Less than an hour into Eurovision’s first round of semi-finals, it was evident that one performer stood out.
But it’s not precisely what people expected, with rockets, artists stripping, and a forceful message.
Croatia’s Act Let 3 produced a performance that fans dubbed “absolute chaos” with their song Mama SC.
The band began their performance with a chant that gradually spiralled into the alphabet as they marched on stage wearing various army outfits and sporting moustaches, sandwiched between Ireland’s show Wild Youth and Switzerland’s performance.
The band of five musicians, Damir Martinovi, Zoran Prodanovi, Ivan Boji, Draen Baljak, and Matej Zec, sang an anti-war message.
As their three-minute performance progressed, it became increasingly crazy, repeating the phrase, ‘Mother purchased a tractor.’
By the end, the vocalists had stripped down to their pants, carrying huge missiles on stage as they yelled about war.
Fans enjoyed every second of it, turning to social media to express their feelings about the mayhem.
Croatia: Classic Eurovision – completely bonkers, no idea whats going on, native language, absolute chaos. Love it. 8/10 #Eurovision2023
— Will Pearse (@will_pearse13) May 9, 2023
‘Croatia: Classic Eurovision – completely bonkers, no idea whats going on, native language, absolute chaos. Love it. 8/10,’ one fan wrote.
Someone else penned: ‘I think this Eurovision might have gone peak Eurovision already in the first semi finale with this performance from Croatia.’
‘Croatia is everything Eurovision is all about,’ someone else said.
‘Croatia understood the assignment,’ another penned.
The remaining non-qualified countries compete in the second round of semi-finals on Thursday before the grand final, with the top ten from the second heat progressing to the grand final.
The remaining nations are eliminated from the competition and will not perform again on Saturday night (though they can vote in the grand final).
The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals are on May 9 and 11 on BBC One at 8pm. The grand final is on Saturday May 13 on BBC One at 8pm.
