Is  NeonoeN’s Eurovision participation in jeopardy? A video has emerged showcasing the Montenegrin rock band performing their song ‘Clickbait’ at a music festival in June 2023 and this could a breach of the ESC rules. 

RTCG, the Montenegrin national broadcaster is currently investigating the matter and will evaluate this issue along with the EBU, and thus verify if there has been a breach of the Eurovision rules as eligible songs for Eurovision 2025 cannot be published or performed publicly before September 1st 2024.

We will have to wait a tad longer to find out if NeonoeN will be disqualified or will be given the green light to fly to Basel. RTCG has forwarded this matter to the EBU is awaiting an official answer.

RTCG’s press release reads:

The supervisor of the MONTESONG festival confirmed the authenticity of the controversial recording, which was made during the Zabjelo Culture Festival, and informed the management of the Radio-Television of Montenegro (RTCG) and the Association of Pop Artists and Performers (UEUI).

According to the rules of the MONTESONG festival, which are largely harmonized with the regulations of the Eurovision Song Contest, the submitted composition must not be publicly performed before September 1 of the year preceding the contest. This rule ensures the equality of all participants and prevents any advantage.

Members of the band NeonoeN confirmed that they performed with the song “Clickbait” last year and stated that they were not aware of the rules of the contest, according to which the song must not be performed publicly before September 1, 2024.

The organizers of the MONTESONG festival announced that today they requested an official opinion from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) in order to determine whether the rockers from Podgorica, despite the recording and public performance of the song, meet the requirements to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. The final decision will be made after consultation with the EBU.

ntil a decision is made, the status of NeonoeN’s victory at the MONTESONG festival remains uncertain. If it is determined that there has been a serious violation of the rules and an advantage over other contestants, the organizers will make a decision on the new representative of Montenegro at Eurovision 2025 in Switzerland, in accordance with their powers and festival rules.

RTCG and UEUI expressed regret for such circumstances and pointed out that the aim of the rule is to preserve the fairness and transparency of the festival, which achieved an excellent result, providing a completely new platform for the promotion of Montenegrin authors and music. The organizers also confirmed their commitment to preserving the integrity of the MONTESONG festival, stressing that all decisions will be made in accordance with the current rules and in consultation with the EBU.

RTCG is looking into this matter meticously and will not make any rushed or hasty decisions.

RTCG adds:

We want the festival to remain a symbol of transparency and quality, in accordance with Eurovision rules. All decisions will be made in cooperation 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.

The Montenegrin rock band have stated that they were not aware of the September 1st rule regarding a public performance of an entry.

NeonoeN have stated:

We were not aware that public performance of the song before September 1, 2024 is against the rules of the competition. We believed that the essential condition is for the song to be unpublished. We will respect every decision of the organizers and the EBU.

Montenegro is back at the Eurovision Song Contest after a 2 year hiatus and held a national final for Eurovision 2025 aka Montesong 2024.

NeonoeN were crowned the winners of the Montenegrin national final and were selected to fly the Montenegrin flag at ESC 2025 in Basel with their entry ‘Clickbait’.

Source: RTCG
Photo credit: RTCG