As Dami Im belted out a perfect version of her hit single Super Love in a packed bar attached to a theatre overlooking Stockholm’s bustling Gamla Stan (Old Town) she caught herself in the moment and allowed the audience to sing the last two choruses of her hit. It’s obvious this opportunity is not lost on her.
She admits “I’m overwhelmed by this. It really is a dream come true”.
And when she started singing “The Sound of Silence” it was then that the room realised that this artist and this song could have Australia on the verge of doing the unthinkable…winning the Eurovision Song Contest.
The captivating Julia Zemiro, a huge fan favourite in her own right, and the unflappable Toby Truslove introduced Im to the audience and offered some words of wisdom in their preamble.
“It was very nice of Sweden to invite us back” Zemiro began. “Well, we did make ABBA famous so it’s the least they could do” she mused.
Zemiro went on to praise Dami Im’s resilience during the slog that is the Eurovision fortnight.
“It has been a delight and an honour to watch [Dami] work this week,” said Julia.
Truslove added that “everyone just wants to meet her,” musing that it’s “all I’ve been asked” during his first stint at the contest.
During the short question and answer that followed Dami’s set Im laughed and said that the Swede’s should be thankful for the Aussies bringing the brilliant sunshine (the Swedish capital is in the midst of an unseasonal heatwave).
When asked by an audience member when she first came across Eurovision she replied “watching it at a friend’s house. It was weird and…different to anything else I’d seen. So much drama. And glitter”
“I always thought I did not fit in anywhere and this is where I belong. A contestant on this crazy show.”
*Cue rapturous applause.*
Im went on to praise her Australian and European supporters. “I don’t think I’ve experienced fans this supportive before. You guys are…crazy”.
*Cue more rapturous applause.*
It was then that Im pointed out Alice, a Eurovision fan whizzed half-way around the world by her boyfriend as a surprise 30th birthday gift. Alice’s Eurovision got a little bit more wonderful as she shared the stage for a moment with Dami, Julia and Toby. There’s magic here. Glittery fabulous magic.
After the collective audience learnt to say Good Luck in Korean it was Zemiro who summed up the joy and energy of the contest.
“I’ve been hosting this event since 2009” explained Julia. “And what I love most about it is hearing the contestants talk about their love of music”.
And with that, Dami was whisked off stage and bundled into a car for her next event a performance of our song at the Eurovision Village. And so Dami’s crazy ride continues…
The Eurovision Song Contest will be broadcast on SBS’s Eurovision Weekend - Friday 13, Saturday 14 and Grand Final Sunday 15 May, 7.30pm on SBS, with LIVE early morning broadcasts from 5am on Wednesday 11, Friday 13 and Sunday 15 May.
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