“We are an incredibly imaginative, poetic nation,” Bambie Thug said on Friday ahead of their Eurovision Song Contest final performance this weekend.
“My act is a homage to our early descendants. Some of the most incredible minds I know are my Irish community friends. It’s just like opening a window to see what we are like.”
In many ways Bambie, by qualifying for the final, has already won, having put an end to Ireland’s abysmal record in the competition that involved five successive non-qualifications. Ireland has been as bad at the competition as it was once good until this year. Ireland has not won the competition in 28 years.
There’s no pressure on Bambie, unless you count the expectations of the people of their hometown Macroom, Co Cork, who plan a rapturous reception for them win, lose or draw. Even the Taoiseach Simon Harris has said they have “been absolutely incredible. They have done this country absolutely proud. I am so proud of them as Taoiseach of this country”.
In pictures: Twink, Finbar Furey, Gordon D’Arcy, attend ‘legend’ Dickie Rock’s funeral in Dublin
Eurovision issues new code of conduct after controversy involving Bambie Thug and Israel
‘A true Irish superstar’: Showband singer Dickie Rock dies, aged 88
Bambie Thug at the Academy: Corkonian’s crowd sorcery and eerie unholiness is chaotic but coherent
We may be getting ahead of ourselves, as Croatia are odds on favourite to win with the bookies and the Eurovision nerds who are usually right about this sort of thing. But the odds would suggest that a top 10 finish is at least not out of the question after Tuesday night’s storming semi-final performance of their song Doomsday Blues.
“Can you see yourself winning the competition?” one journalist asked. “Of course,” responded Bambie without a trace of false modesty. “Get out and vote for Bambie Thug for art, for change and to shake things up, the best performer, the best song.
“Get out, emote and crown the witch. Get the spells out, get the cleansing energies out. I feel huge love from Ireland.
There’s a but though and that is their outspoken views on the presence of Israel in the competition. They revealed at Tuesday night’s press conference that they were ordered to remove pro-Palestinian messaging written in Ogham on their body before the semi-final.
That might cause some viewers not to vote for them, they told a round table press conference on Friday evening before the show.
“I could win, but I am fearful that we will miss a lot of votes and it will give someone more a chance to win, but there are 200 million viewers.”
[ Eurovision 2024: Israel singer Eden Golan makes final after public voteOpens in new window ]
When asked if Israel’s presence at the Eurovision was overshadowing the event, they responded with typical forthrightness given that Israel’s entrant Eden Golan (20) has made it to the final and is one of the favourites behind Croatia to win.
“Of course. It completely overshadows everything,” said Bambie. “It goes against everything the Eurovision is supposed to be. It’s a big community all together. Their contestant was never even allowed to meet us. God forbid we might have a conversation where minds might be changed.”
Politics aside, win or lose, this London-based, non-binary performer has already raised their profile and has been invited to open the Download music festival, the UK’s premier hard rock festival, next month – surely a first for an Irish Eurovision entrant.
In the meantime they are allowing themselves to think out loud about winning the Eurovision for Ireland.
“It would mean everything. It would be so incredible. I am so proud of my company on a global stage, its morals, its heart and its art.
“It would be amazing for Cork if Cillian Murphy has the Oscar and we have the Eurovision. Cillian Murphy tell all your fans to vote for me.”
“Get out and crown the witch,” they said.
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Bambie Thug has a “real chance” of winning the competition.
“They have been absolutely incredible. They have done this country absolutely proud. I am so proud of them as Taoiseach of this country,” he said during a visit to Fermoy on Friday.
“If we win the Eurovision I am quite sure Cork will have a strong claim that, if Cork won it Cork should host it [next year],” he said
The final of Eurovision Song Contest was previously held in Millstreet in Co Cork in May of 1993 when Irish entrant Niamh Kavanagh claimed first prize after seeing off the challenge off British pop star, Sonia.
Meanwhile, Bambie Thug’s hometown of Macroom is planning the “party to beat all parties” tonight.
One of the organisers, local businessman James O’Sullivan, told Cork’s C103FM that a big screen and stage will be erected in Macroom’s Town Square. Local businesses are showing their support for Bambie by decorating their premises.
Mr O’Sullivan is quietly confident that Bambie Thug can bring the Eurovision title back to Ireland.
“The excitement has built into a juggernaut at this stage. It has been a whirlwind.
“Everyone will be dressed up in green white and gold. The weather forecast is fantastic and what could be better than sitting out in the sun watching Bambie hopefully winning the Eurovision for Ireland after such a long wait.”
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Listen to our Inside Politics podcast for the best political chat and analysis
