The Eurovision performers ready to impress at the world’s campest party! All the acts taking to the stage this year from Ireland’s Bambie Thug to Croatia’s Baby Lasagna as contest marks 50 years since ABBA’s win

There’s only a few days left until performers representing 26 countries from across Europe and beyond take to the stage at the final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest.

On Tuesday, the annual music competition kicked off with its first of two semi finals in the Swedish city of Malmo – with ten of the 15 acts performing voted through to Saturday’s finale by viewers.

The second semi final on Thursday will further narrow the original field of 37 competing nations to 26 for the highly anticipated final, where frontrunners include Croatia’s Baby Lasagna and Switzerland’s Nemo.

Ireland’s entry also left viewers predicting the country could win the contest after non-binary artist Bambie Thug, 31, from County Cork, delivered a sensational performance of their song Doomsday Blue for the crowd on Tuesday.

Here, FEMAIL reveals all about the contestants still competing in one of the world’s most flamboyant events as the over-the-top music competition marks 50 years since ABBA’s win with Waterloo… 

United Kingdom

Olly Alexander 

Chart-topping pop star Olly Alexander will be flying the flag for Britain in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest this weekend – despite describing himself as ‘ambivalent’ about the Union Jack.

He is hoping to become the UK’s first Eurovision winner since Katrina and the Waves in 1997 after overcoming his ordeal of being bullied at school to find fame and success as both a singer and an actor.

Alexander, 33, from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, released two albums which got to number one with his band Years & Years and also won acclaim for his performance in Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin.

But there has been controversy in the build-up to the final – after Alexander attracted attention with remarks made about Israel as well as his latest comments about the Union Jack.

His dance-infused Eurovision entry Dizzy is not among the bookies’ favourites to triumph this Saturday. 

Meanwhile, the star has told of being bullied as a youngster, including homophobic taunts, but found strength from taking up performing.

He said: ‘At school I was picked on and I just felt like something was wrong with me – like I was just different from other people in a way that was really bad.

‘People would make fun of me and call me gay even before I had any idea of my sexuality. But music and performing and drama – like, the weirder you were, the more unique you were. It kind of worked in your favour.

‘If you stood out, people remembered you, and I’m actually really good at something – I have this secret power, so I really just followed that feeling and I haven’t stopped.’

His outspoken comments have also attracted attention away from his performances on stage and screen.

He described himself as ‘ambivalent’ about the Union Jack, saying it can feel ‘divisive’ and ‘nationalist’.  He said: ‘I hope to, like, reclaim the Union Jack, in a positive way.

‘When I’m going to be out there waving my flag at the parade, it’s for all the good things that have come from growing up in the UK and being British.’ 

Alexander’s political views previously came under the spotlight after it emerged he had signed a letter that branded Israel an ‘apartheid regime’ and condemning ‘Zionist propaganda’.

In March, he declined calls from campaigners that he should boycott the contest in protest at Israel taking part amid the ongoing bombardment of Gaza.

He previously he broke down during an interview when asked about how activists had put pressure on him to boycott the show.

He told the Times, when asked about looking downcast during a pre-Eurovision party in London: ‘Yes, I struggled that day. I was holed up in a room trying not to have a breakdown.

‘Normally, you get on stage and turn it on, but I felt really unable to do that.

‘It was tough – I just could not get it together and then I felt ashamed of myself and embarrassed.

‘Obviously there are a lot of things I wish were different and this is so much bigger than me and Eurovision, it really is.

‘Obviously, I wish there wasn’t a war or this insane humanitarian crisis. I wish for peace and I have found this experience, at times, extremely – I’ve just felt really sad and distressed.

‘But I still believe it’s a good thing when people come together for entertainment – that’s why I wanted to do Eurovision.’

Born in North Yorkshire, Alexander went to school in Coleford, Gloucestershire, and then in Monmouth, in Monmouthshire, Wales. 

He studied performing arts at the Hereford College of Arts but dropped out to pursue an acting career, with early parts in films such as Summerhill and Bright Star.

Ireland 

Bambie Thug 

Bambie Thug won a place in Saturday’s final with a mesmerising execution of their song Doomsday Blue at the semi final on Tuesday in Malmo, Sweden. 

The Cork-born singer, 31, who uses the pronouns they/them, has a chance to take Ireland to victory, which the country has not achieved since 1996 with Eimear Quinn’s The Voice. 

The artist, whose black costume was removed during the performance to reveal a second outfit in the colours of the trans flag, said that they were completely ‘disassociated’ and having an ‘out of body experience’ after making Saturday’s final.

However, Bambie Thug criticised the organisers of the competition for asking them to alter a pro-Palestinian message.

The singer told a press conference in Malmo they were forced to change their body paint in Ogham script – an early Medieval alphabet – which translated to ceasefire and freedom, a nod to the situation in Gaza and amid Israel’s inclusion in the competition.

‘It was very important for me because I’m pro justice and pro peace,’ they said. ‘Unfortunately, I had to change those messages today to “crown the witch” only (which was an) order from the EBU.’

A spokeswoman for the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) said: ‘The writing seen on Bambie Thug’s body during dress rehearsals contravened contest rules that are designed to protect the non-political nature of the event.

‘After discussions with the Irish delegation, they agreed to change the text for the live show.’

The body had previously warned that Palestinian flags and symbols would not be allowed in Malmo Arena.

Despite this, former Swedish Eurovision contestant and opening act Eric Saade had a symbol, commonly used by people who want to show they are pro-Palestinian, on his arm.

The EBU said that it ‘regrets’ that Saade chose to wear the keffiyeh pattern material and ‘chose to compromise the non-political nature of the event’.

Croatia 

Baby Lasagna 

Croatian singer-songwriter Baby Lasagna’s infectious electro number ‘Rim Tim Tagi Dim’ is the current favourite to win. 

His real name is Marko Purišić and he aims to convey a deeper message about the worries and suffering of the environment within his music.

His track is about a young Croatian who leaves his home aspiring to become a ‘city boy’ with better opportunities. 

The singer, from Umag, Croatia, often performs as part of duo Mono Inc. with his younger brother Martin, who is also in the music industry. 

Purišić took part in the Croatian selection process for Eurovision with the song that has got him through to the final and it became the first track of his to enter the charts in Croatia.  

According to Croatia outlet Vecernji List, Purišić got the name Baby Lasagna when he was walking around the supermarket looking for pills to take to cure his headache.

It suddenly popped into his head and it stuck, despite him not being a fan of the Italian dish. ‘If I was named after the food I prefer, then I should have been Baby Pizza,’ he said.

Switzerland

Switzerland’s Nemo is one of the favourites to win the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest – but has said that they do not feel ‘pressure’ of having the momentum to triumph.

Nemo Mettler from Switzerland’s operatic-dance track The Code – which draws on their identity as a non-binary performer, will be performed in the second semi final on Thursday.

The 24-year-old Swiss rapper and singer has been given odds of 3/1, which is just behind Croatia’s Baby Lasagna’s Rim Tim Tagi Dim on 2/1, according to Coral Bookmakers.

Nemo, who uses the pronouns they/them, told journalists on Monday: ‘At the moment, I think I don’t feel that much pressure if I’m honest. I think I’m really just very excited about everything.

‘And I mean, from the first moment I stepped into this I just wanted to create something that really reflects the song on stage and that enhances the song and just have fun with it and create something beautiful that means a lot to me and I think we really managed to do that.’

Nemo also said that if they ‘knew the recipe’ to be a strong contender, then they would make ‘a lot of money’ out of writing Eurovision songs.

They added: ‘I think all that you can do as an artist in general, like even outside of Eurovision, is just listen to your heart and write about things that really mean something to you.

‘And if you write about something that means a lot to you. And it’s personal, I think chances are there that people can relate to the feeling and people.

‘And I’m super grateful for all the amazing reception and all the love people give me and the song and to see how many people really, truly connect with it has been amazing.’

They were also part of several competitors who called for a ceasefire in the Gaza strip ahead of Eurovision, but rejected calls to boycott the event over Israel competing.

Nemo said that ‘it was very important to not just stay silent’ and they hope that people are encouraged to ‘inform themselves about the whole situation and not just turn a blind eye on it and ignore it or try to push it away’.

‘Really, just remember information is power and inform yourself,’ they added. ‘I think it’s important to, to use our platform to raise awareness, in all kinds of… all kinds of things.

‘For me, it’s a lot of what I talk about… being queer, being non binary and, just honestly, like being myself at Eurovision in hopes that it inspires other people to be themselves as well and feel seen.

‘And I think it’s amazing that we have lots of queer representation this year, for people to see, I think it’s a lot about seeing other people that are like you.

‘I mean, it helped me in my life to truly realise who I am, like, through seeing other people that I that I could admire or like that I could look up to. So I think that’s a big part of what I’m trying to do here.’

Sweden 

Marcus & Martinus are competing in the Eurovision contest on behalf of Sweden with their song ‘Unforgettable’.

The pair are no stranger to fame and have achieved a top 10 hit in Norway aged just nine years old called Dråper Vann.

The twins already have a large following in Scandinavia as they had a second consecutive hit, ‘Elektrisk’, which was in the Norwegian charts for a whopping 66 weeks.

This isn’t the first time that the duo – who are used to playing at sold out arenas and have more than 1.5 billion streams – have tried to represent their Swedish neighbours at Eurovision.

They attempted to get onto the show last year but were beaten by Loreen and her song ‘Tattoo’ which went on to win Eurovision.

They told the Independent: ‘To get through and represent Sweden is amazing, it’s a dream come true to represent a country with such a big legacy at Eurovision.’

Ukraine 

Alyona Alyona, a 32-year-old rapper is collaborating with singer Jerry Heil, 28, for Ukraine in this year’s contest.

The pair will sing a song called Teresa & Maria, which was written to remind people that everyone is capable of achieving great heights and that ‘all the divas were born as human beings.’

Alyona – real name Aliona Olehivna Savranenko – is a co-founder of the local major label that Eurovision Song Contest 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra are signed with.

Among her numerous awards, Alyona also won a Public’s Choice Award in 2021 at the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards contest.

Jerry and Alyona also created a fundraiser through UNITED24 to rebuild the Velykokostromska School in Dnipro after it was destroyed by Russian missiles in October 2022.

Jerry told Euronews that education is crucial to the long-term war effort because it will be the ‘children who rebuild the country after us. So we have to provide them with a childhood.’

Russia was excluded from Eurovision in 2022 shortly after they invaded Ukraine.

The pair spoke to the outlet about why it is important for Russia to remain out of the competition. Alyona said: ‘Why should the destroyer of other cultures be given the chance to spread their culture?’

The duo said that giving the country an international platform like Eurovision would ‘undermine’ the efforts the West has taken.

Finland 

Finland’s Windows95man appeared not to wear underwear on stage as he competed in the latest round of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The DJ and artist, whose real name is Teemu Keisteri, used clever camera angles to make it look like he was in the nude at Malmo Arena during Tuesday’s semi final.

Performing his track No Rules!, Windows95man first emerged from an egg-shaped patchwork blue jeans enclosure before later in the song being given short cut-off denims that were attached to ropes that had sparks coming out of them.

Earlier during the rehearsals, Windows95man was clothed in pants that were open at the back.

The ode to the 1990s also features a Microsoft Windows 95 T-shirt that has previously had to be blurred on TV as it features a brand.

His singer Henri Piispanen climbed on top of the egg-shape during the start of the act before getting to the end of the stage and delivering powerful vocals which complemented Windows95man shouting ‘no rules’ at various intervals.

Israel

Much focus is expected to be on Israel’s Eden Golan and her song ‘Hurricane’ in the second semi final on Thursday, with bookmakers placing her among the top 10 to win the competition.

Eden Golan, Israel’s contender in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, hopes to unite people through her music when she performs this week in Malmo, Sweden, she said in an interview.

The 68th version of the world’s biggest song contest takes place as protests occur in many countries against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza triggered by Hamas militants’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

Golan, 20, is competing with the song ‘Hurricane’ which initially went under the name ‘October Rain.’

‘I come here to show my voice, to share my love, my gift from God and to hopefully make people feel something and leave a mark in their souls and to unite by music,’ Golan said on Monday.

Israel tweaked the song after the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the competition, took issue with verses from the original submission, which appeared to reference the Oct. 7 attack.

The EBU’s decision not to exclude Israel from this year’s contest over the war has met protests, and Malmo is bracing for possible unrest during the week although police have said there have been no concrete threats against the event.

Asked how she feels about the possibility of protests in Malmo, Golan said: ‘It’s up to the people what to do. 

‘They have the right to speak their voice, but I’m focusing on my part which is giving the best performance, and on the good, on the good vibes, the good people.’

The competition is hugely popular in Israel, which has won it four times. Bookmakers rank this year’s entry in the top 10.

‘It’s a super important moment for us, especially this year,’ Golan said. ‘I feel honoured to have the opportunity to be the voice of my country.’

Netherlands

Joost Klein 

Another top contender is Joost Klein, 26, of the Netherlands with his playful pop-rap song ‘Europapa’ which mixes tunes of pop with happy hardcore. 

Klein, who lost his parents at a young age, says the song is about an orphan who travels around Europe trying to find himself, as his father taught him to believe in a Europe without borders. 

When finding out he would represent The Netherlands in 2024, Joost said: ‘Taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest is a dream come true. 

‘I used to watch it together with my parents, glued to the screen, year after year. It’s an honour to represent the Netherlands, and I’m committed to giving my all for the best possible outcome.’

In the Netherlands, Joost regularly tours with his band, playing festivals like Lowlands and Pinkpop. 

Last summer, the artist achieved a number one hit in Germany, Switzerland and Austria with Friesenjung, reported the Eurovision website.

The tune – which is also liked in Italy and Ukraine – has had over 100million streams worldwide and won Best Song in Germany’s 1LIVE Krone radio awards.

Italy

Angelina Mango 

Italian TikTok star Angelina Mango, 23, will perform her song ‘La Noia’ which translates to ‘Boredom’.

The popular artist, who reportedly likes to address themes relevant to her in her tunes such as anxieties of Gen Z, love and freedom, has four platinum records, two gold records, and a completely sold-out tour. 

Her songs are influenced by Italian and American rap, R&B and instrumental music and she’s increasingly popular on social media.

The Italian artist has a musical family, with her mother also said to be a singer and her brother playing the drums in bands. 

She practised dancing for ten years as a child, before joining her brother in a band, when they would perform in clubs around their hometown of Maratea.

Lithuania

Silvester Belt 

Lithuania’s Silvester Belt went down a storm on Tuesday’s semi final when he carried out a highly synchronised and mind-bending rendition of his song Luktelk.

For much of the staging, he was clad in red and black lights as dancers did almost robotic moves beside him. 

Silvester – a graduate of the University of Westminster – placed sixth in X Factor Lithuania, reported The Telegraph, and competed in Lithuania’s pre-selection competition for Junior Eurovision in 2010.

His music is often said to be inspired by his personal life experiences, including exploring his sexuality while growing up in a homophobic environment.

His Eurovision song Luktelk, which when translated means ‘wait’, is about being stuck between two stages of living and barely existing.  

Portugal

Iolanda 

Portuguese crooner Iolanda studied songwriting at BIMM Music Institute in Sussex in the UK, after moving from Lisbon, reported the Eurovision website.

The singer-songwriter, who first started writing tunes when she was just 14, released her debut EP ‘Cura’ in March 2023.

She is a former contestant on The Voice Portugal and her Eurovision song ‘Grito’ translates to shout – despite it being a soft ballad.

France 

Slimane 

France’s Eurovision contestant, Slimane, who will perform the tune Mon Amour, won series five of The Voice France in 2016.

Since then, he’s sold two million albums, released four chart-topping LPs, has seven million followers on social media and two billion worldwide streams.

The singer wrote the lyrics to his Eurovision entry and co-composed the tune with his friends, Yaacov and Meir Salah, with whom the artist has worked with to make music since the age of 15, reported the competition’s site.

Ahead of his life-changing win on The Voice, he would perform at piano bars in Paris but now takes to the stage at sell-out tour dates.

He remarked about performing at the contest on Saturday: ‘It’s hard not to look in the rear-view mirror now that I know I’ll be representing my country at Eurovision! 

‘It’s completely crazy when I think about it. My first concerts in the bars of Pigalle, it seems like yesterday. My father taking me to my first casting. And then The Voice. My encounter with the public. 

‘The wonderful public that gave me the strength and desire to take on one of the greatest challenges of my career. It’s an immense source of pride. A real responsibility too.’

He added that he would be singing for his parents and his daughter and for his country.

Germany

Isaak 

Germany’s contestant Isaak will be performing Always On The Run at the final this weekend, where the country will be hoping to improve on their last place position in 2023.

The artist featured on X Factor Germany in 2011 but first started his career in music as a street musician at the age of 12, according to the event’s website.

He plays the guitar, piano, ukulele and drums – and his big break finally came when he secured the top place on the talent programme Show Your Talent.

The devoted family man – who stills takes to the streets even now to surprise fans with performances – thanks his wife for improving his fashion.  

Spain

Nebulossa 

Spain’s entry this year has caused controversy in the country – because the title of their entry ‘Zorra’, can be translated as either ‘vixen’ or ‘b****’ and is seen by some as a sexist slur.

However, the masculine version of ‘zorra’ – ‘zorro’ – harmlessly means ‘fox’, according to Euronews.

Hence some fans see the tune – performed by Nebulossa – as an anthem for the country’s feminist movement as they ‘reclaim’ the word. However, others aren’t so keen on the idea.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez reportedly said he liked the song, adding ‘feminism is not only fair, it can be fun’.

Despite concerns Eurovision organisers wouldn’t accept the tune due to the language used, the European Broadcasting Union said the song would not need to change its lyrics.

Their statement, published by Euronews, read: ‘The EBU understands that there are many interpretations of the title of the song presented by RTVE to represent Spain in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. 

‘Taking into account its intended use in the context of the lyrics and message of the song, as explained to us by RTVE, we have concluded that the song is eligible to participate in this year’s contest.’

Serbia 

TEYA DORA 

Serbia’s entry is Ramonda, performed by TEYA DORA, who last year had the most-streamed song in the Balkans with her TikTok hit Džanum.

The title refers to the flower of the same name, which is considered a symbol of Serbia’s fight in the First World War.

People wear an artificial ramonda as a symbol of remembrance in the week leading up to Armistice Day.

TEYA recently boasted the most monthly listeners on Spotify in the Balkans, reaching more than three million. 

Slovenia

Raiven 

Slovenia is being represented by Raiven, who performs Veronika. The song is said to be inspired by Veronika Deseniška: a mysterious figure in Slovenian history who apparently practised ‘witchcraft’.

Determined to perform on the Eurovision stage, Raiven, 28, won second place in Slovenia’s national Eurovision contests in 2016 and 2019. 

She told the Eurovision website that her mother claimed when the artist was just five years old, watching the contest for the first time, that she would perform at the annual competition one day. 

The talented opera and theatre singer mixes pop and classical music together in her tunes.

Cyprus

Silia Kapsis 

Performing her song ‘Liar’, Silia Kapsis, a singer of Cypriot and Greek descent, who was born and raised in Sydney, Australia, is flying the flag for Cyprus at the Eurovision final.

The up-and-coming popstar can also act and dance; she’s worked with world-renowned choreographers in Australia and America, performing on The Jennifer Hudson Show, and featured as the lead character in short film Pearly Gates. 

She also regularly presents Nick News for Nickelodeon and was even nominated for the Kids’ Choice Awards in 2023, according to the Eurovision website.

Growing up, she performed in nursing homes and children’s hospitals and was the lead singer for the Australian Youth Performing Arts Company (AYPAC). 

In 2022, she launched her debut song, Who Am I?, which astonishingly she had written when she was just 12 years old.

Luxembourg

Tali Golergant, an Israeli-born singer currently based in New York, will fly the flag for Luxembourg this year.

It is the first time in 31 years that the five-time winner has entered the competition, and the European country no doubt hopes the 23-year-old can being back another triumph.

Tali wrote her first song when she was only 16 years old and has been on tour in New York with her band.

The singer was born in Israel to an Israeli mother and a father from Peru. She visits her birthplace at least once or twice a year, reported The Times of Israel.

Speaking about her single ‘Fighter’ for the Eurovision contest, she said: ‘The song is about being a “fighter” in life. We all deal with things in life; the song is about coping with difficulties.’

Albania

Besa – the daughter of a millionaire who spent some of her childhood in London to study – is performing the hit ‘Titan’ on behalf of Albania.

Born in Fier, Albania, Besa Kokëdhima was chosen via public vote to represent the nation at the Eurovision contest. Her previous single Amelia became a global TiKTok challenge.

Armenia 

Ladaniva is a duo made up of Armenian vocalist Jaklin Baghdasaryan and French multi-instrumentalist Louis Thomas.

Starting their career together on the Paris jazz scene, they formed in 2019 before releasing their hit song Vay Aman in 2020. 

The duo’s popular eponymous debut album – produced under the French label PIAS – followed in 2023.

The title of their song, ‘Jako’, refers to the singer’s nickname and highlights self-confidence, according to The Telegraph.

‘Growing up I have always been told that girls should behave, be humble, dress normally, not talk too much, not do crazy things,’ she revealed.

Austria

Austria’s Eurovision Song Contest entrant Kaleen is a 29-year-old singer and dancer, who has previously been involved with the competition by working with other acts on choreography.

In 2021, she was the creative director for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for Spain and Bulgaria.

Meanwhile, in 2023 in Liverpool, Kaleen helped the contestants for Austria, Armenia, Germany, and Georgia with their stage performances.

The talented performer won her first national dance championship at the age of just seven.

She then went on to attend more than 100 national and European championships, as well as five world championships, according to the Eurovision website.

Belgium

Belgium’s entrant for Eurovision is Mustii, who performs Before The Party’s Over, a bittersweet tune that questions: ‘Are we sure the kids are alright or just playing it cool?’

The popstar, whose real name is Thomas Mustin, is also an actor, having starred in popular Belgian series La Trêve and films such as Grave, Un Petit Boulot, and L’Echange des Princesses.

He’s published two albums, 21st Century Boy and It’s Happening Now, enjoyed sell-out tours and won the ‘Revelation of the Year’ trophy at the D6bels Music Awards.

Czechia

Russian-born Czech singer and songwriter Aiko, based in Brighton in the UK, will perform for the song ‘Pedestal’ for Czechia at the contest.

The 24-year-old, born Alena Shirmanova-Kostebelova, featured in her country’s version of Pop Idol in 2015, before moving to Britain to pursue her musical career.

She was the first Czech artist to grace the Times Square screens and the first Czech female artist to contribute to the global Spotify Equal Campaign, a global initiative aiming to amplify and celebrate the work of women creators around the world.

Denmark

Flying the flag for Denmark is SABA, with her performance of Sand. 

The singer, musical theatre actress, and model’s real name is Anna Saba Lykke Oehlenschlæger.

She has said that she is ‘proud to be the first brown, queer woman to sing for Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest’, according to the competition’s site.

The singer, who has been open about her personal struggles, including her battle with bipolar, worked as a model and photographer for several years.

But then in 2023, she took over the lead role in the musical Hair from her twin sister, Andrea, and started focusing more on music. 

Greece

Marina Satti is representing Greece at the Eurovision contest this year – with a hit called Zari.

The singer-songwriter is a classical piano and advanced music theory graduate and her music is influenced by the traditions she grew up with, including Greek, Arabic and Balkan.

She’s represented Greece in the European Jazz Orchestra (EBU) and sang at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington with the World Jazz Nonet.

Estonia

Estonia has sent both hip-hop band 5MIINUST and techno group Puuluup to Eurovision to take to the stage together.

They perform (Nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (küll) midagi, with the song discussing a drugs bust, according to The Telegraph.

Puuluup was founded in 2014 by duo Ramo Teder and Marko Veisson and are inspired by surrealism and modern folklore.

Hip hop group 5MIINUST formed in 2015, with the members consisting of Kristjan Jakobson, Mihkel Tamm, Karl Kivastik, and Priit Tomson. They previously had a fifth member, Pavel Botšarov, who left the group in 2023 to start a solo career.

Georgia

Nutsa Buzaladze is representing Georgia with the song Firefighter – and she’s no stranger to big events.

The singer performed on American Idol 2023, where she duetted with Kylie Minogue on the popstar’s popular track Can’t Get You Out Of My Head.

She’s also enjoyed a residency in the UAE and won the Albanian music competition Kënga Magjike in 2021.

In 2019, she launched her debut album under the name Nutsa22 and soon had a tour across the country. 

When speaking to Eurovision, she described herself as an ‘energetic girl who is a real hard worker and at times even something of a workaholic’.

Latvia

Latvia has decided Dons will represent them at the competition this year – with the former DJ and reality TV star performing power-ballad Hollow.

He has previously lived in London, and reportedly used the stage name ‘Art Singer’ when performing in the British capital. 

Dons is one of the nation’s most-awarded artists of the last decade, having sold-out arena and stadium shows. 

Malta

Sarah Bonnici is no stranger to the Eurovision Song Contest – and this year, she’ll be performing Loop for Malta’s chance at a victory at the event.

The daughter of a prominent Maltese businessman, she finished third at the Malta Junior Eurosong in 2009 and was a backup singer and dancer at the Junior Eurovision in Belarus the following year for her country.

Her song for this year was penned by herself as well as Eurovision Song Contest 2015 winning writers Linnea Deb and Joy Deb, together with Leire Gotxi Angel, Sebastian Pritchard-James, Kevin-Lee and Michael Joe Cini. 

Norway

Gåte is hoping to be Norway’s ticket to success this year – performing their folklore-inspired song Ulveham at the highly anticipated annual event.

Before heading to Sweden, the band, from Trøndelag, competed in the nation’s Melodi Grand Prix, where they competed again 17 other artists for a place at Eurovision.

The group, formed in 1999 and consisting of Gunnhild Sundli, Magnus Børmark, Jon Even Schärer, Mats Paulsen and John Stenersen, released five albums before taking a 12-year break from the band. They reunited in 2017. 

San Marino 

Spanish rock band Megara, from Madrid, are bringing their 90s style track 11:11 to the Eurovision this year as the represent San Marino.

The group – who dream of collaborating with Lady Gaga – twice unsuccessfully tried to represent Spain in the contest.