Cupid’s Bow is the 2nd single from Alexander’s debut solo album Polari out early next year and it has a thumpingly muscular bassline courtesy of Dua Lipa producer Danny L. Harle that takes aim and hits its dancefloor bullseye.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
Can this song live up to its title?
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 8pm (UK time) 11 May 2024
WHERE?: Malmo Arena, Sweden
HOW DO I WATCH?: BBC1 in the UK SVT Also eurovision.tv
The UK hosted Eurovision memorably last year in Liverpool and in 2024 former Years and Years frontman Olly Alexander competes to win the 68th edition in Sweden with his pop banger Dizzy.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: Thursday 9 May 2024
WHERE?: Malmo Arena, Malmo
HOW DO I WATCH?: BBC1 8pm, eurovision.tv or SVT
It’s non-binary artist Nemo (pictured) who has the best song in this less competitive semi final that will need a big performance to do it justice live but inevitably it will be the appearance of Israel’s Eden Golan with a rewritten entry no longer called October Rain that will likely dominate headlines.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
We’re holidaying in Barcelona and leaning into the flood of Eurovision songs just released and this Netherlands entry stands out on 1st listen for its riffing on 90s Dutch superstars 2 Unlimited and their best known charttopper No Limits.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: *****
Last year we described Mae Muller’s I Wrote A Song as ‘the UK’s best Eurovision entry since Gina G’ and we’d say the same of this extremely catchy and tasteful track which draws on Pet Shop Boys influences.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) Friends Arena, Stockholm Saturday 9 March 2024
WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVTPlay
Norwegian twins Marcus and Martinus are the best shot Sweden has of winning Eurovision for a record breaking 8th time. UPDATE: Marcus and Martinus won Melodifestivalen.
Smith (Shirley Valentine, Duke Of York’s Theatre) stars in this new musical directed by Ivo van Hove (A Little Life, Harold Pinter Theatre) based on the John Cassavetes film with music and lyrics by Rufus Wainwright. Runs at the Gielgud Theatre 6 March through 27 July 2024. Tickets Our review
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 2 March 2024
WHERE?: Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
2024 will not go down as a classic year for Melodifestivalen but this 1st ever 5th heat is a reminder of everything the show does best.
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 24 February 2024
WHERE?: Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
2 Melodifestivalen runners up return to the show at the weekend and we think 1 has the best song so far.
