Switzerland wins Eurovision

Switzerland won the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest.
Nemo charmed both the jury groups and the television viewers and claimed the victory ahead of Croatia.
– I’m so thankful! And I hope that this competition can continue to live up to its values ​​and stand for peace, says the artist with tears in his eyes in the live broadcast.

The 24-year-old singer topped the previews in the second semi-final and advanced to the final with the entry “The code”. During the press conference, Nemo was asked how it felt to know that he was one of two non-binary artists to compete in the final.

– I am grateful and it is important that we have so much queer representation in the competition this year. I know how much it meant to me to have queer role models as a young person and I’m happy to be one, he said.

Got a call

In general, there has been unusually little focus on the music in particular before the world’s biggest music competition. Instead, this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has been marred by controversy, but the broadcast itself has so far gone off without a hitch. Israel’s Eden Golan had to endure some boos, just like during the genrepe – but also applause and cheers.

Eden Golan at the appearance in the final.

Eden Golan at the appearance in the final.

Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Just hours before the broadcast, first the Norwegian artist Alessandra Mele and then the Finnish Käärijä announced that they are stepping down from the task of awarding points. “Giving out the score tonight doesn’t feel good,” Käärijä wrote on social media.

The Netherlands’ Joost Klein was cleared on Saturday due to an investigation into him allegedly confronting a female photographer in the production. The Dutch television company Avrotros refused to hand out the country’s points and instead it was EBU director Martin Österdahl who reported the votes of the Dutch jury.

Bambie Thug was missing during the genre rep, but performed the track “Doomsday blue” on the telecast.

Bambie Thug was missing during the genre rep, but performed the track “Doomsday blue” on the telecast.

Photo: Jessica Gow/TT

Bambie Thug was missing

It has also been turbulent behind and on the Eurovision stage. First, Greece, Ireland and Switzerland were missing from the flag parade that opened the dress rehearsal on Saturday afternoon.

Then Ireland’s Bambie Thug stood over his participation during the same rehearsal due to comments made on Israeli television during his semi-final performance.

Abba in the middle act

Last year, conspiratorial fans speculated whether it was planned by the EBU that Sweden would win with Loreen’s “Tattoo” in 2023, as it means Abba can make a comeback 50 years after they won in Brighton.

The four Abba members have no plans for a reunion as a live band, but appeared during the evening in a pre-recorded feature as their “abbaters”. The classic winning song was performed by Carola, Charlotte Perrelli and Conchita Wurst.

Soon after, Loreen herself returned to the Eurovision stage and sings her new single “Forever”. In place in the arena, in addition to the reigning Eurovision queen, is another royalty: Crown Princess Victoria, who had also recorded a video greeting that was shown at the beginning of the broadcast.