Macroom’s Bambie Thug tipped for Eurosong win
With Ireland's absence from the Eurovision Final since 2018, the solution seems clear: it's high time to send a Cork artist to lead us back to the heady days of Eurovision glory, and Bambie Thug might be the musician to do just that.
The Macroom artist has emerged as one of the front runners for the The Late Late Eurosong Special, which is set to be hosted by Patrick Kielty for the first time on Friday night. The non-binary singer, who is based in the UK, will be hoping the dark industrial rock of ‘Doomsday Blue’ will be the perfect fit for the Eurovision stage following a positive reaction on social media.
Speaking about the song, Bambie Thug described it as “alt witchy verses to killer screams, pop choruses, a jazzy middle-eight, before ending in a metallic roar of electro and heavy guitars”. All going to plan, they say that hopes are high that they will walk away with the Eurosong crown on Friday night.
“I think I have a strong chance; if it's down to artistry, vision and lyricism then I should win hands down. I think the only thing in my way might be that other contestants have more of an Irish draw already, connections to the Irish industry. But I hope my performance on the night shines through.”
Bambie says if they win this weekend, Ireland will be on course to make the Eurovision final, after a 6 year hiatus.
“If Ireland picks me, there's no way we're not getting into the final at Malmo. I believe in my craft and I've worked extremely hard my entire life and as an independent artist myself for the last few years. I know how to work a big stage.
"The potential for staging my song 'Doomsday Blue' on a big scale is endless. It goes through so many different sound worlds, we could make such a spectacle and shake up the whole Eurovision. I think it's time we sent an artist, not just a song.”
Macroom native Bambie says that they are also excited to be flying the flag for the rebel county this weekend. “This is the city that raised me, the soil that nurtured my creativity and it's the reason I am so rebellious and strong. I'm proud to be Irish but I'm most proud to be Irish and from Cork,” they said.
The only person from Cork to ever represent Ireland in Eurovison was Cathal Dunne , whose song ‘Happy Man’ secured a fifth-place finish in Jerusalem in 1979.
Earlier this week, Erica Cody, Ailsha, JyellowL, Next In Line and Isabella Kearney were confirmed as the other hopefuls who will compete in Eurosong.
This year the winner will be decided by a three-way vote, split equally between the public, an Irish jury and an international jury.
All acts will perform on The Late Late Eurosong special on Friday 26 January, 9.35pm on RTÉ One.