Who will win Eurovision 2024? Here are Euronews Culture’s predictions
The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals are next week, before the Grand Final on Saturday 11 May.
Putting aside all the controversy and security concerns, the Euronews Culture team have picked their hot favourites for glory.
I’d place my bet on ‘The Code’ by Nemo, the Swiss representative, for this year’s Eurovision win. Why? It’s my top pick among the entries, with its unique and memorable melody. Plus, it’s leading the odds among bookmakers.
‘The Code’ is quite unconventional. It blends elements of drum and bass, pop-rap, and opera. Picture a scenario where Chase & Status, Macklemore, and Pavarotti are confined in a studio and tasked with crafting a Eurovision entry. Despite the potential chaos, the Swiss submission sidesteps gimmickry and delivers an unprecedented sound for Eurovision. It’s a mix of madness and genius.
Nemo, a talented 24-year-old non-binary artist, brings an enchanting vocal performance to ‘The Code’, setting the stage for a post-competition rise to fame. The song symbolizes Nemo’s journey of self-discovery, using binary code as a metaphor.
Though the lyrics are straightforward, they carry weight, gradually intensifying and shifting styles until reaching a climax of orchestral grandeur that rivals James Bond. With soaring strings and dynamic drums, Nemo’s powerful falsetto seals the final chorus.
The staging potential is immense, envisioning computer codes projected onstage, pyrotechnic bursts highlighting poignant lyrics, and captivating, otherworldly costumes. If Nemo can deliver on the challenging vocal demands, Switzerland could make history once more, alongside past icons like Lys Assia and Céline Dion.
Anca Ulea’s top pick: Joost Klein – Europapa (Netherlands)
Let’s dive into ‘Europapa’.
Firstly, can we acknowledge how quintessentially Eurovision the title sounds?
This year’s offering from the Netherlands, presented by 26-year-old Joost Klein, is a vibrant techno-pop anthem that promises a rollicking good time. Klein has clearly grasped the essence of the competition and deserves accolades from Eurovision voters.
In the official music video, which has already amassed over 21 million views since its release on 29 February, Klein draws inspiration from early-2000s cartoons. His exaggerated expressions and whimsical costumes, such as a 10-gallon cowboy hat and a blue suit with hilariously oversized shoulder pads, embody the flamboyance expected in a Eurovision final.
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Unlike some entries from Eurovisions past, Klein ensures that his song remains rooted in Dutch culture. In fact, ‘Europapa’ is brimming with Dutchness.
The Friesland native performs against the backdrop of a windmill, participates in a “Last Supper” homage scene featuring previous Dutch Eurovision acts S10 and René Froger, and pays homage to Gabber, a distinctly Dutch techno subculture that emerged in the 1990s.
Sure, ‘Europapa’ is infectious, it’s campy, and it’s unmistakably Dutch. But what truly sets it apart and makes it deserving of success at Eurovision is the heartfelt story behind the song. Beneath its bubbly exterior, ‘Europapa’ serves as a poignant reflection on Klein’s relationship with his late parents. The lyrics touch upon his father’s battle with cancer, which he tragically lost when Klein was just 12, followed by his mother’s passing a year later. According to Klein, the song serves as a tribute to his father’s enduring optimism in the face of adversity.
“‘Europapa’ is about an orphan who travels throughout Europe (and beyond) to find himself and tell his story,” Klein said. “At first, people don’t recognise him, but he goes on seizing any opportunity he gets to let himself be seen. ‘Europapa’ is a tribute to my father. When bringing me up, he passed on to me an expansive view of the world”
The last time the Dutch won the song contest was in 2019, with Duncan Laurence’s now ubiquitous ‘Arcade’ – but it’s been an uphill battle for the Netherlands since then.
Could Joost Klein be the winner the Netherlands have been waiting for? Bookmakers currently rank the Dutch candidate third, with a 15% chance of winning the final. I, for one, can’t wait to see his performance onstage. AU
Jonny Walfisz’s top pick: Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim (Croatia)
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Last year’s Eurovision Song Contest was clearly manipulated. It had to be. With the 50th anniversary of ABBA’s ‘Waterloo’ win, the organizers felt compelled to bring the competition back to Sweden. Despite ABBA declining to reunite onstage in Malmö, the city has already announced plans for ‘ABBA World’, and the show itself featured a massive tribute to the iconic group.
To orchestrate this scheme, Sweden selected Loreen as their entry. Considering she had already won in 2012 with ‘Euphoria’, it was an unfair move. Nevertheless, her enjoyable albeit ‘Euphoria’-reminiscent song ‘Tattoo’ secured them the victory, largely due to the suspiciously stacked Jury Vote in her favor.
The rightful winner of 2023 should have been Finland. Käärijä’s song ‘Cha Cha Cha’ received the majority of the transparently fair Televote, and rightfully so. It brought a breath of fresh air with its blend of Euro-pop, Nordic metal, and extravagant live visuals.
While we can’t undo the past, we can make amends through future actions. That’s why Croatia deserves to triumph this year. After two years of safe winners, they’ve dared to be different with the most eccentric entry of 2024. After all, weirdness used to be a winning formula at Eurovision. That’s what Eurovision is all about. We used to be a continent of eccentrics.
Even before delving into the song itself, it’s evident that Croatia is onto something by selecting an act called Baby Lasagna as their representative. Is it a nod to their neighboring Italy? It almost makes sense. According to Wikipedia, Baby Lasagna – real name Marko Purišić – came up with his moniker while suffering from a headache in Novigrad. How fitting!
‘Rim Tim Tagi Dim’, penned by Mr. Lasagna himself, channels the spirit of last year’s ‘Cha Cha Cha’ by blending heavy metal instrumentation with folk elements of the homeland, delivering a head-banging, foot-stomping, sing-along masterpiece.
Mr. Lasagna explains that the song narrates the tale of young rural men seeking opportunity abroad, yearning to return home. It’s time for this young rural man to bring Eurovision back home from Malmö for 2025.
The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals are on Tuesday 7 and Thursday 9 May before the Grand Final on Saturday 11 May.
FAQ:-
- Question: When is Eurovision 2024 taking place?
- Answer: Eurovision 2024 is scheduled to take place from [insert dates here].
- Question:: How can I watch Eurovision 2024?
- Answer: Eurovision 2024 will be broadcast live on television and streamed online on the official Eurovision website and various streaming platforms.
- Question: How are the voting results determined in Eurovision 2024?
- Answer: The voting in Eurovision 2024 will involve a combination of professional juries and viewer televoting from each participating country. The results are calculated based on a 50/50 split between the jury votes and the televotes.
- Qu3stion:: Where is Eurovision 2024 being held?
- Answer: The location for Eurovision 2024 will be announced closer to the event date. Traditionally, the hosting city is chosen based on the winning country from the previous year’s competition.
- Question:: Can I attend Eurovision 2024 in person?
- Answer: Attendance at Eurovision 2024 will depend on the hosting country’s regulations and guidelines regarding live events and public gatherings. Information about tickets and audience participation will be provided by the organizers closer to the event date.
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