The Eurovision Song Contest provides Europeans with plenty of entertainment when it takes place annually. It might not be best known for its singing ability, though.
Whilst many nations from around Europe – and including Australia – look to try and win the most points from their respective competing nations to try and win the overall competition, it could be argued that many use the time on the stage to create a performance that steals the show and leaves viewers having memories of it for the as long as they live.
Of course, the competition has become a huge hit over the years, as it has continued to be competed on for over a decade, whilst a whole betting market has opened up with many bettors taking advantage when betting on the Eurovision finalist become available.
Here are just some of the most memorable and iconic moments from previous competitions, whilst we also take a look at what can be expected from the 2021 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest when it takes place in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Verka Serduchka
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The name Verka Serduchka might not ring any bells, but when you see a visual of the Ukrainian representative, memories from the 2007 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will come flooding back.
Cladded in silver tin foil, Ukraine’s drag queen provided the world with a song that had a repetitive chorus and a dance equal to it, with two dancers pulling out all the moves! Many will remember the silver outfit and the star she had on her head, whilst others may remember it came second that year.
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ABBA
In 1974, ABBA provided the Eurovision Song Contest with their song ‘Waterloo’, which today remains an iconic moment in the history of the signing competition. The Swedish band, who famously consisted of Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, would go on to achieve a huge amount of success around the world with their songs, releasing hit after hit.
However, their ‘Waterloo’ track would see them be catapulted into the music scene, as they would go on to win the 1974 edition of the competition.
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Loreen
Sweden would go on to have another Eurovision Song Contest winner in 2012, when Loreen would go on to produce an incredible performance for her track called ‘Euphoria’. Like her fellow natives ABBA, she would go on to achieve huge success following the competition as the song would go on to chart in a number of European music lists, including a top 3 in the UK.
Lordi
It might have been 15 years ago, but many who watched the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 will have some recollection about the act that won that edition. If you do not, let us remind you.
Lordi performed their rock hit ‘Hard Rock Hallelujah’ and would go on to win the Athens-based contest as they had scored 292 points, which was a record for the time, before going on to achieve global success.
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The performance stole the show that year, though, as they had the frequent use of pyrotechnics and flames blaring in the background, whilst they donned monster costumes to add to the overall display.
Conchita Wurst
Austria’s 2014 entry was Conchita Wurst, who was memorable as the ‘Bearded Lady’. Wurst, who was also known by the name Thomas Neuwirth, was a drag queen who sang ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’ and managed to provide his nation with the Eurovision Song Contest title that year, as her performance was considered to be a little over-the-top but not too over-the-top for the overall occasion.
Who is competing this year?
There are a total of 41 countries to participate in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest in an edition that is going to be one not to be missed. There will be two semi-finals in which 35 nations will take part in, with 10 acts from each one going on to compete in the final alongside the ‘Big 5’ that consist of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as hosts, The Netherlands.
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Those that do consider betting on the competition will find that Malta is considered the overwhelming favourite for this year’s crown, with Destiny Chukunyere representing them. She has history in big singing contests, as she won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 representing the country, whilst she also reached the semi-final stage of Britain’s Got Talent in 2017. Despite having already achieved so much, she is still only 18 years old.
Other countries thought to be in the running of winning the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest include Barbara Pravi (France), Switzerland’s Gjon Tears and Italy’s Måneskin.
Business
Government to begin giving millions of UK workers ‘significant’ pay rises from this week
Emily Sergeant
The Government is to begin giving more than three million workers across the UK a ‘significant pay boost’ from this week.
Announced as part of last year’s Budget, and in a bid to ‘put thousands of pounds back in the pockets of working people every year’, the Government confirmed back at the beginning of February that a new National Living Wage of £12.21 per hour, and a new National Minimum Wage of £10 per hour would take effect from April onwards.
Ministers said the 6.7% increase to the National Living Wage – which is now worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker – is a ‘significant step’ towards delivering the manifesto commitment to deliver a ‘genuine’ living wage.
Today, millions of working people will get a pay rise as the National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage increase.
New rates:
🔹 from £11.44 to £12.21 if you’re 21 and over 🔹 from £8.60 to £10.00 if you’re 18-20 🔹 from £6.40 to £7.55 if you’re under 18 or an apprentice
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) April 1, 2025
On top of this, the National Minimum Wage for 18-20-year-olds is also set to go up by a record increase of £1.40 an hour, which means full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 a year.
The minimum wage pay boot has also been called the first step towards removing the ‘unfair’ age-bands that see a 21-year-old getting paid more than a 20-year-old for doing the same job.
According to the Government, this is also the first time the National Living Wage has taken into account the cost of living and inflation.
Three million UK workers will be getting a ‘significant’ pay rise from this week / Credit: Pexels
“In the last Parliament, living standards were the worst on record and sky-high inflation was crushing working people’s finances,” commented Chancellor Rachel Reeves, explaining why the pay boosts are being introduced.
“Making work pay is good for workers, will strengthen businesses’ workforces, and will grow our economy for years to come.
“It’s a key milestone on my number one mission to get more money in people’s pockets as we deliver our Plan for Change.”
Not only that, but the minimum hourly wage for an apprentice is also set to be boosted later this year too, with an 18-year-old apprentice seeing their minimum hourly pay increase by 18% to £7.55 an hour.
As a result of these particular changes, a further four million workers also could benefit from the positive spill-over impacts of the rate increases.
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Business
A huge free careers festival geared towards young creatives is coming to Manchester this week
Daisy Jackson
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International are hosting a careers festival in Manchester this week, designed to empower young creatives.
The huge free event on Thursday 3 April will take over Aviva Studios, offering everything from speed mentoring to CV clinics to expert talks.
Attendees will be able to have a free headshot taken, meet employers and like-minded creatives, and generally get a feel for how to build a career in the creative industry.
The Career Festival will boost Manchester’s creative future by supporting the next generation of creators, investing in their skills and confidence.
It’s all geared towards young people aged between 16 and 24 who face challenges in finding sustainable careers within the creative industries.
On the day, attendees will be able to receive one-on-one career advice from top industry professionals in speed mentoring sessions, learning from experts in marketing, media, production and more.
They’ll also be able to network with organisations, training providers and employers including Crew gal, Walk the Plank, and Gate Films.
Expert talks will give advice on how to break into the industry, while a CV clinic will help to hone CVs into a stand-out that’ll get a foot straight in the door, along with free headshot portraits.
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival. Credit: Mark Crayden Photography
And the whole time attendees will be surrounded by other creatives, building a network that could launch them towards their next big opportunity.
The TikTok Creative Academy, delivered by Catch22 and funded by TikTok, is a free employment program designed to provide vital support to young people aged 16-24 seeking to enter the creative industries.
It’s been specifically targeted towards young people who experience barriers to employment, whether that’s because of challenges like mental health and limited educational attainment, or involvement with the criminal justice system.
The programme itself has a free employment course, offers targeted supports, and opens the door to the industry, fostering networking and career development.
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International careers festival. Credit: Supplied
It also offers practical skills development and emphasises creative abilities to help young people thrive.
Quote from TikTok Creative Academy Senior Service Manager, Hilda Dotsey: “At Catch22, we are acutely aware of the challenges that young creatives face when it comes to finding sustainable employment in the creative industries and we are about to mark the 1000th person supported into work, training or further education through TikTok Creative Academy.
“With lack of industry insight and experience cited as one of the key barriers to quality creative careers, it is fantastic to be partnering with Factory International once more.
“This event, which celebrates our third year of delivering the programme, will open up pathways for Manchester youth, linking up the next generation of creative talent with industry experts and Manchester’s top creative voices.”
The Catch22 TikTok Creative Academy and Factory International: Career Festival will take place at Aviva Studios from 1pm to 4pm on Thursday 3 April.
You can find out more about Catch22 and the services available HERE.
The Manc -
17th May 2021 
