Episodes
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We’re just hours away from crowning the winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. But one of the more controversial acts in its home country is not a firebrand pop princess but a middle aged couple singing under the moniker 'Nebulossa'. Their electro-pop anthem 'Zorra' has caused a stir in Spain as it attempts to reclaim the word ‘Vixen,’ often used as a slur to mean something like ‘bitch’ or ‘slut.’ "'Zorra' is partly autobiographical; it reflects women’s experiences of feeling marginalized and underestimated. Nebulossa’s María "Mery" Bas told Wiwibloggs, 'We decided to craft this song as a form of therapy.'
The use of the word though (47 times throughout the 3-minute song), has even divided Spain’s feminist movement, with some arguing it’s a powerful reclamation of the word, while others say it's derogatory.
'The problem is that this song is going to represent the country, and it's going to say, Europe, hey, guys came to Spain because there is plenty of sex. And this sex is related to prostitution, wherein many women are being exploited,' Eva Neila Ausín of Spain’s Feminist Movement of Madrid Group explained to the What Really Happened podcast. The Feminist Movement of Madrid caused controversy in Spain following a public row with Spain's main feminist movement, the 8M Commission, over its support for trans rights legislation.
With regards to Zorra, the debate has become so intense that even Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez weighed in. 'It seems to me that feminism is not only fair but also fun; this type of provocation necessarily has to come from culture,' he told Spain’s La Sexta.
It hasn’t fazed the band much. ‘The criticism has been minimal compared to the overwhelming positive reception we’ve received. Nebulossa’s Mark Dasousa told us.
In this episode of “What Really Happened at Eurovision?” We delve into the story of how a middle aged couple from coastal Spain exposed an existential fracture in Spain’s feminist movement and what it says about where the country is culturally today.
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Our reaction to the Semi-Final 2 running order of Eurovision 2024. We discuss producers' decision to open the show with Malta's Sarah Bonnici and to close with The Netherlands' Joost Klein. We discuss who the running order helps and hurts and make some predictions about which countries will overshadow which countries.
Eurovision 2024 semi-final 2 running order
1. 🇲🇹 Malta
2. 🇦🇱 Albania
3. 🇬🇷 Greece
4. 🇨🇭 Switzerland
5. 🇨🇿 Czechia
* 🇫🇷 France
6. 🇦🇹 Austria
7. 🇩🇰 Denmark
8. 🇦🇲 Armenia
9. 🇱🇻 Latvia
* 🇪🇸 Spain
10. 🇸🇲 San Marino
11. 🇬🇪 Georgia
12. 🇧🇪 Belgium
13. 🇪🇪 Estonia
* 🇮🇹 Italy
14. 🇮🇱 Israel
15. 🇳🇴 Norway
16. 🇳🇱 Netherlands
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The Eurovision 2024 semi-final 1 running order has been revealed. Cyprus' Silia Kapsis performs first, while Luxembourg's Tali sings last. We react to the running order and analyse who the order of performance helps and hurts.
1. 🇨🇾 Cyprus
2. 🇷🇸 Serbia
3. 🇱🇹 Lithuania
4. 🇮🇪 Ireland
* 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
5. 🇺🇦 Ukraine
6. 🇵🇱 Poland
7. 🇭🇷 Croatia
8. 🇮🇸 Iceland
* 🇩🇪 Germany
9. 🇸🇮 Slovenia
10. 🇫🇮 Finland
11. 🇲🇩 Moldova
* 🇸🇪 Sweden
12. 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
13. 🇦🇺 Australia
14. 🇵🇹 Portugal
15. 🇱🇺 Luxembourg
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Joost Klein's parents died when he was very young. With "Europapa," the Netherland's Eurovision 2024 song, Joost pays homage to them and the journey he's been on. In our second English-language interview with the Dutch rapper, we discuss his song's Spotify and YouTube success; the meaning of the song, the symbolism of the burning photo and house, and what Joost thinks his parents would think about the video.
Interview by https://instagram.com/williamleeadams
You can order William's Eurovision memoir "WILD DANCES: My Queer and Curious Journey to Eurovision" here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wild-Dances-Curious-Journey-Eurovision/dp/1662601573
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Kaleen — Austria's Eurovision 2024 singer — has just released "We Will Rave." The techno-inspired 90s dance track comes with a super sexy music video, which was filmed in Los Angeles. In the video we see an empowered woman who is in total control of the men around her. Kaleen tells us about the music video, the story she portrays and how it relates to her personal story. She also explains how the song has changed since the leak of the demo version. Among other things, she fine-tuned it with camera angles and Eurovision staging in mind.
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Joost Klein has shared Europapa — The Netherlands’ Eurovision 2024 song. William and Deban react to the official music video, discuss the moving backstory and ask whether he can qualify to the final.
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Joost explains the meaning of Europapa
01:40 Reaction
15:53 Can The Netherlands qualify for the final?
17:10 Reader comments and reaction
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Silia Kapsis will sing Liar for Cyprus at Eurovision 2024. We watch her official music video and react. How far can the 17-year-old from Australia go? We discuss her choreography, semi-final and more...
00:00 Introduction
01:17 Reaction
04:08 Analysis
10:49 Reader comments
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Switzerland has revealed its Eurovision 2024 act. The non-binary singer Nemo will perform “The Code”. We react to the official music video.
00:00 Introduction
01:12 Reaction
04:42 Suzanne's lyrics analysis and being non-binary
08:03 William's analysis
11:47 Costumes and potential staging
12:15 Switzerland takes a risk
14:15 Suzanne on rabbit ears symbolism and identity
18:05 Will Switzerland qualify from Semi-Final 2 to the final?
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We react to Olly Alexander's Eurovision 2024 song "Dizzy." The BBC released the official music video on 1 March. The song was produced by Dua Lipa's producer Danny L Harle. Can Olly win Eurovision for the UK? We discuss.
00:00 Introduction
00:48 Reaction
03:42 Analysis and prediction
13:53 Reader comments
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It was close, but in the end it was bookmakers' and Wiwibloggs poll favourite Saba who got the victory in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2024 in Denmark. She reacts to her win in our on-stage interview.
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Greece’s Marina Satti has chosen her Eurovision 2024 song (reportedly called "Zari" or Dice in English). But what can we expect? In our interview she describes the song’s feelings and main theme. She wants to move beyond Greek stereotypes to present something contemporary and global.
Featuring: William - http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
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We chat with Dons — Latvia's Eurovision 2024 singer — after his win in the Supernova 2024 national final with "Hollow". He talks about the meaning of the song, Eurovision 2024 staging and much more. Will he include Latvian lyrics? What's the meaning of his song? Will he change his staging? Listen to find out...
Featuring: William - http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
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Nebulossa is the winner of Benidorm Fest 2024 with "Zorra"! We react to their live performance from the final. Can Spain win Eurovision 2024 in Malmö? We discuss their odds, their lyrics and more.
Featuring:
Freddy - http://instagram.com/freddyt234
William - http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
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It’s been one year since Luke Black announced himself to Serbia and won Pesma za Evroviziju. His iconic ‘Hello’ could rival Adele or Lionel Richie but it wasn’t always plain sailing for the Eurovision 2023 artist. After winning Serbia’s national selection Luke faced a huge backlash from Serbian celebrities who branded him everything from the devil incarnate to not being "Serbian enough."
“I think there was like a lot of misconception about the visual, actually. That was the first thing. And I think, you know, like a male artist having a pop choreo and being kind of dramatic” Luke told us.
Most difficult of all, however, was confronting national tragedy while in the public eye. In the latest episode of "What Really Happened at Eurovision?" we’ll delve into the behind-the-scenes drama for the Serbian delegation in 2023. From the applause that abruptly turned to criticism to navigating the complexities of national identity, Luke Black's Eurovision experience was a rollercoaster of emotions.
Featuring: Freddy - http://instagram.com/freddyt234
William - http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
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One hour before Georgia publicly revealed her as its Eurovision 2024 artist, Nutsa Buzaladze sat down with our William Lee Adams to spill the beans on her potential song, stage plans and more. The American Idol and The Voice of Turkey alum had only gotten the news 24 hours earlier, so was still processing the news.
Featuring: http://instagram.com/williamleeadams
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