Latest news with #Bambie
Dublin Live
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Dublin Live
Israeli commentators warned to 'remain neutral' and not comment on Bambie Thug
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The European Broadcasting Union warned Israel's commentators to "remain neutral" and not make comments about last year's Irish hopeful Bambie Thug. In May last year, a row erupted after Bambie – who qualified for the final – called on Israel to be removed from the song contest after comments made about them by an Israeli Eurovision commentator on Kan, Israel's public service broadcaster. The commentator warned viewers that their song Doomsday Blue would be "the most scary" of the night. He also noted that Bambie Thug liked to "speak negatively about Israel". "But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses," he said. After last year's Eurovision, it emerged that at least 16 delegations had filed complaints about the Israeli delegation's attitude. It also emerged that as many as six countries threatened to withdraw half an hour before the start of the final, which included Norway, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, the UK and Switzerland. Now in a leaked document to Spanish website, verTele, the letter from the EBU to KAN shows Israel's slap on the wrist from last year. The site was given access to the 'warning notice' letter that the EBU sent to the Israeli channel KAN for its attitude at Eurovision 2024, as well as the report resulting from the independent investigation that was carried out after the festival, and the document with which the EBU transferred these 'recommendations' to its 'roadmap'. The document dated May 11, 2024-the day of the Eurovision 2024 final - is the letter that the European Broadcasting Union sent to the Israeli broadcaster. Emailed to Sharon Drikes, KAN Head of Delegation, it states: "We are writing to you further to the reporting of certain breaches of applicable EBU rules for this year ESC by the members of KAN's delegation. "These concerns namely the Israeli media team and commentators. In particular, we have received official complaints that the Israeli media team has behaved over the past days in a rather intrusive, offensive and provocative manner towards other delegations. "In that respect, we would kindly remind you that Participating Broadcasters are all required to respect the filming rules applicable for delegations and the ESC Rules2 which set principles to be respected when filming backstage or in the Event premises. "In particular, it is expected from Participating Broadcasters to respect privacy, provide fair coverage, avoid harmful or offensive content and does not bring disrepute to the ESC." The letter also addresses the derogatory comments made by KAN hosts towards other performances. "In addition, it has come to our attention that KAN's commentators have made discriminatory comments towards performances of certain countries, and namely towards the Irish performance. "In that respect, we would like to remind you that Section 2.2.16 of Part 2 of the ESC Rules3 states that 'commentators shall remain neutral and should not make unduly discriminatory comments about the contestants or the songs'. "In view of this, we hereby give KAN formal notice to respect the rules applicable to the ESC which are there to protect the smooth operation of the ESC and its integrity." The letter went on to state that the delegation was moved from the delegation area "in order to avoid further incidents and complaints and we hereby urge you to ensure that all members of your delegation abide by all applicable rules and adopt at all times a behaviour in line with the ESC values." The Union insisted that in order to punish "any behaviour that damages the reputation and/or integrity of the shows" they could apply financial sanctions , outlining in the same letter the rules of the festival that the Israeli KAN allegedly ignored. Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Israeli commentators warned to 'remain neutral' and not comment on Bambie Thug
The European Broadcasting Union warned Israel's commentators to "remain neutral" and not make comments about last year's Irish hopeful Bambie Thug. In May last year, a row erupted after Bambie – who qualified for the final – called on Israel to be removed from the song contest after comments made about them by an Israeli Eurovision commentator on Kan, Israel's public service broadcaster. The commentator warned viewers that their song Doomsday Blue would be "the most scary" of the night. He also noted that Bambie Thug liked to "speak negatively about Israel". "But we can talk about that later. Prepare your curses," he said. After last year's Eurovision, it emerged that at least 16 delegations had filed complaints about the Israeli delegation's attitude. It also emerged that as many as six countries threatened to withdraw half an hour before the start of the final, which included Norway, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, the UK and Switzerland. Now in a leaked document to Spanish website, verTele, the letter from the EBU to KAN shows Israel's slap on the wrist from last year. The site was given access to the 'warning notice' letter that the EBU sent to the Israeli channel KAN for its attitude at Eurovision 2024, as well as the report resulting from the independent investigation that was carried out after the festival, and the document with which the EBU transferred these 'recommendations' to its 'roadmap'. The document dated May 11, 2024—the day of the Eurovision 2024 final — is the letter that the European Broadcasting Union sent to the Israeli broadcaster. Emailed to Sharon Drikes, KAN Head of Delegation, it states: "We are writing to you further to the reporting of certain breaches of applicable EBU rules for this year ESC by the members of KAN's delegation. "These concerns namely the Israeli media team and commentators. "In particular, we have received official complaints that the Israeli media team has behaved over the past days in a rather intrusive, offensive and provocative manner towards other delegations. "In that respect, we would kindly remind you that Participating Broadcasters are all required to respect the filming rules applicable for delegations and the ESC Rules2 which set principles to be respected when filming backstage or in the Event premises. "In particular, it is expected from Participating Broadcasters to respect privacy, provide fair coverage, avoid harmful or offensive content and does not bring disrepute to the ESC." The letter also addresses the derogatory comments made by KAN hosts towards other performances. "In addition, it has come to our attention that KAN's commentators have made discriminatory comments towards performances of certain countries, and namely towards the Irish performance. "In that respect, we would like to remind you that Section 2.2.16 of Part 2 of the ESC Rules3 states that 'commentators shall remain neutral and should not make unduly discriminatory comments about the contestants or the songs'. "In view of this, we hereby give KAN formal notice to respect the rules applicable to the ESC which are there to protect the smooth operation of the ESC and its integrity." The letter went on to state that the delegation was moved from the delegation area "in order to avoid further incidents and complaints and we hereby urge you to ensure that all members of your delegation abide by all applicable rules and adopt at all times a behaviour in line with the ESC values." The Union insisted that in order to punish "any behaviour that damages the reputation and/or integrity of the shows" they could apply financial sanctions , outlining in the same letter the rules of the festival that the Israeli KAN allegedly ignored.
Irish Examiner
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
It's not us that needs to change, it's the Eurovision Song Contest itself
Ireland has been represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 58 times since making its debut in 1965 in Naples. And although we failed to qualify for this year's Grand Final, we have, drumroll please... clocked up seven wins. We're the only country to have won three times consecutively and, as it stands, Johnny Logan is the only person to have won the contest three times - twice as a singer and once as a songwriter. Savour it while it lasts. Sweden is clipping at our heels, and judging by the odds and their performance in semi-final one, they're set to break our record this year with 'Bara bada bastu' by KAJ. In 2023, I questioned whether it was time to bow out of this loveless marriage we were in with the song contest, after not having qualified for the final for a fourth time in a row. Bambie Thug In its history, the Eurovision Song Contest has seen many changes, and for a decade, Ireland had a reputation for staying the same. Then, came Bambie Thug. Not only did Bambie represent a change in Irish Eurovision, but also a change in Ireland. The Cork native put Ireland back in the Eurovision conversation by representing us in a way that had the entire world talking. Bambie Thug performs during the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden last year. Bambie challenged the competition in a way that we were proud of. But that journey wasn't without turbulence. After controversy surrounding the Cork native expressing pro-Palestine views and accusing the Israeli broadcaster of rule violations, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) appointed an independent expert to review the contest. From this, they issued a new code of conduct, which has come into play this year in Basel, Switzerland. The 24-page document says the contests is a "celebration of diversity and community where everyone involved shares a common desire to respect one another, look out for each other, and affirm that our differences are far outstripped by our commonalities." Flag policy The new rules also include a new flag policy this year. Contestants are now only allowed to display the flag of the country they are representing, both on stage and in other 'official spaces' — such as the green room where contestants await results. This means a ban on all flags associated with the LGBTQ+ community. Meanwhile audience members attending the St Jakobshalle Arena can wave any flag they want, as long as it complies with Swiss law. This was in contrast to last year's event, where only the flags of competing countries and the standard six-stripe rainbow Pride flag were permitted in the arena. Nemo of Switzerland, celebrates after winning the Eurovision Song Contest last year. Last year's winner Nemo proudly waved the non-binary flag on stage during the flag parade — a flag that is banned from appearing on stage this year. So much for the code of conduct and the "celebration of diversity and community". In the last few weeks several broadcasters across Europe, including RTÉ, asked for a discussion on Israel's inclusion, in solidarity with Palestine. In response a spokesperson said: 'We all aspire to keep the Eurovision song contest positive and inclusive and aspire to show the world as it could be, rather than how it necessarily is.' Sound familiar? Within this, there continues to be confusion as to what counts as 'Europe' in the context of Eurovision — and who has the right to participate. 'How is Australia in the Eurovision?" continues to be the refrain of those who might look down their noses at the world's largest live music event. The actual participants in Eurovision are the TV broadcasters who are members of the EBU — this comprises 112 broadcasting organisations spread across 68 members in 54 countries in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Australia pays to be a member of the EBU. The country's broadcaster, SBS, received special approval to take part in the competition. As it stands, they are the only country outside the European Broadcasting Area to have ever competed. The Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (RTR), meanwhile, was expelled from the EBU in 2021 due to consistent breaches of membership obligations and the violation of public service media values. According to the EBU, the Israeli national broadcaster (KAN) has not made similar breaches, despite the country's horrific war in Gaza. Should the EBU board of management, headed by former Director General of RTÉ Noel Curran, be the deciders of who or what is right when it comes to international affairs? 'Fuck the EBU,' Bambie Thug exclaimed hours after last year's Grand Finale. 'We are what the Eurovision is. The EBU is not what the Eurovision is." It was a sentiment echoed by Nemo during the winner's conference moments before. 'I broke the code and I broke the trophy. The trophy can be fixed, maybe Eurovision needs a little bit of fixing too." This time it's not us that needs to change, it's the competition. Read More Irish fans 'heartbroken' as Emmy Kristiansen fails to make final
Irish Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bambie Thug's life after Eurovision '24, from huge tour to lucky wildfire escape
Norwegian singer-songwriter Emmy will fly the flag for Ireland at the second semi-final of the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Basel on Thursday evening. Emmy will be the third act to take to the stage at the Arena St Jakob-Park this evening as she performs her song Laika Party, with coverage of the semi-final getting underway at 8pm on RTE 2. The 24-year-old singer will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Cork popstar Bambie Thug, who last year became the first Irish act to advance to the Eurovision Grand Final since 2018. The 'ouija pop' performer finished in sixth place in the 2024 Grand Final with their song Doomsday Blue, scomayring Ireland's best placement in the contest since 2000. With Ireland's 2025 Eurovision journey set to get underway in a few short hours, we take a look at what Bambie Thug has been up to since their memorable performance in Malmo last year. Bambie Thug, real name Bambie Ray Robinson, was born in Macroom, Co Cork, to a Swedish father and Irish mother. Their mother, who Bambie describes as 'my biggest champion' stayed at home with them while their father crafted metal parts and 'didn't have a note in his head'. Bambie dreamed of being a ballerina before they broke their arm in college. A blessing in disguise it would seem, as Bambie decided to study musical theatre in London where they found their unique sound and style. Bambie has used the term "ouija-pop" to describe their music. In a 2023 interview, they stated "my stuff is hyperpunk avant electro-pop. We call it grit pop or rot but recently I've been coining the term 'Ouija pop'". In January 2024, Bambie was announced as one of the six competing acts taking part in The Late Late Eurosong Special, where the winner would be chosen as Ireland's Eurovision 2024 entry. After delivering a spellbinding performance, Bambie's song Doomsday Blues earned a final score of 32, a comfortable 8 points ahead of the runner-up to seal their place in Sweden. Bambie performed at the first Eurovision semi-finals in Malmo on May 7, 2024, and wowed audiences across Europe with a spectacular lights show and dramatic costume change on set to secure their place in the Grand Final. Bambie's victory marked the first time Ireland had secured a spot in the Grand Final of the Eurovision since our 2018 entry Ryan O'Shaughnessy with his track Together. The last time Ireland qualified before that was five years prior with Ryan Dolan's Only Love Survives. The Cork singer went on to secure a stunning sixth place in the 2024 Eurovision Grand Final, receiving a total of 278 points from the combined jury and public vote. Bambie's performance was met with rapturous applause and proved to be the best Eurovision result for Ireland in 24 years, equalling our final position in 2000 when Eamonn Toal also finished sixth with his song Millennium of Love. Marty Whelan, who was commenting on the Grand Final for RTE, called Bambie's placement "a great moment" for Ireland and said, "We found ourselves not even in the final for a number of years, and this year we're in the final and we came sixth. It's incredible." Bambie has kept busy since their memorable 2024 Eurovision adventure. Soon after returning from Sweden, Bambie announced their The Crown the Witch tour, which saw them perform at Dublin's Academy, Belfast Limelight Theatre, Galway's Róisín Dubh, before finishing off with a homecoming gig at Cork City Hall. On the eve of her Irish tour, Bambie released a new single titled Fangtasy, which saw them explore themes of self-empowerment and breaking free from control. Speaking about the track, Bambie said it's 'probably one of the best Halloween songs ever that you can also listen to all year round.' 2025 has proven to be another busy year for the Cork singer, who is currently on the road as a support act for Japanese kawaii metal band BABYMETAL. The multi-date arena tour kicked off in Belgium on Saturday (May 10), with the Eurovision star set to perform in the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Spain and France over the next two weeks before finishing off the tour with a huge gig at The O2 in London on Friday, May 30. After spending much of the past year, Bambie has said that they hope to get in to the studio later this year and record a new album. "I have ADHD so I have object impermanence, meaning I forget about songs I've written and need to go through the archives of the last few years of my brain," Bambie told M Magazine in March. "I can't wait to have some time to go into the studio and write what I need to get out of me again. But thank God I've written so many songs that I've saved in the vault for when I don't have time to do that." Bambie was back in the headlines earlier this year after they revealed they were very lucky to escape from the Los Angeles wildfires after a blaze broke out near where they were staying in Hollywood. The Cork musician was in LA on holiday in January after a busy year of performing and touring, and was staying with pals in Hollywood when an evacuation order was issued after massive wildfires engulfed neighborhoods and displaced thousands across the city. 'I was watching the news, but I had turned it on mute and when I unmuted it immediately said 'Hollywood Hills evacuate now'," Bambie told PJ Coogan on Cork's 96FM following their narrow escape. "I was one of the many residents who received an urgent evacuation notice. "So I went up to the roof and behind the house by this restaurant called Yamashiro, which is like this old Japanese, like historic restaurant. There was this big fire next to it. There were eight of us on the roof. "I've never experienced a natural disaster. Obviously in Ireland we're lucky. "I was trying to book an Uber and they were cancelling on me and then a friend of mine actually came back into the building, gave me a lift down. So I was lucky. I'm in downtown LA now. 'I'm safe and I'm well. I'm grateful to be alive.'
Irish Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Eurovision's wild feuds - from Bambie Thug's priest dispute to bizarre emoji war
It's the song contest that pits Danish power ballads against Bulgarian rappers and Armenian pop princesses. Eurovision is so wacky it shouldn't work, but it does - it's among the world's most watched non-sporting events, with hundreds of millions of viewers every year. Irish fans will be hoping this year's entrant - Norwegian popstar Emmy - will propel us to success with the space-themed Laika Party, about the Soviet dog sent to outer space. A celebration of European culture, humour and eccentricity, Eurovision has become a massive event - but there have been many rows and controversies over the years, too. Before this year's contest even kicks off, there have already been political tensions offstage, as some European Broadcasting Union members - including Ireland - have expressed concerns about the participation of Israel in the world's largest live music event. Last year, the Israeli delegation was also criticised by other contestants including Ireland's Bambie Thug. Bambie was vocal in support for Palestine, saying: "There's definitely a war drum sounding in my heart to push the performance even more than I have done before," before taking to the Eurovision stage to perform Doomsday Blue. Bambie's selection even caused controversy, with Fr Declan McInerney in Galway saying "Ireland is finished as a country" for picking the non-binary goth, saying: "the poor divil can neither sing nor dance." The alternative star finished in sixth place, giving Ireland its best placement in the contest since 2000. Last year's contest featured other dramatic controversies, with Dutch punk rapper Joost Klein disqualified just hours before the final. He was banned from the contest amid allegations that he had been "threatening" towards a female camera operator backstage in Malmõ. The singer's management later said they were "extremely happy and relieved" that the case had been abandoned. Sparks flew this year before the dust had even settled on the national contest in the corridors of RTE. Contestant Samantha Mumba and judge and celebrity chef Donal Skehan had the most unlikely of spats via the medium of aubergine emojis when Mumba accused judges of being unduly harsh in their comments about artists on the night. Samantha wrote on Instagram: "Special mention to the "panel" (aside from Bambie who I stan) who not only didn't have the credentials, experience or professionalism required and were unnecessarily rude and vile to all the finalists - my parting gift them is a bag of (aubergine emojis) to slowly choke on". Responding to her post, Donal wrote: "To insult the credentials of myself and my fellow panelists, Arthur Gourounlian is completely unprofessional. Each of us was chosen for our experience, insights, and passion for Eurovision." He also shared a selfie of himself with the word BOZO across it, containing two aubergine emojis in both of the letters O. It's not the first time the national contest has led to a lively face-off at Montrose. In 2014, Ryan Tubridy had to intervene when Linda Martin and Aslan's Billy McGuinness got involved in a lively slagging match live on air as the national contest was decided on The Late Late Show. Billy, a mentor for Irish act Laura O'Neill, expressed his dislike that Louis Walsh was on the TV panel, leading to the mother of all rows with fellow panelist Linda saying: "You are an odious little man", Billy retorted by telling the former Eurovision star she had no place on the panel. This prompted Linda to get out of her seat and approach Billy, who was sitting in the audience. "You may not be used to dealing with women with brains, but I have a brain," said Linda, as Ryan tried to come between the two. Once back in her seat, Linda Martin added: "Gobshite". In 2006, Brian Kennedy's Every Song Is a Cry for Love selection as the Irish entry provoked controversy from Irish songwriters. John Waters - who submitted three songs to RTE that were all rejected - alleged an extension of the deadline was made to accommodate Kennedy's submission. There was also debate over whether the song should be co-credited to English writer Calum McColl. By 2008, Ireland's Eurovision glory days as multiple Eurovision winners seemed very much in the past following years without a win. We responded by sending a turkey to compete in a huffy fit of pique. His performance of Ireland Douze Pointe, where he rapped in a supermarket trolley surrounded by backing singers in tricolour-themed outfits, was hugely divisive among Eurovision fans. The warbling Dustin failed to make the final. Dustin wasn't the only one to ruffle a few feathers. Jedward stirred controversy when they were selected to perform Lipstick in 2011 amid criticism from Eurovision purists. But the colourful and straight-talking twins had their own take on the event - and used their high profile to generate international interest. "Me and John have finally proven to our critics that we're 100% live, all our singing and dancing," Edward said. "I think from the X Factor to Eurovision it's shown a big massive improvement and for everyone who doubted us, watch out for Jedward." The duo ended up with Ireland's first top-ten showing in years and returned to perform Waterline at the Eurovision the following year.
