From pop to politics, what to know as Sweden prepares for the 2024 Eurovision Tune Contest

LONDON — It’s springtime in Europe — time for the annual blossoming of spectacle and sound often called the Eurovision Tune Contest.

Going down in Could in Malmö, Sweden, the 68th annual competitors will see acts from 37 international locations vie for the continent’s pop crown in a feelgood extravaganza that strives — not all the time efficiently – to banish worldwide strife and division. And also you don’t should be in Europe to look at, or to assist decide the winner.

Right here’s a information to all issues Eurovision.

On one degree, it’s easy: Eurovision is a global pop music competitors during which acts from international locations throughout Europe, and some past it, compete in a stay televised contest to be topped Eurovision champion.

Nevertheless it’s additionally rather more — a celebration of variety, nationwide delight and the joyous energy of pop. And glitter. A lot glitter.

Launched in 1956 to foster unity after World Battle II, Eurovision has change into a campy, feel-good celebration of pop music with an viewers of tons of of thousands and thousands all over the world. It has grown from seven international locations to nearly 40, together with non-European nations resembling Israel and Australia.

It’s now identified for songs that vary from anthemic to extraordinarily foolish, usually with elaborate costumes and spectacular staging.

Paul Jordan, an knowledgeable on the competition who is called “Dr. Eurovision,” stated the competition “is nearly indescribable when it comes to its scale, when it comes to its craziness — however I might liken it to in all probability the musical model of the Olympic Video games.”

This yr’s contest will probably be held in Malmö in southern Sweden, with two semifinals on Could 7 and 9 adopted by a grand last on Could 11. Historically the competitors is hosted by the earlier yr’s winner, and Sweden triumphed in 2023 with “Tattoo,” an influence ballad by pop diva Loreen.

The Nordic nation is a Eurovision powerhouse that has received the competition seven occasions, a quantity equaled solely by Eire.

This yr marks the fiftieth anniversary of a Eurovision’s most iconic second, ABBA’s victory within the 1974 contest with “Waterloo.” The win propelled the band towards superstardom and helped jump-start Sweden’s music trade.

Followers are hoping for an look by the Swedish supergroup in Malmö, although the band members have performed down these ideas.

Eurovision’s motto is “united by music” and organizer the European Broadcasting Union strives to maintain political divisions out of the competitors, although it doesn’t all the time succeed.

Russia has been banned since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Final yr’s contest was held within the English metropolis of Liverpool as a result of the 2022 winner, Ukraine, was at battle.

This yr, pro-Palestinian activists and a few musicians have urged organizers to drop Israel from the occasion over its conduct in its battle towards Hamas, which has killed greater than 33,000 folks in Gaza, based on its Well being Ministry.

Israel has not been suspended, nevertheless it was ordered to vary the lyrics of its competing track, initially titled “October Rain,” an obvious reference to Hamas’ cross-border Oct. 7 assault that killed some 1,200 Israelis. Renamed “Hurricane,” the ability ballad will probably be carried out by 20-year-old singer Eden Golan.

With emotions working excessive, organizers issued an announcement saying they “firmly oppose any type of on-line abuse, hate speech, or harassment directed at our artists or any people related to the competition.”

Jordan stated Eurovision organizers have typically been accused of inconsistency in setting the competition’s boundaries.

“You’re not allowed political entries …and but Finland 2013 has a track about equal marriage,” he stated. “You had different songs about world peace — technically they’re political too. So what’s the division between politics and non-politics is kind of a blurred line.”

Professional-Palestinian teams plan demonstrations in downtown Malmo throughout Eurovision week that they hope will draw hundreds of protesters from Sweden and neighboring international locations.

Malmö district police chief Petra Stenkula stated safety could be “rigorous,” with Swedish police strengthened by officers from Denmark and Norway.

Eurovision’s complicated voting system, which awards factors from juries of music trade professionals in addition to viewers throughout Europe, makes winners notoriously exhausting to foretell.

Jordan stated there was a “typical” Eurovision sound -– a three-minute pop track in English with a key change — however the contest is now rather more various. Many acts carry out of their nationwide languages and a few draw on folks traditions and devices, although slick manufacturing and electro beats nonetheless predominate.

Winners have ranged from Canadian chanteuse Celine Dion, who competed for Switzerland in 1988, to fright mask-wearing Finnish metalheads Lordi in 2006, bearded Austrian drag performer Conchita Wurst in 2014, Italian rock band Måneskin in 2021 and Ukrainian folk-rap group Kalush Orchestra in 2022.

Bookmakers’ favorites this yr embody nonbinary Swiss singer Nemo’s powerhouse track “The Code” and Croatian singer-songwriter Child Lasagna’s earwormy electro quantity “Rim Tim Tagi Dim.”

Different entries to look at embody the Netherlands’ Joost Klein with pop-rap track “Europapa,” “La Noia“ by Italian TikTok star Angelina Mango and “Teresa & Maria” by the Ukrainian duo of rapper alyona alyona and vlogger Jerry Heil.

Spain’s entry, “ Zorra” by the duo Nebulossa, has drawn controversy as a result of its title might be translated as an anti-female slur.

The U.Ok., which has not received since 1997, is pinning its hopes on Olly Alexander’s vertiginous pop track “Dizzy.” Host nation Sweden is represented by equivalent twins Marcus & Martinus -– who, confusingly sufficient, hail from Norway — with the confidently titled “Unforgettable.” Eurovision voters would be the decide of that.

The competitors will probably be aired by nationwide broadcasters in taking part nations, on streaming service Peacock in the US and on the Eurovision YouTube channel. Viewers within the U.S. and different nonparticipating international locations can vote on-line or utilizing the Eurovision app; viewers in taking part international locations may vote by cellphone or textual content message.