Immediately at the opening of the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, things get exciting in Malmö. Singer Eric Saade is one of three former Eurovision participants who opens the spectacle with a performance of their Eurovision songs. On his wrist, Saade, whose father is Lebanese-Palestinian, wears a black-and-white checkered keffiyeh. Political statements are strictly prohibited at the Eurovision Song Contest and expressions of support for Palestine are certainly sensitive this year.
The keffiyeh was a surprise, but Irish participant Bambie Thug already showed his protest during rehearsals earlier this week. The non-binary artist wears facial makeup in a line pattern on the right eye, which spells ‘ceasefire’ in the old Irish Ogham alphabet. The hint was picked up on social media after the rehearsals, Bambie Thug previously also expressed himself in favor of a ceasefire in Gaza and against Israel’s participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Eurovision Song Contest organizer European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is doing everything it can to minimize or otherwise conceal the political tensions surrounding the Eurovision Song Contest. Due to the war in Gaza, Israel’s participation this year is a very hot topic, which the EBU especially does not want to get its fingers into. The organization says it does not allow political statements, but excluded Russia from participation after the invasion of Ukraine.
This was possible because of a shared pro-Ukrainian sentiment among the participating countries, but the situation in the Middle East is more complicated. There is therefore unrest bubbling under the cheerful music festival, security in Malmö has been increased to an unprecedented high level.
But there was little to see in this first semi-final. Not many viewers will have noticed the silent protests of Eric Saade and Bambie Thug and for the vast majority this first semi-final was another usual eclectic Eurovision evening.
In Bambie Thug’s strong performance, there was no sign of the significance of the facial make-up. The singer substitutes Doomsday Blue intense electro-metal with lovely song pieces with graceful ballet in the arms of a dancer dressed as a demon. Halfway through the performance, Bambie Thug’s black feather dress comes off, revealing a dress in the colors of the trans flag. At the apotheosis of the rather overwhelming performance, Bambie Thug drives a demon out of the dancer, while squeezing out a daring grunt. It works, and makes a deep impression. Despite the many occult symbols that not all participating countries will appreciate, Ireland qualified for Saturday’s final.
As expected, Croatia has also progressed to the final. The Rammstein-esque Rim Tim Tagi Dim from Baby Lasagna is number one at the betting offices. With his natural charm and the right nonchalant-tough attitude, Baby Lasagna lives up to the high expectations for his participation.
A more subtle act like Serbia’s also survived. Teya Dora’s beautifully subdued mumbling vocals were appreciated enough by the voters for a place in the final, but the act was also in danger of disappearing between the smashing spectacle of the other acts.
Furthermore, Cyprus, Lithuania, Ukraine, Slovenia, Finland, Portugal and Luxembourg have also qualified for the final. The United Kingdom, Germany and Sweden also performed in the first semi-final, but had already qualified for Saturday’s final. The UK and Germany, as members of the ‘Big Five’, contribute the most financially to the Eurovision Song Contest, Sweden through their win last year. Poland, Iceland, Moldova, Azerbaijan and Australia were eliminated.
