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THERE’S NO GETTING away from it.
Spring has sprung, summer’s on the way and (just as inevitably) the Eurovision Song Contest is with us once again.
Whether you’re donning a Linda Martin outfit and tottering along to a Eurovision party, curling up on the sofa to watch it at home or merely hoping to get up-to-speed on the main points so you can chip in with some well-informed commentary down the pub (“it’s Russia’s to lose” – that sort of thing) – here’s everything you need to know…
Sweden. Stockholm’s Globe Arena to be precise.
Because the Swedes won it last year – thanks to a barnstorming performance from Mans Zelmerlow (below). Mans is on hosting duty this year too – helming the show alongside comedian and actress Petra Mede, who also hosted back in 2013.
Former Westlife star (now 2FM presenter) Nicky Byrne.
In a break with the usual format, RTÉ decided to select a contestant and song without any preliminary national competition this year.
His track, Sunlight, was co-written by Byrne with Wayne Hector (who has written for Britney Spears, amongst others) and composer Ronan Hardiman (whose credits include the soundtrack to Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance).
Here’s what it sounds like…
The folks at Montrose are hoping Westlife fans across the continent cast their votes in his favour – but the bookies are putting Nicky smack-bang in the middle of the table at the moment.
He’s at 80-1 to win it outright, according to the latest odds from Paddy Power.
Of course, he still has to get out of the semi-final stage before even thinking about the main event on Saturday night.
There are two of them – tonight and on Thursday.
The likes of Finland, Greece, favourites Russia and plucky little San Marino duke it out tonight at the Globe Arena.
Ireland will be up against (amongst others) Poland, Denmark, Belgium and Australia in Thursday night’s contest.
The top ten from each night’s selection go through to join the Eurovision ‘big five’ plus hosts Sweden in the final.
The UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. They always have automatic places in the decider, as they pony-up most of the money for the event every year.
Yes… The European Broadcasting Union has always had a pretty broad interpretation of what constitutes ‘European’ when it comes to the Song Contest. Israel takes part, for instance. And Azerbaijan won in 2011.
As it was the 60th anniversary of the contest last year, Australia were invited to take part as a wildcard entry.
After finishing a respectable fifth, the antipodeans are being invited back – but they’ll have to fight their way out of the semi-finals this time around.
Former teen star Sergey Lazarev is favourite to clinch the overall prize for Russia this year, with the catchy ‘You Are The Only One’.
Lazarev is a huge star in his own country – and while Russian performances have been met with an icy reception in the past due to the country’s record on LGBT rights, Ukraine and other issues, he’s still tipped to win it this weekend.
Keep an eye out also for the entries from Ukraine, France and Malta. The UK are in with a shout too – our nearest neighbours have sent ‘Joe and Jake’ (they’re like a less Jedwardy Jedward) and their entry’s been pretty well received…
As usual, Marty Whelan’s got the week’s festivities covered for RTÉ. Graham Norton is back on duty for the Beeb.
Expect the occasional reminiscence about the late Terry Wogan from both men (even if the producer of this year’s contest is no fan).
As Norton explained to the BBC, he’s planning a special tribute of his own to the broadcasting great during the ninth song.
“For those who aren’t aware song number nine is famous because Sir Terry always warned me not to have anything to drink until that point,” the chat show host said.
During song number nine this year the host country Sweden will be performing and I will be encouraging everyone to raise a glass.
The results should be a good deal more exciting than in recent years, organisers are hoping.
As before, each country’s scores will be made up of 50% of a public vote and 50% of a jury vote.
But in a break with the recent format, the votes will now be split: each country’s jury vote will be announced first, and votes from viewers in all countries will be combined – to be revealed at a final announcement.
Confused?
Here’s a video explainer…
The first semi-final airs tonight on RTÉ One at 8pm, with the second semi airing at the same time on Thursday.
The big finish is this Saturday at 8pm.
And if you need an extra reason to tune in – the half-time show this year will be performed by Justin Timberlake.
He’s debuting a new song for the occasion – called Cry Me a Riverdance (just kidding – he’ll be singing Can’t Stop the Feeling)…
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You didn’t tell me everything I wanted to know, because I want to know how did that untalented gobshïte get the gig? It couldn’t possibly be because he ‘works’ for RTE and they look after their own, could it? Why oh why are RTE determined to created a career for this non talented, bland z list celeb?
Australia are in it that just proves how ridiculous it is
That old chestnut again.And London and New York and in the ALL IRELAND championship. What does that prove.
Ireland have no chance… Appalling song and a second rate singer who can’t even hit some of the notes…
Correct-he cannot sing, never could. There are genuinely talented singer songwriters in Ireland scraping by. What they would do to have that oppurtunity, that publicity and the chance to open up some doors to pave themselves a deserved career in music- doung something they love, something they are passionate about. This Nicky Byrne fella hasn’t a note in his head,never had to do an audition..he just git the gig. Then again he works for RTE (how did he get that gig as well?) and his father in law is Bertie Ahern. Call me cynical but…
Never had the chance and never will since the televoting came about.
Hilarious ! the man has no chance he can’t sing, we need a voice that has you interested in the first five seconds and has you hair standing up within a minute, like the chat show stick to it buddy. Saying that I think we are going in the right direction we need to try harder before the Sweds knock us off our perch
You are cynical.Who would you pick for us to send so?didn’t we send a young passionate singer starting out in the music business last year and where did that get us.non qualification from the semis. That’s where.
*Ireland* is not competing. It’s a competition between broadcasters.
There’s always backing singers and I suspect, like with Jedward, the male singers will actually carry the tune. The few snippets of the record I’ve heard sound autotuned to feck.
Every time you see his smirking face all I see is his father in law smirking as he sail into the sunset with our hard earned taxes in his back pocket ( not to mention his winning on a horses). This is the first time ever I really hope Ireland doesn’t do well.
Another cringe worthy entry from Ireland
Makes Ronan look talented
#cringe
I think this years entry is ok, Nicky Byrne is likeable. It wouldnt matter who we send, we will still end up with a few points from UK and i will still be sticking my 2 fingers up at the TV and cursing every Polish, Russian and German etc for not voting for us
Will you be cursing Ireland for not voting for them?
Every thing you wanted to know? Most people just want to know what time the results are announced.
typical Irish incestuous set up, RTE give the gig to Bertie`s son-in law, no competition, done deal, with no hope of winning either.
Eurovision wrong contest
Would love to be invited to one of those great hilarious Eurovision parties people have that night with tinsel and feather boas…. Said no person with a life ever.
You’re right, anyone with a life spends all day commenting sh!t€ on the Journal instead.
Please God not Marty Whelan! I’d much rather hear from Marty Morrissey, there’s a man who is positive, well-spoken, and doesn’t whine like a spoiled child. Whelan makes me ashamed to be Irish (the only thing that really does, other than we still compete in the Yoyovision). I’ll watch, of course, as it’s family tradition. But I’ll watch Auntie Beeb, as Graham Norton is marginally less annoying, and get the voting det’s at the last minute.
IRELAND NIL PUA!
Would be better off sending a more talented individual like…….Dustin the Turkey…
I bet few of the millions of people who voted for last year’s winning song could name the singer or sing a line from the winning song! The glory days of Eurovision, when getting a winning song was a launching pad to international fame and fortune are long gone. It’s time to relegate the whole competition to the archives of quaint 20th century tv shows.
Complete talentless garbage. Remember this? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcsXtiN8-UY
Who cares !!!
We couldn’t have sent a better person than Nicky Byrne he is amazing and I just love the song we won’t win cos all the countries vote for their neighbours so all we have is England so it doesn’t matter who we send we will never win it again but Nicky is lovely I met him and I wish him the very best of luck
Very bad intonation on his voice. Of course it could be just bad monitoring as that can happen on live TV so the gig will tell us all as they should have it sorted. Either way it won’t excite the political voting blocs. The only way we’d ever win it again is by moving the country to between Croatia and Serbia or somewhere and leaving brown envelopes for the adjudicating panel in the semifinals.
Lazarev is no Kirkorov nor Bilan, cant see him winning this.
Will it be another freak show this year?
It’s a load of nonsense music is crap should not be shown on prime time tv
Daragh, How much will it cost Ireland this year as each year we have to give them millions to be involved in it?
Believe me when I say there’s nothing I want to know about this years Eurovision!
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