Ireland’s Wild Youth have one of the shortest physical journeys to Eurovision this year, hopping on board a short flight across the water from Dublin to Liverpool. After their first rehearsal at the M&S Bank Arena, the four lads from the band sat down with William for a chat at our LUSH Liverpool Lounge.
The band members talked about their staging concept, their origin story, and Liverpool’s Irish connection.
Ireland’s Wild Youth “We Are One” — Interview after Eurovision 2023 first rehearsal
The band described that they took inspiration from old-school rock shows for their staging.
They said: “We wanted to create what we would envisage us doing a stadium show.” Fans certainly got a stadium-ready setup that featured lots of gold, plenty of pyrotechnics, and Conor the frontman trotting down a staircase in a massive heels, which he did admit could become “an absolute disaster”. As Conor summed up, besides “a few little alterations – outfit adjustments, some lighting, some camera shots”, they’re feeling good about their rehearsal.
In terms of how the band came to be, David shared that it started with him and Conor. “I’ve known Conor since I was a teenager…we used to busk on the streets in Dublin.” Since then, Wild Youth have gone from playing gigs that brought in only a handful of people to representing Ireland after winning Eurosong 2023, and the rest is history.
The band also talked about the close historical connection between Ireland and the host city of Liverpool and why they feel right at home. “A lot of the Irish came to work here on the docklands many moons ago… there is still a very Irish contingency here. You can definitely feel it.” They should certainly expect a warm welcome from fans in Liverpool and beyond as they compete in Semi-final 1 from the number six spot.
One of my votes will be going to these guys on Tuesday not only because I like the song but because I love how they stood up for trans rights only to get attacked by that TERF Rowling ! They need our support <3
Watching the snippets of all of semi final 1, Ireland is more memorable, catchy and engaging than at least five other performances and that’s what is needed when it comes to voting- it is a performance that is easier to connect with than a lot of the other songs. Yes it is a song contest but a lot of voters on the night vote for the entry that puts on a memorable and enjoyable show that connects with them for whatever reason. I think this will qualify and will surprise people similar to Ryan O Shaughnessy did in his year.
My lord, just me or is anyone else obsessed with this drummer?
Gimme 20 minutes alone in a room with him anytime!
We aren’t Norway, a country that can literally send anything and the fandom eat it up. We actually have to try. And this year, we aren’t trying. Can’t get behind such bland mediocrity and champion it. Getting kind of worried that I’m losing interest in Eurovision, hope I’m wrong. Too much of my country sending bland, while some “other” countries send bland and get rewarded for it. Tired of Sweden on top of the odds, as much as I love Loreen as an artist. Tired if the same hype for the same countries every year. I really hope I can… Read more »
The audience who vote thankfully are not the people on wiwibloggs
If this Irish song qualifies and it might
There’s no knowing what will happen in the Final
All I’ve listened to in semi final one so far is at least 14 pretty mediocre songs which people here are gloating about – not because of the song but because of the COUNTRY
Curious which is the 15th. Not mediocre?
The only reason Wild Youth won is because of their fans, and judging by Twitter they all seem to be all Irish women in their 20s, so they have the funds to vote. I saw one fan vote over 100 times, other acts didn’t stand a chance, especially new acts like CONNOLLY.
The jury at Eurosong chose CONNOLLY, that was the right decision.
It’s a shame that one of the biggest names in the Irish music industry cannot even qualify for the finals at Eurovision.
For Ireland to stand a chance at doing well, they need to revamp their entire selection process. If they can’t afford a national selection, I’d encourage them to start an annual Eurovision songwriting camp and invite Europe’s top songwriters. Bulgaria did it on a smaller scale in 2020 with their Black Sea Eurovision Songwriting Camp, Ireland has no excuse to not do the same.
Imagine if smaller artists like CONNOLLY had access to some of Europe’s top songwriters with the help of RTÉ? That girl could be a potential winner if she had the right song in my opinion.
RTÉ, you have so many options. Just do something. Broadcasters with less budget make do every year by thinking outside the box. Stop being lazy and change things up for once.
Connolly was hopeless a one hit repetitive song written during lockdown – no stage presence no flair and definitely forgetful – I’ve long forgotten that effort
CONNOLLY had the better song, and that was her first song. She’s lightyears ahead of Wild Youth in terms of songwriting and artistic vision. And remember, CONNOLLY doesn’t have a record label behind her, Wild Youth does.
Judging by your name, I think you’re just a disgruntled Wild Youth fan. Defend them all you want, but they’ve flopped already. They could’ve done well if they entered a decent song, because they have potential.
The semi-final is still four days away. We don’t know if they’ll qualify or not.
Perhaps wait until the semi finals before you decide the outcome
I’ll see you back here in 4 days when Wild Youth fail to qualify.
Chinga tu madre, mamón
Embarrassing.
Next year the Eurovision betting odds should be abolished all together. They have contributed so much eye rape!
Ireland’s chances of qualification is declining, while Ireland’s chances of winning are growing. WTF
Well thats how odds work. Odds raise or drop mostly based on number of people betting and these are two different polls. It is likely that not the same number of people participate in both, or at least different people. So its quite common that these issues occur.
exactly that, it are two different odds
in semi finals you also have the ”to qualify” odds and the ”to win the semi” odds
in the overall winner odds, if one or two soak up most percentages to win Sweden, Finland then not very much is left from 100% to divide over 37 countries, now we see France rising onto third place, can be said as impressive but in fact there wasn’t much difference between 3rd place and like 10th place not a huge gap
from 15th you already have 1% and below that <1% (less than 1)