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Our Favourite Interval Acts
Performances used to introduce the show and fill time whilst the final voting takes place but over the years have proven to be worthwhile entertainment... for one reason or another!
Alongside the song contest and appearances from local and international personalities, performances from non-competing artists and musicians have been included since the first edition, and have become a staple of the live show. These performances have varied widely, previously featuring music, art, dance and circus performances, and past participants are regularly invited to perform, with the reigning champion traditionally returning each year to perform the previous year's winning song.
The contest's opening performance and the main interval act, held following the final competing song and before the announcement of the results, has become a memorable part of the contest and has included both internationally known artists and local stars.
2016 - Sweden
Mans Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede, "Love Love Peace Peace"
Måns Zelmerlöw and Petra Mede find out how to create the perfect Eurovision Song Contest songs.
A very special and memorable performance.
Lyrics:
Step 1! Get everyone's attention. A powerful, majestic start. Maybe a battle horn of some kind?
Step 2! Drums! There has to be drums! It doesn't hurt if the drums are played by gorgeous topless men. It's proven very efficient throughout the years. But, please feel free to try other alternatives.
It's proven very helpful to go the exact opposite way. Use a grandmother!
Step 3! Show the viewers your country's ethnic background by using an old traditional folklore instrument that no-one's heard of before
No, no - in this case, it's proven much more efficient to not use a young model. Go with an old man instead. A beard helps!
[Måns]: This instrument is called a Swedish kvinnaböske - a small roundish piece from the horn family, inherited from the Vikings. Just make something up. No-one will know!
Step 4! In Eurovision, nothing says winner like a violin. Trust us - bring a violin
Step 5! The violin, the drums and the kvinnaböske might make it all feel a little bit old fashioned, but this can easily be fixed by adding a DJ who pretends to scratch. In real life of course, this is thirty years old but in Eurovision, it will give your number a contemporary feel
Step 6 - costumes! You need to look memorable, something that the viewers will notice.
Oh! Perfect!
Step 7! The song. Everything else might be important, but the song is essential. Let it be about something everyone can connect to. Love works. Peace is also a popular way to go
[Måns]: Yes, peace is good. ABBA actually won the competition with a song about war with Waterloo, but this is not something we recommend
Now when you have everything you need and the pieces are gathered - go for it and don't look back!
Let the song begin with passion
Let the wind begin to blow
You can break the rules of fashion
And your chance to win shall grow
Look into the TV camera
So the audience can see
[Måns]: That you're lovable - not desperate
Smile and they will vote for me
Fill the stage with light
As dancers will join us
The expectations grow
It's time for the chorus
Love love peace peace
[Måns]: Old women baking bread
Peace peace love love
And a man in a hamster wheel
Love peace peace love
Make it unforgettable
You will be the best
And win the Eurovision Song Contest
Now we'll go down a notch
Our hands will touch
Pretending we're in love
It's you and me and when we change the key
We'll give the world a show
It begins to snow
Love love peace peace
And a burning fake piano
Peace peace love love
[Måns]: And a Russian man on skates
Love peace peace love
It'll be incredible
You will be the best
Love love peace peace
[Måns]: Party for everybody!
Peace peace love love
More tricks in a hamster wheel
Love peace peace love
And we can guarantee
That you will be the best
And win the Eurovision Song Contest
And win the Eurovision Song Contest
1994 - Ireland
performer - "Riverdance"
Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting mainly of traditional Irish music and dance. With a score composed by Bill Whelan, it originated as an interval performance act during the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, featuring Irish dancing champions Jean Butler, Michael Flatley and the vocal ensemble Anúna.
Shortly after the Eurovision performance, husband and wife production team John McColgan and Moya Doherty expanded it into a stage show, which opened in Dublin on 9 February 1995. Since then, the show has visited over 450 venues worldwide and been seen by over 25 million people, making it one of the most successful dance productions in the world.
1988 - Ireland
Hothouse Flowers, "Don't Go"
The song was performed by the Hothouse Flowers as the interval act of the 1988 Eurovision Song Contest held in Dublin, Ireland.
The version used was the single version, not the LP mix, with the exception that the broadcast version was longer. The song is featured on an episode of the Irish sitcom Moone Boy.
* This video is not the Eurovision performance
This is a live performance from 1988 at the Diamond Awards festival in Antwerp, Belgium.
2020 - Netherlands
Most Iconic
Opening & Interval Acts Compilation
After all the songs at the Eurovision Song Contest have been performed it is time for the host broadcaster to show their best efforts with the interval act.
Compilation produced for the Netherlands, "Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light" show of 2020
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