Are you the next Bambie Thug? RTÉ launches search for Ireland's 2025 Eurovision act

The search for Ireland's next Eurovision contestant began today, Monday, September 23.

RTÉ says it wants to hear from artists, performers, and songwriters who are interested in representing Ireland at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, which will be held in Basel, Switzerland in May 2025.

Accomplished songwriters with a proven track record of success in the music industry are invited to submit an original song (with a suitable performer or performers attached) to be considered to represent Ireland.

The original song must strictly comply with the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. 

Applications will only be accepted through the online form on RTE.ie/Eurovision. 

Entries will be considered carefully by a panel of music and entertainment industry professionals and/or Eurovision fans selected by RTÉ. Performer(s) may be invited to audition in the RTÉ studios in Dublin.

A shortlist of songs and artists may subsequently be invited to perform on television early in 2025 when a winner will be selected to represent Ireland in accordance with a selection process to be confirmed by RTÉ.

RTÉ reserves the right to replace suggested performers with performers/artists nominated by RTÉ, and to match them with songs received.

The closing date for submissions is 6 pm on Monday, November 18.

Michael Kealy, RTÉ Eurovision Head of Delegation, said: “Our 2024 entry Bambie Thug bewitched audiences and came sixth at the Eurovision in May in Malmo – it was Ireland’s best result since 2000. 

“Bambie’s song ‘Doomsday Blue’ has had over 24 million streams to date on Spotify. Their performance at the Grand Final has had 9.4 million views on Eurovision's official YouTube channel.

“Eurovision is an amazing opportunity for any Irish act to catapult themselves onto the world stage. Bambie Thug performed at Electric Picnic in August and is currently on a 30-date tour across Europe with sold-out shows in Manchester, Glasgow, Amsterdam, Cologne, Helsinki, Dublin, and Galway.

“Representing your country and performing at Eurovision is an experience unlike any other and can open doors beyond your imagination. If you think you have what it takes to be our Irish representative in Basel next year we’d love to hear from you!”

RTÉ notes that the Eurovision Song Contest is the world's biggest live music show and one of the most popular annual television events on the planet. The contest reaches hundreds of millions of viewers in Europe and worldwide on social media platforms and is particularly popular with youth audiences and younger adult viewers.