He was revealed as Ireland’s Creative Director for Eurovision 2020 late on Wednesday evening. And now, mere hours later, Philly McMahon is dropping teasers regarding the Irish act for Rotterdam.
Speaking to GCN, the ThisIsPopBaby leader confirmed that Ireland will be represented by an LGBT+ act.
Ireland will send an LGBT+ act to Eurovision 2020
McMahon tells the magazine that “While I can’t reveal anything about the song, I can exclusively tell GCN that the act is an artistically on point LGBT act. Next stop Rotterdam!”
Of course, Ireland has no shortage of LGBTQ acts to choose from. So the clues are not enough to identify anyone in particular. However, it does eliminate several names.
Early rumours swirled around Alessia Macari, Aly Ryan and The Rua. However, none of these acts are known for their LGBT credentials.
Ireland has previously been represented by gay performers Brian Kennedy (2006) and Ryan Dolan (2013), while its 2018 stage show revolved around a same-sex love story.
Ireland’s Eurovision 2020 staging
ThisIsPopBaby, under the leadership of Philly McMahon, will be responsible for staging Ireland’s 2020 entry. The news initially broke via Twitter.
The avant-garde theatre group is critically acclaimed and known for shows such as Riot and Alice in Funderland.
McMahon shares his vision with GCN.
“We’ve been in conversation with RTÉ for quite a few years about Eurovision, and the planets have finally aligned for this historic 50 year anniversary of Ireland first winning the competition. RTÉ played us the song and we instantly said yes. We come at the competition as superfans, patriotic pop tarts and show ponies.
“Our dream for Eurovision is to win it, yes, but it’s also about creating an Italia ’90 moment for the country. We want to build a swell of support for this epic song at home, and we want the Irish fans to feel like this is a Eurovision moment from fans, of fans and for fans. We want Europe to know that Ireland 2020 is a fresh look, a fresh vibe, and a fresh start.
He adds:
“This is a rare and valuable opportunity for artists and songwriters to gain exposure on a global scale,” and that “confidence and attitude are definite advantages.”
Of the upcoming collaboration, Ireland’s HoD Michael Kealy tweeted: “Delighted to be working with this group of super talented individuals!”
Delighted to be working with this group of super talented individuals! https://t.co/CMYo7cfYka
— Michael Kealy (@michaelkealy1) January 29, 2020
Are you excited to discover Ireland’s act? Who could it be? Let us know in the comments.
The gayest act on the 2FM Rising list is “Pillow Queens.” It’s probably them.
The act is female
Pillow Queens are a lesbian group
the act is a female* soloist that means not a group.
I think it’s a solo artist also. Thisispopbaby would have a very limited role if it was a group due to the limit on the number that can be on stage. It’s more likely that thisispopbaby is brought in for a solo artist.
How do you know?
I wish Ireland would bring in a national final to get the public interest back….but not on the late late show! National finals are done so well in other countries
I hope it’s LAOISE, she’s an LGBT+ singer and she is followed by 2fm on Instagram. She hasn’t said she is doing it, but as Robyn from wiwibloggs commented the singer hasn’t given away any hints themselves.
I really hope it’s her, her music is so current and we would get a good result in Rotterdam!
is laoise lgbt?
I think so, one of her songs is about her first queer crush so I would guess so
Plus all her posts have LGBT rainbows Ong it’s her!!
I really hope it is! I’m from Ireland but I was born after our successful years so I’ve yet to watch my country win/do well. I have a good feeling about this year so I hope RTÉ doesn’t let us down.
I‘m scared she’d be another Pænda.
The issue with Paenda last year were more to do with the song choice rather than the artist herself.
Any more rumours on the act?
LAOISE
Wallis Bird from Wexford would be a very interesting choice…
Such a shame Nadine Coyle wasn’t considered. I’m keeping the slightest of hope alive since she has a big gay following (keeping what they said open to interpretation lol) but the stars have aligned for her and it would be the perfect time for her to have a crack at Eurovision.
Why does it appear on Wikipedia that Ireland is announcing the act on February 15th? Did I miss something
The mindset of a raging imbecile:
Someone who comes on to a Eurovision site 4 months ahead of the contest in search of facts about the contestants….and then criticizes someone who shares facts about the contestants.
I don’t even see why there was a need to mention the sexuality of the act involved honestly. I mean, it’s Eurovision after all.
LGBT is no longer just about sexuality. It has evolved into its own culture.
Soule revealed on her insta story she is not doing Eurovision 🙁
disappointing but we have a lot of talented artists
That guy was a liar!
We ESC fans become so obsessed with details! If an act is LGBT, black, Asian, drag queen or whatever…it really doesn’t matter. Song (before anything), voice and staging is all that matters and people vote for. For the majority of voters across the world (99.9%) that don’t follow Eurovision and couldn’t tell you who performed the year before or probably remember the previous host country… they judge the song on what they hear and see in 3 minutes regardless of the song writers, artists, previous entries etc. Duncan said publicly he had a boyfriend before winning…did anyone say he was… Read more »
I did not now up to this point that Brian Kennedy and Ryan Dolan were gay. What did it matter? Not one bit. “Every Song is a Cry for Love” was Ireland’s last Top Ten finish, and that only works with a universally appliccable song that everyone can relate to. The same is true for “Rise Like a Phoenix”, “If Love Was a Crime”, or (for the older generations) “Er gehört zu mir”. None of these were written as LGBT anthems – they had the potential to become those, but it wasn’t their main selling point. “Rise Like a Phoenix”… Read more »
Jedward came 8th in 2011.
Eamon Toal came 6th in 2000 as well.
So many of the comments here make me want to pull my hair out! RTÉ has not selected an act based on sexual orientation or gender identity. It’s simply a case that the new Creative Director spoke to a gay magazine and told them that the act – which was chosen *before* he became involved – is LGBT. He could just have easily said that the act is a person of colour or a man or a woman. As for RTÉ, all it’s done so far is confirm it’s working with ThisIsPopBaby. No press releases, no social media campaigns, no… Read more »
I’m pretty sure RTÉ would get into very big trouble if they announced they had picked an act based on their sexual orientation ; there are laws against that type of thing and they are the state broadcaster.
Can you be absolutely sure of the criteria RTÉ has used in selecting the act? I would say you can only guess (and this being Eurovision, I would keep an open mind). One thing is sure – they certainly advertise the LGBT aspect of the chosen act. Also, what Ron here says is 100% true.
Philly McMahon only advertised the LGBT aspect because he was talking to GCN, which is an LGBT magazine. No broadcaster would EVER, EVER, *EVER* select an act JUST BECAUSE they’re lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. RTÉ (2fm) had already chosen the act (most likely on 2fm’s “Rising” list) BEFORE Philly McMahon and thisispopbaby agreed to stage it.
This was my reply to someone else’s comment, but it’s applicable here as well. I think it’s just the optics of having the first info about a contestant(s) be about their sexual orientation rather something about the song… It leaves a bad impression – like that was the most important fact about them. I know it was an interview with an LGBTQ+ magazine, but you can easily avoid making that kind of announcement or simply postpone the interview for after you release more substantial info about the artist/song.
Has this mysterious act been mentioned in these comments?
Please be someone like Tim Chadwick!!
Now Morocco will never return to the contest. Thanks a lot, Ireland.
And also Turkey with Hungary.
This calls for an eyeroll emoji.
Well if that’s all it takes to keep them guys away then I guess it’s best off that they stay away, if not, then c’mon and rejoin the party Turkey, Morocco and Hungary
Oh god you’re actually cringe
It’s ESC…. about inclusivity. If they can’t handle LGBT then they are right to stay away
I would loooove to welcome Morroco back (and Turkey, of course). But if they cannot handle the occasional innocent same-sex kiss or hug or a little joke, than it’s better indeed that they don’t join at all.
‘Up and coming’ sounds about right, Robyn especially with RTE 2FM Rising involved – that’s a platform for new Irish faces and talent
Reminder, gay here. I thought first of all it should be music act… I guess LGBT is more important than music nowadays. Hate this kind of attitude. It’s just cheap and not fair towards other contestants. I hope it flops, really.
Without even hearing the song first.
If anyone else entered this it would be “avant garde”.
This is what is wrong with eurofans.
wtf, Ireland has not selected an act simply because they were LGBTQ. The stage director was talking to an LQBTQ magazine. Grow Up.
As long as we send a good song, I’m happy. If it’s some really campy disaster, then I won’t be supporting my own country this year.
Don’t worry, if it’s a really campy disaster, I’ll vote for it.
McMahon needs to shut up, hyping things up before we hear actual song is not good idea.
Sounds like a group so
Please say whoooooo
Again the LGBTQ+i propaganda. Don’t take me wrong! Everyone should be themselfs how they want and with freedom. I’m gay myself. But Eurovision should be about the MUSIC. Not about the politics behind it, yes lgbt+i is also politics. I want an act to win because of the music and the performance not the politics. And yes there is still much more work to do for the acceptance of the lghbtq+i people see for example in Poland. But this should be done in the politics not on eurovision. If Eurovision existed in 1940 we would see German singers hating the… Read more »
Wouldn’t they need to be “artistically on point” whatever their sexual orientation? And what bearing does the latter have anyway. We’re voting on their song and their performance, not what they do in bed.
Who asked you to vote on anything but the quality of the song? Nobody. Somebody merely stated a fact to an obscure magazine. That’s all. Also, what people “do in bed” is not remotely connected to anything. Being gay or transgender is not dependent on sexual activity.
But it earns points at Eurovision, so it’s always good to mention 🙂
Sounds promising and exciting!
Well said Robyn. Sexuality shouldn’t be a factor in any of this.
What the hell is wrong with this comment section? Just because Ireland told a story with two men in 2018 they are now apparently using this formula again as a cheap shot? Didn’t Duncan Laurence come out as Bi? Even some singers this year selected so far are part of the LGBT community but nobody made a big deal out of that. Just cause it’s ireland everyone jumps to conclusions. The artistic director obviously told the newspaper this cause it’s a gay community newspaper? Pfff stop making a big deal out of a pointless argument.
Exactly! The song and artist aren’t even out and people are hating on Ireland. It’s not a cheap shot. I really don’t understand what all this fuss is about.
A good song doesn’t need gimmicks. This I am afraid will be as camp as Dustin the turkey.
Who said there will be gimmicks?
Would everyone have this opinion if the country sending this lgbt act was representing any other country?? Just because it’s Ireland it’s “a trick shot”.
Just because the artist is part of the lgbt movement doesn’t mean their song is going to be lgbt related? They could be just known in other circles as lgbt champions.
Perhaps wait and see what the song is like first??
The amount of ignorance and idiocy in the comments is shocking. Queer representation is not a “cheap shot” or “a trick”. It’s vital in providing queer artists opportunities they have previously been denied. It’s also important for queer people to be visible in mainstream media to normalise us. And if you want to point out that “Eurovision is not political”: People like you, who view our right to exist and be accepted as a matter of political debate, are the reason why representation matters.
Do you actually believe, what you’re writing? Lä-cher-lich!
Yay! The best comment posted yet.
It’s very telling how many people here immediately assume sending an LGBT act automatically means it’s gonna be a pandering mess or incredibly over the top or whatever. Duncan and Mahmood were both LGBT acts as well, and I would describe both as ‘artistically on point.’
I think it’s just the optics of having the first info about a contestant(s) be about their sexual orientation rather something about the song… It leaves a bad impression – like that was the most important fact about them. I know it was an interview with an LGBTQ+ magazine, but you can easily avoid making that kind of announcement or simply postpone the interview for after you release more substantial info about the artist/song.
Such a cheap shot
What about a good song instead of using tricks? 2018 is not going to work for them anymore…
Let’s do queer stuff, it worked the last time!
It sounds like when the Russians thought that ripping off the last winner’s stage would gave them the victory.
Exactly!
You don’t need LGBT+ to be successful in Eurovision. You need a good song…
This is a song contest ->NQ
Do we see anyone announcing “X will send an amazing heterosexual artist”?
No, because there’s no need to, just like with homosexual performers…
Why do people find it important to point out?
I simply wish this artist would be good with a great song
Yes! Exactly!
These guys have nothing to do with RTE or selecting the song / artist.
They are merely involved in the staging of the entry.
Do we see any broadcaster pulling out of Eurovision because it’s too straight for them?
The only one so far was Turkey and even then, I’m sure it’s not the actual reason and I know not all Turkish people wanted to withdraw
The thing is, why are we trying to promote equality by seperating LGBT from others?
If anyone would say that, they would be eaten alive. That’s how “equality” works for some people.
And why again is that important? I am all for LGBTQ+ rights, but this being an ESC strategy for an entry is overdoing it and killing the overall purpose of the contest, which is about music.
Bart – that is exactly the point. Thank you that I’m not alone with that opinion.
Imagine Roisin Murphy for Ireland?? That would be insane. And Björk for Iceland, Rosalia for Spain… A child can dream :-))
Is SOULÉ LGBTQ? I hope she represents Ireland
I’m really hoping for SOAK. She’s a queer singer from Derry. Her music style is contemporary so she fits all the descriptions so far.
Some said in the commente that ESC was made for gays. haha it was made in 1956 so i dont think so. Some havent read their history books here very well. It was made to unite Europe after the war so ni gays involved. sorry
don’t get why people are disliking your comment. Like I’ve always accepted LGBT in Eurovision, but that doesn’t mean it’s a contest made for them.
people on this site call all songs generic and if you say something they dont like: They hate you.
Rasmus is controversial character to say at least, so sometimes he gets downvotes just because it’s him. But he’s 101% right this time.
Were there no gays in 1956?! When were they invented?!
Yes, exactly… LOL
I agree with you it was not a gay-driven event, but how do you know that “no gays were involved”. Were you there back then? If yes, I really envy you! 🙂
The 1961 winning song was about a gay relationship.
So interesting you would mention that. Do you know as a fact? I always pictured that it could be about a gay relationship… 🙂
The first LGBT represenatnt in eurovision was in the very first one, Dany Dauberson, France 1956, was openly lesbian, rare for this time in France and certainly the rest of the world. Her girlfriend died in a car crash in 1967.
So interersting… I had no idea. So that proves so well my point that of course there were “gays involved” in 1956…
So hope to see a “serious” LGBT act, so someone who is LGBT, but that isn’t his whole persona and style of music. Because I usually hate drag stuff.
His? There’s three other letters other than “G” you mentioned but forgot about.
well sorry haha you know what I meant (or her or whatever someone calls himself)
Agreed
Fingers crossed for Blu Hydrangea. 😀
Literally the only one of the 3 who can’t sing? Delusion
I have a bad feeling about this. Not the fact that it’s LGBT, but it could mean it will be extremely camp and kitsch.
I hope this isn’t the case!
Johnny Logan will appear on RTE tomorrow night on late late show .. could the artist reveal be coming also
Does Roisin Murphy count as an LGBT+ act?
She is just pure art .. absolutely incredible artist who I’ve been following for years .. if she ever did Eurovision she might be too left field to win
OMG! If he’d confirmed that Ireland was sending a woman would you all be up in arms that men exist too and Eurovision isn’t a female contest. Seriously!!!!
And why is it that so many homophobes read a website dedicated to Eurovision with bright pink branding! I think you must be very lost.
How does saying that it’s pointless to announce the artists sexuality make you homophobic?
They like Eurovision but they don’t want to be associated with anything that is deemed gay, so they condemn everything that is openly LGBT. It’s just run of the mill homophobia and you see it in everything that has a large gay following.
Different gender = different voice and sometimes different genres. How being gay or lesbian affect song itself? Do we have higher voices or something?
I guess that was a rhetorical question, but I’m going to answer it anyway ^^: While there’s no reason to assume a gay man or lesbian woman should have a higher / lower voice than a straight man or woman, for transgender people this is actually relevant. Dana International does of course still sing lower than the average female Eurovision “Diva” (see what I did there? ^^). And Conchita Wurst, while Tom Neuwirth is not trans, but “just a regular gay man”, was still a transgender stage persona, if you will. The song, however, is still more in the upper… Read more »
so true. the slogan literally is Eurovision News With Attitude. Homophobes aren’t welcome here, I don’t know why in 2020 people cant be accepted for something that they cant choose and being who they truly are
I’m gay and think branding an act as being LGBT+ doesn’t make sense. We’re more than just a sexuality. Unless the song is explicitly about queer activities then there’s no reason to call it an LGBT+ act, just say the artist is LGBT+. And if the act *is* about gay culture then it’s honestly pigeonhole-y and I’d be upset. Save that stuff for the right place and time.
LOL
Why not based on MUSIC, for a change?
Why using the LGBT+ in this way?
They were talking to a gay oriented magazine and website. It makes sense they’d bring up anything to do with lgbt whether or not thats the actual goal of of the broadcaster, who had hired the act and chose the song before hiring thisispopbaby, so the person talking had no say in who the act was.
Well, I have voted for a lot of gay or lesbian singers in Eurovision before and I love the fact that Eurovision promotes tolerance and equality in such a difficult time for Europe with all the right wing populists rising into power. What I don’t like though is when countries or delegations use the sexuality, appearance, health of the performer etc, only to attract sympathy votes. Let’s just hope this isn’t the case with Ireland, and hope that the song and the performance will both be great. After all, we judge the song and the performance here, not the singers’… Read more »
Sympathy votes? Gay people don’t want or need sympathy.
I think sympathy isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Sympathy is more understanding and/or relating to someone’s situation. Pity on the other hand is more feeling sorry for someone.
Yes, the English term “sympathy” is confusing because it can mean both “pity” and “being well-meaning to someone”. I think what people refer to here is the latter, based on “own-group preference”. Meaning you’re automatically more well-meaning to someone if they belong to the same “group” as you (by whatever criteria you define that particular group). We in Germany joked about the “Lucy points” in 2008, when the No Angels achieved a terrible result, but somehow got 12 points from Bulgaria, arguably because one of their singers, Lucy, happened to be Bulgarian. The Balkan countries have tried this a couple… Read more »
It’s not equality when you get points for being LGBT.
Simply pandering to the LGBT community won’t be enough to make the final. It didn’t work for Slavko in 2017 and I don’t think it’ll work this year.
It worked for Ireland in 2018 when they did it last time, so It will probably work for them again…
And camera barely showed woman who’s standing in background. Don’t fool yourself.