Eurovision calling!
Two dramatic semifinals kick off this year’s music extravaganza in Sweden…
Hello, Europe! Grab your flags and have your scorecards ready because the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest gets under way this week, as 31 countries compete across two semi-finals in a bid to qualify for the grand final on Saturday 11 May.
Following Loreen’s win for Sweden with Tattoo in Liverpool last year, this year’s contest is being held in Malmö, hosted by Swedish comedian
Petra Mede and Billions star Malin Åkerman. For the semi-finals,
Scott Mills and Rylan Clark will be on UK commentary duties.
‘You’re going to get amazing voices, brilliant staging and some of the most ridiculous things you’ve ever seen – all in one show!’ enthuses Scott.
Contenders
Hotly tipped entries include Switzerland’s Nemo with The Code; Rim Tim Tagi Dim by Croatia’s Baby Lasagna; the Netherlands’ Joost Klein with Europapa; and Teresa & Maria by Ukraine’s Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil.
‘At this stage, I tend not to have favourites,’ says Rylan. ‘But normally during the week of Eurovision, a few really start to stand out that you just can’t get out of your head!’ UK viewers will only be able to vote for their favourites during
Tuesday’s semi-final, which also includes a live performance from our representative Olly Alexander of his song Dizzy. The UK automatically qualifies for the final alongside fellow ‘Big Five’ countries France, Germany, Italy and Spain, plus host nation Sweden. ‘I’ve loved Eurovision ever since I was a little kid,’ explains Olly. ‘So I’m beyond excited to be taking part.’
Follow Olly’s preparations for the contest in Olly Alexander’s Road to Eurovision