Italian rock band Måneskin’s show-stopping performance of “Zitti E Buoni” won them hearts across Europe, as well as Eurovision’s top spot.
Italy have been announced as this year’s winners of The Eurovision Song Contest, following a resplendent and highly poignant live event at the Ahoy Arena in Rotterdam.
This year’s event took place on Saturday, May 22, in the Netherlands — who took the crown in 2019. As most of Europe emerges from the pandemic, viewers not only got to experience the event being telecast in the comfort of their own homes, the live show had an audience of up to 3,500 people. This was allowed under the Dutch government’s meticulous and ongoing programme for the safe restart of mass-participation events.
| Image Credit: Reuters / The Independent
With Måneskin’s winning performance of “Zitti E Buoni”, Italy edged out other crowd favourites including Lithuania’s The Roop, Switzerland’s Gjon’s Tears, France’s Barbara Pravi, and Ukranian delegation Go_A to take home the top prize.
Fan favourites Daði og Gagnamagnið were not in attendance at the live event due to a positive Covid test that disallowed the Icelandic hitmakers from participating in Europe’s number one singing competition.
A rehearsal video of the band’s song “10 Days” was broadcast in place of a live performance, still managing to win fans over with the track’s quirky theatrics.
UK representative James Newman gave it his all, but ultimately failed to wow with his song “Embers”. Although proving to be a decent track, the dance bop – a mish-mash of soul, pop, and Noughties garage – simply did not impress live.
| Image Credit: Reuters / The Independant
The UK was the only country to receive zero points in the voting tally. Newman was good-natured about his loss, and continued celebrating with his delegation while cheering the other contestants on. For that, Newman received congenial praise from the audience who rallied to cheer him on, as well.
| Image Credit: Wiwibloggs
Meanwhile, Germany took viewers by surprise with a truly unconventional act. Singer Jendrik performed the extraordinarily upbeat song “I Don’t Feel Hate” flanked by supporting singers and dancers donning bizarre costumes.
Well-known UK talk show host and Eurovision presenter Graham Norton was certainly not impressed with Jendrik’s performance, and commented, “This is like Marmite… if everyone hated Marmite.” Norton kept up with his signature style of quick-witted yet snarky commentary throughout the four-hour broadcast.
Forced to be cancelled last year due to Covid lockdowns, it was the first time in its 64-year history that the annual contest didn’t go ahead. But 2021’s event made up for that with this year’s high-powered and exuberant show that was massively entertaining, making even Eurovision skeptics reluctantly admit to its undeniable success.
Watch Måneskin’s winning number here:
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