Eurovision viewers in awe of Ireland’s Bambie Thug as she wows with gothic performance: ‘A surefire winner!’

Ireland’s performance at the Eurovision semi-final on Tuesday got the continent talking with many viewers predicting it could win the contest.

Bambie Thug, 31, a non-binary artist from County Cork, delivered a showstopping performance of their song Doomsday Blue for the crowd in Malmo, Sweden.

They sang while performing a ritual surrounded by candles and were joined on stage by a male dancer wearing demonic makeup.

Ireland’s entry has created a buzz in recent weeks for being radically different to anything the country has sent to the song contest before. 

Bambie Thug immediately began trending on X/Twitter during the show with many viewers praising the standout performance.

Ireland’s performance at the Eurovision semi-final on Tuesday got the conintent talking with many viewers predicting it could win the contest

Bambie Thug, 31, a non-binary artist from County Cork, delivered a showstopping performance of their song Doomsday Blue for the crowd in Malmo, Sweden

They sang while performing a ritual surrounded by candles and were joined on stage by a male dancer wearing demonic makeup

Ireland’s entry has created a buzz in recent weeks for being radically different to anything the country has sent to the song contest before

Fans wrote: ‘Crown the witch! Go Bambie Thug!’… ‘Bambie Thug is going to win’… ‘Bambie Thug – true artist’… ‘Bambie Thug literally slayed’.

‘Totally flabbergasted! Blown away by this act. It was pure art. Although I don’t like the song, the total package was amazing.’

‘Please everyone vote Bambie Thug to go through to the #Eurovision final and tbh win the whole thing! Have been obsessed for weeks. LOVE Bambie so much’.

‘Bambie Thug from Ireland coming out on stage dressed as a non-binary demon… Oh I absolutely have to stan’.   

Bambie, who describes their music as ‘ouija pop’ was feeling the pressure to deliver a good performance given Ireland has not qualified for the Eurovision final since Ryan O’Shaughnessy finished 16th with Together in 2018.

Speaking to The Standard, they said: ‘Yes, there is more pressure but also, I have full faith in my performance ability.

‘I’m really grateful to have this platform, especially as a non-binary person and as an alt little goth. I’m super proud and I’m just excited to go and kick some a** on stage.’

They added: ‘I’ve had so many people drawing me, making me bracelets and making cute things. [I’ve] had loads of lovely messages from parents about their children loving the song and about some queer kids feeling like they can come out.’ 

Bambie Thug immediately began trending on X/Twitter during the show with many viewers praising the standout performance

Although Ireland has struggled in Eurovision it recent years, the country is tied with Sweden for the most wins in the contest’s history with seven. 

Ireland last won in 1996 with Eimear Quinn’s song The Voice. Other memorable past winners include Johnny Logan and Dana.

The United Kingdom is represented by Olly Alexander who has already qualified for the final as the UK is one of the ‘Big Five’ countries that automatically qualify. 

The Eurovision Song Contest final airs on Saturday at 8pm on BBC One.

Bambie, who describes their music as ‘ouija pop’, was feeling the pressure to deliver a good performance given Ireland has not qualified for the Eurovision final since 2018