MSc student takes on role as Juror for 2024 Eurovision Song Contest

LJMU Audio and Video Forensics Masters student and Music Producer, Brian Sheil was selected as a juror for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, which was held in Malmo, Sweden, on Saturday 11 May. Brian represented Ireland as a juror for the grand final which took place over the weekend. 

Reflecting on his role, Brian said, "It was a tremendous honour to be asked by my host broadcaster here in Ireland, RTÉ, to represent Ireland as a Juror for the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final – what an incredible experience".  

“Eurovision is a celebration of diversity and creativity in music,” he continued, “I was excited to contribute to this global music event, the world’s biggest music show and competition. Representing your country on any level, especially in this tough industry, was fantastic.” Brian added that it was tough to keep this news under wraps for months but that it was ultimately worth it.  

Brian’s music production work has garnered over 23 million streams worldwide and has no less than x8 Number 1’s, including a Number 1 in the Official Irish Album Chart. For his work on Derek Ryan’s, album ‘The Simple Things.’  

The Eurovision Song Contest, organised by the European Broadcasting Union, is the world's largest non-sporting TV event, attracting over 160 million viewers—surpassing the Super Bowl's audience in the United States.   

Brian believes that music should serve as a safe space for all artists to express themselves authentically, “Music has the power to unite and empower individuals from all walks of life. It allows artists to share their stories, emotions, and experiences with the world.”  

He also praised Liverpool, last year’s Eurovision host city, “Liverpool did a smashing job. We Irish have more in common with the community of Liverpool than we think. The welcome the city gives you is second to none. It’s the people that make Liverpool. What a city! What a spirit.”  

On his Masters course at LJMU, Brian said that the course has given him a new perspective on the music/audio business, copyright, and how artificial intelligence will be the key player in the future. “You can’t outsmart science. I embarked on this journey to blend forensic science with the music business. It might have sounded mad a decade ago, but now AI and AV forensic skills intersect perfectly, especially in protecting copyrights. I want to use those skills, knowledge and risk awareness to help businesses and the wider policing and security agencies worldwide.”  

As he prepares to work on his dissertation, Brian credits the phenomenal support he has received from industry leaders globally.   

Read more about the MSc programme in Audio and Video Forensics in association with Merseyside Police, led by Programme Leader Colin Robinson and Dr. Karl Jones, here.  

Read about last year’s Eurovision hosted in Liverpool on behalf of Ukraine.