Whether you're a fan of the cheese or hate it with a passion, there's no escaping this time of the year when Europe (and other non-European countries) all send their best representatives in song.

The first 'Eurovision Song Contest' semi-final kicked off last night in Turin, Italy, gifting Europe and the rest of the world with plenty of spectacle, comedy, solid musical bops, and complete and utter unrelenting madness.

From Norway and their banana-eating wolves, the countless rock bands and slow ballads, Latvia and their interesting love for vegetables, to favourites Ukraine and their Slavic rap number, it was a generally enjoyable opening of the competition.

Of the 17 countries that took part, only 10 were able to make it through to the live final on Saturday night. Now all eyes are firmly set to tomorrow night when Ireland and our hopeful Brooke Scullion will be competing in the second semi-final.

Hoping to qualify for Ireland for the first time since 2018, Scullion will face stiff competition from the likes of hit-makers Sweden, an all-inclusive number from Israel, San Marino's Måneskin lookalikes, plus The Rasmus who will be representing Finland.

The 10 countries that qualified last night were Switzerland, Armenia, Iceland, Lithuania, Portugal, Norway, Greece, Ukraine, Moldova and Netherlands.

Here are some of the best tweets from last night's opening semi-final of the competition.

It's the week where we all lean into the glitter and the feathers, let's be honest.

Legend has it that Albania is still spinning that ponytail.

Devastated for Latvia.

Ouch for Switzerland, who were the first country revealed to have qualified for the final.

Moldova and their folk/disco were a surprise hit.

It's a very ballad-heavy 'Eurovision' year in fairness.

The 'Eurovision' wolves were out in force for Norway.

There was a lot of love for Iceland.

And finally, a humbling note that Ukraine still remains the only country in the 'Eurovision' to qualify every single year since the semi-finals were introduced in 2004.

Catch 'Eurovision' semi-final two this Thursday on RTÉ 2 at 8 pm. Watch last night's competition on the RTÉ Player.