May 4th 2024.
The excitement is building as the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest draws near, set to take place in Malmo, Sweden next month. The Nordic country was chosen as the host after singer Loreen's victory in Liverpool last year with her hit song "Tattoo". With over 100,000 fans expected to attend and an estimated 160 million viewers tuning in from home, this is sure to be a spectacular event.
Representing the UK is the talented Olly Alexander, whose odds of winning are on the rise. He will be joined by 36 other acts from various countries, all vying for the top spot. As we prepare for this highly anticipated event, let's take a look at some important details you need to know in order to fully embrace the buzz of the world's biggest song contest.
When exactly is Eurovision 2024 happening? Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 11th, which is when the grand final will take place. The semi-finals will be held on Tuesday, May 7th and Thursday, May 9th. A total of 37 countries will be competing, with six automatically qualifying for the final. These include last year's winners Sweden, as well as the "Big 5" countries of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. The remaining countries will compete in the semi-finals, with the top 10 from each advancing to the grand final. This year also marks the return of Luxembourg to the contest after 31 years, while Romania has decided not to participate.
The host city for this year's Eurovision is Malmo, which won the bidding over Stockholm and Gothenburg. This will be Sweden's seventh time hosting the event, having previously done so in 1975, 1985, 1992, 2000, 2013, and 2016. The main venue will be the 15,500-seat Malmö Arena.
We also have some exciting news about the presenters for this year's Eurovision. The three live shows will be hosted by Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman. Petra, a Swedish comedian, dancer, actress, and television presenter, previously hosted the Eurovision in 2013 and 2016. Malin, a Swedish-born actress known for her roles in Hollywood films, expressed her excitement about co-hosting with Petra, calling it a dream come true.
Now let's talk about the UK's entry, Olly Alexander. As the frontman of the band Years & Years, he has already achieved global success with three albums and 10 UK top 40 singles. However, he is now venturing out on his own and will be making his solo debut at Eurovision. His song "Dizzy" was co-written with Danny L Harle, known for his work with Dua Lipa. Olly describes the song as being about the intense emotions someone can evoke, turning your world upside down and inside out. In addition to his musical talents, Olly has also made a mark in the acting world with his role in the award-winning drama "It's A Sin".
For those wondering how to watch the Eurovision Song Contest, all three live shows will be broadcasted on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The semi-finals will take place on May 7th and 9th, with the grand final airing on Saturday, May 11th. BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds will also be covering the event, with Richie Anderson as the commentator.
As the competition draws closer, the latest odds show Switzerland as the favorite to win, followed by Croatia, the Netherlands, Italy, Ukraine, Israel, France, Greece, and Ireland. The UK rounds out the top 10. So mark your calendars and get ready to tune in to the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, it's sure to be a night to remember.
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