LAST UPDATE | 8 May

BAMBIE THUG HAS said they are “very confident” ahead of the Eurovision final, and they have been receiving rave reviews from fans after their successful semi-final appearance.

The Cork artist performed their song Doomsday Blue in Malmö, Sweden last night and became the first Irish act since 2018 to make it to the grand final, which will be held on Saturday.

While Ireland has struggled in the Eurovision in recent years, some believe this could be the year we move clear of Sweden for the country with the most wins – both are currently tied with seven.

Taoiseach Simon Harris was among those to offer congratulations, and remarked that “it’s time to bring the Eurovision back to Ireland and Bambie is the act to do it”.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin also sent his best wishes prior to the semi-final, and said it was “great to see such a unique and talented performer fly the flag for Ireland and Cork”.

Speaking to Ray D’Arcy on RTÉ Radio 1 this afternoon, Bambie Thug said they “feel good” after last night’s performance.

They said they feel “very settled” ahead of the show and remarked that the team is “incredible”.

Bambie Thug performed on stage with choreographer and dancer Matt Williams, and said when they perform on stage with Williams, “it’s so intimate that the rest of the world doesn’t really exist for us in those moments”.

Bambie said this is a “testament” to their training, friendship, and chemistry together.

When asked if they will tweak the performance before the final, Bambie said they’re “very happy” with the show but might “add some rhinestones to the dress”.

Bambie Thug was also asked about the Ogham writing that was on their face and body prior to the show which spelled out “Ceasefire” and “Freedom for Palestine”.

Bambie said the European Broadcasting Union – the contest’s organisers – ordered them to change this make-up.

They changed the wording to “Crown the Witch”.

Bambie said they were “devastated” that they had to take it off and noted that they “wouldn’t have been allowed on stage if I hadn’t”.

“Unfortunately, there is a bigger picture here,” said Bambie, “I have to do the performance to be able to make any impact anywhere.”

They also remarked that there is a “gorgeous camaraderie” among the Eurovision contestants and that they have “made some amazing friends for life”.

“Everyone is so supportive of each other, it’s so wholesome and just such a different world, it’s gorgeous,” they added.

Bambie added that they are “very, very confident in the art” and that they “will do well in the final”.

The Cork artist received a huge reception within the press room following their performance last night.

By far the biggest reception of the night so far - within the press room at least - for Bambie Thug pic.twitter.com/TTdMRV1Hui

— Daragh Brophy (@DaraghBroph) May 7, 2024

The Journal’s Daragh Brophy, who was covering the event last night from the Eurovision Media Centre, said: “The unusual thing about the Eurovision media centre is that there’s quite a diverse array of people – there are accredited reporters from mainstream outlets from across Europe alongside ‘fan community’ members who cover the contest for fan sites, podcasts and blogs.

“It basically means that – unlike press centres for most events – you occasionally get people dancing on chairs and tables when their favourite song comes on.

“Last night, Bambie Thug’s performance was the first one to have people up on their feet and there were cheers from right across the room when they finished.

He added: “It’s probably a bit too early to get carried away with ourselves though – Croatia are still the favourites and had an even better reception inside the press centre.”

Meanwhile, fans online said they were left “speechless” by Bambie Thug.

Their performance was described as “stellar” by one user on X, while another hailed Bambie as “magnificent” and urged them to “go and win it”.

Another user also noted that while Bambie Thug is “nothing like Johnny Logan” – who performed too last night – it was an “explosive performance” that showed “how to deliver a song”.

Bloody Hell.

This is nothing like Johnny Logan

The look is Lene Lovich.

The song and performance is EXPLOSIVE.

Bravo Bambie Thug.

That’s how to deliver a song.#Eurovision #Eurovision2024 #ireland #bambiethug #EurovisionSongContest pic.twitter.com/sVpmHA9Bd1

— Andrew Jazzie (@AndrewJazzie) May 7, 2024

Elsewhere, punk and heavy metal magazine Kerrang! Called Bambie Thug’s semi-final show “graphic and gripping” in its review.

And while most people were enthused by their performance, not everyone was won over.

Right-wing GB News claimed in its headline that Bambe Thug “sparked fury” with a “satanic and sick routine”.

Tuning into Eurovision and looking for something to read? You’ll find a quick guide to this year’s contest here, and we published this comprehensive piece on the controversy around Israel’s inclusion at the weekend. 

The Journal’s Daragh Brophy is in Malmö covering the contest and surrounding events – you can follow him here on Twitter/X