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, remarked: ‘We are so proud to present an identity that is designed to be ﬂexible and useful both on and off screen. It is inspired by the magnificent ‘northern lights’, the beauty and mystery of which has been transformed into ‘The Eurovision Lights’. It is a captivating and beautiful mix of the Eurovision Song Contest’s sparkling brand colours that will not only be seen across the three live shows but also in exciting variations in different contexts across the event’s digital platforms and gives a Eurovision feel in Malmö’s urban spaces.’ source: eurovision.tv

Aiko

© EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts NameAlena Shirmanova-Kostebelova Born26 December 1999 Nationality🇨🇿 Czech National SelectionESCZ 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongPedestal (2024) Biography Alena Shirmanova, known by her stage name Aiko, is a Czech singer-songwriter born on December 26, 1999, in Karlovy Vary. Currently residing in Brighton, England, she is poised to represent the Czech Republic at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Alena gained initial fame in the fourth season of the reality talent show “Česko Slovenská SuperStar.” Adopting the stage name Aiko, she released her first album, also named “Aiko,” in 2018. This was followed by “Expiration Date” in 2020, marking her debut single “Hunt.” Aiko’s career includes several notable firsts: she was the first Czech artist to appear on the Times Square screen in New York and the first Czech woman to participate in the Spotify Equal Campaign. Her live performances include Rock for People, ESNS, Metronome Prague, The Great Escape, and Grape festivals. She has also toured as a supporting act for artists like Alice Merton and Tamino. Her music has been featured in popular TV shows like “Teen Mom” and “Love Island.” On October 13, 2023, Aiko released her album “Fortune’s Child.” She was later announced as a contestant in the Czech national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 on November 28, 2023. Competing with the song “Pedestal,” co-written with Steven Ansell, she emerged as the winner of the selection on December 13. With this song, she performed in the 2nd Semifinal on May 11, but unfortunately she didn’t make it to the final. Entries Pedestal Country🇨🇿 Czechia Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsAlena Shirmanová MusicSteven Ansell BackingsNikol Držmíšková DancersDaša NemcováEva KučíkovaLucia GomolováLus Juklova Results Semi Points: 38Position: 11Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/RiItbHRF1BY?si=8WHVwTA4D4mnWkKY

Czechia chose Aiko

The Czech national final for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest has been won by Aiko. With her song “Pedestal” she was selected by both Czech and international televoters. The full results are: Aiko, “Pedestal”, 1st Elly, “The angel’s share”, 2nd Gianna Lei, “Starlet” Lenny, “Good enough”, 4th Mydy, “Red Flag Parade”, 3rd Tom Sean, “Dopamine overdose”, 6th Tomas Robin, “Out of my mind”

Raiven

©EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameSara Briški Cirman Born26 April 1996 Nationality🇸🇮 Slovenian National SelectionInternal selection 2024EMA 2019EMA 2017EMA 2016 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongVeronika (2024) Biography Sara Briški Cirman, widely recognized by her stage name Raiven, is a renowned Slovenian mezzo-soprano, pop singer, songwriter, and harpist. Born on April 26, 1996, in Brežice, Slovenia, she has made significant strides in her musical career, distinguishing herself in both the classical and pop music arenas. Raiven first gained widespread recognition in Slovenia’s music scene during the national final Evrovizijska Melodija (EMA) in 2016, where she competed to represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Črno bel.” She achieved second place in this highly competitive event. Following this success, Raiven continued to participate in EMA, securing third place in 2017 with “Zažarim” and returning in 2019 with “Kaos,” again placing second. Her talent and persistence paid off in 2024 when she was chosen to represent Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest with her song “Veronika.” In 2017, Raiven released “Magenta,” her debut album, to critical acclaim. This release earned her an award from Zlata piščal, a Slovenian cultural and artistic association, in the record of the year category. Later, Raiven expanded her horizons by collaborating with songwriters and producers at London’s Metropolis Studios. This partnership culminated in the release of the EP album “REM,” which garnered both critical and public acclaim. Raiven’s stage presence and performance skills were further highlighted at the Exit Festival in Novi Sad in 2019, where she performed on the Fusion Stage to an audience of over 56,000 people. She also showcased her versatility by performing with several esteemed orchestras, including the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra and the Slovenian Police Orchestra. In 2020, she delivered a memorable performance with the RTV Slovenia Symphony Orchestra at the Ljubljana Slovene National Theatre Opera and Ballet. Her achievements in 2021 were notable, winning the Grand Audience Award at the Popevka 21 festival with her song “Vokovi,” earning the title Popevka 2021. That same year, Raiven completed her master’s degree in opera solo singing at Ljubljana’s Academy of Music. Raiven’s innovative approach to music was evident in her electro-opera concert project in 2022, where she skillfully blended classical opera arias with electronic pop. This project, titled “Doloroso,” was showcased in a sold-out concert at Cankar Centre. In 2023, Raiven hosted the Popevka festival and introduced her new song “Ikona,” signaling the upcoming release of her EP “Sirene,” which includes her Eurovision song “Veronika.” Raiven’s education in music began early, enrolling at the Ljubljana Music Matica at the age of four. She pursued harp lessons at the Music School in Ljubljana and later attended the Maribor Conservatory of Music and Ballet, where she majored in harp, jazz singing, and solo singing. Her talents were recognized early on, winning several awards in classical music competitions. She graduated in solo singing from the Ljubljana Academy of Music in 2015 and completed her master’s degree in 2021. In opera, Raiven dedicated herself to artistic development, performing in various roles, including in the world’s first tamburitza opera “Ambrož and Katarina” and as a scholarship holder of the Berlin Opera Academy. Her performances in significant roles, such as Rosina in Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville” and the title role in Händel’s “Agrippina,” demonstrate her versatility and commitment to the opera genre. Raiven has also made her mark in theater, performing in plays like “Trojanke” and musicals such as “Povodni mož,” showcasing her multifaceted talents. Her dedication to her craft and continuous development as an artist have established her as a significant figure in both the Slovenian and international music scenes. On December 12, 2023, it was announced that she was going to represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Veronika”. The song managed to reach the Grand Final on May 11. Entries Veronika Country🇸🇮 Slovenia Year2024 LanguageSlovenian LyricsSara Briški CirmanBojan CvjetićaninKlavdija Kopina MusicSara Briški CirmanBojan CvjetićaninDanilo KapelKlavdija KopinaMartin BezjakPeter Khoo DancersFilippo Jorio Lukas Bareman Marin Ino Mateja Železnik Matteo Moretto Results Semi Points: 51Position: 9Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: 27Position: 23Running order: 22 https://youtu.be/l86DxpRnz5M?si=fLlVc841n08YIFLg

Joost Klein

© EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts NameJoost Klein Born10 November 1997 Nationality🇳🇱 Dutch National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongEuropapa (2024) Biography Joost Klein, widely known as Joost, was born on November 10, 1997, in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. He’s a renowned Dutch musician, writer, and former YouTuber. His notable works include tracks like “Scandinavian Boy,” “Wachtmuziek,” “Ome Robert,” and “Friesenjung,” and albums such as “M van Marketing,” “Albino,” and “1983.” In 2024, he’s set to represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Growing up in Britsum with his parents, Joost attended Stedelijk Gymnasium Leeuwarden. He experienced significant losses early in life, losing his father in his first year of secondary school and his mother shortly thereafter. In 2008, at the age of 10, Joost started a YouTube channel named EenhoornJoost. Joost’s career took off with his single “Bitches,” achieving a million views on YouTube. He briefly joined the label Top Notch in 2017-2018 before deciding to establish his own label. The first album released under his label was “Albino” on January 18, 2019. Before that, on October 20, 2017, he released the mixtape “Scandinavian Boy.” His single “Meeuw” was released on March 21, 2018, with a music video shot in Los Angeles. This was followed by “Ome Robert” on April 26. On August 3, 2018, Joost and Donnie released the album “M van Marketing,” featuring songs like “Stockholm,” “Domme Patta,” “Leipe Dennis,” and “Vogel op de Hek.” Later, on November 2, he released “Chubby,” a track discussing his birthweight, produced by Tantu. In 2018, Joost also penned the poetry collection “Albino,” inspired by his father, who was also a writer. He expressed the significance of holding a tangible creation, contrasting it with the virtual nature of his YouTube and music work. Promoting “Albino,” Joost embarked on the “Het gaat niet zo goed” tour on January 25, 2019, visiting nine theaters including Het Paard, De Oosterpoort, Doornroosje, and Paradiso. He concluded the tour on March 3 at Paradiso. During the following summer, he performed at several festivals like Pukkelpop, Pinkpop, Lowlands, and Zwarte Cross. “1983,” an album named after his brother’s birth year, was released on November 15, 2019. On April 24, 2020, Joost released “Joost Klein 7,” featuring collaborations including Canadian rapper bbno$. In this album, members of Lekker Spelen featured on one of the tracks. “Ik Wil Je,” a remix of De Kreuners’ song, was released on August 7, 2020. In “Florida 2009,” Joost reflects on his parents’ passing. First performed at Pinkpop 2022, he described it as his most personal and honest track. He released his eighth studio album, “Fryslân,” on September 30, 2022, featuring singles like “Wachtmuziek,” “Florida 2009,” and “Papa en Mama,” entirely produced by Teun de Kruif (Tantu Beats). The album includes collaborations with South African rapper Jack Parow, Pestcore Collectief member Gladde Paling, videographer Appie Mussa (Apson), and YouTuber Nathan Vandergunst (Acid), incorporating samples from Doe Maar and Crazy Frog. In 2023, Joost’s first German hit “Friesenjung,” made in collaboration with Berlin rapper Ski Aggu and an adaptation of a song by East Frisian comedian Otto Waalkes (itself an adaptation of Sting’s “Englishman in New York”), topped the German charts. He released more songs in the gabberpop genre and participated in the Flemish TV show “De Slimste Mens ter Wereld,” where he was eliminated after two episodes. On social media, Joost’s presence evolved from making YouTube videos under the name EenhoornJoost, featuring sketches and mini-documentaries, to focusing solely on music videos under the name joost klein. Joost Klein has amassed over 225,000 subscribers on YouTube, with his videos garnering more than 23 million views. However, he doesn’t consider himself a YouTuber anymore, having shifted his focus from creating general content to exclusively music videos. He identifies more as an artist. On Instagram, he has gained a substantial following, with over 385,000 followers, reflecting his growing popularity and influence in the digital realm. Joost was one of 600 candidates aspiring to represent the Netherlands at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Supported by 3FM DJs, he gathered 25,000 signatures displayed on a banner at the entrance of the Media Park in Hilversum, in front of Beeld & Geluid. On December 11, 2023, he was officially chosen as the Dutch singer. On February 29, 2024, he presented his Eurovision song “Europapa”. After reaching the final on the 9th of May, an incident occured between Joost Klein and a lady of the camera crew. Although Joost was not found guilty, EBU thought it was necessary to disqualify him. After Eurovision, Joost’s “Europapa” reached the first place in three countries and became a hit in many European countries. “Europapa” even reached the British charts, as the first Dutch language song ever. Entries Europapa Country🇳🇱 The Netherlands Year2024 LanguageDutch LyricsJoost KleinMaradonnieTim Haars MusicTantu BeatsThijmen MelissantPaul ElstakDylan van Dael BackingsMartijn van Eijzeren (Stuntkabouter)Abdulahi Mussa Ali (Appie Mussa) BackingsIndy van CauwenbergSophia Mason Results Semi Points: 182Position: 2Running order: 16 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: 5 https://youtu.be/IiHFnmI8pxg?si=gm4vd4A6FtPM5Dz-

Joost Klein for The Netherlands

photo: AVROTROS Joost Klein will represent The Netherlands in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, next year in Malmö. That is what Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced this morning. One of the Dutch radiostations, NPO3, already campaigned a lot for Joost. And in the end, it worked. Below, you see the video where he got the phonecall from AVROTROS, telling him he is selected. “Following a careful and multi-phase process, the selection committee ultimately opted for Joost Klein. There were a lot of entries from a wide range of genres, but in our view his had the most hit potential. In the song, you hear his familiar mix of party and nostalgia.” “With his enormous creativity, we think Joost can put on a great show in a totally original way, and that the Netherlands and Europe are in for a positive surprise. We’re really looking forward to working with him.” Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen, chair of the selection committee. Joost Klein: “Taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true. I used to watch it together with my parents, glued to the screen, year after year. It’s an honor to represent the Netherlands, and I’m committed to giving my all for the best possible outcome.” source: AVROTROS This is not the Eurovision Song but it is an idea of what you can expect:

37 countries in Eurovision

37 countries will participate in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Compared with last year’s contest, Romania will not take part. EBU says it is still talking with Romanian broadcaster TVR about future participations. Also compared to last year, Luxembourg returns to the contest. After the 1993 contest, Luxembourg left Eurovision. In order to select a song for the 2024 contest, RTL (Radio Télé Luxembourg) already started with auditions. A national final will be held with multiple artists.