Austria Shines at Eurovision 2024: A Night of Surprises and Controversies
Austria has claimed victory at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest held in Basel, with the talented performer JJ leading the charge with his operatic ballad "Wasted Love." The dynamic track showcased soaring vocals that transitioned into an upbeat club anthem, ultimately granting Austria its third win in the contest's history, following the successes of Udo Jürgens in 1965 and Conchita Wurst in 2014.
As the host nation, Switzerland played a pivotal role in this annual musical extravaganza, having first hosted the inaugural Eurovision in 1956. The competition returned to Swiss soil after Nemo's win in Malmö last year with their song "The Code." With Austria now expected to host the event in 2026, Vienna is poised to welcome the Eurovision family once again, having previously staged the contest on two occasions.
JJ, originally born as Johannes Pietsch, displayed a remarkable vocal range from countertenor to soprano and has a strong background in classical music. He penned the winning entry alongside Teodora Spiric and Thomas Turner. JJ previously participated in "The Voice UK," showcasing his vocal prowess to a broader audience.
The competition this year saw Israel finishing in second place, followed by Estonia in third and pre-contest favorites Sweden in fourth. However, the night proved challenging for the UK's entry. Traditionally a strong competitor, the UK saw its entry, "What The Hell Just Happened" by Remember Monday, finished in a disappointing 19th place, receiving no points from the public vote. This outcome underscores a continued trend of lackluster results for UK entries, with Sam Ryder's "Space Man" being the only recent exception, finishing second in 2022.
The UK, as one of the largest net contributors to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) that organizes the contest, was granted automatic entry to the final. However, the results tell a different story, with Remember Monday's efforts unable to shift the pattern of poor performance extending back to 2012.
In an interesting twist of events, the broadcast included appearances from notable figures and Eurovision personalities, including three-time host Petra Mede and a special video message from Céline Dion, who famously represented Switzerland in 1988. A total of 37 countries entered the contest, with 26 securing a place in the final. The semifinals, held on Tuesday and Thursday, produced their share of surprises, with Australia failing to qualify for the finals despite years of involvement in Eurovision.
The performances offered a blend of striking visuals and intriguing themes, including contributions from notable artists. Notably, Finland's Erika Vikman drew attention with her explosive performance of "Ich Komme," featuring a giant gold microphone and fireworks. Italy's Lucio Corsi embraced theatricality with an oversized piano, while Frances Louane experienced the unique spectacle of being gradually covered with sand during her performance.
Yet amidst the celebration of musical talent, the event was marred by protests regarding Israel’s participation, echoing sentiments from last year. Approximately 200 demonstrators, many of whom were draped in Palestinian flags, assembled in Basel, voicing their opposition. Prior to the event, the Irish broadcaster RTÉ had requested discussions with the EBU following calls by 72 former contestants for a ban on Israel's participation. Following the tragic attack on the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, the performance of one contestant, Raphael, was reportedly disrupted by protests during her dress rehearsal.
In a broader context, the EBU took the decision to exclude Russia from Eurovision in 2022 due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Ironically, Ukraine eventually won that year’s competition, highlighting the complicated politics surrounding the beloved song contest.
As this year's edition wraps up with Austria's triumphant moment, the stage is set for an intriguing 2026 hosting in Vienna, promising an even more diverse array of performances and cultural expressions.
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