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The Weirdest Eurovision Song Contest Performances

Watch 10 of The Weirdest, Wackiest, and Most Outrageous Eurovision Performances of All Time

May 12 2023

The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest is well underway, and although we don't yet know the fate of the UK in the competition, one thing is for sure; we're going to be treated to some seriously brilliant, yet bonkers, performances. Whether it's the participant's costumes (we're looking at those massive angel wings, Norway), the theme (remember those vampires, Romania?), or the performers themselves (we'll never forget Russia's techno-dancing grannies), the song contest is always about so much more than singing. It's an eccentric celebration of entertainment and, this year, it takes place in Liverpool on behalf of last year's winners, Ukraine, and the semifinals have already put presenter Hannah Waddingham at the top of our TV favourites list.

Throughout the years, we've seen some of the world's biggest stars begin their careers in the Eurovision Song Contest. From ABBA to Måneskin, the names to come out of the competition are huge. But there's also been a fair few outlandish acts that have had us belly laughing. While there are many hilarious performances to reminisce about, we've whittled it down to our top ten. Ahead of the 2023 Eurovision final, keep scrolling and watch some of the wackiest, weirdest, and most outrageous Eurovision performances from years gone by.

— Additional reporting by Gabriella Ferlita

Image Source: Getty / Vyacheslav Prokofyev

Lordi's "Hard Rock Hallelujah"

Finland's demon-dressing 2006 entry, Lordi, was so popular it actually won the whole contest. At the time, it received the most points ever (alas, that record was beaten three years later). The interesting performance saw nearly everyone on stage donning demonic masks and costumes, and certainly isn't for the faint-of-heart.

The band's popularity continued long beyond the contest. When "Hard Rock Hallelujah" was later released as a single, it made it to number 25 in the UK Top 40. And when 80,000 people sang it in Helsinki's Market Square, they broke a karaoke world record. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Buranovskiye Babushki's "Party For Everybody"

Russia's entry in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest caught attention with its traditionally dressed grandmas, who soon broke free from their peaceful tune to mix it up with some techno dance beats. All this while baking cookies in a kiln. They raised funds for church reconstruction work and also picked up second for their efforts.

It's worth explaining that, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, Russia won't be taking part in Eurovision 2023. The country was banned from the Eurovision Song Contest after they invaded Ukraine in 2022. Russia's national broadcasters went on to suspend their membership of the European Broadcasting Union, which organises the song contest, and means that they won't be participating in future events.

Verka Serduchka's "Dancing Lasha Tumbai"

Ukraine's entry for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest pulled out all the stops in the costume department. It was like the Tin Man from "The Wizard of Oz" set up a disco party, complete with a pair of metallic platform shoes and '70s-style sunglasses. But, believe it or not, Dolce & Gabbana was the fashion house behind the costumes.

The entry was surrounded by controversy about a drag artist representing the country, but Verka Serduchka had the last laugh, taking second place — and returning to perform at the song contest in Israel in 2019. Of course, Ukraine went on to win in 2016, and then again in 2022, with the UK now hosting this year's competition due to the ongoing war.

Cezar's "It's My Life"

Romania's entry in the 2013 contest played on stereotypes surrounding Transylvania, by positively embracing the vampire theme. Cezar donned a black sequin cloak to perform "It's My Life," while being surrounded by a troupe of interpretive dancers in blood-red unitards.

But despite the performance being quite a performance to behold, it didn't quite make the cut with voters, finishing in 13th place. Despite its positioning, it was certainly a memorable performance, and one that we'll cherish for years to come.

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Dustin the Turkey's "Irelande Douze Points"

Ireland's 2008 entry was big on pastiche, with puppet Dustin the Turkey taking the spotlight, instead of the focus being on the singer. Believe it or not, this was not the bird's first musical outing. He'd already had quite the history of performances when he joined RTÉ's children's television programme, "The Den", alongside some other furry friends, Zig and Zag, in the '90s. He could also be seen on "The Once A Week Show" with Sinéad Ní Churnáin on RTÉ Two television.

Despite making quite a splash at the semi-finals, unfortunately, Dustin didn't make it to the grand finals. But he did whip up a barrel-load of headlines full of bad puns about turkeys.

Rodolfo Chikilicuatre's "Baila El Chiki Chiki"

Spain's 2008 entry was a comedy offering, if nothing else. Starting off strong with an Elvis look-alike holding a small toy guitar – which didn't serve much purpose other than a mini guitar solo at the start – the singer was surrounded by scantily clad dancers — one of whom kept (intentionally) messing up the moves. It was understandable, then, for the act to have finished in 16th place.

In a meeting of (like-minded) minds, Rodolfo and Dustin the Turkey performed together on a TV show shortly after. Clearly, 2008 was a stellar year for tongue-in-cheek entries.

LT United's "We Are The Winners"

We pretty much expect sparkly outfits from pop stars in the Eurovision final, but Lithuania's 2006 entry looked more like a bunch of middle-age managers in their suits and ties. It was the epitome of "when you finish work at the office at 6pm, but you're on stage at Eurovision at 7pm". Go figure.

LT United did their best to prove they were, indeed, "the winners" with their amazing '90s-boyband-esque dance moves and by screaming "vote" in the listeners faces, but they only managed to reach sixth position. At least we can still look back and enjoy their performance in all its glory.

Winny Puhh's "Meiecundimees üks Korsakov läks eile Lätti"

Estonia's 2013 entry might not have made it past the semi-final stage, but who could forget Winny Puhh? If you dress as werewolves, you'll be remembered. If you dress as wrestlers, you'll be remembered. So if you dress as wrestling werewolves? You're in the hall of fame.

This rock performance was made somewhat even more intense by the costumes, which saw werewolves running about the stage and lying on the floor with guitars-in-tow whilst wearing tiny lycra shorts. It's an image we can't quite get out of our heads, to be honest. And you won't be able to, either, after watching this.

Jedward's "Lipstick"

While there's no denying that Ireland's Jedward are full of energy, their 2011 entry into the Eurovision Song Contest was bags of fun, if not a little strange.

The pair had gained notoriety after appearing on "The X Factor" two years earlier, but took the spotlight again when they graced the stage in red sparkly blazers with larger-than-life shoulder pads which looked like something out of Lady Gaga's wardrobe. Of course, the pair also sported their trademark gravity-defying quiffs as they bounded about the stage like gazelles.

Despite the hook being somewhat of an earworm, the pop duo reached 8th in the competition with the track, although they did get Ireland's best result for 11 years. "Lipstick" went on to hit the charts in Belgium, Sweden, Germany, and Austria, where it landed at number 3. They returned to the competition the following year with their track, "Waterline", but didn't do so well at 19th place.

DJ BoBo's "Vampires Are Alive"

In yet another vampire-themed entry (we're sensing a bit of a theme here), DJBoBo gifted us with the genius that is "Vampires Are Alive" in Switzerland's 2007 entry. This upbeat Europop track was certified cheesy goodness.

Aside from all the candles, and weird and wacky dance moves, there was actually a lack of fangs and bite marks. But there was enough Eurovision-esque costumes on stage during this performance to shake a stick at. If that's not enough, watch until the end to hear their chanting of "vampires", it's a must-see and certainly made the performance that little more . . . interesting.

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