‘I’m at Eurovision 2024. You can pinpoint the moment the wheels came off’-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro

Despite its defiant slogan, Eurovision 2024 has left fans anything but ‘United by music’ (Picture: AP)

‘Ever since she stepped on stage, it’s been going downhill.’

Those are the words of one Eurovision Song Contest fanatic describing the aftermath of Israel’s entrant, 20-year-old Eden Golan, walking out for the first time.

Golan’s performances have been drowned out by defiant boos from the packed arena in Malmö, Sweden, where this year’s contest is held following Loreen’s victory in 2023.

There’s no denying that Eurovision 2024 has been shrouded by controversy from the get-go, with organisers under immense pressure to exclude Israel due to the country’s ongoing assault against Hamas in Gaza since October, which has led to 35,000 deaths and counting.

Consequently, countless devout Eurovision fans have boycotted this year’s contest, refusing to tune in or engage in celebrations they once pushed the boat out for – no extravagant costumes or raucous parties, and certainly no singalongs.

Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, one loyal Eurovision attendee lifted the lid on what it’s like to be in the thick of it over in Sweden, having jetted over at the start of Semi-Final week and growing increasingly more confident in expressing their disdain for the contest as time went on.

‘The beginning of the week was pretty normal. It was a great atmosphere. Everyone was really nice and friendly, good vibes,’ our source began.

‘There were no Israeli flags in the arena.’

Things ‘took a turn’, however, on Wednesday (May 8) as Golan first took the mic.

‘You can pinpoint the moment the wheels came off. We are witnessing history in real time. No one was really sure how people would react to Israel coming on stage. When they did, it was shocking.

‘There were boos, Palestinian flags in the arena, gestures… then we all felt that reaction emboldened us. We were suddenly a lot more comfortable in booing because we realised it was a safe space.’

When Golan – who was born in Israel and raised in Russia – made her Eurovision debut with Hurricane (a song that was renamed from the politically charged title October Rain), the fan made a conscious choice to turn their back.

‘Twas not their intention upon first landing in the host country but, having witnessed the bold displays of contempt from others, they gradually became more assertive and knew it was the right approach.

Olly Alexander’s participation for the United Kingdom has been overshadowed due to criticism and calls for him to withdraw (Picture: Antti Aimo-Koivisto/Shutterstock)

Attending Thursday’s Live Show was ‘a weird, surreal atmosphere’, they explained.

‘A lot of security was present in the arena, both in the crowd and undercover, so it was quite tense when Israel came on stage, and you could definitely sense that tension.

‘It’s annoying because it killed the entire mood in that, as soon as Israel came around, the ambience didn’t improve until there was a holding song in Norway. Even then, the mood was still down and it took 5-10 minutes for everyone to be happy again.

‘Israeli fans will cheer and there is lots of screaming and chanting from them. But, if you’re surrounded by any other fans in the arena, there are a lot more boos.’

They added that, as a marker of solidarity, some girls wore keffiyehs to the shows, which have grown as a symbol of Palestinian resilience and the struggle for a Palestinian state.

Organisers of Eurovision previously said they ‘regret’ opening act Eric Saade, a former Swedish contestant, wearing a keffiyeh during his performance at the start of the week.

Meanwhile, viewers have continued to vocalise their resentment towards the strict bans on political symbols enforced by bosses, with contestants donning accessories like watermelon earrings as a loophole for the restrictions.

Eden Golan of Israel has been booed wildly by the crowds (Picture: AP)

While our insider has had ‘respectful’ encounters with security guards and hasn’t been ‘challenged’ for booing, despite standing next to ‘two undercovers’ at one point during a show, the same can’t be said for all.

‘I understand why people have felt unsafe. One of my friends felt awkward and uncomfortable in the presence of security. They didn’t have that space to express themselves. They were surrounded by Israeli fans which made them feel uneasy.

‘A friend I made at Eurovision says he might not even go to the Final because of that same thing, because he felt too unsafe.’

But it isn’t just audience members who can sense the frostiness.

It’s been noted that hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman have appeared puzzled on stage at times.

There’s also a major backlash towards the Executive Supervisor for Eurovision who is famous for his catchphrase, ‘You’re good to go,’ uttered once the votes of the juries and the public are checked and there is a verified result.

‘He really should… go,’ states our source.

Hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman have appeared confused on stage at time (Picture: Jessica Gow/TT/Shutterstock)

Audience members have called for Martin Österdahl’s resignation (Picture: Sander Koning/ANP/AFP)

Martin Österdahl’s management of this year’s contest has been widely criticised, with loyal fans demanding ‘Mr Eurovision’ himself steps down to salvage its future, showing as such by booing him.

‘A year ago he was a hero, a sex symbol, people were chanting his name – but after a year of horrendous mismanagement of the contest, he’s been booed incredibly loudly.

‘There were even chants telling him to resign. I’ve never seen this before, and it says so much about the atmosphere.’

Having attended several Eurovision shows last year when the United Kingdom hosted on behalf of Ukraine, our insider said they can ‘sense the difference’.

‘The atmosphere in Liverpool was awesome. People were really friendly, excellent vibes, it was amazing. Here, there’s a massive elephant in the room the whole time.

‘Even in the arena, I got here and someone said I looked tired and I’m like, “Yeah, have you noticed what’s going on?”

‘There’s a scandal that, every hour, cascades down… just the fact that she’s (Golan) present, which shouldn’t have happened.

‘The atmosphere in Liverpool was awesome… Here, there’s a massive elephant in the room the whole time.

‘It’s so messy and the year has been tainted. Ever since she stepped on stage, it’s been going downhill.’

Speaking previously to Metro.co.uk, Eurovision bosses addressed the extensive disapproval of Israel’s participation, which comes after last year’s entrant, Noa Kirel, finished in third place.

A spokesperson declared Eurovision a ‘competition for broadcasters – not governments – and the Israeli public broadcaster has participated in the contest for 50 years.’

They added that Israeli public broadcaster Kan ‘meets all the competition rules and can participate’.

‘We understand the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East. We can’t fail to be moved by the profound suffering of all those caught up in this terrible war. A lot of the images from Israel and Gaza that audiences are watching every day are provided through the EBU News Exchange, which we run with our members.

‘However, the Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event and a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU. It is not a contest between governments.

‘We are aware of the many voices calling to exclude Israel from this year’s competition in the same way as we excluded the Russian broadcaster in 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine.

Israeli fans have left others feeling ‘unsafe’ (Picture: Getty Images via AFP)

‘Comparisons between wars and conflicts are complex and difficult and, as a non-political media organisation, not ours to make.’

The statement added that the contest remains committed to ‘ensuring Eurovision remains a non-political event that continues to unite audiences worldwide through music.’

Alas, even if the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) decided to stick with the ‘United by music’ slogan this year, the consensus among fans is that the landscape is anything but united.

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