This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
And Finally Artist News Media
Wild Youth selected to represent Ireland at Eurovision, as Public Image Ltd come in fourth
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 6 February 2023
Dublin pop band Wild Youth have been selected to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Which means, of course, that John Lydon and Public Image Ltd have not.
Both Wild Youth and Public Image Ltd were down to the final six acts shortlisted to go forward to represent Ireland at Eurovision in May. The winner was selected by a public phone vote and two jury votes as part of a special edition of ‘The Late Late Show’ on Irish telly on Friday night.
Although Lydon’s ballad ‘Hawaii’ was commended for it lyrics dedicated to his wife Nora and her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, the song ultimately finished fourth. Many felt that Lydon had lost much of the early goodwill towards him when he said in a radio interview that he felt that Eurovision was “awful”, “disgusting” and “dreadfully phoney”.
Asked ahead of the result on Friday if he had enjoyed his time in Dublin, Lydon replied: “No I have not, but that’s not the point”.
Wild Youth won with their song ‘We Are One’, with a total of 34 points to PiL’s eighteen. The band – who have previously supported the likes of Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi and The Script – said that they wrote their song with the values of Eurovision in mind.
They will now go through to the Eurovision semi-finals in May, performing at the grand final – if they make it through – in Liverpool on 13 May.
Watch Wild Youth’s winning performance here:
