Ireland’s Eurovision Song Contest participant, Bambie Thug, graced the stage at Korjaamo in Helsinki on September 28th, 2024. This was also my first time attending a show at Korjaamo, and before Bambie Thug took the stage, we got to see THE DARKLINGS, a band that hadn’t yet released any music. Because of that, I was expecting a completely different act with a similar name.
As the support act for Bambie Thug‘s Crown the Witch European tour, THE DARKLINGS introduced what they called “cunty music,” a fun and playful style, spiced up with choreographed dancing. This emerging duo, Callum Crighton and Zuzu from the United Kingdom, brought their unique personalities to the show. It was clear they were no strangers to performing on stage. After the show, I did some digging and discovered they both have their own projects, which really showed in their confidence and stage presence. I wish more artists were as lively as they were, but maybe it’s just a difference in genres. I’m more used to seeing edgy metal bands than “cunty music.” Their single, “Eat His Heart,” is now available for pre-save on Spotify.
The headliner of the evening, Bambie Thug, is more familiar to the general audience from the last Eurovision contest, though for Gothic dark dwellers like me, they’ve been well-known long before that. Even though I’ve followed their music for a while, this was my first time seeing them live. I guess I really need to travel more outside of Finland. Personally, I was a bit shocked that Bambie Thug didn’t make it to the Eurovision finals.
Bambie Thug have gained attention for their unapologetically bold, queer-centric performances, blending music with theatricality, often featuring intricate choreography and striking visual aesthetics. BAMBIE THUG also introduced their choreographer, Matt Williams, and the other dancer, whose name unfortunately eluded me. I just wish there had been a proper photo pit at the venue. It wouldn’t just make it easier to get good shots but also safer for the audience. During shows where people are actually dancing and not just standing still, there’s always the risk of getting hit with a heavy camera lens, especially since we photographers can’t always see what’s going on around us while shooting through the viewfinder. Check our photo gallery of the evening here…
The Darklings
Bambie Thug
Photos by Richard Forsman
