Ireland’s 2024 entry, Bambie Thug, is an unexpected favourite of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, after blowing fans away with their showstopping semi-final performance.
The 31-year-old contestant is a non-binary artist from County Cork, who got the world talking and left many viewers predicting they could win the contest after Tuesday’s semi final.
Performing their song Doomsday Blue for the crowd in Malmo, Sweden, the artist sang while performing a ritual surrounded by candles and was joined on stage by a male dancer wearing demonic makeup and fake teeth.
Bambie Thug has created a buzz in recent weeks for being radically different to anything the country has sent to the song contest before.
But who is the ‘witchy’ and ‘original’ performer? Here, MailOnline looks at Ireland’s Eurovision entry and why fans are going crazy for them.
Ireland’s 2024 entry, Bambie Thug, is an unexpected favourite of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, after blowing fans away with their showstopping semi-final performance
Who is Ireland’s Eurovision entry Bambie Thug?
The singer from County Cork, real name Bambie Ray Robinson, is the first Irish contestant to make it to the Eurovision final since 2018.
Growing up in the town of Macroom, Bambie Thug was born to an Irish mother and Swedish father.
Speaking to the Irish Mail on Sunday, they explained their childhood involved ‘so much time in the field’ pretending they were in Lord of the Rings and ‘talking to trees and making potions,’ which they described as being ‘really lovely’.
The Eurovision contestant describes themself as a ‘rebel witch conjuring Ouija Pop since 1993’ and a ‘goth gremlin goblin witch,’ which explains the inspiration behind their spooky performance.
Before beginning a musical career, Bambie had initially trained as a ballerina, studying at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa and Cork City Ballet.
They told the outlet that they ‘love’ Cork but moved to London because they got a partial dance and musical theatre dance scholarship at the Urdang Academy.
After completing their degree, they began their musical journey and worked hard on perfecting their craft, which included performing at open mic gigs in the English capital.
The singer has been releasing music for around three years and built up a strong fanbase, before they were selected to compete in the international song contest.
Bambie Thug has created a buzz in recent weeks for being radically different to anything the country has sent to the song contest before
The singer from County Cork, real name Bambie Ray Robinson, is the first Irish contestant to make it to the Eurovision final since 2018
They sang while performing a ritual surrounded by candles and were joined on stage by a male dancer wearing demonic makeup and fake teeth
What has Bambie Thug said about competing in Eurovision?
Bambie, who describes their music as ‘ouija pop’ was feeling the pressure to deliver a good performance given Ireland has not qualified for the Eurovision final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy finished 16th with Together in 2018.
Speaking to The Standard, they said: ‘Yes, there is more pressure but also, I have full faith in my performance ability.
‘I’m really grateful to have this platform, especially as a non-binary person and as an alt little goth. I’m super proud and I’m just excited to go and kick some a** on stage.’
They added: ‘I’ve had so many people drawing me, making me bracelets and making cute things. [I’ve] had loads of lovely messages from parents about their children loving the song and about some queer kids feeling like they can come out.’
Pleased about representing Ireland, they also told the Irish Mail on Sunday: ‘There’s something that makes my heart so warm about having the country see my art, my stuff, because this is what raised me.’
What is Bambie Thug’s song Doomsday Blue about?
Bambie Thug’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest is the alternative chanting witch-like song Doomsday Blue.
The singer explained to Rolling Stone that the alternative-rock track follows ‘a young witch fed up with bad relationships writing in their ‘blaze bible’ and casting a spell to make ‘a new better boyfriend’ – but instead of a human they conjure a strange creature.’
They added that ‘the creature also relates to the world outside and for queer people how quickly a situation can turn unsafe,’ which is something a lot of fans online have related to when examining the lyrics.
It features numerous ‘spells’ within the lyrics, including the Amaraic incanctation ‘Avada Kedavra’ that was popularised by the Harry Potter franchise.
Bambie Thug’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest is the alternative chanting witch-like song Doomsday Blue
Bambie Thug immediately began trending on X (formerly Twitter) during the semi-final show with many viewers praising the standout performance
The Eurovision contestant describes themself as a ‘rebel witch conjuring Ouija Pop since 1993’ and a ‘goth gremlin goblin witch,’ which explains the inspiration behind their spooky performance
How are people reacting to Bambie Thug?
Bambie Thug immediately began trending on X (formerly Twitter) during the semi-final show with many viewers praising the standout performance.
One fan penned: ‘Oooh #Ireland! This will win. Totally flabbergastered! Blown away by this act. I was pure art! Although I still don’t like the song, the total package was amazing.’
A second quipped: ‘Bambie Thug from Ireland coming out on stage dressed as a non-binary demon… oh I absolutely have to stan! #Eurovision.’
Meanwhile, a third claimed: ‘Bambie Thug is going to win,’ and a fourth agreed: ‘Crown the witch! Go Bambie Thug!’
‘I love that they had the trans pride flag colors under the original costume!’ wrote someone else.
Another Irish fan happily remarked: ‘The fact that so many people were saying that Bambie Thug representing Ireland in Eurovision would get us dead last but now they’re fifth favourite in the odds to win the whole thing is most pleasing to me.’
‘This was amazing in fairness – well done Bambie Thug #Eurovision2024,’ gushed someone else.