In this episode we report LIVE from Malmö, Sweden! As controversy swirls around Israel’s participation in the contest and Eurovision tries to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ABBA’s win with a contest more geared toward high spectacle and chart topping pop songs than ever, we’re bringing you a super-sized episode!

First we talk to Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest who won the contest last time Malmö, Sweden hosted, with her hit song “Only Teardrops.” She reflects on how the contest, and the city of Malmo have changed in the past decade— and talks to us about what it’s like to cross-over from the world of Eurovision to the contemporary pop charts.

Then we speak to this year’s contestants from Azerbaijan, Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov, whose song Ozunle Apar combines two Eurovision staples: a contemporary pop songwriting, mixed with a national folk tradition.

We then sit down with the EBU Deputy Director General, Jean Philip de Tender and try to get him to articulate the principles on which Eurovision makes decisions about what countries are allowed to remain in the Eurovision coalition, as well as getting him to speak to the heightened security situation on the ground.

Next up is Gåte, a Norwegian folk-metal band whose song was in danger of disqualifying on a technicality - their lyric text, based on a 1000 year-old medieval ballad, was thought to possibly violate Eurovision’s rule that songs must be “original.” After a rewrite, and a stunning performance in the Semi-Final, Gate is on their way to compete in the final TONIGHT.

We wrap up our episode with Nemo, who’s song The Code is one of the favorites to win Eurovision 2024. Another one of the favorites, Angelina Mango of Italy, then drops by to receive our award for NYC’s Best Eurovision Song of 2024.

SONGS:

Emmelie de Forest Segment:

Only Teardrops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59E7T0H-Us

Rainmaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNdrYzZ55gI Drunk

Tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EarZE6V28tA Never

Give Up on You, Lucie Jones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl1GYTg4GmA

Rabbit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwvNi2SoIfE

Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov Segment

Ozunle Apar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhN9r8TH2Hw

Fahree: Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ouCoavhq1c

Apardi Uzalqlara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YejL-n9sH3o

Ilkin Dovlatov:

Insalar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36o6ljxKy7Q

Geceler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXQkOFiquv8

Gåte Segment

Ulveham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UycoKAz1Jm8

Horpa (Acoustic Version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3FwBYV_LiA

Nemo Segment

This Body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-b82ZfJHdw

The Code: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGDvM14Kwg