Favorites to win Eurovision 2024: our top 10, from Bambie Thug to Baby Lasagna

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is already underway; All qualified countries have now been revealed and are heading to the grand final this Saturday (May 11).

Eurovision is typically known for its uplifting atmosphere, as fans celebrate each country’s musical talents along with plenty of dramatic staging, outlandish costumes and tremendous vocal performances.

This year’s event, however, is the subject of considerable controversy because the organizers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), refused to ban Israel from participating, amid calls for a boycott over its ongoing war. in Gaza.

The protests are expected to take place outside the Malmö Arena in Sweden, which is hosting this year’s contest after its delegate Loreen was crowned the 2023 winner with her song “Tattoo”.

On Tuesday, May 7, the first semi-final took place and favorites Bambie Thug (Ireland) and Baby Lasagna (Croatia) advanced to the final, along with Finland’s Window95Man and delegates from Luxembourg, Serbia, Ukraine, Portugal, Lithuania and Cyprus.

Latvia, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Greece, Israel, Estonia, Switzerland, Georgia and Armenia qualified in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 9.

The UK is guaranteed a place in the final thanks to its status as one of the “big five” countries making the biggest contribution to the event, along with France, Italy, Germany and Spain. Sweden is also guaranteed a place after winning last year’s competition.

As the competition heats up, here are our 10 favorites to win the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in no particular order.

Irish Eurovision 2024 contestant Bambie Thug is a big favorite in this year’s competition.

Bambie, who goes by they/them/their pronouns, is the first Irish contestant to reach a Eurovision final since 2018. They were voted out after the first semi-final thanks to their stunning performance of “Doomsday Blue”. , a dramatic composition that fuses elements of industrial metal, pop, opera and techno.

“I think there’s something for everyone,” Bambie has said of her song. “There’s a spoken word at the beginning, there’s a pop chorus, then there’s a screeching part and there’s a soulful, almost crooning mid-eight, and then there’s the electro-metal breakdown where I can scream at the top of my lungs. Basically I’m just a braggart!

“Doomsday Blues” contains all the key elements of a successful Eurovision entry: it is bold, ambitious and includes excellent staging, with Bambie dressed as a witch while surrounded by demonic-looking dancers.

The current favorite to win has some similarities to 2023 Finnish runner-up Kaarji and his song “Cha Cha Cha,” who many believed was stolen the crown by Sweden’s Loreen.

Like “Cha Cha Cha,” Baby Lasagna’s “Rim Tim Tagi Dim” is a vibrant, techno-influenced ride, with a chugging guitar riff, rumbling drums, and singer Marko Purišić singing with a deep growl: “Ayy, I’m a big boy now/ I’m ready to go, ciao, mom, ciao/ Ayy, I’m a big boy now/ I’m leaving and sold my cow.”

The staging is also crazy, with neon cows, goats and horses projected on the giant stage, pyrotechnics, a nun/washerwoman who also dances and a band dressed in balaclavas. There’s even a patented dance move (a sort of elbow-field march) and a clapping interlude that fans can participate in. Perfect material for Eurovision and very entertaining!

Nemo – “The Code”, representing Switzerland

Swiss delegate Nemo, who uses they/them/their pronouns, explores issues of gender identity with his elaborate anthem “The Code,” which is cleverly based on the Habanera aria from Georges Bizet’s 1875 opera. Carmen and will probably draw comparisons to many of the classic James Bond themes as well..

It’s suitably dramatic, with vocal trills, belts and some big falsetto notes towards the climax. Oh, and rapping. With the angelic face of him, the magnificent costumes of him and his excellent live delivery, Nemo is another tough one to beat and certainly a deserved winner.

Angelina Mango – “La noia”, representing Italy

Angelina Mango has big shoes to fill after the successes of previous Italian delegates, including rock band Maneskin, who won in 2021, hip-hop artist Mahmood (who finished second in 2019, then sixth in 2022) and Marco. Mengoni, who came fourth last year.

We are sure that he will do well with his happy and carefree song “La Noia”, which makes us long for hot summer days and intoxicating nights thanks to its cheerful guitar and Mango’s catchy pop melodies.

Mango has already enjoyed success as a pop singer in Italy with singles such as “Che t’o dico a fa” and “Ci pensiamo domani”. She also happens to be the daughter of Laura Valente, former singer of the Italian pop band Matia Bazar, and the late Giuseppe Mango (known to fans simply as “Mango”), who tragically died after suffering a heart attack during a concert in 2014. Which means this will probably be a very emotional moment for Mango when she performs her song to the world.

Tali – “Fighter”, representing Luxembourg

Tali’s French, Latin-influenced song is sure to delight Eurovision voters when she performs it at the grand finale. It’s not unlike Spanish contestant Chanel’s popular 2022 “SloMo,” with her sultry dance and immediately catchy chorus.

Curiously, it’s reminiscent of Woodkid in the English section of the track, before ratcheting up the drama with, you guessed it, bursts of flame and some fantastic backing harmonies. Wonderful!

Marina Satti – “ZARI”, representing Greece

Marina Satti has to advance to the second semi-final to qualify for Saturday’s final, but we are not worried. Her bop “ZARI” plays with her heritage and makes the most of her lovely voice, reminiscent of Spanish star Rosalía.

Like Rosalía, Satti also incorporates reggaetón, but also the Greek version of the bagpipe, tsampouna and a lot of vocoder in the voices. It may sound strange to some listeners, but Satti and her co-writers have managed to create a very contemporary pop song that could easily make it onto our summer playlists.

Kaleen – “We Will Rave”, representing Austria

Eurovision is never short of clubs, and this year there are at least three for audience members to dance to. One of our favorites is “We Will Rave” by Austrian Kaleen, who channels Cascada with her vibrant ’90s-style dance tune.

It’s a breathless performance, so the only risk is that it may struggle to stay in the audience’s minds long enough to convince them to cast their vote, on arguably more memorable topics from Croatia, Ireland and Switzerland.

That said, the racing synth beat is undeniably catchy and Kaleen’s performance is so assured that it’s doubtful you’ll be able to get this earworm out of your head for some time.

Aliona Aliona and Jerry Heil – “Teresa & María”, representing Ukraine

Ukraine’s moving 2024 anthem “Teresa & Maria” comes from Ukrainian singer-songwriter Jerry Heil, who rose to fame around 2019 with his hit song “Okhrana otmjena,” along with his popular YouTube channel.

Meanwhile, rapper and former teacher Alyona Alyona takes her influences from hip-hop stars like Eminem, Nicki Minaj and Missy Elliot, and has been compared to Azealia Banks by The New York Times.

“Teresa & Maria” is inspired by the Roman Catholic saint Mother Teresa and the Virgin Mary, and delves into themes of responsibility, divinity and love. The duo made it through the first semi-final, so you’ll definitely be able to see them compete on Saturday.

Windows95Man – “No rules!”, representing Finland

Another wild offering from everyone’s favorites, who to date have only won the contest once since their debut in 1961. That was with Finnish metal band Lordi and their song “Hard Rock Hallelujah,” which remains one of the most memorable Eurovision performances of all. time.

“Without rules!” However, by Windows95Man might surpass them thanks to the Windows95Man duo’s extraordinary staging, including a giant denim egg and some questionable costumes (or lack thereof).

Eurovision organizers will have to hope he manages to keep his shorts from falling off during the daring choreography of the grand final, after they were voted out of the first semi-final on Tuesday 7 May.

Joost – “Europapa”, representing the Netherlands

Competing with Windows95Man, at least in terms of sheer weirdness, is Joost and his Europop track “Europapa.”

As we mentioned, Eurovision is clearly trying to regain the club’s success; Joost is there with this relentless, crazy bop that switches from Dutch to English and mentions everything from “escargots” to “fish and chips.” We understand? No. Do we love it anyway? Absolutely.