Nemo wins Eurovision for Switzerland after controversial grand final
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Switzerland’s Nemo has won Eurovision in a triumph that caps off one of the most fraught weeks in the feel-good competition’s long history.
Croatia went into the 68th Eurovision Song Contest as the bookies’ favourite, but it was Switzerland who triumphed in a dramatic evening dogged by protests and controversy.
Nemo Mettler, 24, impressed with soaring vocals in their song The Code and a tricksy staging that involved balancing on a giant spinning disc.
The UK’s Olly Alexander was well received in the room and picked up decent points from the jury votes, but was handed the humiliation of scoring nul points from the public vote. Alexander finished 18th overall, out of 25 countries.
Israel’s Eden Golan had a mixed reception from the audience: both cheers and boos. Meanwhile, thousands of pro-Palestinian protestors gathered outside the Malmo Arena – including climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was moved on by police.
There was also major controversy when the Netherlands’ entrant, Joost Klein, was disqualified from the final at the last minute, following an incident with a Eurovision crew member.
Nemo cracks it with The Code
Nemo became the first non-binary person to win the Eurovision Song Contest tonight for their performance of The Code.
Speaking afterwards, the Swiss musician referenced the controversy and rows surrounding Israel’s involvement, saying that their experience at the contest was “not just pleasant all the way”.
They said: “I have to say this experience was really intense and not just pleasant all the way.
“There were a lot of things that didn’t seem like it was all about love and unity and that made me really sad.”
Nemo added: “I really hope Eurovision continues and can continue to stand for peace and love in the future and I think that needs a lot of work still.”
Controversial Israeli entrant gets second-most public votes
After finishing in the top five in one of the most politically heated Eurovision contests in recent history, Golan insisted that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.
The 20-year-old won the second highest number of public televotes in the contest, after Croatia, following days of controversy over her inclusion amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
Speaking after the Grand Finale, she told journalists in a mixture of Hebrew and English that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.”
Speaking to journalists after the Eurovision Grand Finale, Israel's entrant Eden Golan says that 'music is stronger than anything else' and that 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger' pic.twitter.com/0eJc1Te5Bu
— India McTaggart (@indiamctaggart) May 12, 2024
The singer, who came fifth with her power ballad Hurricane, added: “It shows that music is stronger than anything else and that love is so powerful. And spreading love brings it back to you.”
She said it was “truly heartwarming” to see the amount of love and support she got throughout, adding that it came “from people all around the world, not only my country.”
Golan continued: “That [support] says everything to me, not winning doesn’t matter at all.”
“My goal coming here was an agreement I have to try and disconnect people from all their thoughts and opinions and what they think and make them feel something and connect to a different frequency, which is called music,” she added.
“And I think I achieved that, I achieved that and it’s clear - I came second in the televotes which is amazing, I couldn’t ask for a better place.”
The Israeli singer insisted that she had been “focusing on my part” in the contest, rather than getting involved in the controversy surrounding her inclusion among other contestants.
“I don’t know the details on what’s going on around, I’m not focusing on that,” she said.
“People have the right to speak their mind and do what they want, it has nothing to do with me. I’m here to spread love and music and that’s what matters,” the 20-year-old added.
Olly Alexander suffers brutal public vote
Alexander reacted jovially as the UK was the only country to not score from the audience tally, after his performance of song Dizzy.
The Years and Years star, 33, had 46 points from the other country’s judges which landed him above seven other nations.
His performance, which featured upside-down dressing room staging and cameras rotating to give a spinning feel to Alexander and the dancers, went smoothly after his mic pack fell off earlier in the week.
Following the performance, Alexander told BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills programme: “I did have a slight wardrobe malfunction in that my mic pack fell off in the second chorus, so I was confused and stressed by that.”
Speaking after Alexander’s performance in the final, Graham Norton, who was leading coverage on BBC One, said: “Wow what a great job.”
Norton said there was clapping in the commentary booth, adding: “Oh, the reaction in the arena is sensational, if only they could vote! Maybe they will later.”
He continued: “That is terrific, we don’t know how it will do because it is so different to everything else in the contest tonight.”
01:40 AM BST
That’s all, folks
Well, that was a dramatic night for all sorts of reasons – but a good (and non-controversial) winner, which everyone will be very relieved about.
Do you agree with the result? Let us know in the comments!
01:25 AM BST
Golan: ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’
After finishing in the top five, Israeli’s entrant Eden Golan insisted that “what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.
Speaking after the Grand Finale, she told journalists: “It shows that music is stronger than anything else and that love is so powerful. And spreading love brings it back to you.”
She said it was “truly heartwarming” to see the amount of love and support she got throughout, adding that it came “from people all around the world, not only my country.”
Golan continued: “That [support] says everything to me, not winning doesn’t matter at all.”
“My goal coming here was an agreement I have to try and disconnect people from all their thoughts and opinions and what they think and make them feel something and connect to a different frequency, which is called music,” she added.
“And I think I achieved that, I achieved that and it’s clear - I came second in the televotes which is amazing, I couldn’t ask for a better place.”
01:18 AM BST
‘After all the controversy, Eurovision vanished into the sunset hitch-free’
In the end, it was just another Eurovision Song Contest. Overshadowed through the week by controversy over Israel’s participation and rattled by the expulsion of Netherlands representative Joost Klein hours before the grand final, it seemed the world’s most outrageous musical party might be about to crash in dramatic fashion.
But the Malmö 2024 edition of Eurovision simply grabbed its glittery face paint, knee-high boots and semi-clad male dancers and steam-rolled on regardless across an evening that was enjoyable, though never quite spectacular.
Read more: Eurovision 2024 review: Nemo brought the woh-ho-ho, everyone else the ho-hum
12:44 AM BST
Neil McCormick’s review
The Eurovision found Nemo. And, I have to say, it was the right result on the night.
I surprised myself watching his performance when I tweeted that he could win. As an aging rock critic, I don’t think I am the prime audience, and don’t set much store by my own ability to pick Euro winners. Indeed, the first time I had seen the Swiss entrant perform his song during a semi-final, I was rather distracted by staging that involved the 24 year old Nemo Mettler spinning around on what looked like a satellite dish designed for a children’s playground by a child-hating sadist.
But this was a a lush, catchy pop song delivered with real commitment.
Read more: Nemo’s winning song The Code is a Eurovision rarity – it’s actually great
12:29 AM BST
Nemo Mettler: ‘I hope Eurovision continues to stand for peace and dignity’
Nemo Mettler was handed the glass microphone by last year’s winner, Loreen, for their performance of The Code.
“I hope this contest can live up to its promise and continue to stand for peace and dignity for every person,” they said onstage after the win.
12:24 AM BST
The Eurovision 2024 results in full
Switzerland: 591
Croatia: 547
Ukraine: 453
France: 445
Israel: 375
Ireland: 278
Italy: 268
Armenia: 183
Sweden: 174
Portugal: 152
Greece: 126
Germany: 117
Luxembourg: 103
Lithuania: 90
Cyprus: 78
Latvia: 64
Serbia: 54
United Kingdom: 46
Finland: 38
Estonia: 37
Georgia: 34
Spain: 30
Slovenia: 27
Austria: 24
Norway: 16
11:47 PM BST
Switzerland wins!
The public loved Nemo too.
Neil is astounded. “Gosh. The best song with one of the most impressive vocal performances won. It’s already stuck in my brain after that head-spinning performance. And I’m honestly grateful I am not going to wake up to be bombarded by the Croatian chant. Nemo has huge potential as an artist, a big voice, a huge sense of melody, and apparently a superhuman sense of balance. Pity about the dress sense, but you can’t have everything.
“Zero points from the public for UK entrant Olly Alexander. ‘I don’t know why that happened,’ said Graham Norton. Well, maybe I can enlighten him. Ordinary pop song, underpowered vocal, orgiastic production. No blaming Brexit for that. Just not good enough. Again.”
11:45 PM BST
It’s 227 points for France
They’re now third behind Ukraine.
11:43 PM BST
Croatia get 337 points!
We can’t get enough of Baby Lasagna – and now they’re on top of the leaderboard, with 547 points total.
11:42 PM BST
307 points for Ukraine!
A big show of support from the public – and they take the lead.
11:41 PM BST
Ireland get 136 points
It’s good, but not good enough. They’re in third place for now.
11:40 PM BST
Israel gets a whopping 323 points
They shoot up to the number one spot, for now – but they’ll surely be overtaken.
11:39 PM BST
The UK gets 0 points from the public!
Poor Olly Alexander. That is CRUEL.
So, his 46 points remains unchanged.
11:37 PM BST
Norway are now destined to come last
And fairly paltry scoring for the lower half of the leaderboard so far - the public agreeing with the juries.
11:36 PM BST
The public vote has been counted
Bottom-placed Estonia gets 33 points to add to their 4.
Only 4 for Finland. Ouch.
11:32 PM BST
Switzerland is well in the lead with the juries
BUT it’s 50/50 – so the public vote could easily overturn it.
11:31 PM BST
And finally... Sweden gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to Croatia – and 8 to the UK! We’re now on a fairly respectable 46.
11:31 PM BST
Serbia gives 12 points to Croatia
10 to Switzerland, 8 to France. And 4 to the UK!
11:30 PM BST
Lithuania gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to Croatia, who are still well positioned – and could yet nab it with the public vote.
11:29 PM BST
Cyprus gives 12 points to Croatia
10 to France, 8 to Israel (more lusty boos).
11:28 PM BST
Poland gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to Ukraine.
The UK is now on 34.
11:28 PM BST
Ireland gives 12 points to Switzerland
Our neighbour gives us 4 points.
11:26 PM BST
Latvia gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to France, 3 to the UK.
11:26 PM BST
Iceland gives 12 points to France
10 to Croatia, 8 to the UK! Hurrah!
11:25 PM BST
Belgium gives 12 points to France
Ooh 6 to the UK!
11:24 PM BST
Portugal gives 12 points to Switzerland
Another 10 to Ireland. And 4 to the UK! We love you, Portugal!
11:23 PM BST
Finland gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to Croatia.
11:22 PM BST
Italy gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 for Ireland, and 2 for Estonia – they’re now off the dreaded nul points, with 4 altogether.
11:21 PM BST
France gives 12 points to Portugal
10 to Ukraine.
The UK remains on 9.
11:20 PM BST
Austria gives 12 points to Switzerland
Can anyone beat them?
11:20 PM BST
Netherlands give 12 points to Switzerland
Their jury spokesperson chose not to appear, so we got another round of angry boos for Martin Österdahl instead.
11:18 PM BST
Estonia gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to Ukraine, 7 for France, 5 for Israel.
11:17 PM BST
Greece gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to Cyprus. As is traditional.
11:14 PM BST
The current top 3
...are Switzerland, France and Italy, with Ireland just behind.
The UK is currently 21st.
11:13 PM BST
Moldova gives 12 points to Ukraine
Well that’s nice. A further 3 to Israel.
11:12 PM BST
Switzerland gives 12 points to Greece
And 3 to the UK!
11:12 PM BST
Israel are not popular in the room
“I’m not sure if you can hear it on TV, but every time a jury awards any points to Israel there are boos and heckles,” reports Liam.
11:11 PM BST
Georgia gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to France, who are catching up, and 3 to Israel.
11:11 PM BST
Slovenia gives 12 points to France
10 to Switzerland.
The UK is still on 6.
11:10 PM BST
Armenia gives 12 points to France
10 to Portugal, just 7 to Switzerland.
11:09 PM BST
Germany gives 12 points to Sweden
10 to France, 8 for Israel.
11:08 PM BST
Norway gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to France, 8 to Israel.
11:07 PM BST
Spain gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 to Ireland. Ooh and 2 for the UK! We’ll take it!
Only Estonia has yet to score now.
11:06 PM BST
Denmark give 12 points to Switzerland
10 to France, 7 to Ireland.
11:05 PM BST
Australia give 12 points to Ireland!
Plus some keytar playing. No thank you.
FOUR POINTS TO THE UK!! Strewth, mate!
11:04 PM BST
Switzerland are well ahead at the moment
But still a way to go – the public vote can change everything.
11:04 PM BST
Israel gives 12 points to Luxembourg
Hearty crowd boos when Israel is announced.
The 10 goes to Germany, 8 to Ukraine.
11:03 PM BST
Czechia gives 12 points to Ukraine
Switzerland get 10, Ireland 7.
11:02 PM BST
Albania gives 12 points to Switzerland
The UK is STILL on 0. Israel now has 3.
11:01 PM BST
Croatia gives 12 points to Portugal
Huh.
10 to Slovenia, 8 to Ireland.
11:00 PM BST
Malta gives 12 points to Switzerland
WOW. Is this a done deal? Mind, Ireland are clocking up the points too...
10:59 PM BST
San Marino gives 12 points to Switzerland
The UK is still on 0. So is Israel.
10:58 PM BST
Azerbaijan gives 12 points to Switzerland
There’s also some ill-advised singing.
10:57 PM BST
Luxembourg gives 12 points to Switzerland
10 go to France.
The UK is still yet to score.
10:56 PM BST
Joanna Lumley represents the UK
She’s holding a glass of bubbly – naturally, sweetie darling. And she gets in an “absolutely fabulous” joke.
The UK jury gives 12 points to Portugal. Random.
10:55 PM BST
First up: Ukraine’s jury give 12 points to Switzerland
Plus 10 to Ireland!
10:55 PM BST
More boos for the Eurovision boss
The crowd are still holding Martin Österdahl, the executive supervisor of Eurovision, responsible for this year’s various dramas.
10:53 PM BST
It’s results time!
This should only take two to three hours.
10:52 PM BST
Lembit Opik is scandalised
Did the man not date a Cheeky Girl?
Unless the bbc causes a live apology from Norton for praising a broadcast of the representation of an overtly sexual act in Eurovision I will refer this to Ofcom
— Lembit Öpik (@lembitopik) May 11, 2024
10:46 PM BST
What’s happened to the protest?
“Outside Malmo Arena it is now eerily quiet, except for the sound of police horses and the distant chanting and drums from a live pro-Palestine protest that has been cordoned off at a distance,” reports India.
“The Swedish police have clearly secured the premises completely now and dozens of them are standing around the venue.
“In the near distance, Palestinian flags can still be seen but the group are now blocked off by a cordon of police vans and officers sit on horses nearby.”
10:44 PM BST
Reigning champion Loreen is back
She’s unveiling her new single Forever, while sitting on a bendy stool and doing slow-motion cycling, beneath giant strips of tissue paper. This is an ARTIST, people.
I jest, but she really is a mesmerising performer.
“Two-time winner Loreen is probably thinking she could have done it again this year if she’d bothered,” says Neil. He’s not wrong.
Neil adds: “My stomach muscles are hurting just watching Loreen perform. She’s a pioneer of the Eurovision approach to having singers perform in unnatural body positions.”
10:33 PM BST
Neil makes his prediction
“If I had to stake a guess on the winner: I really hope it’s not the crass chanter Baby Lasagna, I don’t think Ireland’s Bambie Thug will do it but they were enjoyably weird, Olly Alexander might as well go back to his toilet set – not least cos Switzerland’s Nemo did the same kind of pop thing with a much stronger vocal and impressive staging, and I think has a good shot for the win.
“I did like France’s Slimane too, especially the acappella power of his solo moment. But I’m a music critic – so what do I know?”
10:31 PM BST
Abba fakeout: mark two
We head to London and... no, it’s not actual Abba, but the “Abbatars” at the technically astounding Abba Voyage. Plus some archive footage of their Waterloo Eurovision win, and a singalong by more not-Abba performers.
It’s fun enough, but still a letdown after all that build-up.
10:26 PM BST
Abba fakeout
No, the supergroup are NOT appearing – despite a tease by the presenters. Instead it’s a reunited Alcazar with their hit Crying at the Discoteque. Which, in fairness, is also a quality Scandi disco bop.
Liam says: “Palpable disappointment in the arena as the prospect of an impromptu performance by Abba was dangled and snatched away before a different band came to sing. Alcazar, they’re called. Nope, me neither.”
10:23 PM BST
Swedish humour: an acquired taste
Incidentally, I have spared you all of the wacky “comedy” interludes. You’ll thank me for it.
10:15 PM BST
Who’s getting your vote?
Let us know in the comments below!
10:13 PM BST
Austria closes the night with a dance party
And finally, it’s Kaleen with both a song and a promise: We Will Rave.
“Will we though?” snorts Neil. “Not to this outdated techno piffle, we won’t. Rum de dum dum dah indeed.”
10:09 PM BST
Is France’s love song a dark horse?
Slimane offers a nice change of pace as we near the end of this year’s contest: an intimate, sensual ballad, and seriously well sung.
“If you are going to go for a stripped-back approach at Eurovision, it helps to be singing a melodious ballad in French titled Mon Amour – two Gallic words that need no translation,” observes Neil. “He’s the second performer tonight to let the music fall silent and carry it forward with his singing alone, but he did it better than Italy’s Angelina Mango, stepping away from the microphone to suggest that his voice alone could fill the arena. Could be in with a (very melodious) shout.”
10:07 PM BST
Georgia struggles to catch fire
With her warbling track Firefighter, Nutsa Buzaladze seems to be fighting her top notes as much as any blaze. But her gold minidress is very, very shiny, so there’s that.
“I’m so exhausted by all the overloaded highly combustible song-and-dance routines, I’d have been happy to see some real firefighters rush on halfway through to extinguish the performance,” says Neil. “It’s a straightforward Euro dance anthem with some tribal beats, big vocal notes and what looked like an attempt to do an interpretative dance of a flaming bush in the middle.”
10:03 PM BST
Croatia’s Baby Lasagna might have just clinched the win
We’re nearly there – stay with us! Here comes the hotly tipped Baby Lasagna (yes really) with Rim Tim Tagi Dim.
It’s a purposeful song about economic migration, and yet the staging features balaclavas, strobe lights, a bopping washerwoman, and a bizarre stomping dance break. It’s ridiculously catchy and the audience is deliriously happy, roaring out the “Whoa-oh” singalong section.
Says Liam: “If Eurovision was decided on crowd reaction in the arena, it would be no contest. Croatia is by far the most popular act of the night.”
“Euro metal chant squashed through a techno blender and delivered with all the subtlety and nuance of a tone-deaf bull running amok in a music shop,” harrumphs Neil. “Apparently it is one of the bookies’ favourites, so what do I know? It sounds exuberantly trite to me – but I’ll probably wake up chanting Rim Tim Tagi Dim in the morning.”
09:56 PM BST
Slovenia asks which witch is which
Raiven’s number is all about Veronika of Desenice, the first woman to be convicted of witchcraft in Slovenia (and also apparently about a severe clothing shortage). But can she out-witch Ireland? I fear not.
“There’s a brand of melodramatic goth-prog pop that has become a favourite Eurovision genre, perhaps because it really allows for over-the-top staging involving writhing bodies and encourages singers to fire off operatic banshee shrieking finales,” says Neil. “It’s kind of like Kate Bush meets Sarah Brightman at the Phantom of the Opera afterparty, and, as it goes, it’s not bad.”
09:50 PM BST
Switzerland spins us right round
Nemo is one of the favourites to win – and you can see why. His number The Code is wildly OTT Freddie Mercury cosplay, plus a riff on Carmen, with soaring falsetto (shades of a James Bond theme too) and risky staging involving him balanced precariously on a spinning disc.
Liam says: “On my tour this morning I was promised that Switzerland’s Nemo does not have magnets on his shoes. Making his performance that much more impressive.”
Neil is less convinced. “Fair enough, Nemo’s got a really great voice (again, showing off those notes that leave Olly Alexander in the shade). Still, I’m not sure if we are supposed to be most impressed by the dramatically jolly pop song or the fact that he can sing it whilst spinning on a roundabout in the guise of a mischievous boy who has been caught rummaging in their sister’s party wardrobe.”
09:45 PM BST
Cyprus is the definition of banal
Silia Kapsis’s Liar, though, seems destined to make little impression. Lots of “ooh la la” lyrics, and truly anodyne staging by Eurovision standards.
Says Neil: “Cyprus’s answer to Mae Martin. It’s a decent, punchy modern pop song, but you wonder how it will fare without a heavy metal bridge or a model spaceship descending from above packed with shirtless aliens.”
09:41 PM BST
Armenia invite you to join their cult
The team-up of singer Jaklin Baghdasaryan and multi-instrumentalist Louis Thomas is wacky but kind of works – at least it’s playful, and it gets the audience involved. “Wildly likeable,” sums up Norton, who has done his homework and established that these two are NOT a couple.
“This is another Euro staple,” says Neil, “a ridiculously upbeat quasi-folk song performed in sexed-up ethnic costume by a band so happy they all look like escaped members of a deranged cult.”
09:38 PM BST
Portugal is strangely sinister
“This is what happens at the Eurovision,” says Neil of iolanda’s number Grito. “You start with a perfectly pleasant ballad performed by a singer with a big, expressive voice, then you throw in a bafflingly sinister routine by a bunch of masked dancers in white suits underneath glowing cubes. What does it all mean? And why should we care?”
09:34 PM BST
Finland bring the madness
And we’re right back to pure bonkers. Windows95man’s No Rules! sees a half-naked man birthed from a denim egg, wearing a blurred-out Windows logo T-shirt, and later shoot fire out of tubes protruding from a pair of denim shorts.
It’s very, very dumb. But infuriatingly catchy.
“Some music only exists in the context of the Eurovision and this is a prime example,” says Neil. “An absurd techno-pop anthem with rapping that would sound rubbish in any language, performed by a band of badly dressed goofs whose pants-free dance routine suggests they still think Benny Hill is the height of comedy.
“It all went down a storm, of course. This is exactly the kind of cheesy fifth-rate pseudo-ironic comedy drivel that makes music lovers hate Eurovision (and Eurovision fans hate music critics).”
Adds Liam: “Before anyone asks – no, being in the arena for Finland’s song does not make it any more comprehensible.”
09:30 PM BST
Serbia offer up a lovely lament
The track title Ramonda refers to a flower that Serbians wear in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the First World War. This is a welcome breather from the OTT offerings, but will it be remembered?
“Brave to go with an understated, underpowered synthy goth ballad in the Eurovision context,” says Neil. “Teya Dora’s low but full voice has some charm, but the song barely registers, and when she settles down on the rock at the end, I thought she might be dozing off.”
09:24 PM BST
Italy are charmingly innocent
The marvellously named Angelina Mango takes us back to the club with the easy-breezy banger La Noia.
“There’s something quite charmingly innocent about this jolly Europop romp with a squelchy bassline that sounds like it escaped from a Mario video game,” says Neil. “It’s going nowhere until they bravely drop out all instrumentation to let Angelina Mango’s forceful voice take charge in a way that lifts the whole song up.”
Liam adds: “Italy join Spain as the biggest crowd-pleaser of the night so far here in Malmö.”
09:20 PM BST
Norway goes goth
Gåte’s Ulveham is about a young woman who is banished and goes mad in the woods. She still has great hair though.
“Some genuinely spectacular singing on this punchy goth-electro-rock anthem,” says an approving Neil. “Olly Alexander could have used some of those high notes in his offering. The band don’t make any pretence of playing live, but if you got points for throwing guitars around they would have this one in the bag.”
09:17 PM BST
Boos for the Eurovision boss
“Some boos in the arena ahead of this interlude song in honour of Martin Österdahl, the executive supervisor of Eurovision,” reports Liam. “Österdahl, a Swede, is blamed by many for the debacle around Israel and the Netherlands, and a song in his honour hasn’t landed terribly well.”
09:12 PM BST
The UK’s Olly Alexander makes us dizzy
No idea why this is taking place in a serial killer’s bathroom. But Alexander delivers a great performance of a so-so song.
“I’ve already opined on the UK entry, and I don’t think it’s a winner, but in the context of all this exuberantly mashed-up genre-hopping Eurotrash it’s a much more accomplished modern pop song than most,” admits Neil. “The tone of Alexander’s voice is great, but I’m not convinced he has the range to take the song where it really needs to go at the end.
“As an aside, the staging is so rampantly gay, it’s a reminder of just how queer the contest has become over the years. Basing your choreography on an orgy in a gay men’s basement club is pretty much par for the course at the Eurovision these days.”
Liam adds: “The most impressive part of Olly Alexander’s song, from where I’m sitting, is the ability of his backing dancers. While viewers at home saw a performance that appeared to defy gravity, the five on stage never left the floor. On telly it looks impressively realistic.
“Lots of love for Alexander in the room tonight, but that may just be a result of Brits being the biggest contingent here.”
09:10 PM BST
Greece is electrifying
Marina Satti gets the party on track with the weirdly enjoyable ZARI.
“This at least has a genuine contemporary edge, blending a minimalist electro sample, some very Grecian singing and punchy rapping,” says Neil. “Strikes me as reminiscent of the kind of sinuous ethno-folk electro blend that Spanish superstar Rosalia has built her career on. Not sure why Greece’s Marina Satti chose to perform this wearing what appears to be an inflatable silver nappy, however.”
09:05 PM BST
Latvia rings hollow
Dons struggles to follow that with his track Hollow.
“Bog-standard Eurovision pop ballad bumped up with a thrusting Imagine Dragons-style chorus intended to give it a contemporary edge, but just serving to emphasise how second hand it all sounds,” says Neil. “Hollow seems an appropriate title.”
09:00 PM BST
Ireland could conjure a win with their ouija-pop
Bambie Thug and their witchy number Doomsday Blue are a bit hit with the crowd.
“Ireland has come a very long way from Johnny Logan,” says Neil. “Bambie Thug puts a lot into their performance of a song that smashes together a sweetly old-fashioned cabaret ballad with thrusting hyperpop and shrieking death metal. I don’t remember much of this carry on around the Ballroom circuit when I was growing up in Dublin.
“Like a cross between the Virgin Prunes and Julie London at a Satanic ritual, it is so authentically bizarre it somehow transcends the gimmickry of the Eurovision milieu. Could it win? I don’t think anyone would object if it did.”
India reports: “Bambie Thug ended their set by shouting ‘Love will always triumph hate’ in a pointed message after days of outspoken displeasure with Israel’s participation in the contest.”
08:57 PM BST
Estonia rap tunelessly
5MIINUST x Puuluup win for longest song title, anyway: it’s (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi.
“God save us all from faux Eurovision folk rap,” cries Neil. “If Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash had been able to peer into the future and see this abomination back in the New York Bronx in the 1970s, they might have been tempted to strangle hip hop at birth. It is quite something to be able to rap as tunelessly as that. I mean, somehow these overgrown hooligans in cheap suits sound like they are shouting in a different key to the rest of the song.”
08:51 PM BST
Spain is selling sex
Nebulossa’s number has sparked lively debate in Spain, since “Zorra” can be translated as a sexist slur – literally “vixen”, but more colloquially “bitch”. Is this a girl-power feminist reclamation, or ridiculously dated raunchy nonsense, complete with backing dancers in corsets and thongs?
“This sounds like something you might have heard on a hen do in a backstreet hotel disco on the Costa Del Sol in the 1970s, warmed up with some 80s techno synth presets,” huffs Neil. “If you can distract yourself from the bearded men in corsets doing their Sam Smith dance tribute, the Nebulossa frontwoman is really not a good enough singer to breath life into this old-fashioned Europop.”
“Might Spain be a dark horse?” queries Liam. “It’s the first act to get any substantial numbers in the audience off their feet during the performance. Will the juries and TV-viewing public be as keen?”
08:45 PM BST
Lithuania is a letdown
“Poor Silvester Belt,” says a sympathetic Liam. “Lithuania’s finest feels like something of a comedown after the heightened emotion of Eden Golan performing immediately before him. An unremarkable tune doesn’t help.”
Neil, in contrast, thinks “it’s kind of a relief to get back to the usual Euro nonsense: some dancers in hoodies throwing kickboxing moves around a beanpole in a tent. It’s an oddly static performance from Lithuania’s answer to Olly Alexander, as if the choreographer couldn’t trust the star to sing and dance at the same time. Otherwise, standard-issue electro-club pop, interchangeable with the UK entry.”
08:40 PM BST
Israel performs to both cheers and boos
There’s a lot of crowd noise during the quieter passages – “a mixed reaction” says Norton of the mixture of cheers and boos. The 20-year-old Eden Golan holds her nerve and delivers a big, powerful performance.
Liam, who is in the arena, reports that there’s lots of singing along to the first chorus, and “very loud booing as Golan switches to Hebrew, but the applause eventually drowns it out as she finishes.”
“Well, Golan has just caused the Eurovision a huge problem, because that was the first half-decent song of the night,” declares Neil. “It’s a perfectly constructed anthemic ballad with a sophisticated flow delivered with nuance and lyrics that barely bother to disguise their politically emotive content.
“I respect that they kept it low, stripped-back and intense for most of its running time before introducing the inevitable pop drums and building to spectacular high notes in the blowout. If it doesn’t win, it’ll probably be down to the political vote. This year, I suspect, the Eurovision might be in the mood for something more, well, silly.”
08:36 PM BST
A missing spot for the Dutch entry
Neil says: “This is where Joost Klein of the Netherlands should have been performing his extravagantly rubbish techno knees-up Europapa, which would have featured the young Dutchman yelling ‘It’s now or never!’ Turns out it was never.”
08:33 PM BST
Luxembourg fight back
Luxembourg return to Eurovision after a 31-year absence. What a shame it’s with this dodgy Christina Aguilera pastiche.
Tali’s Fighter is, sums up Neil, “Anglo-French bilingual pop. Trite in both languages.”
Liam adds: “If you want a sense of how excited this crowd is to see Tali, a lot of people used the time to avail themselves of the bar or lavatory. It’s a shame – I like the song.” You might be alone there, Liam.
08:29 PM BST
Germany bring us a bin fire
ISAAK is Always On The Run – possibly from an arson investigation.
“Shouty soul anthem of a kind that was very on pop trend about five years ago,” says Neil. “I hope ISAAK hasn’t singed his eyebrows, cos when he’s done here, Rag N Bone Man wants his image back.”
08:27 PM BST
Ukraine go saintly
Alyona alyona and Jerry Heil have teamed up for Teresa & Maria, dedicated to Roman Catholic saint Mother Teresa and the Virgin Mary. This is...a lot.
“Just the tribute Mother Teresa would have wanted: an operatic marching song with folk chanting and a pugnacious rap tacked on the end,” comments Neil. “‘All the divas were born as the human beings’ is the English catchphrase, an illustration of the growing problem of foreign songwriters’ reliance on Google Translate.”
08:22 PM BST
First up: it’s host nation Sweden
And it’s not the most scintillating of starts from creepy 90s-boyband-clone twins Marcus & Martinus with their track Unforgettable.
Says Neil: “Ironically very forgettable. Two over-eager boys dressed as Agnetha from Abba performing standard-issue Europop on a set borrowed from Tron. Nice of Sweden to set such a low bar with the first performance.”
08:17 PM BST
Voting lines are now open!
Should you wish to vote before actually hearing any songs.
08:17 PM BST
Greta Thunberg is removed by police
Meanwhile, the protest continues – and climate activist Greta Thunberg has been removed from outside the arena by police.
“This marked the second time that Greta joined the pro-Palestine protests against Israel’s inclusion in the competition,” says India. “On Thursday, the climate activist protested with more than 10,000 people in Malmo.
”On X, formerly Twitter, she claimed Israel is trying to ‘artwash’ Eurovision, referencing the use of artistic performance to distract from perceived negative actions by people, groups, governments or countries.”
08:13 PM BST
Here come hosts Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede
A shame Malin’s dress has been slashed by a bear.
08:08 PM BST
We’re hooked on a feeling
Following an opening performance by Björn Skifs of that 60s classic, the flag parade is set to a medley of Swedish pop bangers. It’s camp, it’s colourful, it’s...so far dodging any further controversy.
“For a man who said earlier this week that he was ‘ambivalent’ about the Union Jack, Olly Alexander certainly wrapped himself in a huge one tonight,” quips Liam.
has he parachuted in on that like Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me #Eurovision2024 pic.twitter.com/hgjrLJ2wOq
— Toby Earle 🇺🇦 Threads tobyontv (@TobyonTV) May 11, 2024
08:03 PM BST
We’re off!
The Eurovision final begins with a stately message from the Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (after a lengthy slo-mo shot allowing us to admire her chic bun).
And here’s our Graham to commentate: “It’s been quite an eventful Eurovision so far!” he chirps with admirable understatement.
07:58 PM BST
Hollywood is here
Actor Will Ferrell and his wife Viveca Paulin have arrived at the arena. Ferrell previously starred in the spoof film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
07:51 PM BST
It’s a different world inside the arena
Protests? What protests? #Eurovision2024 pic.twitter.com/J6nMK0YPyC
— Liam Kelly (@iamliamkelly) May 11, 2024
07:45 PM BST
Police round up protestors
“Pro-Palestine protesters are being rounded up by Swedish police outside the Malmo Arena with just 20 minutes to go until the start of tonight’s Eurovision Grand Finale,” says India.
“The police appear to be clashing with attempting to move them away from the venue.”
Pro-Palestine protesters being moved away from the Eurovision venue with less than 20 mins to go until the Grand Finale start time: pic.twitter.com/7Vdmgs7357
— India McTaggart (@indiamctaggart) May 11, 2024
07:41 PM BST
Trains are suspended in Malmo
More news from India. “Trains at Hyllie, the station right outside of Malmo Arena, have been temporarily suspended to stop pro-Palestine protesters from getting to the venue, The Telegraph understands.
“It is not clear when they will resume, but it understood that all trains between Malmo Central Station and Copenhagen have been stopped.”
07:40 PM BST
Israel is campaigning in Times Square
Again, good luck to the EBU with their “non-political contest” stance...
The Israeli government (including their Twitter account @israel) is going all out to campaign for votes for their #Eurovision entry today, even buying billboard space in Times Square.#Eurovision success is very much an official government mission for Israel at this point. https://t.co/SVMeWMvHre
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) May 11, 2024
07:31 PM BST
Protestors clash with police
“Scenes of people mingling in a VIP Eurovision Baileys bar adorned in their country’s flags and sequinned outfits are starkly contrasted just yards away across a fence with pro-Palestine protesters shouting ‘Shame on you’ to queueing ticket holders,” reports India.
“Keffiyeh-clad protestors are scattered at Malmo Arena’s entrance, with police closely looking on, while they shout ‘Genocide’ to unfazed attendees and chant.
“It’s an unusual scene for the usually exuberant and cheerful celebration of Eurovision, but it’s rounding off a week of the song contest which has been mired by fury at organisers for including Israel in the competition.
“‘Malmo, say no to genocide!’ is shouted as loud club music blasts from the arena’s speakers.”
Current scenes outside Eurovision's Malmo Arena: pic.twitter.com/vbB3FB5dCt
— India McTaggart (@indiamctaggart) May 11, 2024
🇵🇸 Protest right outside the arena getting physical between protesters and police #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/cIifqMsHn2
— Callum Rowe (@TheCallumRowe) May 11, 2024
07:20 PM BST
Finnish jury spokesperson quits
“The Grand Finale descended further into chaos as the 2023 Finnish Eurovision frontrunner Kaarija pulled out of announcing Finland’s jury points at the 11th hour,” reports India. (You might remember him as the one with massive puffed green sleeves.)
“The Cha Cha Cha singer said that it ‘does not feel right’ to do so with Israel participating amid the ongoing war in Gaza.
“His last-minute decision to drop out followed that of former Norwegian contestant Alexandra Mele, who was set to announce the points awarded by Norway.
“In a video, she explained that Eurovision’s motto ‘United by music’ are ‘empty words’ in this year’s competition as she urged people to ‘open up your eyes’ to the ‘genocide’ in Gaza.”
Käärijä will no longer give out the Finnish points at Eurovision tonight pic.twitter.com/k8qwALP8hK
— Gabe (@esc_gabe) May 11, 2024
07:07 PM BST
Can Eurovision still unify us?
Neil thinks so – at least, as a TV viewership. “Forget the politics – I’m reluctant to get dragged into whether Israel should be there whilst their nation is embroiled in a controversial war (and whether Russia might feel aggrieved about that). As a music critic and a pop fan, what matters to me most about the Eurovision is that it may be the last space where people of all ages and tastes can gather and fight and laugh and cry about what passes for pop music in our time.
“In the smashed digital environment of streaming, when algorithmically curated playlists are fired off to individual headsets and nobody need ever be exposed to any music they have to form an opinion about ever again, Eurovision has become a kind of once-a-year stand-in for Top of the Pops, where generations can gather in front of a TV set and share intemperate opinions about the state of clothes, music, hair.
“It’s a safe space for values to be discussed, and change to be addressed, and for us all to get to know each other a little better. It reminds us of what we miss when pop becomes sealed off from the shared spaces of mainstream culture. Because music really is at its most powerful when it is shared, when it is a communal experience. So turn up the volume – and let the arguments begin.”
07:01 PM BST
Protestors refuse police orders to move
“Tempers are beginning to fray outside the arena’s secure zone,” reports Liam from Malmo, “as a large group of anti-Israel protestors refuse to be moved on by police and chant ‘Shame on you’ and ‘Free Palestine’.”
06:58 PM BST
Joost Klein is questioned by Swedish police
More news on Dutch entry Joost Klein, who has been disqualified from tonight’s final.
A spokesperson for Swedish police have confirmed that they questioned a man over alleged “unlawful threats” that were made against a female Eurovision TV worker.
The spokesperson said that the police have “taken all essential investigative measures and questioned the suspect, plaintiff and witnesses”.
“The investigation has been completed by the police and the case will now go to the prosecutor within a few weeks.”
06:51 PM BST
Will Eurovision 2024 produce a pop classic?
“Not from anything I’ve heard so far,” says the Telegraph’s chief music critic Neil McCormick, “but there’s a few artists who might go on to bigger and more interesting things, such as Ireland’s mind-boggling Bambie Thug and maybe Norwegian band Gåte and France’s vocally stirring Slimane.
“I don’t think the UK’s Olly Alexander has a snowball’s chance in hell of winning, but neither do I think there’s any shame in that any more. Eurovision should not be viewed as a make-or-break career moment. In a way, it has become something outside of our increasingly fractured music culture, sealed in a dimension of its own.
“Audiences don’t come to Eurovision for music or songcraft. They come for spectacle, exuberance, campness, silliness – and, yes, maybe, once in a while, we all strike lucky, and a song or performer lands in a way that makes pop history.”
06:46 PM BST
Will Abba perform tonight?
Well, it is the 50th anniversary of the supergroup winning Eurovision with Waterloo. Couldn’t escape if I wanted to? It’s hard to say. The quartet have coyly batted away any suggestion of an appearance – but rumours persist.
On Friday, Graham Norton made an appeal. “They have to do something, don’t they? It’s been 50 years! Come on, Abba!”
Surely they can’t resist a quick victory lap, in their home nation? After all, the winner takes it all.
06:43 PM BST
Loreen is back
Last year’s Swedish winner, Loreen, is returning to perform her new single Forever during tonight’s final. She’s described it as a follow-up to her victorious track Tattoo: “It was some sort of awakening, like coming from the dirt. Life happens at some point, and you realise what it’s all about, and you just elevate. This segment of the narrative, which is basically a happy ending, is even more important.”
Yes, this is how Loreen talks. For more of her loopy wisdom, you can read my interview with her.
She’s also weighed in on the Israel situation, saying that she’s against a boycott because Eurovision is “a community” and music “creates happiness”. “We have to find other, more constructive ways of changing what is happening.”
06:38 PM BST
More drama from dress rehearsal
Rather than letting music do the talking, French contestant Slimane stopped his performance during this afternoon’s dress rehearsal to make an impromptu speech.
“Everybody, I just need to say something,” he said. “Every artist here wants to sing about love and sing about peace. We need to be united by music, yes, but with love for peace. Thank you so much. Thank you, Europe.”
Meanwhile Ireland’s Bambie Thug initially refused to take part in the dress rehearsal after lodging a complaint about Israeli broadcaster KAN’s coverage of their performance during Tuesday’s semi-final.
KAN’s commentator reportedly referred to the singer speaking “negatively about Israel”, then added “But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses.”
“I’m angry with other teams breaching their rules of the EBU, and still being allowed in,” Bambie Thug told RTÉ News. “I hope the EBU will address it correctly.”
In response, the EBU has said in a statement: “We’ve spoken to KAN, the Israeli broadcaster, about this matter and reiterated the importance of all commentators respecting all the artists taking part in the competition and abiding by the rules and regulations of the event.”
🇮🇪 Bambie Thug have posted a statement on their Instagram regarding their absence from this afternoon's Grand Final dress rehearsal.
"There was a situation [...] which I felt needed urgent attention from the EBU"
Notably, Nemo and Marina Satti were also not present. pic.twitter.com/bi6c45Iyb8— ESC Discord (@ESCdiscord) May 11, 2024
06:32 PM BST
Croatia are bookies’ choice
Betfair still has Croatia as hot favourites to win tonight – and, interesting, Israel are now in second place. The UK looks rather less hopeful, at 175/1.
Here are the latest odds:
Croatia - 5/6
Israel - 5/2
Switzerland - 5/1
France - 16/1
Ireland - 17/1
Ukraine - 33/1
Italy - 55/1
Armenia - 100/1
Sweden - 125/1
Cyprus - 150/1
United Kingdom - 175/1
06:30 PM BST
The party’s getting started
It’s a surreal contrast. The passionate protests continue, but many Eurovision fans are utterly undeterred: they’re here for a good time. (And the flag fashion continues...)
06:22 PM BST
Which Eurovision acts should you look out for?
Politics aside… Eurovision is, as always, a blissful combination of the sublime and the ridiculous. Ireland’s Pagan witch entry, non-binary artist Bambie Thug, is the first Irish act to reach the final in five years, and could well be a contender. Their theatrical “electro-metal breakdown” number Doomsday Blue is weirdly compelling.
Switzerland’s Nemo Mettler combines Freddie Mercury-esque melodramatic pipes with high energy and a blinding hot-pink jacket – and so may well have hit the Eurovision jackpot.
Croatia’s Baby Lasagna has become a surprise hit, given that their song Rim Tim Tagi Dim is about economic emigration. But the rock-techno number is pretty catchy, and the performance, involving balaclavas and a deranged washerwoman, unforgettable.
There’s also Finland’s Windows95man, who hatches from a denim egg. Yes, it’s Eurovision.
06:17 PM BST
Ireland’s act in tears
Non-binary singer Bambie Thug, who is representing Ireland this year, broke down in tears speaking to journalists on Friday, and revealed that they had cried with their team when Israel qualified for the grand final. Thug was wearing a pro-Palestine Keffiyeh.
“It’s overshadowed everything,” Thug said. “It goes against everything that Eurovision is meant to be. And it’s a big community, together, and their contestant was never allowed to even meet us – God forbid we have some conversation and minds might be changed.
“So it’s definitely putting a cloud above it.”
Thug earlier received a warning from the EBU after painting Celtic messages on their face spelling out “free Palestine” and “ceasefire”.
06:14 PM BST
You may say I’m a dreamer
“The mood has been fraught at times over the controversies surrounding the contestants from Israel and the Netherlands,” says Liam. “One of the most surreal moments from the week was when Italian contestant Angelina Mango walked into the media centre unannounced and sang John Lennon’s Imagine in what was a transparent call for détente.”
06:11 PM BST
The Prime Minister says boycott calls are ‘unfair’
A spokesman for Rishi Sunak has called the pro-Palestine protests at Eurovision “outrageous”. He continued: “We share the deep concern over the humanitarian crisis of Gaza, and we raise this regularly.
“When it comes to this debate around Eurovision and these protests we are incredibly mindful of the Israelis and also Jewish people around the world who love Eurovision and their feelings seeing this in the aftermath of what was an atrocious terror attack and while hostages are still being held by Hamas.
“He would urge people to consider this when repeating these unfair calls for a boycott.”
06:08 PM BST
What is Israel’s history with Eurovision?
Israel may have won four times, but it has a very complicated relationship with the competition – this year is just the latest example of that.
Wondering just why it feels like the song contest’s vaunted inclusive values waver when it comes to this particular nation? I recommend reading James Hall’s excellent piece on Israel and Eurovision.
06:06 PM BST
Can Dutch viewers still vote?
Yes, they can, despite their act getting kicked out, and the Dutch jury’s result still counts towards the final tally as well.
The EBU has also said that it will try to block the phone lines for what would have been song 5, the Netherlands’ performance. If anyone does vote for song 5, their vote won’t count but they may still be charged. (So it would be a fairly pointless and expensive protest vote.)
06:04 PM BST
A British superfan abroad
“Controversy over Israel and the Netherlands not withstanding, Alasdair Rendall is enjoying attending his 16th Eurovision,” reports Liam.
“The Brit first saw the song contest in Birmingham in 1998, following the UK’s last victory by Katrina & the Waves, and reckons that the final will not be overshadowed by outside events.
“‘It has definitely impacted the atmosphere,’ the 42-year-old tells me outside the arena. ‘[But] it has still been a really fun time, and full credit to Malmö: despite everything that is going on – all the pressures, the build-up – they have put on a great week.’
“Rendall, 42, is a former president of the official UK Eurovision fan club and organised parties in Liverpool last year. ‘There’s a huge social element to Eurovision: meeting up with friends you see once a year from different countries,’ he says. ‘Standing here, I’ve bumped into people I know. It’s always a really positive vibe.’”
05:55 PM BST
How do I vote in Eurovision?
As soon as the final gets going, fans from all participating countries can vote for their favourite via phone, text or the Eurovision app. You get 20 votes per person, and you can’t vote for your own nation. There’s more info here.
Those public votes make up half the final total, with the other half coming from the jury votes.
Who are you supporting tonight? Let us know in the comments below!
05:54 PM BST
Liverpool is hotting up too
Eurovision fans are heading to the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool – and they’re definitely flying the flag.
05:52 PM BST
The UK fans are out in force
“It’s a 9,000-seat sell-out tonight and it is with great pride that I can report that the UK is the country with the largest cohort of fans in attendance,” says Liam. “Will they be able to spur Olly Alexander to victory?”
And there’s more good news – well, ish. “The final dress rehearsal has just wrapped up and, in what may be regarded as an auspicious sign for the UK, Alexander came in a very strong second place behind Estonia. Sadly, the numbers for the dress rehearsals are all meaningless and have no bearing on the actual outcome. The stand-ins accepting the award on Estonia’s behalf were given a water bottle instead of the elaborate glass microphone trophy.”
05:48 PM BST
What is the running order tonight?
Marcus & Martinus, representing home nation Sweden, kick things off, and the UK’s Alexander appears at the halfway stage. You’ll notice a missing no.5 – that’s when the Netherlands was due to perform.
1. Sweden | Marcus & Martinus - Unforgettable
2. Ukraine | alyona alyona & Jerry Heil - Teresa & Maria
3. Germany | ISAAK - Always On The Run
4. Luxembourg | TALI - Fighter
6. Israel | Eden Golan - Hurricane
7. Lithuania | Silvester Belt - Luktelk
8. Spain | Nebulossa - ZORRA
9. Estonia | 5MIINUST x Puuluup - (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi
10. Ireland | Bambie Thug - Doomsday Blue
11. Latvia | Dons - Hollow
12. Greece | Marina Satti - ZARI
13. United Kingdom | Olly Alexander - Dizzy
14. Norway | Gåte - Ulveham
15. Italy | Angelina Mango - La Noia
16. Serbia | TEYA DORA - RAMONDA
17. Finland | Windows95man - No Rules!
18. Portugal | iolanda - Grito
19. Armenia | LADANIVA - Jako
20. Cyprus | Silia Kapsis - Liar
21. Switzerland | Nemo - The Code
22. Slovenia | Raiven - Veronika
23. Croatia | Baby Lasagna - Rim Tim Tagi Dim
24. Georgia | Nutsa Buzaladze - Firefighter
25. France | Slimane - Mon Amour
26. Austria | Kaleen - We Will Rave
Get a preview of them all by catching up on our semi-final 1 review here and semi-final 2 review here.
05:45 PM BST
Mind-boggling numbers
On a cheerier note, says Liam, “I was fortunate enough to get the chance to go on a money-can’t-buy backstage tour first thing this morning and it is impossible not to be agog at the sheer scale of Eurovision. For weeks the organisers have commandeered the Malmö Arena, home of the Redhawks hockey team, and transformed it into what is effectively the world’s largest TV studio.
“The numbers are enough to boggle the mind: there are 1,000 square metres of screens in the arena, 2,100 spotlights that can be individually controlled, and 210 tons of kit hanging from the roof. Some 230 technicians have helped to set up 26 different types of camera and there are 30 commentary booths for Graham Norton et al.
“Organisers reckon all the effort is more than worth it as, they claim, it is the second-most watched annual TV event behind only the Superbowl.”
05:43 PM BST
A Eurovision like no other
Liam says: “Hello from Malmö where the mood has been, ahem, unlike any other Eurovision I’ve covered. The exuberant atmosphere is still in evidence here, but there is an ill-tempered undercurrent not far from the surface.
“Protests have again blighted the city before today’s main event, and although the European Broadcasting Union has said explicitly that Joost Klein of the Netherlands was not disqualified for anything to do with Israel or its contestant, Eden Golan, the left-wing crowds still reckon he was kicked out because of his attitude to the war in Gaza.”
05:38 PM BST
What’s security like?
Serious. Poor Golan is being guarded around the clock by Israeli secret service, and the head of Israel’s security agency, Ronen Bar, personally flew over to Sweden to oversee safety measures.
Whenever Golan isn’t performing, she’s in her hotel room under guard, along with the rest of the Israeli delegation.
A source told The Telegraph: “It’s incredible that in the middle of a war, Shin Bet’s head felt the need to go to Malmö because of the safety fears.”
Meanwhile the EBU has banned Palestinian flags and symbols from the show. Ticket holders are only allowed to display flags of the nations who are taking part, or rainbow-coloured flags.
05:34 PM BST
What is Israel’s entry?
You have to feel for 20-year-old Eden Golan, who is bearing the brunt of all of this – she was roundly booed during Wednesday’s dress rehearsal. But Israel’s song choice hasn’t exactly helped the situation.
It was originally titled October Rain, and had pretty pointed lyrics referencing the Hamas massacre. The entry has since been tweaked (after the EBU threatened the disqualify it) – the new title is Hurricane, and some of the more problematic lyrics have been changed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sent Golan a message on social media, praising her for standing up to “an ugly wave of antisemitism”. “Know that when people yell ‘boo’ at you, we shout ‘hooray’,” he said.
And, in fact, Golan’s semi-final performance was cheered by the audience, especially during the song’s climax, in which she switches from singing in English to Hebrew.
The fact that she was voted through proves that Golan, and Israel, do also have supporters who want them in the contest.
"Eden, I would like to wish you success, but you are already successful!
You are competing, proudly and impressively, not only in the Eurovision but you are successfully competing against an ugly wave of antisemitism, and are standing up to it, honorably representing Israel" 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/3qRGXx629f— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) May 9, 2024
05:28 PM BST
Demonstrators hold up a body bag
India is on the ground in Malmo. She says: “Saturday’s pro-Palestine protest through the centre of Eurovision’s host city Malmo was similar in scale to Thursday’s, but the atmosphere was more charged ahead of tonight’s Grand Finale.
“The demonstrators, who turned out in the thousands again, called for Israel to be boycotted and for the organisers to pull them out of the contest again, but the signs and chanting seemed more provocative.
“One man held a replica of a person in a bloodied body bag aloft with ‘Eurovision is celebrating genocide’ written underneath it and a large contingent in the parade was a group chanting ‘Queers for Palestine’.
“While changing the mood in the middle of Malmo, it hasn’t quite touched the heart of Eurovision outside the Malmo Arena, where attendees are as exuberant as ever.”
05:25 PM BST
Is Israel still in Eurovision?
This is the big, big controversy of 2024. Organisers the European Broadcasting Union have been falling over themselves to keep the competition politically neutral (this year’s slogan is the increasingly ironic “United by music”), but just having Israel in the contest is a statement in itself – especially since the EBU banned Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
Protests against Israel’s inclusion have already taken place, with more than 10,000 people taking to the streets on Thursday – including climate activist Greta Thunberg, who accused Israel of using Eurovision to “artwash themselves”.
Thousands more are already taking to the streets ahead of tonight’s grand final.
Speaking in a documentary about his road to Eurovision, Alexander said: “A lot of the contestants and myself have been having a lot of comments that are like, ‘You are complicit in a genocide by taking part in Eurovision’, which is quite extreme. It’s very extreme.
“I understand where that sentiment is coming from but I think it’s not correct. It’s an incredibly complicated political situation, one that I’m not qualified to speak on.
“The backdrop to this is actual immense suffering. It’s a humanitarian crisis, a war. It just so happens there’s a song contest going on at the same time that I’m a part of.”
05:23 PM BST
Who’s representing the UK?
That would be Olly Alexander, of the band Years & Years (and also recently an actor in the moving TV drama It’s A Sin). His Pet Shop Boys-esque electro-dance-pop track Dizzy is a decent listen, but we’re not holding our breath for a British victory.
Neil calls Dizzy “a blend of Balearic beats and sugary sentiments delivering upbeat sentiments with a minor chord melodic tension” – imitating last year’s Swedish winner. But it’s just too formulaic, he fears.
Still, if Alexander can finish higher than Mae Muller did last year (25th place – ouch), we’ll call that a partial win.
05:21 PM BST
Who’s hosting Eurovision?
The dynamic duo of Hollywood actress Malin Åkerman and comedian and Eurovision regular Petra Mede. They’ve also hosted the semi-finals, so should be unfazed by the most eccentric acts – although this year’s political drama makes this a rather unusual challenge, with potential for a few surprises along the way.
Graham Norton will, as usual, be providing snarky commentary for British viewers, and Joanna Lumley is our glamorous UK jury spokesperson.
05:14 PM BST
The Dutch are displeased
The Dutch broadcaster, AVROTROS, has hit out against the EBU for disqualifying Joost Klein, saying that it was a “heavy” and disproportionate” response to the incident.
They explained that Klein had repeatedly asked not to be filmed coming off the stage and had made a “threatening movement” towards the camerawoman, but clarified that he did not touch her.
AVROTROS added that despite posing “several solutions” to the EBU to keep Klein in the contest, he was disqualified
In a statement, they said:
Statement AVROTROS #europapa #eurovision #eurovision2024 pic.twitter.com/XunuOe4jU6
— Songfestival (@songfestival) May 11, 2024
05:13 PM BST
What’s happened to the Netherlands?
As if the EBU didn’t have enough drama on its hands… Just today, it’s been announced that Dutch contestant Joost Klein has been disqualified from competing in the grand final following an incident with a female crew member.
Previously, rapper Klein was barred from the dress rehearsals while the EBU looked into the matter.
In a statement today announcing Klein’s exclusion, the EBU said: “Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s semi-final.
“While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest. We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.”
That clarification about “any other performer” is likely because at the semi-finals press conference, Klein made a comment after Israel’s Eden Golan was told by organisers she didn’t have to answer a question about her presence potentially putting other contestants’ safety at risk. “Why not?” demanded Klein.
Israel's Eurovision competitor Eden Golan is asked a very targeted question in tonight's press conference about whether she thinks her participation in the contest is threatening the safety of other participants.
She is told she doesn't have to answer before the Netherlands'… pic.twitter.com/bzgeLpwP0Y— India McTaggart (@indiamctaggart) May 9, 2024
05:12 PM BST
Which countries are competing?
Altogether, 37 nations entered the 2024 contest. Following the semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday, 26 made it through: Ukraine, Serbia, Portugal, Slovenia, Lithuania, Cyprus, Finland, Croatia, Ireland, Luxembourg, Latvia, Austria, the Netherlands, Norway, Israel, Greece, Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia and Armenia, plus the “Big Five”, which go through automatically – the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy – and host nation Sweden.
Poland, Iceland, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Australia, Albania, Austria, Czechia, Denmark, Belgium, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, and San Marino were all eliminated in the semi-finals.
However, in the last few hours, we’re learnt that the Netherlands will no longer be competing – of which more in a moment…
Get the lowdown on all the 2024 acts via Ed Power’s handy Eurovision entries guide here.
05:02 PM BST
Where is Eurovision this year?
The contest is coming to us from the 15,500-capacity stadium in Malmö, Sweden, following their win last year with Loreen’s mega-ballad Tattoo.
04:55 PM BST
When can you watch Eurovision?
The BBC begins its coverage at 8pm on BBC and BBC iPlayer tonight. Before then, we’ll be sharing our tips on what to look out for, and getting you up to speed with all of this year’s hopefuls. You can also check out our Eurovision guide here.
04:49 PM BST
Hello and welcome
…to our live Eurovision 2024 coverage! I’m Marianka Swain, and joining me tonight to cover all the wackiest numbers, biggest ballads and most talked-about controversies are the Telegraph’s music critic Neil McCormick, plus India McTaggart and Liam Kelly reporting from Malmö in Sweden.
