Eurovision’s grand final is nearly here. Tomorrow night, the 26 finalists with their random name generator monikers (Baby Lasagna, anyone?) lurid takes on Eurotrash and head-spinning stagings go head to head one last time to win the big prize.
The path to this year’s song contest has also been rockier than usual, amid continuing protests over the European Broadcasting Union’s decision to allow Israel to compete. Many of London’s LGBTQ+ venues will not be screening the final, while the UK’s hopeful, Olly Alexander, has also been called upon to withdraw from the contest.
Still, plenty of Eurovision fans are still tuning in regardless, and as the big night fast approaches, the front-runners are starting to emerge. From happy hardcore bangers about grief, to economical allegories and controversial anti-misogyny anthems, these are the entrants to watch out for...
Baby Lasagna (Croatia)
Currently the bookies’ favourite. This chaotic, thumping rock-dance track Rim Tim Tagi Dim tells the story of a humble farm boy chucking aside his milking stool and setting off for the bright lights of the big city. But according to singer Marko Purišić, it’s also an allegory for the brain drain hitting the Croatian economy.
Nemo (Switzerland)
Nemo’s entry The Code sounds a bit like Panic! At The Disco if they were fronted by an operatic version of Mika, and sees the Swiss entry singing about how they came to terms with their non-binary identity.
Bambie Thug (Ireland)
Despite winning Eurovision eight times, Ireland have been going through a rough patch as of late, and haven’t qualified for a final since 2018. Until now, that is: enter, their “goth gremlin witch" saviour, Bambie Thug, with actually-pretty-good song Doomsday Blue.
Joost Klein (The Netherlands)
This thumping and incredibly silly slab of happy hardcore may be great fun, but has a heartfelt meaning: Joost’s parents both died within a year of each other when he was still in his early teens, and Europapa is his weird and wonderful tribute.
Nebulossa (Spain)
“If I'm having fun, I'm the sluttiest!” exclaim Nebulossa (in Spanish) on their entry Zorra. The title, often used as a pejorative towards women in Spanish slang, has attracted some criticism, but the group say the song highlights misogyny and double standards faced by women.
