Late Eurosong nominees aim to shake up Ireland’s Eurovision entry with black claws and exploding toilets – Irish Times

The Late Late Show studio is all rehearsal action. The Eurovision anthem (Charpentier’s Te Deum) sounds. Gone are the rows of seats, replaced by cabaret-style tables. An enlarged stage and colorful lighting system will promote the “Late Late Eurosong” special, which will be broadcast live from 9:35pm on Friday and will be won by a three-way vote (international jury, national jury and public vote). Ireland’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in May in Malmö will be selected. Sweden.

The six acts on stage are a riot of contrasting colors as well as musical styles, including pop, ballads, rap and Irish. After years of slump, can they make another breakthrough, or at least reach the finals?

Host Patrick Kielty is in great form. Johnny Logan is his Eurovision favorite. “The original, the best,” he sings. “I’ve been waiting for a long time…I think I can do it. “Tomorrow I’ll be wearing a white suit, white socks and white pants in Johnny’s honor,” he joked. In fact, he’s dashing around in a smart suit (thankfully no tights).

He talks about Israel and Gaza, but avoids getting involved in the Israeli discussion at Eurovision. “That’s someone else’s problem,” he insists.

All of the contestants condemned what is happening in the Middle East and largely sidestepped questions about Israel’s participation, saying it was a problem for Eurovision organizers. Still, both Erica Cody and Bumby Thug argue that if Russia is excluded, then so should Israel. When asked if she would go to Malmö if Israel competed, Erika Cody declined to say, “I plan to cross the bridge when I get there.”

Next in Line, Louis Walsh’s latest boy band believe in their song ‘Love Like Us’ and feel they’ve found their sound. Conor O’Farrell and Harry O’Connell grew up watching Eurovision at family viewing parties. They believe they have a chance to reverse Ireland’s disastrous Eurovision defeat. “We’re going to the home of boy bands and European pop,” O’Connell says.

Love Me Like I Do by Erica Cody Kennedy-Smith (who stars as Erica Cody) was co-written with friends at a Women in Harmony writing camp in Ireland. “An anthem of self-love. That song spilled out of us. It came from a very organic, raw, real place.” It had to be the song, the right team, the right vision. And we’re going to have to stand a chance of taking back the crown.”

[ Ireland’s Eurovision entry: The six songs and acts vying to represent Ireland ]

[ The Late Late Show’s Eurosong special: Everything you need to know ]

“I don’t know if the world is ready for a rap song at Eurovision, says J yellowL (aka Jean-Luc Houdau), but I’m sure they’re ready for a song like Judas. It’s not just a rap song. It encapsulates all the elements of great music. It’s beautifully crafted, with deliberate placement of lyrics, catchy melodies, and incredible riffs. [vocalist] Tosin. ”

Ailsha co-wrote the song Go Toban, which is described as Celtic metal, with her brother Pedar. “We’re huge fans of Eurovision and we know what works. We’re sure this will resonate and not just in Ireland.” , a song about the disappearing presence of the Irish language in modern day-to-day life. I grew up learning conversational Irish in Dingle, but I hardly ever learn it anymore. But it’s just a fun song. Friday’s performance will feature “band members, actors, barrels, tossing, exploding toilets and more. It’s going to be crazy, like a Leiving Cert fever dream.”

Isabella Carney grew up between Ireland and Australia, where Eurovision is “big”, and now lives in Nashville. She previously wrote two songs for the Australian version of her Eurosongs. Although her accent is Australian, she says her musical roots are here. “She’s always felt like an underdog,” she says, and that’s what motivates her. “We’re going to surprise people.”

Cork-born Bambi Thug aims to awaken his pagan roots. Her song is Doomsday Blues (“There are many roads to Doomsday”), and her black nails and horned costume are striking. Their inspirations are wide-ranging, with references to Black Sabbath, Lady Gaga and Dolly Parton.

Kielty promises a “proper Eurovision atmosphere” on Friday. He said, “This is going to be a base camp for me to aim for the title. I think there are probably songs here that could make it to the finals,” although he did not specify which songs. . “He’s only one song away from his glory days.”

The Late Late Eurosong Special will be broadcast on RTÉ One from 9.35pm on Friday 26 January.

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