Are we still united by music?
By Michael Hartmann. May 11, 2024.
(This story was published on May 11 at 2.42 PM. It was updated with a new main photo at 4.08 PM).
Despite the words “United by music”, the preparations for the grand finale seem to be disrupted by conflicts.
At he center of it all is Joost Klein, the Dutch entry. He has been disqualified from performing in the grand finale later tonight. This happened following allegations made by a woman who reported Klein to the police, according to numerous media outlets.
Today, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) issued a statement:
“The Dutch artist Joost Klein will not be competing in the Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
Swedish police have investigated a complaint made by a female member of the production crew after an incident following his performance in Thursday night’s Semi Final. While the legal process takes its course, it would not be appropriate for him to continue in the Contest.
We would like to make it clear that, contrary to some media reports and social media speculation, this incident did not involve any other performer or delegation member.”
The statement continued:
“We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards inappropriate behaviour at our event and are committed to providing a safe and secure working environment for all staff at the Contest. In light of this, Joost Klein’s behaviour towards a team member is deemed in breach of Contest rules.
Joost Klein, the Dutch entry, is at the center of it all. Consequently, he is disqualified from performing in the grand finale at Malmö Arena in Sweden later tonight.”
As he fled into an elevator, Klein refused to respond to a journalist from the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet:
Joost Klein is a musician, writer and artist whose energetic style combines elements from mainstream pop with happy hardcore and pop punk. He has been praised for his poetic lyrics combined with catchy beats that capture the spirit of youth, according to Eurovision.tv.
In the past few days, social media has been awash with both supporters and critics sharing their honest opinions. Eurvision has caused such a commotion in the past, but this year it might have been for the wrong reasons.
This is Klein’s performing Europapa during the second semi-final:
As a result of the drama, this is probably Joost Klein’s last appearance in Eurovision Song Contest.
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