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Posted by: AdamAloud 25th January 2018, 04:42 PM

Posted by: AdamAloud 25th January 2018, 04:42 PM

After yet another DNQ in Kyiv last year, Ireland are desperate for a return to the Eurovision final. The biggest rumour so far is that duo Heathers are wanted by broadcaster RTE.

https://www.escxtra.com/2018/01/22/heathers-ireland-eurovision/

Posted by: gooddelta 25th January 2018, 04:42 PM

Love Heathers <3 That would be brilliant, though I won't get my hopes up.

Posted by: Iz 25th January 2018, 06:21 PM

Heathers would be too good to be true for Ireland so I'm not putting any stock in it yet. And though I do love them I don't see them as a qualifier unless they REALLY bring it.

Just gonna hope they have something that's less awful than... idk... the last 6 years.

Posted by: ionderella 26th January 2018, 06:44 PM

Posted by: Cal 28th January 2018, 01:06 PM

Heathers would be a step in the right direction but I'm not holding my breath. RTÉ really need to review their strategy completely. There is so much talent at their disposal but they just go for the lazy route of the Late Late or internal selection with a person who has ties with RTÉ or Louis Walsh. It's beyond embarrassing at this stage.

Posted by: Liаm 30th January 2018, 10:44 AM

Heathers (and John Lydon) were rejected, they've gone for a solo male with "TV experience". Probably proving Cal's point just above

Posted by: Styles Bilinski 30th January 2018, 07:28 PM

Crossing my fingers for Niall Horan But this tweet from a former BGT and The Voice of Ireland act is probably a sign..

Posted by: Cameron 30th January 2018, 07:50 PM

Oh god no

Posted by: Ryan. 31st January 2018, 12:15 PM

Correct! Song is called Together https://www.escxtra.com/2018/01/31/ryan-oshaughnessy-represent-ireland-lisbon/

Posted by: Midge 31st January 2018, 12:49 PM

Will reserve judgement until the song comes out. Do we know when that is??

Posted by: Cal 31st January 2018, 08:46 PM

That's actually not a bad choice. I quite liked 'Who Do You Love' and he has a really nice voice so here's hoping the song is good.

(Still think it's a lazy route but it could have been so much worse!)

Posted by: ionderella 2nd February 2018, 07:40 AM

A song called Together is going to Eurovision. That's not going to be a f***ing snoozefest AT ALL

Posted by: Martyn 3rd February 2018, 10:39 PM

His handle is Ryan acoustic? Vomit

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 5th March 2018, 01:53 AM

Any word on when we are actually going to hear this.

Im half dreading hearing it after what we sent in last year.

Posted by: AdamAloud 9th March 2018, 04:17 PM

Posted by: Vülker 9th March 2018, 05:02 PM

Isn't this the same song as last year?...

Posted by: J▲hq 9th March 2018, 05:04 PM

It's pleasant and I'm enjoying it, but good luck trying to qualify from semi 1...

Posted by: Umi 9th March 2018, 06:57 PM

It's quite good for Irish standards honestly, but that's still nowhere near good enough to be on par with everyone else.

Posted by: Mullo 9th March 2018, 07:04 PM

The video really helps the song

https://youtu.be/H8Ej65k_caA

Posted by: AdamAloud 9th March 2018, 07:37 PM

It's instantly better than Brendan's effort last year, for a start I can actually tolerate Ryan's vocal. Whether it's enough to get out of that semi of death I dunno. The staging will be crucial which doesn't bode well going on Ireland's latest efforts.

Posted by: ScottyEm 9th March 2018, 09:01 PM

Given its in Semi 1, they’re buggered. Might get a little support from juries but nah. I can’t see this even coming close to borderline.

Posted by: Cameron 9th March 2018, 09:59 PM

It's cute but will DNQ

Posted by: Cal 9th March 2018, 10:38 PM

Far too subtle and will probably DNQ but it's really nice and it's an entry I can get behind. Relief!

Posted by: ionderella 9th March 2018, 10:54 PM

i sometimes really wonder what's the thought process behind some countries entering bland songs like these that are almost 100% guaranteed to flop? are they like OH WE CBA THIS YEAR or do they genuinely think it's going to be a threat?

Posted by: Umi 9th March 2018, 11:12 PM

I think there's a fairly obvious third option that explains the majority of these cases: "This will obviously do badly but it's the best we can get this year".

Posted by: ionderella 9th March 2018, 11:25 PM

that still kinda falls into the CBA category

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 10th March 2018, 03:02 AM

Another disastrous choice from us. I wonder do the people selecting the songs even watch Eurovision at all. This is bland and forgettable and hasnt a hope of qualifying. Nothing has been learned from the last few years at all.

Posted by: Midge 10th March 2018, 03:18 AM

I’ve seen such a negative reaction to this and I’m in complete disagreement - it’s absolutely lovely! I heard it accompanied by the video so I dunno if that makes a difference but the video is beautiful. I think they’re going for the Tom Dice with an Irish spin sort of entry. If staged well I expect this to do decently.

Posted by: Liаm 12th March 2018, 01:22 AM

This is fine I guess but I'd never seek it out and I've already forgotten how it goes having just listened to it a few minutes ago It really doesn't go any further than just being nice enough.

Posted by: gooddelta 18th March 2018, 10:01 PM

I actually love this and the video is really sweet and effective. Would love to see a 'shock' qualification for Ireland.

Posted by: Umi 19th March 2018, 07:51 AM

I had a horrible dream that this qualified last night.

Posted by: ScottyEm 19th March 2018, 06:55 PM

This qualifying over Finland would send me over a cliff edge.

Posted by: Jerick 20th March 2018, 12:43 AM

I really really really hope Ireland will show lgbt love on the stage.

Posted by: Umi 20th March 2018, 08:06 PM

Eh, why? I don't want countries using "We love gays, look!" as a way to distract from having shit songs, especially when the song has nothing to do with the LGBT+ community. I don't want to be pandered to in such a cynical way, and neither should any other members of the community.

Posted by: Jerick 20th March 2018, 08:26 PM

I really do not understand how you came to that conclusion. The music video shows the love between two men, therefore I expect them to somehow adopt that to the stage too. At least I hope so. And it will also give a clear message to people of countries in which have not come as far when it comes to rights for the LGBT community. I do not think they should do it because the song is bad, but because they have a chance to make a difference to some people.

Posted by: Umi 20th March 2018, 08:59 PM

I am happy for LGBT people to be shown when they have any relevance to the song or entrant. I am not happy for them to be shown when they are a desperate attempt to please the gays by a delegation that has realised that they have no other selling points. Sure, there is merit in raising awareness of LGBT+ people to Europe and beyond, but I'd rather it not be done because it's easy votes. I don't understand how you don't have a problem with people trying so blatantly to manipulate the minority you belong to for votes.

Posted by: Midge 21st March 2018, 01:43 AM

Why can’t it be looked at that it’s just a love story? They just happen to be two men. How are attitudes going to change if we act like gay love is abnormal like you’re doing above?

Posted by: Umi 21st March 2018, 08:25 PM

They just happen to be two men, in a music video for Eurovision? You cannot seriously suggest that such a decision did not have thought put into it and was not based on how marketable a gay "love story" (part of the problem with the video is that there is absolutely no story, it is just "Look, gays!") is to the Eurovision audience.

Posted by: jjake 21st March 2018, 10:36 PM

i think the video was well executed; a gay couple in love and the nuances of all that. it’s very easy to be cynical in the world of eurovision i know but i thought it worked for the most part and it sort of fits with the direction eire is moving in with these sorts of social issues doesn’t it?

Posted by: jjake 21st March 2018, 10:39 PM

i do think it’s a double edged sword though; represent gay in ‘straight’ music and it’s a cynical ploy to cash in for the pink pound, don't and it’s ‘v gay’ artists only and exclusion from the mainstream

Posted by: Noahspike 21st March 2018, 10:57 PM

But, when I heard the song I didn’t pick up on it inherently relating to a heterosexual relationship either (without wishing to investigate the singer’s/songwriter’s sexuality of course!). It comes off as an unspecific, universal song about love and heartbreak that lends itself to the listener’s interpretation. And is it not a good thing that we’ve now reached a time where a gay couple being featured in a video for such a vague song can feel just as fitting as a straight couple? Same-sex relationships are so commonplace in (most of) Europe now that I don’t feel this translates as an attempt at novelty or to target a niche, especially in the context of Eurovision... whereas maybe it would have 10+ years ago.

I don’t know, I get your point about it all possibly being a very strategic move to please Eurovision fans (which I don’t think is particularly problematic in itself as the execution is subtle and respectful), but I’d also like to give it the benefit of the doubt and be content that non-heterosexual relationships are continuing to be casually depicted in various forms of media.

(That’s not to say I totally disagree with you though when you take into account the lack of inspiration among the Irish delegation!)

Posted by: Midge 22nd March 2018, 02:37 AM

I don't doubt that it may have been a strategic move, but I'm not against that by any means. Any video like that is still a 'strategic move' because of the reaction of some. The more it's in the public eye, the more normal it'll be seen. Personally I want to be seen as an equal, not a minority.

Posted by: Hayzayy 22nd March 2018, 02:52 PM

#JudgingFromTheVideoWithoutSound

They look cute together and there definitely is some gay chemistry between them.

8/10.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 25th March 2018, 12:52 AM

I don't think even the video will get us anywhere this year.

Posted by: Midge 6th April 2018, 10:07 AM

18th in the running order, fingers crossed for Ireland. Every time I hear it, I love it a little bit more. I've NEVER been a fan of Irish entries - save "Heartbeat" and for some reason "It's For You". I do hope this is a 'shock' qualifier.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 8th April 2018, 02:12 AM

He performed it on the Late Late Show last night here in Ireland and i have to say i really enjoyed it. The live version really sold it to me.

Posted by: Midge 8th April 2018, 08:16 AM

Was there any indication of the live performance in May or was it just Ryan with a band?

Posted by: ScottyEm 8th April 2018, 08:32 AM

In a quiet semi, I think he’d have a shot in hell. If there’s gonna be a shock qualifier, I’d put my money on Lithuania. But in this semi, I don’t want any shock qualifiers! I think there will inevitably be shock non-qualifiers of course...

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 8th April 2018, 12:42 PM

It has a rock n roll kids vibe (ireland winner 94) which could be popular with the juries. Of course it will need to be staged well.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 8th May 2018, 11:33 PM

Ryan looked so shocked and relieved to go through. It is very different from all the other songs,could it surprise everyone and do way better than anyone expected as his odds for getting out of the semi were stacked against him.

Posted by: pippa 10th May 2018, 01:39 PM

The song has stayed in my head since the performance. Simple but effective song and delivery. That said, it is hard to predict how it will get on in the final.

It is the type of song that will end up bottom 2 or make the top 10 is how i feel with it.

Posted by: Jerick 10th May 2018, 02:13 PM

So happy my wish came through! And the performance was much better than I dared to expect. For me it was the most moving performance in Eurovision I have ever experienced.

Posted by: pippa 10th May 2018, 05:44 PM

Many appear to have found the performance moving and in large the performance has had a positive response.

Posted by: Colm 10th May 2018, 07:39 PM

[quote name='jjake' date='Mar 21 2018, 11:36 PM' post='5958355']
i think the video was well executed; a gay couple in love and the nuances of all that. it’s very easy to be cynical in the world of eurovision i know but i thought it worked for the most part and it sort of fits with the direction eire is moving in with these sorts of social issues doesn’t it?


Stop calling us Eire

Posted by: JosephAvery 10th May 2018, 08:44 PM

I found it a beautiful performance and it's elevated the song to new heights for me too. Didn't expect it to qualify but am beyond pleased it has

Posted by: Midge 10th May 2018, 09:17 PM

Now just outside the top 10 on the bookies odds!

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 10th May 2018, 11:02 PM

It's turning into a bit of a dark horse which is a great turn around from been totally ruled out of even qualifying.

Posted by: Midge 11th May 2018, 08:48 AM

Now 9th favourite!

Posted by: pippa 11th May 2018, 03:39 PM

I do understand why people are getting behind it, it is solid and performed well.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 13th May 2018, 01:44 AM

Vocally Ryan was better in the semi but it was still a good performance,it was great to be in the final and get decent votes.

Posted by: Feel_The_Fever 14th May 2018, 01:41 AM

Back to number 1 on Itunes here in Ireland, hopefully Ryan can make the official chart this week,