Wild Youth are proud to represent Ireland at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, according to their lead vocalist.
Dublin-based indie rock four-piece were chosen to compete for Ireland at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest with their song We Are One.
They will perform at the semi-final in Liverpool on May 9th with the goal of getting to the final on May 13th.
Lead vocalist Conor O’Donohoe told The Anton Savage Show the competition is “terrifying”, but they are ready to perform
“Pressures and nerves are good,” he said. “It means you care about something, and you just want to do the best you can.”
Mr O’Donohoe said nerves are building up at rehearsals as they film their practice to decide on any changes needed.
“When you do a rehearsal and there's no crows, it’s kind of worse,” he said. “We’re used to playing in crowds and that’s where we come alive.”
“Once the crowd is in it will feel like our own show.”
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Irish TV host and Eurovision presenter Graham Norton previously described Wild Youth as this year’s “dark horses” who stand to do well on the night with their “anthemic pop song”.
Mr O’Donohoe said it was “amazing” to hear Norton’s comments, but they’re focusing on rehearsals.
“To be honest I try to block everything out just leading up to it,” he said. “It's all about the performance so I’m just focusing on that really.”
Mr O’Donohoe said the band are “proud to be Irish” and being able to represent the country was a big reason they decided to take part.
“Ireland is such an incredible country,” he said. “Whenever you see the Euros or the World Cup and the support that Ireland gets when [we] take part in anything.”
Mr O’Donohoe said he thinks Israeli contestant Noa Kirel is strong competition, as well as the French entry La Zarra.
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Main image: Wild Youth performing at the Late Late Show. Image via @wildyouthband on Instagram.
