For a country that has historically treated competing in Eurovision as an obligatory chore akin to jury service, the UK has been uncharacteristically excited about all things Song Contest lately. We came second last year, of course, and not only gave human labrador Sam Ryder a hit single on the back of it but also a number one album and his own New Year’s Eve show on BBC One. Now we’re hosting the next competition in Liverpool in May.
For this unlikely passion we can in large part thank Måneskin. The Italian quartet were 2021’s Eurovision victors – the first guitar band to win since novelty Finnish horror rockers Lordi in 2006 – and instead of promptly vanishing, they went on to score streaming numbers in the billions, book an O2 Arena show later this year and appear in adverts for Gucci. Smouldering singer Damiano David looks like he can’t decide between punching or kissing you and, like the rest of the band, is capable of wearing absolutely anything (or next to nothing) without losing his cool.
