From Macroom to Malmo: Cork's Bambie Thug chosen to represent Ireland at Eurovision 2024 

Ireland will be hoping that the ‘witch-craft’ of Cork singer Bambie Thug, from Macroom, will end the famine of Eurovision wins the country has experienced since 1996, following the Macroom non-binary artiste’s Eurosong winning performance during Friday night’s Late Late Show.

Bambie Thug was left speechless after emerging the winner with their song Doomsday Blue in a closely fought tussle with Next In Line, and Wicklow singer/composer Ailsha. 

Doomsday Blue finished with 32 points while Love Like U' from Louis Walsh’s charges and the Irish language song Go Tobann both scored 24 points.

“I don’t know how I feel – I feel incredible!,” said Bambie. 

“My words are gone… as a lyricist you’d think I’d have more to say but I’m speechless – I’m so excited and I promise I’m going to do you so proud."

Following Friday night’s triumph, when Doomsday Blue garnered top points from both the National Jury and the public vote, attention will now be switched to Malmo on Tuesday when the draw for the semi-finals of Eurovision will take place. 

This will determine whether Bambie Thug will be singing in the first semi-final on May 7 or the second heat on May 9. The Eurovision grand final takes place in Malmo on Saturday, May 11.

The 30-year-old singer currently lives in London but was born in Cork’s Mercy Hospital and attended St. Joseph’s Primary School before going on to Macroom secondary school, St. Mary’s. They then studied dance and ballet at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa while living on Shandon Street.

In an interview with fellow Echo journalist and unabashed Eurovision fan, John Dolan, Bambie Thug said their ambition was to shake up not only the Irish Eurosong competition but the entire Eurovision institution.

And with the song, Doomsday Blue, the non-binary artist, who uses the ‘they/them/their’ pronouns, has concocted what is described by experts as an ‘electro-rap, confrontation performance art and effervescent, late night goth pop’.

The performance on the Late Late Show was unlike anything seen from Friday night sofa’s as Bambie, accompanied by two dancers dressed as devils, weaved a magic spell on the audience with a song which started every verse with a ‘killing curse’ – Avada Kedavra. This will be familiar to Harry Potter readers who will know that it can strike its target dead.

Bambi’s own description of the song is ‘Ouija Pop’, referring to the spirit board used to contact the dead.

“The song crosses so many genres. It transports you from alt witchy verses to kiler scream, pop choruses, a jazzy middle-eight before ending in a metallic roar of electro and heavy guitars. 

“It perfectly showcases the different facets of me as an artist – I can be explosive and hard-hitting but I can also be sweet and soulful.” 

Bambie’s challenge to viewers of Euro-song was voiced in last week’s interview: “Take a risk! Let’s shake it up, this is what music looks like now for people who watch Eurovision!” 

The Macroom musician has conquered Ireland, next stop Europe in Malmo in May.