‘Profitable Eurovision turned my life the wrong way up’

If it wasn’t for Nemo, Switzerland would not be internet hosting this yr’s Eurovision Track Contest.

Twelve months in the past, the singer lifted the trophy for his or her music The Code, an operatic pop monitor about their journey to realising they had been non-binary.

It was the primary victory for a non-binary performer in Eurovision historical past and the primary for Switzerland since Céline Dion received in 1988.

Wanting again, 12 months later, the singer says the expertise “turned my life the wrong way up, in one of the best ways doable.”

“An important factor was [that] I gained quite a lot of self esteem in myself as an artist.

“It provides a degree of leisure to the creation course of, as a result of I do know I can belief my intestine with regards to writing songs and efficiency.”

After final yr’s contest, Nemo was vocal of their criticism of the organisers who, they stated, did not do sufficient to assist individuals who had been caught up in a row over Israel’s inclusion.

“I felt very alone,” they advised BBC Information final October, “and I do know that another artists had been additionally feeling that means.”.

“I actually hope they’ve issues in place for the subsequent yr to be sure that a part of the entire contest, particularly mentally, will get taken care of.”

Eurovision responded final December, by introducing a swathe of recent guidelines designed to guard contestants’ welfare.

There are extra closed-door rehearsals, permitting individuals to refine their performances away from the vital eyes of followers and the media.

And, after artists like Bambie Thug accused different nations of filming them backstage with out permission, the competition launched no-filming zones backstage.

“All of us really feel tremendous secure in that space,” French singer Louane advised the BBC earlier this week.

“It means once you encounter a blue carpet, you are not allowed to have your cellphone out to movie or take photos or something.”

The result’s a a lot calmer environment within the Eurovision camp. After the tensions of 2024, the category of 25 have even arrange a WhatsApp group to cheer one another on.

“It is such a pleasant factor to have all people so supporting one another,” says Claude, who’s representing the Netherlands.

“Like, if any person forgot one thing of their residence nation, they’d simply be like, ‘Does any person have like, a charger?’ and the reply would come, ‘Oh sure, you may come choose it up at my resort room’. It is so enjoyable!”

Even so, Nemo worries in regards to the scrutiny the contestants face in Eurovision week.

“There’s quite a lot of expectations,” they clarify.

“The media at house is like, ‘Oh, we’re not proud of this entry, it will fail.’

“Or they take the exact opposite [approach] of, ‘This has to win. And if it isn’t successful, we’re actually disenchanted.’

Nemo remembers that feeling effectively.

This time final yr, they had been the bookmakers’ third favorite, however noticed off frontrunners Croatia and Israel with a high-risk efficiency that noticed them dancing on a tilted, spinning platform, whereas hitting unbelievable excessive notes for 3 lengthy minutes.

“I had moments the place I used to be like, ‘Please simply do not fall. No matter you do, do not fall,'” they snort.

“After which I bought fortunate seven instances, since you’re rehearsing, then you might have the jury present, and all of it leads as much as the ultimate efficiency.

“I used to be like, ‘It is gone proper seven instances. What are the probabilities that, on this second, it would go improper?’

“So I trusted within the second, and all the things went superb, however I may have been the most important loser within the historical past of Switzerland!”

As a substitute, they topped the desk and lifted the trophy… earlier than promptly breaking it in two.

The singer says it is “particular” to see the competition again of their residence nation after a niche of 36 years.

“They’re doing a tremendous job. I like that individuals are attending to know Switzerland.

“They’re like, ‘Okay, it isn’t simply all mountains and and cows’.”

The 25-year-old will return to the Eurovision stage on Saturday, performing their new single, Unexplainable.

Followers who grew to like The Code – with its operatic excessive notes and propulsive drum and bass notes – could be shocked by the change in sound.

The music opens with a gently plucked electrical guitar, as Nemo dives all the way down to the decrease finish of their vocal register to reveal an existential disaster.

“I not often perceive my ideas / I write them down earlier than I sleep… What if I am unexplainable?“

Nemo says the music poured out of them one night time, as they grappled with an inclination to overanalyse their ideas and emotions that leaves them “feeling indifferent from my feelings”.

However though the music begins in muted, sepia-toned reflection, it explodes into color for the ultimate minute, replete with windmilling energy chords and stacked harmonies that topple into Freddie Mercury territory.

It ought to make for an unimaginable second on the Eurovision stage.

“I am much less nervous this yr,” Nemo says. “Or nervous another way – nevertheless it’s good to good to know I can come again with none expectations.”

The grand remaining of the Eurovision Track Contest takes place in Basel, Switzerland at 20:00 BST / 21:00 CET on Saturday, 17 Could.

You’ll be able to watch the competition on BBC One, or pay attention alongside on BBC Radio 2. The BBC Information web site could have stay textual content protection all through the night time.