The arena is lit
Attendees were given bracelets that light up at certain points during the show. Right after the postcard introducing the artist, the colors change to represent the national flag of the next performer.
With Lithuania's performance, in which Silvester Belt performed "Luktelk," the colors flashed yellow, green and red.
A history of the Eurovision Song Contest
Known for its glitz, glamor and eccentricity, the Eurovision Song Contest will attract millions of viewers from across the globe when the grand final begins Saturday in Malmö, Sweden.
But a show that has become compulsory annual viewing for many has more humble beginnings as an attempt to heal the wounds of post-World War II Europe, while also achieving the technological marvel of beaming live television pictures into countries across the Continent.
“This was really an experiment in the nascent technology of television,” historian Dean Vuletic told NBC News last month about the competition, which was first held in the picturesque Swiss city of Lugano in 1956 — as TV sets first became a fixture in people’s homes.
Serbia serenades with 'RAMONDA'
Teya Dora performed "RAMONDA," marking the second performance of the evening.
Cyprus' Silia Kapsis first up
The first competitor of Eurovision 2024 was Silia Kapsis of Cyprus, who performed "Liar." Her song is reminiscent of a Shakira anthem and her dancing isn't far off either.
Kapsis, who is 17, is of Cypriot and Greek descent, and was born and raised in Sydney, Australia.
Eurovision royalty opens the show
Previous Eurovision all-stars, Eleni Foureira (2018), Eric Saade (2011) and Chanel (2022) kicked off today's performances.
Saade, who is Swedish, criticized Eurovision for their ban on Palestinian symbols. He appeared to be wearing a keffiyeh on his wrist.
Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede greeted by cheers
Hosts Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede welcomed Eurofans back to Sweden.
"Mamma Mia, here we go again!" Åkerman joked, a nod to the Swedish group ABBA (who won the competition 50 years ago).
Fun fact: It's Mede's third time hosting Eurovision.
Expect to hear the hosts speak French throughout contest
MALMÖ, Sweden — At several points throughout the evening, hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman will switch from English to French. It will mainly be to explain the voting rules or to read out the votes.
Viewers in French-speaking countries will have their own commentators speaking over some of the event, but since French is one of the official languages of the European Broadcasting Union, which runs Eurovision, this tradition has stuck around.
The use of French in the voting portion of the final has also given fans the phrase “douze points,” the most a country can receive.
We're live!
Eurovision Semifinals have begun in Malmö. It kicked off with a montage featuring snippets of last year's competition, which was held in Liverpool.
Eurovision organizers are prepared to remove Palestinian flags
MALMÖ, Sweden — Amid the controversy over Israel’s participation in Eurovision, organizers are taking steps to minimize the chance of political statements from making it on TV, saying they reserve the right to remove Palestinian flags.
“As in Liverpool last year, ticket buyers are only allowed to bring and display flags representing the participating countries and the rainbow/Pride flags," a spokesperson for European Broadcasting Union (EBU), which runs the competition, said in a statement. "We reserve the right to remove any other flags or symbols, clothing, items and banners being used for the likely purpose of instrumentalizing the TV shows.”
In the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Icelandic band Hatari held up a Palestinian flag in the green room, and interval act Madonna had two of her dancers appear with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs in a move the EBU later said was unauthorized.
Upon entering the arena, I only spotted one Palestinian flag near security. The person didn't appear to be entering the venue.
Five minutes to go!
Eurovision 2024 officially kicks off in five minutes.