about their coming out as a non-binary person. Nemo is unlikely to have lasting international success. But will Nemo prove to be a linchpin for the queer community? Nemo’s victory has opened a heated debate about non-binary people in Switzerland. Since Malmö, the ESC winner has repeatedly called for the Swiss authorities to allow third-gender designations on official documents, turning this into a political matter. Plans are even afoot for Nemo to meet Federal Councillor Beat Jans. Politicians across the spectrum recently thrashed out the issue on the prime-time current affairs show “Arena”. It would be interesting to know whether Nemo considers themself to be the queer community’s new icon. And whether Nemo wants to carry this mantle or just focus on music. Time – or maybe Nemo’s next interview – will tell. for a global career. But this is unlikely. “The Code” was certainly a good song – an original combination of drum ’n’ bass, hip-hop, pop and classical showcasing of Nemo’s impressive singing voice in the chorus plus a very personal autobiographical message (“I went to hell and back, to find myself on track”). Yet it was also quite formulaic; the unmistakeable product of an experienced songwriting think-tank and hit factory consisting of Benjamin Alasu, Lasse Nymann and Linda Dale, trimmed from the outset into a suitable format. A song written by Nemo, but also slightly manufactured. We won’t be humming it like “Waterloo” in 50 years’ time. Another factor is that few past ESC winners have gone on to international stardom. There are prominent exceptions to this rule. Abba won the then Grand Prix Eurovision de la Chanson 50 years ago, representing Sweden, while a certain Canadian woman called Céline Dion flew the flag for Switzerland, winning in 1988. Otherwise, acts have tended to disappear as quickly as you can say “douze points”. Some have enjoyed domestic success, but no more than that. Furthermore, previous winners have often benefited from some sort of political or social groundswell – which never bodes well for an act’s musical prospects. Neither Israel in 1978 and 1979, nor Ukraine following the Russian invasion in 2022, won with the best song. Even Nemo’s spiritual predecessor in 2014, Austria’s bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst, will be remembered for raising awareness about discrimination based on sexuality. It is fair to ask whether Nemo would have won ESC if Nemo had identified as a man or a woman and the song had not specifically been The winning song is politically charged: Nemo identifies as non-binary. Video: www.revue.link/nemo Swiss Review / July 2024 / No.4 13
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjYwNzMx