IRELAND EUROVISION 2024 - REACTING TO ‘DOOMSDAY BLUE’ BY BAMBIE THUG (FIRST LISTEN) 

I didn’t love the song at first listen, but it grew on me and now I can’t get it out of my head and I’m kind of obsessed with the performance.

Wow, that song is a masterpiece, very unique and original, I loved it. My favourite for now. Hugs from Spain.

This song will divide Europe. HOWEVER that's a good thing! Every year, Ireland sends something generic or overthinks the contest and then people ask why Europe never gives them points or why they don't qualify. This year, the National Final had TWO songs out of the box and this was one of them. Then live, Bambie Thug sung well and had actually good staging for the Late Late Show selection, which is basically like Graham Norton environment but for Ireland: not a proper stage. In Malmo, Doomsday Blue will LIGHT UP! The song stands out in a good way. People WILL vote for this if staged correctly in Malmo! You CANNOT downvote a song in Eurovision, so people who like it or remember it even a little bit will vote for it, even people who hate it. Slovenia have Raiven singing a witch song but that isn't her greatest song. Poland could supposedly be sending WITCH-HER, a song that is also about witches. However, this would definitely be the strongest and most memorable song out of the three! Even if you don't like the song, please appreciate that Ireland are sending a risk for once, which will certainly pay off more than We are One! More importantly, the Irish actually picked this themselves. It got 12 points in the televote...other songs from this NF did not get that in previous years, with the jury skewing the result, but instead they also supported the televote! So this is IRELAND'S choice for once! Currently my number One song!

would highly recommend giving the studio version a listen. the live was great, but bad sound mixing at the late late show messed up basically all the performances that night

Well done Ireland 🇮🇪 🎉 definitely a grower 💯

Bravo irealnd, they have a greater chance to get to the final this year!!

Your comments on the audio mixing, closeups and the how the song doesn't come together at the end were a result of the clip being from the Late Late Show, the Irish talk show in which this National Final that picked Bambie takes place. The audio mixing and loudness were something across all the other songs in the NF. Last year, the Late Late Show was in shambles due to lack of funding. This year, a new NF was planned but RTE didnt have the money. By Malmo, I can garuntee they will improve EVERYTHING. There's a LOT to work with here. You've gotta appreciate this! Also, audio mixing seems to be a problem across a LOT of NFs this year, so just warning you about that!

Love this from Bambi thug so different and unique Ireland are back in the competition this year

It's amazing it's on a small stage so imagine what it's gonna be like on a big Eurovision stage it's my winner 🏆🥇

To be fair, it took me a couple of listens to get behind this one, but now it's my most repeated song on Spotify and I'm obsessed. I know it's super divisive though. I do expect the live performance will improve greatly in Malmö!

I think the arrangement is seamless and very original. I really can’t understand how you don’t feel the end works. It’s wonderful. As for hearing the lyrics. … my heart be buried in the ground…even if that’s the only line in the song the way she growls it is mesmerising. As for it being too dark when the stage turns red can’t see that at all. The melody there is not dark at all but luxurious as is the colour. As for the screams (don’t encourage me! )Melodic where no melody has gone before. And not only that if one were to look beneath the times we are now living in it’s about time someone started. This is new and a piece of art while at the same time madly commercial. 😎

Great reaction! I'm very chuffed for Ireland that they're taking a wildly different approach. It's been much needed for them! I'd recommend to listen to the studio version of this song as there's sounds on there that aren't in the live! I truly believe they can ramp up the quality for Malmo and bring a brilliant package to the stage. Very exciting!

I LOVE to watch these reaction videos. I think you are one of the few (if not the only) Eurovision "reactress" Who does not make a Circus of their reactions, Who have solid reasons and Who is not just about doing weird faces and saying all kinds of cliché crap about songs. Well done!

This song so enteresting and different 😮very happy with this on big stage this might work it draws new in

I was waiting your reaction 😁 This was my favourite in Eurosong so I am happy they are sending this one. At least not generic and boring. Can't wait your reaction to Tali.... And other acts from first super Suterday.

Molto originale e divertente! Una delle mie favorite.

Ireland is finally BACK! Without the sub-par production of our National Final, its gonna devour that Eurovision stage. #crownthewitch 🇮🇪

I absolutely love Ireland’s entry I could definitely see a Tim Burton style staging plus it took me a couple of listens to spot the Killing Curse from Harry Potter I wonder what house they’re in as I’m Slytherin 🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪

To be honest, out of all released songs so far, Ireland is my favorite. I looove the performance and I believe it will become even better on the Eurovision stage

Your definitely my favourite Eurovision reactor. Listening to you decipher the music and instruments is so interesting. It definitely adds more depth to the song that the average viewer wouldn't pick up. I took have a degree in Music but I can get too into a song to pay attention so you doing these reactions is really eye opening Great reaction again.

not my type of music but love this. I would be curious what you make of the video they just released. Feels much more polished

I love your reactions. I wasn't sure what you were gonna think ...but you go so deep, even when it isnt your usual taste. I hated it at first, but now I really like it! 😊

Awesome.......I loved it from the first time I heard this song and saw the performance and it is still growing every time I hear it.......this song could go all the way and win Eurovision 2024!!.......10/10 for me!!

You are right about the mixing being poor. That is because RTE spend absolutely nothing on their final and just shoehorn it into an episode of their Friday night chat show, The Late Late Show. So all of the songs suffered from poor mixing and also a studio format that doesn't really allow for big presentation. However even with the limitations they were put on them Bambie Thug managed to give us a flavour of what they can do. They were by far the best and most memorable act on the night. In general RTE support their artist once they are picked so I can see a much stronger staging, sound balance and overall performance being put on the big Malmo stage which I think will elevate the song hugely. I would like to see some pyro and a lot more close in focus on Bambie themselves. I'll admit that I didn't particularly rate this song until I saw them perform and I have since warmed considerably to it. As an Irish person I am so glad this was picked and that actually it won because of the votes of our national jury and our public televote which indicates that their is good support behind it. I'd really like to see it qualify because I think if it does it will give Eurosong a boost in Ireland and perhaps RTE might be prepared to invest a bit more in the selection going forward.

So proud of Bambie Thug and to be Irish this year 🎉 2024

A straight 12 pts from Zürich 🇨🇭

I was perplexed at first. I blooming love it now. Love how she kind of story tells the song in stage .. kinda like watching a piece of musical theatre. The song on spotify is way better than the stage version. Mainly cos late late stage is crap. Even legendary musicians sound shit on that stage!!

this is deofs my fav time of the year, love your videos these time of the year

It can be much better in Malmö 😁

This is how you break NQ streaks. Not with songs that will be some people 6th, or 7th choice, but something that will be as many people's last place as there will be people for whom this is the first place.

Very artistic and theatrical, rich in contrasts, with gentle melodies and scary screams. I would enjoy this more in a musical comedy than in other usual contexts of music listening.

My fav part about this time in eurovision season is always your vids :)

Frankly, Ireland proper going full 180 feels so odd, but I love seeing it, and I enjoy the surrealism of it all. Its very divisive though, and I can see why anyone would take issue with the song. This could make or break them in May, hopefully the former, as this old powerhouse is more than worthy of a final spot if this is the trajectory they've chosen. What a crazy super Saturday this has been, but happy to finish it with one of your vids. Nice chill vibe after nearly eating my nails off watching MESC 😬

I think it will grow on you Rachel... This entry can be BIG on the Eurovision stage. The terrible mixing in this live performance is to blame for the lack of impact it would otherwise have. The melody of the chorus contrasts the verse so beautifully and the meaning of the song is so delicious to me. I do agree on the last part. Although it is as you said pretty "cool" it could have been stronger conceptually and melodically.

What Spanish chose yesterday makes this a masterpiece. Curious to see how you keep your politeness and your musical insightfulness with that one.

I love pop. I love ballads. I love classical music. I don't particularly like rap or rock. But this song is WEIRDLY up my alley. I honestly think Ireland's going to do well in the televote (especially because they can sing really good) and I think the jury's really going to kill it in the final score. But good on Ireland for doing something new! I think they'll definitely qualify and I imagine anywhere from low top ten to high 10-20 in the Grand Final, kind of like Give that Wolf a Banana. (Also I'm so happy to finally see someone looking up their pronouns before the video. So good on you!)

I was not a fan of this song on first listen but it's definitely a grower and I find myself 'singing' parts of it. It does have some interesting elements. I'm not sure if I'll ever love it however, I do appreciate the full package and glad Ireland is finally sending something different.

Honestly I’m super into this kind of music, I’m not sure but bambi may have taken inspo from artists like poppy or Jasmin bean who also write songs in this style. I love the change from previous years, this is super unique and it might just be one of my favourites 🤷

Thank you for your respectful feedback xx

I always assume that all countries send songs they think actually might win the contest, so these artists who are clealy just doing their own unique thing are a head-scratcher. But still better than boring and calculated entries

Dublin 2025. Masterpiece

i love

In my top 3 with Belgium & Switzerland

I think the live performance didn't do justice to what the song is in the studio or on platforms, both samples are a totally different experience. Despite this, I love a super alternative proposal that is out of the ordinary, that brings musical changes and guides me through a super satanic dark world. PLEASE PLEASE I recommend to everyone to heart the song on streaming, you might get enchanted by Bambies creativity. It is definitely my favorite this year, after having already heard several proposals from other countries. I am pleading for the staging for Eurovision to improve much more, and that this time they are giving you to prepare is well spent; because a performance like this can be unforgettable for Eurofans around the world. My douze points for bambie!!!!!

Awesome and awful at the same time. Very interesting. I`m sure it`s a grower. , Now I want to listen to studio version. Bravo Ireland👏

I hope people dont disrespect this like they did luke black last year

She was definitely inspired by Bellatrix Lestrange. 😅 Avada Kedavra! That was cool.

Hi Rachel, I think Ireland is taking a gamble , but I am really happy with this choice. As others have said, the LLS studio isn't the best, particularly for this kind of performance. If you have a second listen to "love bites" by Bambie, very different, but absolutely stunning. Thank you for your reviews x

something new!

Very insightful commentary... Too mish-mash-theatrical for my taste, but at the same time enjoyable. Applauding Ireland for daring something different this year. Qualification?

I love it, I also love Maria Teresa from Ukraine and veronika from Slovenia… top 3

Best Eurovision reactor out there ❤❤

This song is a grower, give it a few listens. IT IS BRILLIANT I LOVE IT

She is obviously a seriously talented and diverse Artist. Her visual style is not for the average ESC viewer. Being a metal fan, can handle it fine. A lot of religious ppl will probably get seriously offended by all the dark symbolism in this entry.

This is a very device of track. I like Bambie and I certainly don't mind the song but I wonder what neutral viewers (99.9% of people watching in May) will make of this; perhaps they will find it too jarring. The fact there is no jury vote in the semi-final will benefit Ireland, but on paper they seem to be in the tougher of the two shows. Nevertheless, I wish them well.

I’m still residing in a space where the switch in styles is just much too jarring. If I had to make a comparison when it comes to that, it would be “Icebreaker” by Agnete which likewise had two distinctly different styles in one song - and where I personally much preferred one of the two. So yeah… the shifts in style are too much for me which ultimately makes me not like it. No idea how this will do. I highly doubt it could win but I could both see it qualifying and completely tanking in the semi. Time will tell.

Is this a song? It reminds me a piece from a rock opera or a musical. Rocky horror pictures show vibes.

Comment for engagement!

I believe just doesn't work in the Late Show stage, this needs the Eurovision stage to shine (and money from RTÉ as she did this with 0 euros)

lyrics are great ... a very feminist song should be on everybody's radar...check the video they created for the Eurovision official channel

Part of the lyrics talks about living a lie.

Bambi thug clearly has something. I guess it’s what you might call star quality.

This is another song where the live performance doesn't really do it justice. Highly recommend the studio version.

It seems intent on disorientating and undermining expectations. This is such a lurch for Ireland that I feel this will flop too, despite being admired.

I guess Ireland wants to have the record of not progressing to the final... Being and looking different doesn't mean people will automatically vote, it needs at least something nice to the ear, and this is rough to the ear to say the least, wished they dropped the screaming...

Total rubbish?😅

Bambi, Nice woman. A little less makeup, she'll grow out of it.

How to analyze something worse then sh....t??

Came across as a condescending review. Need a less shallow review than this.

At first it was interesting.... Later boring, sorry Ireland

I like that they tried something different but I just don’t like it much

Okay this will be a hypocritical comment because I am always saying things are too formulaic, but this song will appeal to people who think they are too cool for Eurovision. The vocals will not get a high mark and I am still trying to workout what a Doomsday Blue is, which is not good for a song when you have listened to it three times. I agree with you Rachel when you say this a better entry from Ireland than last year but that is not saying much as that bar is fairly low. Has its work cut out moving on from the semi final.

What is wrong with me that I don't like it at all? (;

I find it irritantingly pretentious and messy. There is another skizoid, eerie and overdramatic entry from Switzerland - but that works....it sounds coherent from start to end while diverging even further than this in exploring new sound combinations. Similar formula but while The Code is on top of my list, Doomsday Blue is near the bottom. It won't qualify...

Sorry. This performance may pretend to be a statement. But it‘s neither music, nor a song, nor art. It‘s simply self-centered rubbish and an embarrassment for a country as rich in culture as Ireland.

Just admit it's not good

A good attempt by Ireland to try to shake up the Eurovision audience a bit, accustomed to the usual songs... a piece halfway between punk and Marylyn Manson style rock.