Eurovision 2024: A Celebration of Music, Culture, and Controversy
The Eurovision Song Contest came to a close this year with Bulgaria securing the top spot, followed by Israel and Romania. Australia, while finishing second in the jury votes, ended up in fourth place overall after audience votes were tallied. For those who missed the action, here are seven key moments from Europe’s beloved song contest.
Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Eurovision!
This year marked Eurovision’s 70th anniversary, a milestone that brought with it a sense of grandeur and nostalgia. The host nation, Austria, was entrusted with hosting the platinum jubilee bash, and they delivered a spectacular event. The stage design was nothing short of impressive, featuring an enormous central catwalk that extended into the audience and led up to a green room styled as an Austrian cafe in the balcony seats of the arena.
Between performances, a star-studded lineup of Eurovision icons took the stage for a medley of iconic hits. The night concluded with a group rendition of Abba’s Waterloo and a heartfelt arena-wide singalong to Volare, capturing the spirit of the celebration.
Bulgaria Takes the Crown
Bulgaria’s DARA claimed victory with an impressive 516 points for their entry Bangaranga. This win was somewhat of a surprise, as Finland and Australia were considered strong contenders. However, Bulgaria’s performance stood out with its quirky dance moves and a catchy chorus that set it apart from the competition.
Australia, despite a strong showing in the jury votes, fell just short of the podium after the audience votes were counted. This result means that the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in the Balkans.
Delta Absolutely Dazzled
Australia sent one of its most recognizable artists, Delta Goodrem, to represent the country in Vienna. Her song Eclipse secured fourth place and was a standout performance. The track combined a classic Eurovision power ballad with Goodrem’s signature celestial imagery and intricate piano melodies.
One of the most memorable moments of the night saw Goodrem perform on a glittering gold piano before climbing onto a platform that lifted her into the air. Pyrotechnics lit up the arena, and a visual of the sun and moon colliding played behind her. Goodrem, who co-wrote the song, described it as being about “alignment, when things all come into the right place.”
During the first semifinal, which Australia did not compete in, a previous representative joined the hosts for an interlude act that humorously confused the two nations. This joke was repeated in the final, with the hosts quipping that all performances had been done and that Australia had already performed.
United by Music Across Generations
The performers this year represented a wide range of ages, showcasing both new talent and seasoned veterans. There was a 40-year age gap between the youngest and oldest performers on stage. France sent 17-year-old Monroe with her operatic pop track Regarde!, while Italy featured 57-year-old Sal Da Vinci, who has been performing for over 50 years.
Da Vinci’s song Per Sempre Si was a love song dedicated to his wife, highlighting the emotional depth of the competition.
The Austrian Macarena
On home soil, Austria’s entry Tanzschein by COSMO featured a macarena-style dance routine. The performance, which included backup dancers in silver suits and animal masks, went viral on social media. While the dance was a highlight, it wasn’t enough to propel Austria into the top ranks, as the host nation finished 19th out of 20 finalists.
Finland’s Controversial Entry
Finland’s entry Liekinheitin (Flamethrower) was a high-energy performance that included pyrotechnics and a dramatic violin solo. Linda Lampenius, an instrumentalist, was granted special permission to perform live on the violin, a rare exception to Eurovision’s usual rules that prohibit live instruments.
Lampenius’s performance was a standout moment, but it also sparked debate. Meanwhile, Delta Goodrem’s piano solo had to be mimed during the broadcast, marking a shift from her usual approach to live performances.
Boycott in Force
Five countries boycotted this year’s contest, including Ireland, Spain, the Netherlands, Iceland, and Slovenia. These nations withdrew in protest of Israel’s participation, citing concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza. This marked the first time since the contest’s inception that major participants had taken such a step.
The absence of these countries resulted in the smallest pool of competitors in over 20 years for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest.
