Wild Youth and Johnny Rotten among Eurovision hopefuls

Some big names have entered the race to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool this May.

The international music show is being held in the UK after last year's winner, Ukraine, was deemed unable to host because of the Russian invasion.

Six entries have made the shortlist to represent Ireland at the contest in May, including well-known acts Wild Youth and Public Image Ltd, which is fronted by John Lydon, who was known as Johnny Rotten in his punk days.

They will compete against ADGY, CONNOLLY, Leila Jane, and K Muni & ND on the Late Late Eurosong 2023 Special in February for the chance to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool in May.

Wild Youth are a four-piece band from Dublin, who have a string of top hits in Ireland and have toured with names including Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, and Westlife.

On top of their own sold-out tours of Ireland and the UK, Conor O'Donohoe from the band has also written a string of top hits for other artists and co-written with Moncrief and The Script.

Speaking about reaching the Eurosong final, Wild Youth said: "Eurovision is something we have always loved and would love to represent our country."

London-born Lydon has strong links to Ireland, with his mother hailing from Cork and father from Galway.

Public Image Ltd's song, Hawaii, is described as "a pensive, personal yet universal love song that will resonate with many".

Speaking about the possibility of PiL entering the Eurovision to represent Ireland, Lydon told RTÉ Entertainment in 2018, "Once I see the light through the crack in the door, I’ll go for it. It’s a bit of a dull affair that Eurovision Song Contest, it really does need some proper new blood. Someone who has a great deal of respect for music and all of its possibilities . . . oh!

"Gosh! I guess I’m talking about myself here. Some of the negative nonsense was that I wouldn’t be able to handle big crowds on live TV. Wow! Hahahahahha."

ADGY is a singer-songwriter from Co Donegal, whose music career took off in 2020. Since then, ADGY has accumulated over 10 million streams globally across streaming platforms and radio.

Leitir Meailláin's Jennifer Connolly is in her first year of Creative Music Production at IADT / Sound Training College in Dublin and has had a passion for music since she was a young child.

Leila Jane is an indie pop singer-songwriter based in Dublin who was described as '"one to watch" by Late Date presenter Cathal Murray. Imelda May also selected her to be the recipient of the 'Imelda May Scholarship' at BIMM Institute Dublin, where she graduated with a first-class honours music degree.

Longford duo K Muni & ND describe their song as a testament to their determination. The song chronicles a difficult period in their careers when their music was not receiving the attention they believed it deserved.

Listen to all six acts below:

Song 1: Too Good for Your Love
Performer: ADGY

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Song 2: Midnight Summer Night
Performer: CONNOLLY

Song 3: We Are One
Performers: Wild Youth

Song 4: Wild
Performer: Leila Jane

Song 5: Down in the Rain
Performers: K Muni & ND (Kofi Appiah and Nevlonne Dampare)

Song 6: Hawaii
Performers: Public Image Limited

Wild Youth and Johnny Rotten among Eurovision hopefuls

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