Trouble in Montenegro! NeonoeN risk Eurovision 2025 entry being disqualified.
After winning Montenegro’s national final for Eurovision 2025, Montesong, less than a week ago, the winning song “Clickbait” by NeonoeN might not even make it to Basel next May, as reports have come in that “Clickbait” has been performed prior to September 1st 2024, which is a breach of Eurovision rules.
Montenegrin broadcaster RTCG and the Association of Artists and Performers in Montenegro, who jointly organised Montesong this year, are verifying the authenticity of a video that has surfaced online, showing NeonoeN performing “Clickbait” at the Festival Kulture Zabjelo music festival in 2023.
This performance of “Clickbait” goes directly against Eurovision rules and Montesong rules, which state that songs cannot have been released or performed prior to September 1st of the year before the Eurovision year they are participating in.
The Director of Montesong 2024 has said on Instagram: The decision on the potential disqualification will be made tomorrow, after consultation with the European Broadcasting Union, the organiser of the Eurovision Song Contest.”
As of today, RTCG report that the Supervisor of Montesong 2024 has confirmed the authenticity of NeonoeN’s performance of “Clickbait” in 2023, and that they have informed the management of RTCG and the Assocation of Artists and Performers in Montenegro.
The broadcaster also reports that the organisers of Montesong 2024 have requested an official opinion from the EBU to determine if NeonoeN, despite their performance of “Clickbait” before September 1st 2024, meet the requirements to compete in Eurovision 2025. The final decision is expected to be made after the broadcaster’s consultation with the EBU.
NeonoeN in jeopardy!
Until a decision has been made with the EBU and RTCG, NeonoeN’s participation in Eurovision 2025 remains uncertain, as RTCG report. If it is determined that there has been a serious violation of the rules, and that the band has had an advantage over the other contestants, the organisers of Montesong will make a decision on a new representative for Montenegro at Eurovision 2025, in accordance with their power, and Montesong rules.
NeonoeN have also spoken out about this on Instagram, saying that the clip online of them performing “Clickbait” at the Festival Kulture Zabjelo is genuine, but claim that they were performing one of the song’s working versions. They also claim that the song has not been published commercially, or exploited in any other way, and therefore could not have a competitive advantage. They maintain that their victory at Montesong 2024 is fully deserved.
The band has also confirmed that they were not aware of the Eurovision and Montesong rules: “We were not aware that public performances of the song before September 1st 2024 is against the rules of the competition. We believed that the essential condition was that the song should be unpublished. We will respect every decision of the organisers and the EBU.”
RTCG and the Association of Artists and Performers in Montenegro have expressed their regret over this whole situation, and have pointed out that the goal of the rules is to preserve the fairness and transparency of Montesong, which proved to be a great success. The organisers have also comfirmed their commitment to preserving the integrity of Montesong.
“We want the festival to remain a symbol of transparency and quality, in accordance with Eurovision rules. All decision will be made in co-operation with the European Broadcasting Union, in order to ensure fair treatment for all participants. Also, we want to emphasize that there will be no hasty decisions, which is why it is important for everyone to show patience and understanding at this time.”
NeonoeN are a Montenegrin rock band formed in Podgorica in 2012 as Neon. Despite being formed in 2012, they didn’t release their first song until 2018, “Ti i ja solo”. In 2023, they changed their name from Neon to NeonoeN and accompanied this change with the production of two unreleased singles, which were premiered at the Zabjelo Cultural Festival. They won Montesong 2024 after achieving second place with both jury and televote.
What are your thoughts on the potential disqualification of “Clickbait” from Eurovision 2025? Do you think we will still see NeonoeN at Eurovision 2025? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below!
Photo credit: NeonoeN
