{"id":51002,"date":"2024-05-08T18:30:27","date_gmt":"2024-05-08T16:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2037200"},"modified":"2024-05-08T19:25:19","modified_gmt":"2024-05-08T17:25:19","slug":"will-abba-perform-at-eurovision-2024-rumours-explained","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/will-abba-perform-at-eurovision-2024-rumours-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Will ABBA perform at Eurovision 2024? Rumours explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

The history book on the shelf is always repeating itself… <\/p>

By Katelyn Mensah\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 08 May 2024 at 16:30 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Eurovision is back once more and while everyone is abuzz with excitement to find out who will be crowned the next winner, there are plenty who have been speculating whether or not ABBA will perform at the contest.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s competition is being held in Malm\u00f6 in Sweden and marks 50 years since ABBA won the contest back in 1974, with the iconic Waterloo.<\/p>\n

Since Loreen took the crown at last year\u2019s Eurovision<\/a>, fans have been wondering if there will be a surprise appearance from ABBA, or if any nods will be given to the band over the course of the competition.<\/p>\n

So, will ABBA be performing at Eurovision this year? Here\u2019s everything we know so far.<\/p>\n

Will ABBA perform at Eurovision 2024?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"ABBA\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
ABBA performing at the Eurovision Song Contest.<\/span><\/figcaption> Olle Lindeborg\/AFP via Getty Images<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Unfortunately, it seems ABBA will not be performing<\/strong> at Eurovision this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t want to,\u201d Benny Andersson told the BBC<\/a> in 2023. \u201cAnd if I don\u2019t want to, the others won\u2019t. It\u2019s the same for all four of us \u2013 someone says, \u2018no\u2019, it\u2019s a no.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bjorn Ulvaeus added: \u201cWe can celebrate 50 years of ABBA without us being on stage.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, this doesn\u2019t mean there won\u2019t be nods to ABBA during the show. Executive supervisor of Eurovision Martin \u00d6sterdahl told Deadline<\/a> that the song contest will mark the anniversary.<\/p>\n

He told the publication: \u201cWe\u2019ve got Sweden\u2019s historic seventh win, tying the all-time record with Ireland, we\u2019ve got Loreen who is the champion and the only woman to ever win this contest twice, and of course, there\u2019s this particular group called ABBA that won the contest 50 years ago with Waterloo. We will be celebrating all these things.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for what could take place, it isn\u2019t clear, but a Eurovision insider told Deadline the tribute would be \u201csomething never seen on TV before\u201d.<\/p>

The Eurovision Song Contest has faced significant criticism over its decision to allow Israel to compete in this year\u2019s competition in light of the current situation in Gaza and the Middle East, with some fans and members of the music industry calling for a boycott of the ceremony.<\/p>\n

Noel Curran \u2013 director general of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which organises Eurovision \u2013 has said in a statement<\/a>: \u201cWe understand the concerns and deeply held views around the current conflict in the Middle East. We can\u2019t fail to be moved by the profound suffering of all those caught up in this terrible war.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, the Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political music event and a competition between public service broadcasters who are members of the EBU. It is not a contest between governments.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a member-led organisation, our governing bodies \u2013 the Eurovision Song Contest Reference Group and the Executive Board \u2013 did review the participants list for the 2024 Contest and agreed that the Israeli public broadcaster KAN met all the competition rules for this year and can participate as it has for the past 50 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

The artists taking part in this year\u2019s contest have also faced backlash for not pulling out of the ceremony, including the UK\u2019s act Olly Alexander, who signed a joint statement<\/a> alongside other entrants explaining they \u201cdo not feel comfortable being silent\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages,\u201d the statement read. \u201cWe stand united against all forms of hate, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections. We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final airs Saturday 11th May at 8pm on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. <\/strong><\/p>\n

You can also check out the full list of<\/strong> Eurovision winners<\/strong><\/a> and <\/strong>how many times the UK has won Eurovision<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out more of our Entertainment<\/a> coverage or visit our TV Guide<\/a> and Streaming Guide<\/a> to find out what else is on. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n

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