.
Search

Follow Us

Edit Content
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
  • News
  • Exclusives
  • New Music
  • Reviews
  • Caught Live
  • Future Pop
Facebook Instagram Spotify Tiktok
RPM031 Menu-3
  • NEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Duran Duran Credit Stephanie Pistel (1)

    Duran Duran announce one-off UK show ahead of Halloween extravaganza

    The Girls On Film hitmakers will headline the venue days before their hotly-anticipated Halloween gig at the Co-Op Live in Manchester.

    Kesha Boy Crazy Artwork-4

    Kesha drops expended edition of latest album with JADE collaboration

    The new LP from the singer marks her debut as an independent artist and includes recent singles such as JOYRIDE..

    Oasis Reunion Credit Simon Emmett-4

    Oasis reunion tour launches band back to No. 1 on UK Albums Chart

    The group took to the stage together for the first time in 16 years at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on July 4.

    D-Ream Do It Anyway Press Handout 2025-4

    D:Ream announce new album Do It Anyway

    Due July 25, the LP is preceded by its title song, out now, and dates back 30 years, when singer Peter Cunnah pitched the track to Kylie Minogue. 

  • EXCLUSIVES
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Cascada Studio 24 Handout-4

    Cascada on her Studio 54-inspired new album and 20 years of global hits [Exclusive]

    As they return with their fifth album, Cascada’s Natalie Horler looks back on 20 years of hits and reacts to her recent interview that went viral online.

    Nicki French Who, What, Where Handout Energise-4

    Nicki French considered Eurovision return with new album track: ‘Would they really go for a 60 year old singer… again?’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her new album, Nicki French reveals she almost submitted one track into the running for next year’s Eurovision.

    Pixie Lott Encino Press Handout-4

    Pixie Lott talks new album Encino: ‘When you fall into your authentic self, that’s when the magic happens’ [Exclusive]

    A decade after releasing her self-titled third album, Pixie Lott returns with a body of work that reflects the place she’s at in her life today.

    Betty Boo Rip Up The Rulebook Credit Sandro Hyams-4

    Betty Boo: ‘It’s a philosophy that I have to not let anybody tell you that you can’t be who you want to be!’ [Exclusive]

    As she returns with her epic new album ‘Rip Up The Rulebook’, Betty Boo opens up about creating her most diverse work to date.

  • NEW MUSIC
  • REVIEWS
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    • All
    • 1980s
    • 1990s
    • 2000s
    • Pop
    • R&B / Hip-Hop
    • Dance
    • Rock
    Tom Aspaul Cabin Fever Artwork

    Tom Aspaul – Cabin Fever

    Kim Wilde Closer Artwork Cherry Red

    Kim Wilde – Closer

    Gwen Stefani Bouquet

    Gwen Stefani – Bouquet

    Cascada Studio 24

    Cascada – Studio 24

  • CAUGHT LIVE
  • FUTUREPOP
  • RELEASE RADAR
Home News

Olly Alexander responds to calls to boycott Eurovision Song Contest: ‘We firmly believe in the unifying power of music’

Connor Gotto by Connor Gotto
April 23, 2024
in News
Olly Alexander Credit Matt Healy BBC Universal Music-3

Matt Healy / BBC / Universal Music

49
SHARES
491
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Olly Alexander is among a group of performers who have issued a joint statement about their participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. 

Following calls from hundreds of queer artists, individuals and organisations for the Years & Years frontman to pull out of the competition in light of Israel’s participation amid conflict with Palestine, he and various acts have shared a response. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by olly alexander (@ollyalexanderr)

The singer – who will perform his song Dizzy in Malmö, Sweden – alongside Denmark’s SABA, Finland’s Windows95Man, Ireland’s Bambie Thug, Lithuania’s Silvester Belt, Norway’s Gåte, Portugal’s Iolanda, San Marino’s Megara and Switzerland’s Nemo have signed a letter giving their response.

Don't Miss...

Duran Duran announce one-off UK show ahead of Halloween extravaganza

Kesha drops expended edition of latest album with JADE collaboration

“We want to begin by acknowledging the privilege of taking part in Eurovision,” they say. “In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent. It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages. 

“We stand united against all forms of hate, including antisemitism and islamophobia.”

The letter continues: “We firmly believe in the unifying power of music, enabling people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections,” it continues.

“We feel that it is our duty to create and uphold this space, with a strong hope that it will inspire greater compassion and empathy.”

In response to the statement, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) says it “welcomes” their stance, adding: “However, by participating in Eurovision alongside apartheid Israel while it carries out its live-streamed genocide against 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza, armed and enabled by many European governments, the contestants would be complicit in artwashing these crimes.

“Feigning symbolic gestures of support while dismissing the call of the oppressed reflects a patronising and colonial attitude on the part of the contestants that is familiar to Palestinians, and many oppressed communities globally.”

“Israel is defying the World Court and the UN Security council. This means everyone has a responsibility to end complicity in supporting or covering up its crimes.

“We call on all Eurovision contestants to withdraw from the contest, as a meaningful gesture of solidarity and to fulfil this moral responsibility to do no harm.”

Alexander also issued a direct response to Queers For Palestine, which “sent [him] their letter asking [him] to withdraw from the ESC earlier this week”, he shared in a social media post.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by olly alexander (@ollyalexanderr)

“I wholeheartedly support action being taken to demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the return of all hostages and the safety and security of all civilians in Palestine and Israel,” his statement begins.

“I know some people will choose to boycott this year’s Eurovision and I understand and respect their decision. As a participant l’ve taken a lot of time to deliberate over what to do and the options available to me.

“It is my current belief that removing myself from the contest wouldn’t bring us any closer to our shared goal. Instead, I’ve been speaking with some of the other EV contestants and we’ve decided that by taking part we can use our platform to come together and call for peace.

“I hope and pray that our calls are answered and there is an end to the atrocities we are seeing taking place in Gaza. I’d like to thank the many signatories of this letter whose work I deeply admire and respect and hope that we can continue to work together in creating a better world for all of us.”

Tags: EurovisionOlly AlexanderPop
Connor Gotto

Connor Gotto

Founder and editor of RETROPOP. Self-proclaimed pop aficionado. Usually seen with a wine in hand.

More Like This

Duran Duran Credit Stephanie Pistel (1)
News

Duran Duran announce one-off UK show ahead of Halloween extravaganza

by Connor Gotto
July 16, 2025
Kesha Boy Crazy Artwork-4
News

Kesha drops expended edition of latest album with JADE collaboration

by Connor Gotto
July 14, 2025
Sugababes Press When The Rain Comes 2023
New Music

Sugababes unleash latest banger Shook

by Connor Gotto
July 9, 2025
D-Ream Do It Anyway Press Handout 2025-4
News

D:Ream announce new album Do It Anyway

by Connor Gotto
July 9, 2025
Deacon Blue Credit Cameron Brisbane
News

Deacon Blue star James Prime dies aged 64

by Connor Gotto
June 20, 2025

Follow Us

The RETROPOP Edit

Never miss a story - sign up to RETROPOP's Daily Edit newsletter for free!

Please wait...

You're in! Keep an eye on your inbox for all the latest!

The Latest

Duran Duran Credit Stephanie Pistel (1)

Duran Duran announce one-off UK show ahead of Halloween extravaganza

July 16, 2025
Kesha Boy Crazy Artwork-4

Kesha drops expended edition of latest album with JADE collaboration

July 14, 2025
Oasis Reunion Credit Simon Emmett-4

Oasis reunion tour launches band back to No. 1 on UK Albums Chart

July 14, 2025
RETROPOP No. 31 : Sept '24
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
Change privacy settings
MEDIA KIT

RETROPOP participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.

Copyright © 2025 Irresistible. All rights reserved.

  • Home
    • Home – Layout 1
    • Home – Layout 2
    • Home – Layout 3
  • News
  • Fashion

© 2025 JNews - Premium WordPress news & magazine theme by Jegtheme.

CloseMenu

New issue out now

SHOP HERE