At one time, it would have been unthinkable that such a magnificent and important part of Manchester's history would one day be abandoned lie crumbling for over 40 years.
09.05.2024 - 13:41 / ok.co.uk
After a year of waiting, it’s finally time to get out the fancy dress, put on a party playlist and rustle up some delicious snacks and celebrate this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Taking place on Saturday, 11 May in Malmö, Sweden, the event is set to be one to remember as Olly Alexander hopes to become the UK’s first winner since Katrina and the Waves in 1997. However, it’s not just Olly who’s got people talking. Contestant Bambie Thug made history earlier this week when they became the first Irish Eurovision Song Contest finalist since 2018.
So, as Bambie Thug gets set to take to the stage this weekend, let’s take a look at what you need to know about the Eurovision star… Born in Cork, Bambie Thug, real name Bambie Ray Robinson, was born in 1993. In an interview with the the Irish Mail on Sunday, the 31 year old singer revealed how much of their “really lovely” childhood was spent “talking to trees and making potions”. Meanwhile, Bambie trained as a ballerina at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa and Cork City Ballet but later moved to London for a dance scholarship.
However, after breaking their arm they ended up studying musical theatre instead. After completing their studies, Bambie kickstarted their music career and has since released three EPs. Bambie, who is Ireland’s first non-binary Eurovision act, makes what they have dubbed “ouija-pop”, which is a combination of hyperpop, rock and metal and will bring their Doomsday blue song to the stage on Saturday night.
Speaking about being part of Eurovision, Bambie has opened up about their desires to reach the top three. “I try not to think of the odds, because odds can always be beaten. But obviously it’s great that we’re in the Top 10 – I want to be in the Top 3!,” they told
.At one time, it would have been unthinkable that such a magnificent and important part of Manchester's history would one day be abandoned lie crumbling for over 40 years.
The grand domed hall at the heart of Manchester's historic former Stock Exchange is preparing to get its latest new lease of life - with a glamorous new look restaurant.
Bambie Thug, this year’s Irish Eurovision entry, has announced a 2024 UK and European ‘Crown The Witch’ tour.Bambie, who placed 6th in this year’s competition with their showstopping performance of ‘Doomsday Blue’, is now set to tour around the UK and Europe.They will kick off at Brighton’s Chalk in August, before making their way through Manchester’s Gorilla, Glasgow’s King Tuts and London’s Heaven in September. Bambie is also due to visit cities such as Amsterdam, Paris, Berlin and Stockholm.
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Eurovision this year “until the last second”.This year’s song contest has seen multiple controversies arise in the build up to the finale, which aired last Saturday (May 11).On top of the shock disqualification of Dutch entry Joost Klein, Eurovision organisers the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) had faced significant criticism for the inclusion of Israel amidst the Israel-Palestine crisis.Additionally, there were reports of a “crisis meeting” between four countries and the EBU just hours before the finale was due to begin. These four countries were later revealed to be the United Kingdom, Portgual, Ireland, and the eventual winner of this year, Switzerland.Now, Norway’s entry Gåte have spoken to Norwegian media about their own threat to pull out.
Eurovision entry Iolanda’s video was reportedly replaced with previous footage due to “pro-Palestine motifs” on her nails.Last night’s contest saw Swiss entry Nemo crowned as its first nonbinary winner in a year marked with controversy due to the EBU’s struggle to enforce its political neutrality clause. This was especially notable in the inclusion of Israel this year, due to their role in the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Bambie Thug has accused Eurovision organisers of “not supporting them” over claims that the Israeli broadcasters “incited violence” against them.In an interview after their performance at Eurovision 2024, the Irish singer-songwriter claimed the Israeli broadcaster KAN “incited violence against me twice, three times.”“We brought it up to the EBU,” they told reporters. “They said they’d follow up.
Bambie Thug has given an update on their Eurovision complaint, claiming that the EBU confirmed Israli broadcaster KAN had “broken the rules of conduct”.Earlier today, it was reported that the Irish Eurovision entry lodged a complaint with the Eurovision organisers due to commentary made by a broadcaster on KAN. The comments, which told viewers to “prepare your curses” and claim Bambie’s performance was “the most scary” of the night, were labelled “in breach of the rules” of the EBU by Bambie.Now, the Cork singer has taken to their social media to claim that the EBU “confirmed” KAN had breached the rules, which “contradicts” a statement they had seen from the EBU Director General Noel Curran.“Over the last few days I have raised multiple complaints to the EBU regarding instances I have experienced this week.
Bambie Thug has given a special message at the end of their gripping Eurovision performance – watch it below.The Irish Eurovision entry has been tipped as one of the favourites to win this year, with them ranking fourth on the bookie’s odds to win the contest.However, the Cork singer has also faced significant challenges throughout the competition due to their pro-Palestinian stance. It was revealed they were forced to remove the words ‘ceasefire’ and ‘freedom for Palestine’ in a medieval script from their costume due to Eurovision’s political neutrality clause.Though they were prevented from saying the words ‘ceasefire’, Bambie seemed to allude to the Israel-Palestine conflict at the end of their powerful performance.
Ireland's very own Bambie Thug delivered a powerful six-word mantra following their Eurovision Song Contest performance. After wowing the audience with an electrifying rendition of "Doomsday Blue," complete with enchanting witchcraft visuals, Bambie Thug made sure their message was heard loud and clear. As the final note echoed and the camera closed in, Bambie Thug proclaimed: "Love will always win over hate! " The performance left fans ecstatic, prompting a flurry of support on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
As music lovers around the world tuned into the Eurovision Song Contest’ s grand final on Saturday night, all eyes were on the 25 acts that were hoping to secure victory. Initially 26 countries had been due to compete, but following a controversial decision by the European Broadcasting Union to ban Dutch entrant Joost Klein, only 25 made it to the stage on Saturday evening.
Eurovision's Bambie Thug was moved to tears after learning that Israel had secured a spot in the grand finale of the Eurovision Song Contest.
Bambie Thug has reportedly raised a complaint with Eurovision organisers due to Israeli broadcaster KAN’s commentary on their performance.An interview with broadcaster RTÉ has revealed that the Irish Eurovision entry raised the complaint with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) over remarks KAN made about them. On Tuesday, a commentator on KAN, warned TV viewers with children that Bambie Thug’s performance would be “the most scary” of the night.The commentator also said there would be “a lot of spells and black magic and dark clothing, Satanic symbols, and voodoo dolls, like we are at Cat’s Square in Jerusalem in the mid-90s” (Cat’s Square is a square well known for the city’s nightlife in the 90s and associated with goth culture).The KAN broadcaster further claimed there was “some controversy” in Ireland about Bambie’s song ‘Doomsday Blue’, referencing a petition to disqualify the song, and further alleged Thug liked to “speak negatively about Israel”.
The wait is almost over for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest and performers from across the globe are getting ready to battle it out to be crowned winners of one of the world’s most famous singing competitions. With the UK last winning the competition back in 1997, though Sam Ryder came close in 2022, all hopes of taking home the crown are on this year’s entry Olly Alexander, who recently divided fans when he made his Eurovision debut earlier this week with a performance of his song Dizzy.
The Netherlands will not be represented in this evening’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final after their artist Joost Klein was disqualified.
K.J. Yossman Dutch Eurovision entry Joost Klein has been disqualified from the grand final on Saturday night following a complaint from a female crew member, which is being investigated by Swedish police.
Eurovision contestant Joost Klein has been disqualified from the contest after being accused of making verbal threats towards a female member of production crew, police have said.Klein was placed under investigation by the organisers yesterday (May 10) due to an “incident” and was not allowed to perform his song ‘Europapa’ during the final dress rehearsal.A police spokesperson confirmed the incident took place after Klein’s performance on Thursday night at the Malmö Arena where the contest is being held.The EBU, which organises the contest, said in a statement: “The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.“Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.“We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest.
Bambie Thug has called on Eurovision organisers to “show some humanity” over its handling of political issues as controversy related to Israel’s inclusion continues.The conversation around this year’s edition of the singing competition has been dominated by the controversial decision not to ban Israel from the contest despite the ongoing situation in Gaza, with many fans vowing to boycott Eurovision this year as a result.Israel is being represented by Eden Golan with the song ‘Hurricane’. Her qualification into the final came shortly after thousands of pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in the streets of Malmö, Sweden, where the contest is being held, to show their support for Gaza.
Eurovision 2024 entrant Joost Klein has been placed under investigation by the contest’s organisers due to an unexplained “incident”.The singer was not allowed to perform his song ‘Europapa’ during the final dress rehearsal in Malmö, Sweden on Friday (May 10), and it is currently unknown whether he will be able to perform in the grand final on Saturday (May 11).The European Broadcasting Union said in a statement: “We are currently investigating an incident that was reported to us involving the Dutch artist. He will not be rehearsing until further notice.“We have no further comment at this time and will update in due course.”Klein’s most recent public appearance was during the flag parade at the start of the Friday rehearsal, but he did not appear during his performance slot approximately 30 minutes later.Klein is scheduled to perform in the fifth slot in the ceremony, one place before Israel’s Eden Golan.
Israel participated in the Eurovision Song Contest on Thursday evening, as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered in the host city of Malmo, Sweden, to protest against the country’s participation in the competition.