5 key things you missed from Eurovision 2024 – from booing ban to secret messages

On Saturday night, the Eurovision Song Contest took place, with the official slogan “United By Music”. But fans were far from united in the run-up to the final, with many boycotting the competition over Israel’s inclusion in the contest amid the country’s war against Palestine.

Many had hoped things would settle down by the final round, but the big night was marred by controversy – one act was disqualified just hours before they took to the stage amid a police investigation. The drama did not stop there.

From the booing and booing that takes place to the acts sending secret messages to those watching at home, we take a look at all the little things you might have missed from Saturday night’s show.

Read more Eurovision 2024 winner, full results and where Britain finished

boo ban

Ahead of the final, many Eurovision fans expressed their disgust at the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) for allowing Middle Eastern Israel to compete in the contest amid the country’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing military actions against Palestine .

Critics have pointed to how Russia was kicked out of the competition in 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine, with the EBU seen as hypocritical and slammed by fans. Despite the backlash and controversy, Israel’s Eden Golan took to the stage in Sweden on Saturday night and performed, The Mirror reports.

But as she performed her song Hurricane, boos rang out around the Malmo Arena – with EBU bosses accused of using “anti-boo technology” so viewers watching at home could not hear the crowd’s jeers. “The boos for Israel in the arena are HARD,” wrote one fan in the arena on Twitter, while sharing a clip of Golan being booed.

“Reminder playing fake cheers on tv streams for that genocidal country #Eurovision,” echoed a second. Another told Eurovision fans: “REMEMBER if you hear cheers for Israel during the broadcast, cause the ebu is using the anti-boo technique trying to cover the boos with fake cheers for the TV, but this is actually how it is inside the arena!! #Eurovision.”

A third tweeted (X): “Eurovision has removed extra fake boos and cheers for Israel. Remember this is the same organization that banned Russia from participating.”

Golan finished in second place after receiving an audience score of 304 points, including 12 points from the UK public vote. The 20-year-old singer celebrated with her team as jeers rang out throughout Sweden’s Malmo Arena when the vote was announced, briefly putting the country in first place with a total of 375 points.

Despite only getting 52 points from the other country’s jury votes, Golan topped the UK public vote with 12.

Ireland’s message

Ireland’s Bambie Thug, who ended up finishing in sixth place, had to deal with a backstage disaster that viewers may have missed. The witchy star, who uses the pronouns they/them, claimed the organizers of the Eurovision Song Contest did not stand up for them amid a clash with Israel.

Bambie, who is known for openly expressing his views in support of Palestine, believed that the Israeli channel Kan, responsible for the violation of the rules, said that he was waiting for a response from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) about the repercussions of these actions . They expressed their concern to journalists at the press center, saying, “So now that I’m free. I can talk about everything, okay?

“Yeah, so Kan, the broadcaster incited violence against me twice, thrice. I brought her to UER. They said they would follow up. They waited until the last minute, we still haven’t received our statements, they allowed us to be scapegoats, they allowed us to be spokespeople to act on our own.”

“And yes, the broadcaster broke the rules and I hope they won’t be able to compete next year because of that. And behind the scenes you don’t know the amount of pressure and the amount of work we do. to change things and I’m so proud of Nemo for winning.

“I’m so proud that we’re all in the top 10 who fought for this shit behind the scenes. Because it was so hard and I’m so proud of us. I just want to say that we are what Eurovision, the EBU is not what Eurovision is, the EBU is what does it, to hell with them, I don’t even care about the EBU anymore.”

They expressed their stress, noting that what really makes the competition is “the community behind it, the love and strength and support of all of us is what makes the change.” Irish leader Simon Harris congratulated Bambie on her “stunning performance and a tour de force at Eurovision 2024”.

Accusations of censorship

Portugal’s Eurovision Song Contest representative Iolanda expressed her belief that “peace will prevail” after her song Grito was performed in the grand final. Singer Lolanda took the opportunity on stage in Sweden to pay tribute to the people of Palestine, with her nails sporting a Keffiyeh-inspired design.

However, a number of Eurovision loyalists suspect her tribute was not well received by the EBU, accusing the organization of subsequently censoring the singer’s performance. One fan took to Twitter on Saturday night to express his displeasure, saying: “The EBU didn’t upload Portugal’s performance to the official YouTube channel,” they complained, adding: “I’m speechless. Absolutely appalling behavior. Kick them all out. . It’s what it deserves.”

Critics have commented on the seemingly mild forms of protest being censored. One remarked: “The mildest protest ever – some nail art (not even the Palestine flag) and saying ‘peace will prevail’ – is being censored by Eurovision,” with another outraged viewer claiming: “PORTUGAL IS CENSORED. The EBU has uploaded our document. Semi-final performance instead tonight because of Lolanda’s nails.

Protest outside

Unbeknownst to many fans watching the glamorous event at home, there was significant unrest outside the Malmo Arena on the night of the final. The presenters and commentators made no mention of the protests that took place as ticket holders prepared for the show.

Searches erupted at the entrance to the venue on Saturday night as pro-Palestinian protesters shook their fans on their way to the event. The picketers, who called for a boycott over the participation of Israel’s Eden Golan, flanked both sides of the queue leading to the Malmo Arena.

Tensions rose when police intervened, detaining several protesters who could be heard shouting “free Palestine” and “shame” at the participants. This came before performances by Golan and Ireland’s Bambie Thug and UK’s Olly Alexander.

On stage, Golan received a mixed reception, met with boos and cheers during the grand finale.

Message from Mae Muller

In a tweet posted on Thursday, last year’s UK Eurovision representative Mae Muller opened up about her struggles with the contest, saying “the pressure is too much, it’s a shame because I love the singing and I love the music but the fans were the only thing . that made it enjoyable, more needs to be done to protect the artist’s mental health because it’s not actually normal what they’re going through.”

On Saturday night, as the Eurovision final aired amid Israel’s military operations, Mae expressed her solidarity with Palestine, tweeting “Free Palestine” and sharing her dismay at the juxtaposition of news of Israel’s actions and the Eurovision celebrations : “-watching the news of Israel invading Rafah right after watching them celebrate their 328 Eurovision votes is the most dystopian shit I’ve ever witnessed.