(... so maybe this is the) General Discussion Thread

[Loindici]

Well, I can't find the 2024 general discussion thread yet. I'm providing a thread to house it before mods will make one.

You may discuss anything related to the 2024 contest in general.

EDIT: Welp, I guess it has manifested into one. Let's go guys!

 

[ZoboCamel]

I think it's a common fan expression to say "the contest is getting more boring/generic/predictable thank last year" or expecting the 2011 situation to happen again.

Unfortunately, already half of the entries in, and I think this is indeed the beigest year we've ever had since 2011. Much, much more than 2023. I don't even know who could be the big contenders.

I'm no stranger to complaining about the quality of Eurovision years myself, but honestly, I'm very happy with what we've got so far this year. Sure, there's definitely some beige & some of my favourites from national selections have missed out, but on balance this is a solid 20 songs in my eyes.

In fact, I made up a little spreadsheet the other day to figure out my rating for each Eurovision year by averaging out the ratings I gave to every song in that year (because I am a Very Cool and Normal Person like that ), and from what's been selected so far, 2024 is actually my #1 year since I started watching back in 2007:

Now, I do expect that 2024 average to drop when we have all 37 (or perhaps 36, given the Israel rumors) entries for the year, since I've had pretty good NF luck so far and I don't have high expectations for the remaining countries apart from Austria and Croatia. But so far, at least, I'm happy with what we're getting, and I'd say it's a far sight better than 2011 (which I agree was weak - as above, I gave the average song there a 5.33/12)!

It's also interesting to see that, despite the odd strong year and weak year here and there, I've found the average ESC year's quality to be pretty consistent since 2012 (or since 2010, if you ignore the weak anomaly that is 2011). Not sure whether the upward trend for me in the last few years is going to stay, or whether it'll drop back down to that 6.5-ish average, but... yeah, no complaints from me at the moment.

At the end of the day, though, I guess personal tastes are the bulk of it! I know a lot of people were saying 2020 would've been the best year ever, for example, whereas from the averages I made up the other day it would've been the weakest since about 2013 for me.

 

[FilipFromSweden]

There are still a few tickets left for the jury final show on Ticketmaster.se !!!!

 

[Loindici]

Since we have more than half of the entries I decided to make a little table of the artists and songs, and the vibes I'm getting out of them.
Behold, but please correct me if there are any wrongs.

Country	Performer	Song	Performer Type	Language	Genre	General Vibe
	Besa Kokedhima	"Heart in Hand"	Female solo	English	Pop ballad	Uplifting
	Mustii	"Before the Party's Over"	Male solo	English	Alt-Pop	Nocturnal
	Aiko	"Pedestal"	Female solo	English	Pop-rock	Rebellious
	Saba	"Sand"	Female solo	English	Pop	Anthemic
	5MIINUST & Puuluup	"(nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi"	Group	Estonian	Folk-Rock	Festive
	Windows95Man & Henri Piispanen	"No Rules"	Duo	English	Eurodance	Uplifting
	Slimane	"Mon Amour"	Male solo	French	Adult contemporary ballad	Sad and Longing
	Isaak	"Always on The Run"	Male solo	English	Soul pop	Dark
	Bambie Thug	"Doomsday Blue"	Solo	English	Electro-metal	Horror
	Angelina Mango	"La Noia"	Female solo	Italian	Cumbia pop	Festive
	Dons	"Hollow"	Male solo	English	Soft rock?	Dark
	Silvester Belt	"Luktelk"	Male solo	Lithuanian	Hardbass	Cool
	Tali Golergant	"Fighter"	Female solo	French, English	Latin pop	Tropical
	Sarah Bonnici	"Loop"	Female solo	English	Dance pop	Sexy
	Natalia Barbu	"In the Middle"	Female solo	English	Operatic pop	Spiritual
	Gate	"Ulveham"	Group	Norwegian	Folk-rock	Spiritual
	Luna	"The Tower"	Female solo	English	Synthpop	Anthemic
	Megara	"11:11"	Group	Spanish	Pop-rock	Chaotic
	Raiven	"Veronika"	Female solo	Slovenian	Operatic ballad	Elegant
	Nebulossa	"Zorra"	Duo	Spanish	Disco-pop	Cheeky
	Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil	"Teresa & Maria"	Duo	Ukrainian	Folk-pop	Dark

 

[esc87fan]

I believe I've figured out how things will go following the end of NF season

Week of March 11: HoD meetings in Malmo (Sweden will draw their running order position for the final). March 11 is also the absolute deadline for Israel
Either week of March 18 or March 25: Semifinal running orders posted
April 1-20: Finalization of rehearsal schedule, assembly of stage, tech rehearsals with the stand-ins, pre-parties, preview shows, delegations begin to arrive in Malmo
April 21-May 4: Rehearsals (on May 4, the Big 5 will draw their allocations for the final following their second rehearsals)
May 5: Opening Ceremony at Malmo Live
May 6: Semifinal 1 dress rehearsals 1 (full run-through) & 2 (Germany, Spain and United Kingdom preview performances taped)
May 7: Semifinal 1 dress rehearsal 3 (family show) and live show
May 8: Semifinal 2 dress rehearsals 1 (full run-through) & 2 (France, Italy and Sweden preview performances taped)
May 9: Semifinal 2 dress rehearsal 3 (family show) and live show
Between May 9 and May 10: Grand Final running order posted
May 10: Grand Final dress rehearsals 1 (full run through) & 2 (jury show)
May 11: Grand Final dress rehearsal 3 (family show) and live show
Early May 12: Winner's press conference

 

[Loindici]

Looking at the selected participants this is possibly the year for women I see

 

[randajad]

I just want to thank my South Slavic babies for choosing wisely this year

 

[NikolaiMoller]

Love how open this year is

 

[Loindici]

Love how open this year is

It comes with its own excitement isn't it? I'm gonna be in the Winner Prediction thread to discuss this, it'll be fun!

 

[ekzuu]

I just bought ticket for the grand final afternoon preview, I already have tickets for semi 1 and 2 jury shows so now it's complete...

However, I would like to know what Swedish people think about the safety of Malmö during ESC. I frequently read Swedish news, mainly svt.se and there is almos every day some serious crime going on in Sweden, sometimes Malmö too... And so far it doesn't look like police has it under control? I hope in Malmö all will be safe and protected. I just opened svt.se to see what's going on today and there's an article how young people wear protective vests, I hope I don't have to buy one I planned on buying only the Estonian shirt...

 

[Scania]

I just bought ticket for the grand final afternoon preview, I already have tickets for semi 1 and 2 jury shows so now it's complete...

However, I would like to know what Swedish people think about the safety of Malmö during ESC. I frequently read Swedish news, mainly svt.se and there is almos every day some serious crime going on in Sweden, sometimes Malmö too... And so far it doesn't look like police has it under control? I hope in Malmö all will be safe and protected. I just opened svt.se to see what's going on today and there's an article how young people wear protective vests, I hope I don't have to buy one I planned on buying only the Estonian shirt...

I have lived in Malmö, except for a few short breaks, for the last 30 years and I think Malmö is safer now than ever before.

However, this is also because Malmö was the crime capital of Sweden up until 2018-2019 or so, when the police made a hugely successful operation with disturbing the gangs that dealt drugs on the streets in many different ways. These gangs were also wreaking havoc in Malmö with lots of shootings and other noticeable crimes.

After this special operation in Malmö, these types of crimes dropped drastically but unfortunately spread to nearby cities such as Helsingborg, Hässleholm and Kristianstad. Now it has moved even further north and it seems like the Stockholm/Uppsala area is definitely the center of all of those things you read about online.

If you're not involved in heavy crime, you will be completely safe. Of course you should take the regular safety measurements as in any sizeable city. If a stranger (that's not an obvious ESC fan) starts talking with you, be careful, because that's not normal behaviour in Scandinavia

The media also makes it seem like Sweden has become a third world country when it comes to crime and gangs. This is of course not true and a huge exaggeration. It plays more on the reputation of Sweden being a "perfect" society back in the 1970s which never was true in the first place.

I understand that you are worried and the situation is definitely bad in some parts of Sweden right now. But I think you will be completely alright in Malmö. It's not the most charming place on earth, but May is probably one of the best times to visit. We definitely have some beautiful spots and a great food scene that you definitely should take your time to explore!

 

[ekzuu]

I have lived in Malmö, except for a few short breaks, for the last 30 years and I think Malmö is safer now than ever before.

However, this is also because Malmö was the crime capital of Sweden up until 2018-2019 or so, when the police made a hugely successful operation with disturbing the gangs that dealt drugs on the streets in many different ways. These gangs were also wreaking havoc in Malmö with lots of shootings and other noticeable crimes.

After this special operation in Malmö, these types of crimes dropped drastically but unfortunately spread to nearby cities such as Helsingborg, Hässleholm and Kristianstad. Now it has moved even further north and it seems like the Stockholm/Uppsala area is definitely the center of all of those things you read about online.

If you're not involved in heavy crime, you will be completely safe. Of course you should take the regular safety measurements as in any sizeable city. If a stranger (that's not an obvious ESC fan) starts talking with you, be careful, because that's not normal behaviour in Scandinavia

The media also makes it seem like Sweden has become a third world country when it comes to crime and gangs. This is of course not true and a huge exaggeration. It plays more on the reputation of Sweden being a "perfect" society back in the 1970s which never was true in the first place.

I understand that you are worried and the situation is definitely bad in some parts of Sweden right now. But I think you will be completely alright in Malmö. It's not the most charming place on earth, but May is probably one of the best times to visit. We definitely have some beautiful spots and a great food scene that you definitely should take your time to explore!

Thank you for the answer It sounds promising, can't wait to be there!!!

 

[jatojo]

Has there ever been a year with so many joke or pastiche entries apparently going to the Grand Final?

I count six such entries (pastiche songs and joke or semi-joke entries), all having a good chance of qualifying, according to the bookmakers:

Croatia, Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Finland, Estonia. (Some might even include Switzerland.)

 

[han-g]

The televote only era probably had a few years, especially with the big 4 choosing jokey songs.

 

[martin]

Has there ever been a year with so many joke or pastiche entries apparently going to the Grand Final?

I count six such entries (pastiche songs and joke or semi-joke entries), all having a good chance of qualifying, according to the bookmakers:

Croatia, Netherlands, Austria, Ireland, Finland, Estonia. (Some might even include Switzerland.)

Well i think not everyone going to make it. Last year most people inculding me was sure Serbia Q. The result it was only 10 and only 3 points before Latvia. Croatia take most of them votes. In a hard first semi i would be surprice if all of Croatia, Ireland and Finland will made it. Also Ukraine could take some votes from them.

In semi 2 Estonia could get lost if Austria and Netherlands get good result. Also Norway could take some votes from them

A joke entry is not 100% sure to Qualifly.

 

[jatojo]

The televote only era probably had a few years, especially with the big 4 choosing jokey songs.

True.

 

[esc87fan]

The voting system will see no changes (100% televote in the semis, 50% jury/50% televote in the final), and of course the ROW vote is back. The EBU confirmed this to Norwegian media

50/50 jury-televote system to remain at Eurovision 2024 grand final, Norwegian media reports

The EBU has confirmed to Norwegian media that the 50/50 jury-televote voting system will remain at Eurovision 2024.

wiwibloggs.com

 

[Rocket man]

The voting system will see no changes (100% televote in the semis, 50% jury/50% televote in the final), and of course the ROW vote is back. The EBU confirmed this to Norwegian media

50/50 jury-televote system to remain at Eurovision 2024 grand final, Norwegian media reports

The EBU has confirmed to Norwegian media that the 50/50 jury-televote voting system will remain at Eurovision 2024.

wiwibloggs.com

Fantastic news. I was concerned about the juries having less influence, I'm okay with them not voting in the semi-finals anymore but the final should stay 50/50.

 

[boyardor]

I'd like to have juries back in the semifinals. I feel like the song quality has dropped off a lot.

 

[Realest]

I'd like to have juries back in the semifinals. I feel like the song quality has dropped off a lot.

The only difference last Year would be that would have nqed and probably would have qualified.

 

[han-g]

The only difference last Year would be that would have nqed and probably would have qualified.

If the juries really liked the Netherlands they could have also taken a spot, but I doubt that would happen