‘Ouija popstar’ to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision

“I think the day of good song, good voice – it’s not enough. You need the production. You need the theatre,” one of the Late Late panel said.

Bambie Thug has been chosen to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘Doomsday Blue’.

This was after having emerged victorious on The Late Late Show Eurovision Special on Friday night (26 January).

From Macroom in Cork, the artist will now travel to Malmö in Sweden this May, where Ireland will compete in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, bidding to qualify for the grand final on Saturday, 11 May.

Presented by Patrick Kielty, six hopefuls took to the Late Late’s Eurosong Special stage, showcasing their entries to the nation before the voting lines were opened up to the public.

‘Ouija popstar’ Bambie Thug to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision

A panel of experts joined Kielty in the studio to give their analysis. These were Dancing with the Stars judge and choreographer Arthur Gourounlian, singer and 1993’s United Kingdom Eurovision entrant Sonia Evans, RTÉ Radio 1 broadcaster Louise Duffy and comedian Gearóid Farrelly.

The victor was subsequently chosen by a combination of national jury, international jury and public vote.

Competing against self-professed “ouija popstar” Bambie Thug were the acts Ailsha, Erica-Cody, Isabella Kearney, JyellowL and Next in Line.

However, the Cork singer blew audiences away with their theatrical rendition of the shape-shifting track ‘Doomsday Blue’, with the song blending metal, goth, pop and acoustic elements with a very catchy chorus.

Bambie Thug’s Late Late performance was met with a rapturous response from the studio audience, leading Kielty to remark: “That one went big in the hall.”

Bambie Thug

Speaking about the performance, Louise Duffy said: “That’s how you do it. I think the day of good song, good voice – it’s not enough.

“You need the production. You need the theatre. That blew me away. That was phenomenal.”

In a statement just after the show, Bambie Thug said: “I feel incredible… as a lyricist you’d think I’d have more to say but I’m speechless.

“I’m so excited and I promise I’m going to do you so proud.”

Images via Andres Poveda

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