A big reason for it is I don’t have the persistent personally. I never have. Last thing I want is someone to find me annoying for asking, knocking on the door etc.

The realisation it’s been THAT long has spooked me. Have I wasted 20 years by being polite, putting my head down, doing a solid job.

💯. Loved her song last year a bit more but just want her on the ESC stage again

Adding to this, I’m currently watching #MESC 🇲🇹 and their entrant from last year is on stage signing their 4th song. She didn’t qualify in Malmo. But she is still being celebrated.

That wouldn’t happen here.

The funny thing is, JESC’s shows are recorded in RTÉ. So the ability is there. It just doesn’t work in the environment. It doesn’t work in the framework that’s there. But it also is recorded too… and that’s a big difference

Thank you!

Again, the audio issues exist. The lights were wild. Cameras were working in a TIGHT space, in fairness to the crew. But it just didn’t look great for everyone.

It’s a shame because it’s not like RTÉ can’t produce high quality TV shows.

Look forward to repeating all this again next year

After being in the studio, then watching it back when I got home- I’ve seen just how limited the space is. It’s on The Late Late Show ultimately so they don’t have to spend money on studio, crew etc, and it’s a captive audience on the biggest show.

But it doesn’t translate to great performances.

What’s the solution? I wish I knew. I don’t know if a standalone national selection is the ultimate answer. But It would help, a lot.

But there is a mentality & perception of ESC that exists and is a hangover of the 90s, the Dustin’s and the dark era of mid 00s. And LLS Eurosong isn’t fixing it.

There isn’t a huge payoff or bonus to those who came 2nd or 3rd. We barely playlist the game winning song in most radio stations, so air play isn’t a thing. Compared to Sweden or Italy, where the exposure is beneficial.

And that’s a shame, because most of those songs were REALLY good.

While I love EMMY’s song and looking forward to the journey ahead- I worry that the Irish music scene may think “what’s the point?”, seeing the five others didn’t “win”

And I totally get why.

Those shows are also not on at 2135 ending at midnight. They’re in the most part family viewing. They’re not saying “slay” or “fabulous” just because it’s Eurovision.

Sanremo 🇮🇹 and even Mello 🇸🇪 to an extent are shows which celebrate music, where the prize happens to be the chance to represent

But then does a standalone selection show fix this?

It depends on the show. While the likes of, UMK 🇫🇮, Söngvakeppnin 🇮🇸, Vidbir 🇺🇦 and others are shows like “Eurosong” - they’re big productions with budgets for staging, lights and space. Something Irish fans are crying out for.