Because the annual homosexual vacation approaches, LGBTQ+ individuals are planning to collect of their hordes to watch and have a good time the flamboyant and unabashedly queer pleasure of the Eurovision Music Contest 2024.
Originating in 1956, Eurovision has develop into an annual ritual for the queer group. The present has developed into an LGBTQ+ monolith, a showcase of Europe’s most lovely and spectacular expertise.
For 2024, this yr’s contestants will compete in Malmö, Sweden after Loreen’s victory in 2023 along with her hit music ‘Tattoo’.
How does Eurovision work: what are the principles?
The Eurovision Music Contest is an annual songwriting competitors organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Members, who’re chosen from EBU member broadcasters, characterize their nations from throughout Europe and past.
Normally held in Might, Eurovision consists of three stay exhibits: the primary semi-final, the second semi-final, and the grand last.
The ‘Massive 5’ broadcasters (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK – nations who make the most important monetary contribution in direction of the competition) and the host broadcaster (the broadcaster of the nation that received the earlier yr) are routinely entered into the semi-finals
Over the many years, the principles of the music contest have developed. At the moment, the principle three guidelines are that the songs should be authentic and not more than three minutes; lead vocals should be carried out stay; and there are not more than six performers allowed on stage at anyone given time.
How is Eurovision scored?
One of many actual mysteries of our instances is how precisely Eurovision is scored, however we’re right here to clarify the process as soon as and for all.
The present system, which has been working since final yr, depends on positional voting.
In spite of everything songs have been carried out, every nation has two units of factors with which they will ship votes. The primary set relies on the nation’s jury, comprised of 5 music business professionals. The second is the vote from every nation’s normal public which takes place through the stay semi-finals and grand last
The extra fashionable the nation the upper weighted the factors; the factors set consists of 1-8, 10 and 12. The highest music receives 12 factors.
Votes are carried out by way of phone and SMS voting in addition to by way of the official Eurovision app. Out of equity, you can not vote to your personal nation – a rule first launched in 1957.
In 2023, viewers in non-participating nations had been in a position to vote in every semi-final and the grand last by way of the official Eurovision App or the Eurovision Music Contest’s voting hub. These votes are aggregated and awarded as factors from an ‘further nation’ within the public vote.
What does the Eurovision winner get?
The Eurovision 2024 winner is not going to solely get a title that can without end make them an icon within the homosexual group, however they’ll additionally obtain a surprising glass microphone
Since 2008, the custom-designed trophy has been handed out to the champion. The trophy is product of stable glass by Kjell Engman of the Swedish glass artwork glass design firm Kosta Boda.
Engman has labored at Kosta Boda since 1978 the place he’s centered on artwork glass creations which have been exhibited around the globe.
In addition to the Eurovision winner taking house the mom trophy, songwriters and composers of the successful entry obtain a smaller model of the trophy.
How is Eurovision funded?
Eurovision is a non-profit occasion which is funded from a number of contribution streams.
One is the participation charge of taking part broadcasters, which totals 6.2 million euros (simply over £5 million). Every nation’s charge relies on the solidarity precept which distributes the monetary burden pretty: which means that the richest nations donate more cash.
Then there’s the contribution from the host broadcaster, which is between 10-20 million euros (£8.5-17 million) relying on accessible sources.
Additionally, the host metropolis contributes financially or ‘in variety’, the latter which overs metropolis bills for metropolis branding, aspect occasions, safety, and extra.
Lastly, there may be the industrial income from sponsorship agreements, ticket gross sales, televising and merchandise.
90% of all accessible funds are designated to the TV manufacturing and occasion organisation with 5% of funds being the finances for the EBU’s Eurovision Music Contest group and its companions.
The remaining funds go in direction of the taking part broadcasters for reimbursement primarily based on the finances authorized by the Eurovision board.
Can Eurovision singers swear?
The lyrics, speeches or gestures carried out at Eurovision should not allowed to deliver the competition, present or EBU into disrepute.
Moreover, unacceptable language is just not allowed in any respect, at the least partly as a consequence of the truth that the semi-finals and finals are broadcast stay.
Breaches of those guidelines can lead to sanctions like disqualification, fines, deduction of factors, lack of accreditation, or an official EBU warning.
Can Eurovision singers be skilled?
Every taking part broadcaster has till mid-March to current a music and artist to Eurovision and the principles about participation are fairly broad.
There are lots of processes by way of which a music and artist may be chosen, whether or not that be a broadcast present or an inside course of. Nevertheless, finally, anybody can enter Eurovision.
No exhausting or fastened rule states a well-known or skilled singer can’t compete. For example, the UK has been represented at Eurovision by Cliff Richard, Olivia Newton-John, and Bonnie Tyler in addition to this yr’s entry: Years & Years star and hitmaker Olly Alexander.
Via the years, Eurovision has undoubtedly develop into not simply queer-coded, but additionally a secure haven for the queer group. However why do LGBTQ+ of us determine with Eurovision?
With 180 million international viewers, Eurovision performs out with daring extravagance and unashamed queerness that constantly rejects any efforts to tone it down. On this international stage, LGBTQ+ acts and tales are made seen and broadcast into the houses of individuals in places the place LGBTQ+ individuals are not accepted.
Eurovision followers, then, respect the present for its inclusivity of lesbian, homosexual, bisexual, transgender and queer contestants. With tense voting reveals, stage mishaps and singing scandals, all of the messy and sudden drama makes Eurovision the right present for queer audiences.
Why Is Eurovision so political?
Eurovision could also be a singing competitors, but the present has traditionally (and continues to be) embroiled in political controversy. With neighbouring nations gathering to compete, worldwide relations develop into as vital as vocal capacity.
Regardless of this, Eurovision goals to be non-political; performers are warned towards selling or referring to politics however regardless of that, a number of controversial moments have occurred over the many years.
The battle between Armenia and Azerbaijan led to quite a few controversies together with political messaging in competing songs, in addition to a participant waving a flag of a breakaway state which broke Eurovision guidelines, each leading to disciplinary motion.
In 2009, the lyrics of Georgia’s music had been objected to as they appeared to criticise Russian chief Vladimir Putin. The singing group refused to alter the lyrics and finally pulled out of the competitors.
Then there’s Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst who received the 2014 contest – and proved that she was extra than simply “that girl with the beard” – who was known as an outrage by Vladimir Zhirinovsky, head of Russia’s Liberal Democratic occasion.
Russia participated in Eurovision till 2022 when the nation was expelled from the music contest following the invasion of Ukraine.
Israel first competed within the contest in 1973, changing into the primary nation from exterior of Europe to enter.
A current controversy erupted when Israel’s submitted music for Eurovision 2024 was deemed to be in violation of the political guidelines, because the lyrics referred to the 7 October assault on Israel by Hamas. The music identify was modified from ‘October Rain’ to ‘Hurricane’ and the lyrics had been modified for the competitors. Nevertheless, some contributors have nonetheless confronted calls to boycott the present to protest Israel’s involvement on this yr’s occasion.
It’s A Sin star Olly Alexander, Britain’s consultant at this yr’s contest, is amongst the 2024 acts who’ve known as for a ceasefire for Gaza.
When extra greater than 450 queer artists, public figures and organisations signed an open letter calling on him to withdraw from Eurovision 2024, Alexander posted an announcement (alongside a number of different Eurovision acts) stating: “We stand united towards all types of hate, together with antisemitism and islamophobia.”
“It is very important us to face in solidarity with the oppressed and talk our heartfelt want for peace, a direct and lasting ceasefire, and the secure return of all hostages.
In his singular assertion on Instagram, the homosexual actor and singer posted that he “understands and respects” these boycotting Eurovision, however received’t accomplish that himself.
Learn how to watch Eurovision 2024?
The primary and second semi-final attracts have already taken place; taking part nations now know their allocations.
The primary semi-final takes place on Tuesday 7 Might and the second semi-final might be broadcast on Thursday 9 Might.
For the grand last, a most of 26 opponents will sing in hopes of successful the glowing microphone trophy. Nevertheless forward of time, six areas are already reserved for the host nation and the members of the Massive 5.
The Eurovision Music Contest Ultimate 2024 takes place on 11 Might starting at 8pm, UK time. All of the stay exhibits might be accessible to stream on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.