Ireland’s Eurovision ‘witch’ Bambie Thug is casting a spell on us

Since Eurovision began in 1958, Ireland has won the contest a record seven times.

The country’s first win happened in 1970, with Dana finding success with the song All Kinds of Everything.

Ireland then went on to win the contest three times in a row, in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

It holds another record for having the only three-time winner (Johnny Logan, who won in 1980 as a singer, 1987 as a singer-songwriter, and again in 1992 as a songwriter).

However it has struggled in the years since.

In 2011 and 2012, Jedward represented the nation for two consecutive years, qualifying for the final both times.

The first time saw them achieve Ireland’s highest position in the contest since 1997, placing eighth with the song Lipstick.

But, since 2013 only two Irish entries have qualified for the final, however one of those placed last.

However last night Bambie Thug made history, becoming the first Irish act to be sent through to the Grand Final, which is being held in Malmo, Sweden this weekend.

Before the performer is seen on stage again in their effort to take out the title, here is everything we know about Ireland’s act.

What is Bambie Thug’s real name?

Bambie Ray Robinson was born in Macroom, County Cork, on March 6, 1993, to a Swedish father from Stockholm and a mother from Cork and has three sisters.

The 31-year-old previously told Irish Mail that they grew up spending ‘so much time in the field pretending I was in Lord of the Rings and talking to trees and making potions, and that was really lovely’.

Bambie initially trained to become a ballet performer, but then moved to London to study at the performing arts school Urdang Academy.

After graduating, Bambie spent two years teaching themself how to write and sing pop songs.

Although they were initially signed by a talent agency, they left after being encouraged to work on ‘bubblegum pop’ music.

They went on to start releasing music in 2021, using the term ‘ouija-pop’ to describe it.

Bambie stated that they coined the term due to a reluctance of being ‘put in a box’ and instead wanted to combine numerous genres.

The artist has also previously spoken about practising neopagan witchcraft, particularly sigil and manifestation magic.

Witchcraft has had a major influence on Bambie’s music, with spells and hexes included in various songs.

What is Ireland’s Eurovision song?

Described as an ‘an electro-metal breakdown’, Bambie’s Eurovision song Doomsday Blue became their first charting song in their home country.

The artist has previously said the song is about heartbreak, deception and the pain of unrequited love, describing it as ‘explosive’ and ‘hard-hitting’ but also ‘sweet” and ‘soulful’.

The lyrics also feature numerous spells.

As they previously explained, the song ‘has something for everyone’.

‘There’s spoken word at the start, there’s a pop chorus then there’s a screamy part and there’s a soulful, almost croony middle-eight, and then there’s the electro-metal breakdown where I get to scream my lungs out. I’m just a show-off, basically!’ they said.

The performer and song have also got the full support of Johnny, who said it was ‘probably the best and most original entry that Ireland has had for as long as I can remember’.

‘I think it’s a very good choice and it will definitely get attention. What I saw last night is that it was eye-catching and different.’

He added he would be ‘quite surprised’ if it didn’t do well but said this ‘has a really good chance’.

After Bambie qualified for the final on Tuesday night, Ireland’s Taoiseach Simon Harris hailed their achievement and said it was ‘time to bring the Eurovision back to Ireland’.

What are the lyrics to Bambie Thug’s Doomsday Blue?

Eurovision 2024 is being broadcast by the BBC. The second Semi-Final airs Thursday at 8pm on BBC1.

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