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| Eurovision Tel Aviv 2019: Why the song contest is bigger than ever | Eurovision Tel Aviv 2019: Why the song contest is bigger than ever |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| "It's every artist's dream to perform on this stage," explains 16-year-old singer Zena. | "It's every artist's dream to perform on this stage," explains 16-year-old singer Zena. |
| As this year's youngest Eurovision Song Contest contestant she can't hide her excitement at taking part in the "most popular contest in the world". | As this year's youngest Eurovision Song Contest contestant she can't hide her excitement at taking part in the "most popular contest in the world". |
| She's representing Belarus at the competition - held in Tel Aviv, Israel, this year - and is one of the many acts helping transform Eurovision's image, which is sometimes seen as a bit of a joke in the UK. | She's representing Belarus at the competition - held in Tel Aviv, Israel, this year - and is one of the many acts helping transform Eurovision's image, which is sometimes seen as a bit of a joke in the UK. |
| Other countries have spent years developing a formula hoping to win - and host it the following year - by sending some of their most popular and critically acclaimed acts. | Other countries have spent years developing a formula hoping to win - and host it the following year - by sending some of their most popular and critically acclaimed acts. |
| The show is the world's biggest live music event and is hugely popular with younger viewers. | The show is the world's biggest live music event and is hugely popular with younger viewers. |
| Eurovision says in 42 markets, the contest was four times more popular with 15-24-year-olds than the average show. | Eurovision says in 42 markets, the contest was four times more popular with 15-24-year-olds than the average show. |
| Most acts taking part in this year's contest are under the age of 30, but Switzerland's Luca Hanni jokes he feels old at 24. | Most acts taking part in this year's contest are under the age of 30, but Switzerland's Luca Hanni jokes he feels old at 24. |
| "It's amazing to see all young people competing," he says. | "It's amazing to see all young people competing," he says. |
| Eurovision is a week-long event with a red carpet, two semi-finals, a grand final and this year, a performance from Madonna. | Eurovision is a week-long event with a red carpet, two semi-finals, a grand final and this year, a performance from Madonna. |
| But the build-up goes on for months and people like 18-year-old Gemma Lee see it as a "legitimate place to find new music". | But the build-up goes on for months and people like 18-year-old Gemma Lee see it as a "legitimate place to find new music". |
| Gemma and her mates started a Eurovision society at Bristol University to discuss what her friend Luke Hardwick calls "the World Cup of music". | Gemma and her mates started a Eurovision society at Bristol University to discuss what her friend Luke Hardwick calls "the World Cup of music". |
| "This year there's a real mix of genres," Gemma says. "It's a refreshing thing that anyone can watch Eurovision and there's going to be something for them." | "This year there's a real mix of genres," Gemma says. "It's a refreshing thing that anyone can watch Eurovision and there's going to be something for them." |
| On a Saturday night in April, 5,000 fans packed into an arena in Amsterdam for the first big Eurovision party of the season. | On a Saturday night in April, 5,000 fans packed into an arena in Amsterdam for the first big Eurovision party of the season. |
| Most of this year's 41 acts performed to a crowd waving flags and glow sticks, headlined by the Dutch entry Duncan Laurence - one of this year's favourites. | Most of this year's 41 acts performed to a crowd waving flags and glow sticks, headlined by the Dutch entry Duncan Laurence - one of this year's favourites. |
| "I think tonight comes as close as it can to Tel Aviv," the 25-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. | "I think tonight comes as close as it can to Tel Aviv," the 25-year-old tells Radio 1 Newsbeat. |
| "Eurovision is a big stage for me, especially as a new artist," he says. "I see it as a chance to show myself and let people hear my music." | "Eurovision is a big stage for me, especially as a new artist," he says. "I see it as a chance to show myself and let people hear my music." |
| Backstage, contestants are meeting each other for the first time, eyeing up the competition and making friends. | Backstage, contestants are meeting each other for the first time, eyeing up the competition and making friends. |
| Just before speaking to Newsbeat, Spain's Miki Nunez, 23, is overheard championing Belarus' Zena. | Just before speaking to Newsbeat, Spain's Miki Nunez, 23, is overheard championing Belarus' Zena. |
| He congratulates her, gives her a hug and tells us that young people "have a lot of things to say about society" and the contest is a "good opportunity for us to express ourselves". | He congratulates her, gives her a hug and tells us that young people "have a lot of things to say about society" and the contest is a "good opportunity for us to express ourselves". |
| A week later, 18 of the acts arrive in the UK for the London Eurovision Party at the city's Cafe De Paris. | A week later, 18 of the acts arrive in the UK for the London Eurovision Party at the city's Cafe De Paris. |
| The UK's entry Michael Rice is chatting about his Amsterdam experience. | The UK's entry Michael Rice is chatting about his Amsterdam experience. |
| "My mates think it's crazy that I'm going to all these different countries," he says. "They're just seeing bits on Instagram and all the fans." | "My mates think it's crazy that I'm going to all these different countries," he says. "They're just seeing bits on Instagram and all the fans." |
| He thinks it's a good thing the UK doesn't send joke acts and "it's about time" it took the contest seriously. | He thinks it's a good thing the UK doesn't send joke acts and "it's about time" it took the contest seriously. |
| Standing next to Michael is one of this year's most talked about participants - France's 19-year-old entry Bilal Hassaini. | Standing next to Michael is one of this year's most talked about participants - France's 19-year-old entry Bilal Hassaini. |
| He describes himself as a gay, queer man who performs in drag - and says he gets "a lot of hate and backlash" because of it. | He describes himself as a gay, queer man who performs in drag - and says he gets "a lot of hate and backlash" because of it. |
| "I've been struggling with my identity for a long time and I've finally found the strength to ignore others." | "I've been struggling with my identity for a long time and I've finally found the strength to ignore others." |
| Embracing diversity is a sentiment that resonates with LGBT fans, who make up such a large part of the Eurovision community. | Embracing diversity is a sentiment that resonates with LGBT fans, who make up such a large part of the Eurovision community. |
| Notable moments in the contest's 64-year-history include drag queen Conchita's win in 2014 and Dana International, a transgender singer, winning for Israel in 1998 with her song Diva. | |
| Last year, Ireland's performance included two men dancing as a couple, which led to censorship in China. | Last year, Ireland's performance included two men dancing as a couple, which led to censorship in China. |
| Controversy this year could come from Iceland's entry Hatari, with their BDSM-inspired outfits of leather, spikes and PVC - and their claim that "every act needs a gimp". | Controversy this year could come from Iceland's entry Hatari, with their BDSM-inspired outfits of leather, spikes and PVC - and their claim that "every act needs a gimp". |
| Eurovision rules say acts need to be strictly non-political during their performances, but Tel Aviv is proving a controversial host because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. | Eurovision rules say acts need to be strictly non-political during their performances, but Tel Aviv is proving a controversial host because of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. |
| Some stars have called for the contest to be moved from Israel, while others want countries and contestants to pull out completely. | Some stars have called for the contest to be moved from Israel, while others want countries and contestants to pull out completely. |
| Hatari, who say they entered the competition because they want to shed light on political aspects of Israel, admit their stance "is a contradictory one". | Hatari, who say they entered the competition because they want to shed light on political aspects of Israel, admit their stance "is a contradictory one". |
| "A contest like Eurovision was founded in the spirit of peace and unity," singer Matthias Haraldsson tells Newsbeat. | "A contest like Eurovision was founded in the spirit of peace and unity," singer Matthias Haraldsson tells Newsbeat. |
| "We find it absurd to host it in a country marred by conflict and disunity. Allowing that narrative to go on unchallenged would be a shame." | "We find it absurd to host it in a country marred by conflict and disunity. Allowing that narrative to go on unchallenged would be a shame." |
| The band insist they'll stick to the strict Eurovision rules by not making any political statement during their performance. | The band insist they'll stick to the strict Eurovision rules by not making any political statement during their performance. |
| Kobi Marimi - the Israeli entrant - believes the contest "celebrates music and love" and Greece's Katerine Duska says she "performs for people, not governments". | Kobi Marimi - the Israeli entrant - believes the contest "celebrates music and love" and Greece's Katerine Duska says she "performs for people, not governments". |
| One country which isn't sending an act to Tel Aviv is Ukraine, after its entry Maruv pulled out of the contest. | One country which isn't sending an act to Tel Aviv is Ukraine, after its entry Maruv pulled out of the contest. |
| She was challenged on Ukrainian TV about her views on Crimea - a disputed area of Ukraine that Russia seized in March 2014. | She was challenged on Ukrainian TV about her views on Crimea - a disputed area of Ukraine that Russia seized in March 2014. |
| Ukraine's state broadcaster then asked her to cancel gigs in Russia as one of the conditions of her being its Eurovision entry. | Ukraine's state broadcaster then asked her to cancel gigs in Russia as one of the conditions of her being its Eurovision entry. |
| After a dispute, she quit the contest. | After a dispute, she quit the contest. |
| Speaking to Newsbeat she explains: "It was my dream to represent my country at the competition but I'm in a song contest, not a political arena. | Speaking to Newsbeat she explains: "It was my dream to represent my country at the competition but I'm in a song contest, not a political arena. |
| "I was sad and upset to pull out as I wanted to have the experience but I won't compete again." | "I was sad and upset to pull out as I wanted to have the experience but I won't compete again." |
| Referring to her decision, co-host of the BBC's Eurovision Calling podcast Jayde Adams said it shows "Eurovision is not just about a singing competition - it's more than that - it's about the world and how people fit in it." | Referring to her decision, co-host of the BBC's Eurovision Calling podcast Jayde Adams said it shows "Eurovision is not just about a singing competition - it's more than that - it's about the world and how people fit in it." |
| Last year around 186m tuned in to watch Israel's Netta win with Toy - a song about female empowerment. | Last year around 186m tuned in to watch Israel's Netta win with Toy - a song about female empowerment. |
| Of all the countries in Eurovision, Sweden takes its selection the most seriously - and is rewarded with consistent top ten finishes. | Of all the countries in Eurovision, Sweden takes its selection the most seriously - and is rewarded with consistent top ten finishes. |
| Arguably, Loreen's win for Sweden in 2012 was a turning point in the transformation of Eurovision. | Arguably, Loreen's win for Sweden in 2012 was a turning point in the transformation of Eurovision. |
| Her anthem Euphoria won by a mile, going to number one in 17 countries and reaching number three in the UK charts. | Her anthem Euphoria won by a mile, going to number one in 17 countries and reaching number three in the UK charts. |
| This year John Lundvik is representing Sweden and describes Eurovision as "the holy grail" of music. | This year John Lundvik is representing Sweden and describes Eurovision as "the holy grail" of music. |
| He admits the contest used to be "corny" but says it's evolved into a "super-fashion-hit-song, super-artist-thing that's now cool to be a part of". | He admits the contest used to be "corny" but says it's evolved into a "super-fashion-hit-song, super-artist-thing that's now cool to be a part of". |
| Also an early favourite with his song Soldi, Italy's Mahmood tells Newsbeat that less is more when it comes to the performance. | Also an early favourite with his song Soldi, Italy's Mahmood tells Newsbeat that less is more when it comes to the performance. |
| "If you do something minimal and cool and unique then I think it's a beautiful chance to show how a country can do something modern and interesting." | "If you do something minimal and cool and unique then I think it's a beautiful chance to show how a country can do something modern and interesting." |
| UK entry Michael Rice agrees with John (who also co-wrote the UK's entry) and Mahmood, saying many people see Eurovision as a "gimmick" but in reality "you're never going to get a platform like this again". | UK entry Michael Rice agrees with John (who also co-wrote the UK's entry) and Mahmood, saying many people see Eurovision as a "gimmick" but in reality "you're never going to get a platform like this again". |
| In recent years, the UK has consistently appeared in the bottom half of the Eurovision leaderboard but that's not the focus for Michael. | In recent years, the UK has consistently appeared in the bottom half of the Eurovision leaderboard but that's not the focus for Michael. |
| "It's so surreal and a huge honour to be representing my country. It's a great achievement for me as I'm only 21 years old," he explains. | "It's so surreal and a huge honour to be representing my country. It's a great achievement for me as I'm only 21 years old," he explains. |
| "It's going to be something I can look back on and think 'I did Eurovision'. | "It's going to be something I can look back on and think 'I did Eurovision'. |
| "I just want to make everyone proud." | "I just want to make everyone proud." |
| The Eurovision final takes place on Saturday, May 18 at 20:00 BST and is on BBC One, BBC Radio 2 and BBC iPlayer. | The Eurovision final takes place on Saturday, May 18 at 20:00 BST and is on BBC One, BBC Radio 2 and BBC iPlayer. |
| Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. | Follow Newsbeat on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. |
| Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. | Listen to Newsbeat live at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen back here. |