As of: May 8, 2024 10:55 a.m
The first big show of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 took place in Malmö. Ten of the 15 acts in the first ESC semi-final have advanced to the next round and will be in the final on Saturday.
On Tuesday evening, 15 candidates had their first major ESC appearance of the season in Malmö. For ten of them, the dream of winning Eurovision continues. They were able to convince the audience and made it to the grand final. In the semi-finals only the audience votes. Jury voting for the semis was abolished in 2023.
These acts continue after the first ESC semi-final
Croatia: Baby Lasagna – “Rim Tim Tagi Dim”
Serbia: Teya Dora – “Ramonda”
Portugal: Iolanda – “Grito”
Slovenia: Raiven – “Veronica”
Ukraine: Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil – “Teresa & Mary”
Lithuania: New Year’s Eve Belt – “Luktelk”
Finland: Windows95man – “No Rules”
Cyprus: Silia Kapsis – “Liar”
Ireland: Bambie Thug – “Doomsday Blue”
Luxembourg: Tali – “Fighters”
Eliminated in the first semi-final of 2024
Poland: Luna- “The Tower”
Iceland: Hera Bjork – “Scared Of Heights”
Moldova: Natalia Barbu – “In The Middle”
Azerbaijan: Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – “Özünlə Apar”
Australia: Electric Fields – “One Milkali (One Blood)”
Thorsten Schorn: Debut as an ESC commentator
Not only did the 15 acts make their first major ESC appearance in the first semi-final, Thorsten Schorn also had his premiere as a German commentator. He solves this year Peter Urban, who ended his career as an ESC commentator in 2023 after 25 years.
An evening full of female empowerment
The presenters Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede are dressed as colorfully as the Malmö Arena.
At 10:55 p.m. the lines are closed and it’s “No More Votes.” 20 minutes later the finalists for Saturday evening are announced. There were no big surprises in this first semi. But it’s an evening full of female empowerment, starting with the presenters; especially Petra Mede, who was greeted with a standing ovation. The comedian and actress is hosting the ESC for the third time – and she does so with great wit: “I tried it alone, with a man and now with a woman – but enough about my love life.”
Dancing Cyprus – From Eleni Foureira to Silia Kapsis
Where the Malmö Redhawks usually play ice hockey is now the show stage, on which predominantly female acts will leave their mark this evening. There is first Eleni Foureira, who makes a brilliant start and still dances to “Fuego” as fiery as she did in Lisbon in 2018. She enchants the hall with it, as well Chanel. After the “old hands” come the young people. The only 17-year-old Silia Kapsis dynamically dances her way into the final for Cyprus. On the other hand, her appearance is downright tender Teya Dora from Serbia. The singer sings about “Ramonda” – a resistant plant that originates in the Balkans, and how Teya Dora can grow beyond herself. Towards the final. Strong.
Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil sing Ode to Women
The performance is also strong Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil, who sing an ode to women with “Teresa & Maria”. Singer Jerry Heil climbs the rock in the arena and stands there like a saint. Below, Alyona Alyona raps about female perseverance. In the end, the two of them lie on the illuminated floor between a lot of women. A powerful image that will stay in your memory. And that we will see again in the finale.
Less sacred is the presentation of Bambie Thug from Ireland. Dressed as a dark fairy, Bambie dances with the devil in a ring of candles. Finally the fairy frees herself from the clutches of the evil spirits. A performance between heaven and hell.
With a scream into the finale: Raiven and Iolanda
Two women and a scream into the final: Raiven’s heroine is “Veronika”, a wrongfully convicted witch. The Slovenian mezzo-soprano leaves a lasting impression with her high tones Iolanda. The Portuguese relies on a minimalist stage design in black and white. Her five dancers bring movement to the action. With “Grito” she manages to scream for liberation in the finale.
Skimpy panties from Finland, furious folklore from Croatia
A lot of smoke and fuss about a pair of skimpy panties characterize the appearance of Windows95man from Finland.
And the male parts? The film title “Only Three Came Through” describes it precisely. This includes the skimpiest panties – this year they come from Finland and they belong Windows95man. Luckily, a pair of hot pants float from the ceiling and the artist slips into them. It’s not really hot, it’s just silly and amusing. But the whole thing doesn’t go to waste, the singer makes it to the final with singing partner Henri Piispanen, as well Baby lasagna. The Croatian is currently the hottest candidate for an ESC victory. He thrills the arena with furious folklore, lots of white smoke and pyrotechnic fountains. Finally, the audience in the hall joins in with the “Whoa”, “whoa”, “whoa”. Wow.
The appearance of is also worthy of the finale and much cooler Silvester Belt from Lithuania. The singer from Kaunas likes to perform in Berlin clubs. This Tuesday evening, the man with the nose clip, whose real name is Silvestras Beltė, will enliven the cross in the Malmö Arena with a modern performance to “Luktelk”. Well done.
Happy Luxembourg: Tali makes it to the final
Great joy and relief: Returnee Luxembourg moves into the final with singer Tali.
What’s left of this evening: five disappointed and ten happy finalists. The luckiest among them might be Tali from Luxembourg. After 31 years, the country has returned to the ESC, with success. And 23-year-old Tali, who was previously able to support her own country in the song contest, is now part of it. Bonne chance in the final!
26 participants will start in the final on Saturday
In addition to the participating countries, Germany, Italy and France, the so-called Big Five countries, were also allowed to vote in the first semi as to which acts would make it to the final. On Thursday at 9 p.m., 16 acts will compete in the second semi-final to secure one of the ten remaining starting places for the final. The Big Five countries Germany, France, Great Britain, Spain and Italy are already set for the final evening. They bear the main financial burden of the Eurovision Song Contest. In addition, Sweden, as last year’s winners and therefore hosts, also has a permanent place in the final. Goes for Germany Isaak starts with “Always On The Run”. 26 countries and their acts will compete in the final.
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