Before a competitive note has been hit at the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, contestants have given a taste of the creativity to come.

Stepping out on the opening ceremony’s orange carpet in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Sunday, the performers wore a spectacular mix of glamorous kitsch, bondage gear and customised national costumes.

Fashion police aside, the 41 entrants were targeted outside the Tel Aviv Showgrounds by pro-Palestinian activists.

A social media campaign led by Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters has urged entrants for months to boycott this year’s version of the world’s biggest singing contest because of backlash against its location.

Israel scored hosting rights when its artist Netta Barzilai won last year last year.

Barzilai showed she’d lost none of her wow factor, arriving in a mini with matching puff-sleeved coat that required leotarded helpers to carry it.

On the orange carpet, Australia’s entrant Kate Miller-Heidke – whose song Zero Gravity is inspired by a two-year battle with post-natal depression – said she “thought deeply” about competing.

“Eurovision was created in a spirit of togetherness, the spirit of breaking down barriers between people and using the power of music and art to come together,” she said.

“I’m glad I’m here.”

.@Eurovision has premiered the acoustic video of Zero Gravity! I wanted to give you an insight into how Zero Gravity sounded as it was being written. Although the finished song is dressed up in pop finery, it was fuelled by some pretty raw emotions https://t.co/IBz6TmB8yq pic.twitter.com/4YnEIHfwu0

— Kate Miller-Heidke (@kmillerheidke) May 3, 2019

Going for ‘pretty lady’ rather than novelty, Miller-Heidke chose a grown-up Steven Khalil ballgown.

The sparkly fairy dress was teamed with “funky” Bared orthopedic shoes after the singer last month battled an infection from wearing heels.

Tamta of Cyprus was much more rock chick in an electric blue tutu look with speed dealer sunglasses and boots which physically hurt to look at. Don’t look!

France’s Bilal Hassani styled his hair in the manner of a yummy mummy blogger but otherwise played it low key in a dress and pant combination with frills, tiers, big shoulders and Santa’s belt.

Group act Tulia from Poland paid homage to their nation’s non-existent lobster industry with crustacean-inspired graduation gowns.

Russian entrant Serge Lazarev (left) appeared happy enough with his name-emblazoned suit but was shaded by his song’s co-writer Philipp Kirkorov, who looked like a Versace-addicted extra from Nacho Libre.

Iceland’s industrial techno contestants Hatari wore signature BDSM looks including gimp masks, interpreted to be a silent protest about Eurovision’s 2019 politics. Love the team colours and decision to stick to the band’s shoe budget of $200.

Nitpicking, but Portugal’s Conan Osiris (left) would have been better teaming his sun ray pleated dress with the sandals his mate wore rather than fluoro sneakers. Still, very Prada 2018 meets village funeral.

D mol of Montenegro were like a bridal party given a colour palette and told to choose styles and accessories to suit their personalities. The result: Cruise ship crooners meets the von Trapps.

Jonida Maliqi of Albania was either sending a message or subtly auditioning for the gospel choir which sang at Harry and Meghan’s wedding while using up some leftover satin scraps.

Experimenting with necklaces outside his turtle neck, Luca Hanni from Switzerland had the same groovy vibe as The Brady Bunch’s Peter in that episode when the family formed a group called The Silver Platters.

Ireland’s Sarah McTernan went total Dynasty bombshell. If this is irony, she’s a genius.

Nevena Božović of Serbia paid homage to Game of Thrones, wicked Disney queens, Angelina Jolie at the 2012 Oscars and noblewomen disguised as peasants in medieval dramas.

Keiino of Norway seemed united in enthusiasm but not so much their look. One member was off to the BAFTAs, another to a Macedonian folk expo and the third to a dressy Sunday brunch.

The real action kicks off on Tuesday with the first semi-final for the jury vote before the broadcast of the publicly-voted semi on Wednesday at 5am on SBS.