Eurovision fans were left in shock last night as Ireland's act Bambie Thug made it through to the final on Saturday night.
The last time that Ireland made it through was back in 2018 when Ryan O'Shaughnessy performed the song Together, which came 16th with 136 points.
Thug - who is a non-binary artist from County Cork - performed Doomsday Blue in Malmo, Sweden.
But the nature of the routine upset viewers watching at home, with many drawing comparisons to satanic rituals.
Kicking off their performance, they were surrounded by candles and seemed to perform a "demonic ritual" before being joined on stage by a male dancer wearing intense makeup and fake teeth.
Ireland's act has created a buzz for being "radically different", but for some, the performance was too much.
Eurovision 2024: Bambie caused controversy through her performance
BBC
Taking to their X accounts to comment on the performance, one user slammed: "How Ireland's song qualified today, is beyond me.
"Moldova missed out, the beautiful Natalia Barbu who gave a stunning performance yet a self-described witch who worships Satan, got through?"
"Not supporting Irish witches and wikkins? Hmmmm….." another said before a third added: "Ireland's #Eurovision entry is a singer called 'Bambie Thug' performing this satanic ritual as their entry. Sick."
A fourth penned: "Australia with aboriginals not going through and yet a witch (literal one) made it by screaming through half her song while casting a demon…"
"This is literally demonic. And our National broadcaster RTÉ is supporting this open witchcraft. Disgusting," one exclaimed before a sixth stated: "Is this for real?
"This is the most important MUSIC competition in Europe and we have a running naked guy on stage and a witch?"
Bambie is a self-proclaimed "Witch" who performed a "satanic ritual" on stage
BBC
However, not all viewers were unimpressed by the performance as one praised: "This was one of the best performances ever on a Eurovision stage! CROWN THE WITCH!!!"
"CROWN THE F**ING WITCH" another agreed before a third said: "OMG THE HYPOCRISY AND DOUBLE STANDARDS MAKE ME SICK !!! #EUROVISION" (sic)
Thug has previously described their music as "Ouija pop" and was feeling the pressure to deliver a good performance since Ireland's bad luck when it comes to qualifying in the past.
They told The Standard: "Yes, there is more pressure but also, I have full faith in my performance ability. I'm really grateful to have this platform, especially as a non-binary person and as an alt little goth.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Bambie Thug made it through to the final
BBC
"I'm super proud and I'm just excited to go and kick some a** on stage. I've had so many people drawing me, making me bracelets and making cute things.
"[I've] had loads of lovely messages from parents about their children loving the song and about some queer kids feeling like they can come out."
