Eurovision fans share concern for Olly Alexander’s ‘shaky vocals’ as he performs UK entry live for the first time with shirtless dancers and raunchy moves
Olly Alexander gave it his all on Tuesday night as he took to the stage in Malmö, Sweden for the first live performance of his Eurovision semi-final entry.
The Years and Years singer, 33, who represents Britain with his catchy tune Dizzy, was joined by a group of hunky shirtless backup dancers as they performed the explosive track.
Using clever camera work, Olly and his dancers appeared to spin around and walk across the ceiling in the packed performance.
Already guaranteed a place in Saturday’s grand final, Olly’s boxing-themed routine saw him don a distressed vest and red trousers, which were worn with a colour-coordinated jockstrap over the top.
The raunchy number saw Olly sensually caressing his hands over the dancers’ shirtless bodies before they started a dance scene and the singer pushed to the beat.
Olly Alexander made the heart beat faster when he performed his Eurovision song Dizzy live for the FIRST TIME on Tuesday evening during the semi-finals
And while fans are going wild over the staging, some are sharing their concerns about his ‘shaky singing’ as they hope the singer ‘save his voice’ for Saturday’s finale
Most of the performance was filmed in the hall, but it was only in the final chorus that the entourage broke onto the stage as he played the final notes.
As the crowd went wild, commentators Scott Mills and Rylan Clark shouted: ‘Yes Olly, that’s how you do it!’
However, it seems fans were divided over the performance as they took to Twitter to share their thoughts.
While half seemed to love the song and raved about the expressive staging, others noticed that Olly’s vocals were slightly off and shaky, as it was even hoped he was preserving his vocals ahead of Saturday’s final.
Enthusiastic about the performance, fans exclaimed: ‘so proud of you Olly! you killed it, the singing, staging, visuals, choreo, dancing was breathtaking!!! And those pirouettes of the dancers are incredible! Well done #teamdizzy #Eurovision #Eurovision2024 xxx’.
‘I loved Olly. Great track. Great staging. Fantastic performance’; ‘OMFG @alexander_olly OFF THE BOWL TONIGHT!!!!! SO SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!#Eurovision2024 #Eurovision2024 @bbceurovision always does great!!!!!’
‘Fantastic performance by @alexander_olly, great staging. Look how far we’ve come’; ‘@Rylan@BBCRadio2#Eurovision2024 omg when I watched Olly I swear to God I thought he was the best I’ve ever seen in a video.’
Referring to the suggestive dancing, another joked: ‘olly Alexander made me dizzy because of his pelvic thrusts, let alone his kissing’.
Using clever camerawork, Olly and his dancers appeared to spin around and walk across the ceiling in the packed performance
Olly wore a distressed vest and red trousers which were worn with a colour-coordinated jockstrap over the top
Olly seemed to give it his all as he recited the lyrics and belted out the dance moves
In one go it looked like Olly was hanging from the ceiling as he stuck his tongue out
However, it seems fans were divided over the performance as they took to Twitter to share their thoughts
Most of the song was filmed in the box, with the entourage only taking the stage in the final chorus.
During the intimate routine, the dancers lay on top of each other
Many fans expressed their pride in the British act
Others said: ‘I thought Olly did well tonight! That staging was the best enthusiasm I’ve seen in years and years (pun very much intended), so maybe we can hope for a finish on the left this year? #Eurovision2024’
However, others shared their concerns about Olly’s singing, writing: ‘Well, Olly’s singing was a bit dodgy in places but that staging was fantastic. What an ending.’
‘I’m not sure if Olly got over-excited or nervous, but that voice was very high, I’ve heard him live before and he can do a lot better than that. I just hope the over-staging doesn’t distract too much from the singing.’
‘Even though I’m from the UK, Olly’s singing was shaky and I wasn’t thrilled with the staging. The song is catchy’; ‘#Eurovision2024 Semi-Final UK I expected better singing from Olly tonight’
‘Given the quality of the semi-finals, I think Olly will have to call in sick on Saturday’; ‘Shall we just say that Olly “save his voice” for Saturday’; “Those vocals were s**t, nervous, all over the place and out of breath, I hope they are ready for the final.”
‘People who argue with me vehemently that Olly was not out of tune during his performance God, I love this platform. It really gives a voice to all kinds of people. Too bad they aren’t being listened to either… #eurovision2024
‘Great performance and direction from Olly Alexander at #Eurovision2024, but it would be a big mistake if they broadcast the entire song like this on Saturday. Since there is no stage context wide, it looks like it was 95% a pre-recorded video and he wasn’t actually on stage
The raunchy number saw Olly sensually caressing his hands over the dancers’ shirtless bodies before they started a dance scene and the singer pushed to the beat.
The raunchy performance consisted of intense lighting and close-ups
However, others noticed that Olly’s singing was slightly off and shaky, as it was even hoped he was preserving his vocals ahead of Saturday’s final.
Last week, Olly revealed he had come close to a ‘breakdown’ amid intense pressure for him to quit the competition.
There have been intense calls for him to withdraw due to Israel’s involvement in the show, which has angered fans over the country’s continued bombardment of Gaza.
Olly told me The times on looking dejected at a recent Eurovision pre-party in London: ‘Yes, I was having a hard time that day. I was locked in a room trying not to have a breakdown.
‘Normally you get on stage and turn it on, but I really didn’t feel able to do that.
He continued, “It was hard…I just couldn’t get it done and then I felt ashamed and ashamed of myself.”
Olly also reportedly started crying during his chat with the newspaper, adding: ‘There’s obviously a lot of things I wish were different.
‘And this is so much bigger than me and the Eurovision Song Contest, it really is.
‘Of course I wish there wasn’t a war or this crazy humanitarian crisis. I wish for peace and I have found this experience to be extreme at times. I just felt really sad and distressed.
“But I still believe it’s good for people to come together for entertainment. That’s why I wanted to do Eurovision.’
Last week, Olly revealed he had come close to a ‘breakdown’ amid intense pressure for him to quit the competition
A week before his Eurovision showcase, Olly responded to an open letter signed by Queers for Palestine, a collective of more than 450 queer artists, individuals and organizations asking him to leave the Eurovision Song Contest as part of a protest against Israel’s involvement.
Olly and his fellow Eurovision participants stated that their performances would go ahead.
He said in his statement: “It is important for us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and convey our sincere wish for peace, an immediate lasting ceasefire and the safe return of all hostages.
“We stand united against all forms of hatred, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.
‘We strongly believe in the unifying power of music, which empowers people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections. We feel it is our duty to create and maintain this space, with the strong hope that this will inspire greater compassion and empathy.
The Eurovision Song Contest final will be broadcast on BBC One on Saturday at 8pm.