ROTTERDAM, The Netherlands – An organization of 4 Italian rockers won the Eurovision Song Contest in the early hours of Sunday, giving one of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic a reason to celebrate.
But in an unexpected turn of events, Eurovision organizers announced that the band’s lead singer had been asked to conduct a drug check to refute the hypothesis that he inhaled cocaine during the show.
Damiano David “will pass voluntary drug control after arriving home,” the European Union broadcaster said Sunday, noting that the organization “vigorously refuted the allegations of drug use” that arose on social media after the singer gave the impression of being leaning around the table during the concheck.
When asked at a post-victory press convention if he had inhaled cocaine during the show, David responded that he was not using drugs and indicated that he had bowed because some other member of the organization had damaged a glass on his feet.
In his statement, organizers said the organization had asked David to take a drug test to avoid speculation.
Maneskin’s victory is Italy’s third victory in this incredibly popular contest and the first since Toto Cutugno took the honor in 1990.
The music festival was cancelled last year in the midst of the pandemic, but this year’s occasion at Rotterdam’s Ahoy Arena with its strict testing regime and hygiene protocols was felt as a step towards a post-COVID-19 return to live entertainment.
“We believe that the total occasion was a relief. We believe we are grateful . . . having had the chance to be a component of this great occasion,” David said.
“This Eurovision is a lot, I think, for the whole of Europe. It’s going to be a lighthouse. So thank you all. Really,” he added.
Italy, a bookmaker’s favorite, followed Switzerland, France and Malta after national juries voted, but were boosted to victory thanks to public votes.
“The audience is the ultimate, of course,” said bassist Victoria De Angelis.
“So the fact that so many other people vote for us is the most significant thing, because it means that those other people come to our concerts, pay attention to our music. And that’s much more valuable than a jury.
A crowd of 3,500 fans, all of whom tested negative for coronavirus, watched the finalists perform live.
Maneskin is Danish for moonlight, a tribute to De Angelis’ country house. The band, which perfected their musical taste on the street in Rome, won with a total of 529 numbers in france’s position at the time. the national jury vote, ended third.
British singer James Newman’s song “Embers” did not arouse any love and got no point, completing the latter, just as the UK did at the last Eurovision two years ago.
American rapper Flo Rida failed to translate his stellar strength into themes for the small access to San Marino that he sang through Senhit and ended with only 50 issues.
For kitsch lovers, German singer Jendrik played a sparkling ukulele and danced with a woman dressed in a giant hand suit who optimistically appeared the sign of victory. It ended near the end.
Lithuanian band The Roop danced in yellow costumes in an ironic homage to synth pop from the 1980s.
Pravi’s song. ” That sober ballad that was built on a swirling crescendo swirling on a largely obscured stage, but there’s still a lot of extravagant spectacle that has become the hallmark of Eurovision.
Norwegian singer Andreas Haukeland, whose TIX call level is a reference to the development of Tourette’s syndrome, sang “Fallen Angel” on a pair of white wings chained to 4 demons.
At the end of the spectrum, the Finnish band Blind Channel played their song “Dark Side” amid pyrotechnic explosions and Ukraine Go_A played amid skeletal white trees.
Previously: Eurovision Song Contest returns despite coronavirus pandemic
Before the show, crowds piled up outdoors in the sand of the Dutch city of Rotterdam, and drag queens minged with families as a boy in a gold suit waited to enter the room.
Milo Mateo and Carlo Sossa, dressed in matched hats covered in sequins and covered with Italian flags, arrived from Italy for display and awaited a victory from Maneskin, as he would bring next year’s festival to Italy.
“If we win, it will be very, very nice, next year it will be in Italy. That’s great. Let’s cross our fingers,” Matthew said as he waited to enter the arena.
The popular Icelandic band Dadi og Gagnamagnid, known for their kitsch dance moves and recreational green costumes, was unable to perform live as a member tested positive for the virus in the previous week. Instead, the audience saw a recording of one of the band members. dressed essays.
“The purpose was to pass and find out what it was like to compete in Eurovision, and that doesn’t happen,” lead singer Dadi Freyr said from isolation in Rotterdam.
Maneskin singer David said victory is a confirmation of the band’s career path that began with them on the streets of Rome.
“We feel that everything we’ve done since the day we met and from the day we started playing and betting on the street makes sense and is a value,” he said.