With the rehearsals for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest starting in just a few weeks, we thought we’d have a little go at trying to make our own jury scores for this year’s contest. While there’s no way to accurately predict what the juries or televotes will decide next month, we can say how we would vote if we were jurors.
No Rules! (okay we do have to have some rules)
The 36 countries competing this year have been randomly sorted into seven segments. Each segment will be voted on by 5 jurors. They have assessed based on six categories: Melodic Impact, Artist Presence, Individuality, Attention Drawing, Vocal Fit, and Lyrical Impact. Exact specifications of these criteria can be found below. Our five jurors have given a score of 1 to 5 on each of the six topics, allowing each juror to give a maximum of 30 points to each song. In total there are up to 150 points available to each song. Once every song and score has been presented a full breakdown with a ranking of all 37 of this year’s entries.
Additionally, all of our jurors were asked to give one positive, and one negative comment about each song in a constructive manner. As well as opinions we have also guest Jurors from other outlets voicing their opinions. In line with our current editorial policy Israel will not be reviewed as part of this jury. You can read more about our stance here.
These are our personal opinions based on the criteria outlined. This is in no way attempt to accurately predict what will be the outcome of live shows and should not be taken as such.
Countries And Jurors For Part One
The five countries that make up the first segment being voted on are: Czechia, Azerbaijan, Sweden, San Marino, Estonia, and Ireland
The jurors voting in this segment are: Shiloh, Daniel, Tim, and Rory. Joining us as a guest juror for this segment is Eurovoix’s James.
Voting Criteria
Criteria 1: Melodic Impact
How lasting is the beat of the track. The more the beat stays, the higher the ranking.
Criteria 2: Artist’s Presence
If a national final is used, how their presence on stage affected the performance. If an internal selection was used, and no pre-party of other live footage is available then their presence is assessed based on their history.
Criteria 3: Individuality
How different is the song compared to the rest of the acts participating this year.
Criteria 4: Attention Drawing
How drawn in are you by the song. Are you waiting for it to finish, or completely engrossed.
Criteria 5: Vocal Fit
Assessing the vocal fit of the artist to the song rather than judging their technical ability in full. ie. X singer may have a wider range to Y singer, though singer Y may utilise the range better in their song and therefore should be ranked higher than X.
Criteria 6: Lyrical Impact
How lasting are the lyrics to you. Has listening to it left you singing the song.
The Results
Czechia Aiko – Pedestal
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3.5 | 17.5 |
| Artist’s Presence | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 14 |
| Individuality | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 19 |
| Attention Drawing | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 17 |
| Vocal Fit | 2.5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2.5 | 11 |
| Lyrical Impact | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 18 |
Total score: 96.5
Positives
Shiloh: This is catchy! I love the rock vibes and the anthemic “put! my! self! on a pedestal” section.
Daniel: A thoroughly decent entry, I especially like the chorus and it seems fine for radio play.
Tim: I like the progression from the initial version to the revamp where the instrumentation has a bit more oomf, as well as the break towards the end of the song.
Rory: Aiko is bringing a lot of energy with her rocky performance, which she is doing entirely herself, and the sense of sense is great!
James: There a lot of passion on stage and in the song.
Negatives
Shiloh: Aiko really struggled vocally in this live performance. The song needs someone with better breath support.
Daniel: The live vocals are horrendous and her voice doesn’t fit the song at all. There’s a
good artist in there, and something a lot more similar to Daughter Of The Sun from her last
album would suit her a lot better.
Tim: The beat is a bit repetitive.
Rory: Depending on the vocal performance, some viewers might be turned off if she resorts to shouting like that in the national final performance.
James: Vocals have been a worry at some times but Aiko has been improving since the nF
Azerbaijan FAHREE feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – Ă–zĂĽnlÉ™ Apar
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 12 |
| Artist’s Presence | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1.5 | 10.5 |
| Individuality | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 18 |
| Attention Drawing | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| Vocal Fit | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 19 |
| Lyrical Impact | 2 | 1.5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12.5 |
Total score: 81
Positives
Shiloh: A great fit for Fahree’s voice! His deep, soft tone is definitely a standout among the other artists this year.
Daniel: Finally they’re singing in their own language! I hope this signals a move towards
less Mello rejects and more culturally representative songs for Azerbaijan.
Tim: Liking that Azeri is back in the competition, and I love the production and how everything blends in well.
Rory: It’s great to see that Azerbaijan is actually willing to send a song in Azerbaijani, something we’ve not seen at since they joined the Contest!
James: The song is something fresh for Azerbaijan. There could be more a climax and better hook
Negatives
Shiloh: Doesn’t take me on much of an emotional journey. I spent a lot of this listen waiting for the song to be over.
Daniel: I find the song itself thoroughly uninspiring, nothing stands out for me neither in a
good nor bad way, it’s just sort of there, not something I’ll remember.
Tim: Very middle of the road of where the song goes.
Rory: The relative cinematic nature of the song might not make enough of an impact with voters who want an immediate hit.
James: There could be more a climax and better hook
Sweden Marcus & Martinus – Unforgettable
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 4.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 18 |
| Artist’s Presence | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 18.5 |
| Individuality | 3 | 2.5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 13.5 |
| Attention Drawing | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 16 |
| Vocal Fit | 1.5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 16.5 |
| Lyrical Impact | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 12.5 |
Total score: 96
Positives
Shiloh: Impressively well-produced! I know this is sort of what we get from Sweden every year, but I just love how polished this entry is.
Daniel: As you’d expect from a melfest winner, the staging is really slick and cool. They’re
Eurovision ready.
Tim: I like the build-up of the song from the start, the chorus is very upbeat and have high energy, which suits a song that would open the Grand Final.
Rory: Given their staging at Melodifestivalen, I wouldn’t be surprised if we get a huge stage show for the final, which will impress as it opens the show.
James: A well produced and staged pop hit from Sweden.
Negatives
Shiloh: The song is just slightly too high for their voices. Both twins sound like they’re straining for much of the performance.
Daniel: Feels too polished for me, I’d prefer something with a bit of edge
Tim: I don’t like that this is like “Air” where it feels like the song ends mid-sentence.
Rory: The song’s structure is incredibly contrived and fans of generic pop, top-40 charts will likely be the only crowd who can fully engage with a song like this.
James: The song dose feel like it is carried a bit by the stagingÂ
San Marino MEGARA – 11:11 | San Marino
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| Artist’s Presence | 3.5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 16.5 |
| Individuality | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 18 |
| Attention Drawing | 4 | 1 | 1.5 | 3 | 4 | 13.5 |
| Vocal Fit | 4.5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.5 | 18 |
| Lyrical Impact | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
Total score: 89
Positives
Shiloh: Megara’s singer has a voice MADE for rock music!!!! So much sass and venom to her.
Daniel: Megara have a really great visual identity and the staging is good for what they
had to work with in San Marino
Tim: I like the mixture of rock, with the guitar towards the end of the song.
Rory: A female-led rock band is something we haven’t had in a couple of years, but with a striking visual identity will definitely make it stand out.
James: One of San Marino best acts in this reviewers eyes.
Negatives
Shiloh: I’ve listened to this song now several times and still cannot for the life of me remember how it goes.
Daniel: I stopped listening mere seconds ago and I’ve forgotten how it goes. Doesn’t stick
with me at all.
Tim: A bit dated, unsure how it would stack against other rock entries.
Rory: The song, which enjoyable to listen to, has little going for it, which makes the likelihood of it being forgotten all the more high.
James: I do feel there was some space to revamp the instrumental to make it sound a little sharper
Estonia 5MIINUST x Puuluup – (nendest) narkootikumidest ei tea me (kĂĽll) midagi
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 5 | 3.5 | 4 | 4 | 2.5 | 19 |
| Artist’s Presence | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 21 |
| Individuality | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 18 |
| Attention Drawing | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 22 |
| Vocal Fit | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 15.5 |
| Lyrical Impact | 4 | 2.5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15.5 |
Total score: 111
Positives
Shiloh: This entry definitely brings the fun! I want to keep my eyes on them–not only because I want to see what happens next, but also because they’re so energetic and enjoyable to watch.
Daniel: Chaos in its purest and most beautiful form, Classic Eurovision banger
Tim: It is really right in your face (but in a good way) and their stage presence makes for a fun performance.
Rory: This will definitely appeal to the “kooky but still like it” crowd of viewers come May, and it should stand on its own in such an unpredictable semi.
James: Fresh and a standout entry for Estonia.
Negatives
Shiloh: The live vocals could definitely use some more precision, especially in the beginning.
Daniel: A lot of the camera angles used in their Eesti Laul performance were
questionable, a big improvement will be needed in Malmö.
Tim: The performance might seem a bit shouty when it isn’t the case.
Rory: Some may not see the fun in this and deem this a joke entry, which might affect its overall score in the show
James: It can feel the song is trying to be viral hit
Ireland Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue
| Juror 1 | Juror 2 | Juror 3 | Juror 4 | Juror 5 | Total | |
| Melodic Impact | 5 | 3.5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 19.5 |
| Artist’s Presence | 2 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 22 |
| Individuality | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 23 |
| Attention Drawing | 2 | 3.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 20.5 |
| Vocal Fit | 3.5 | 2.5 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 18 |
| Lyrical Impact | 5 | 4.5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 19.5 |
Total score: 122.5
Positives
Shiloh: These lyrics are soooo memorable! I can’t get them out of my mind.
Daniel: Bambie does really well to cultivate a dark and creepy atmosphere on stage with
both visuals and lyrics
Tim: Their stage presence and the way they perform the song show how much of a stage presence they have.
Rory: A risky song that is challenging genres coming from Ireland is something I never thought I’d say – and I am so here for it!
James: One of the boldest acts from Ireland in modern ESC history.
Negatives
Shiloh: I have a hard time with Bambie’s presence onstage. It feels inconsistent and I can’t get much personality from the staging choices.
Daniel: The vocals could use some polishing in places
Tim: Too alternative for mainstream viewers, which would make it difficult for them to understand the concept of the performance.
Rory: Due to the random shifts in style, plus a lack of vocal effects on Bambie’s voice, they may not make the impact they want to and struggle with their vision.
James: Deeper lyrical impact could have been achieved
You can find the part two, three, four, five, and six, and the full results linked respectively.
What do you think of our scores? Are there any countries you’d score differently? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we cover the rehearsals of Eurovision 2024!
Information Source: That Eurovision Site
Header Image Credits: Teki Shine (Aiko), Adil Yusifov (Fahree), Lily Lytton (Bambie), Jonathan Perlemann (Marcus and Martimus), Javier Bragado (Megara), Ken Murk (5MIINUST x Puuluup)
That Eurovision Site 
Rory Gannon