The incredible Kate Miller-Heidke singing her heart, lungs and larynx out for Australia at the Eurovision Final in Tel Aviv. 9th was perhaps lower than I had hoped for, after seeing her and Strange Fruits incredible staging in May - having said that, at least the knowledge that she had made the top ten and we were able to 'cock a snook' towards all those who predicted that this would be Australia's first DNQ was perhaps satisfaction enough! Kate is now preparing for what I am sure will be a sell-out tour of her home nation but Eurovision down under does not stop for anyone!
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I am fortunate enough to be sent press releases now from my 'press adoptive nation', after possessing a 'P' accreditation for Australia in Tel Aviv (thanks for this information to Nikita Jacka at SBS) and therefore I am the bearer of superb news for all fans of Eurovision in Australia and those around the world (like me):
"Eurovision - Australia Decides" (EAD) will return in 2020!
You know how a picture paints a thousand words? Can't remember what the equivalent saying is with video but have a watch...
Remember some of those scenes from earlier this year? I was watching it at a nice morning timeslot in the UK and it was clear to me that we had a contender for 'National Final of the Year' with the first edition of EAD 2019. Extremely slick, well staged, great crowds, superb hosts, entertaining interval acts, the right level of suspense with the voting and of course an amazing array of artists of all levels of experience. Having a mix of newcomers such as Leea Nanos, Alfie Arcuri and Aydan, through to established entertainers such as Kate, Mark Vincent, Ellie Hooper and Tania Doko, meant that we were given a really entertaining show. Add to those the performance art of Courtney Act, the international reach of Sheppard and the realness of Electric Fields, and this was as high powered a line-up as any Melodifestivalen!
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I am looking forward already to this National Final in 2020 but I should stop waffling and provide you all with those details.
"SBS and production partner Blink TV today announced 'Eurovision – Australia Decides' will return to the Gold Coast in February, giving Australians the chance to vote for the artist and song to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in the Netherlands.
In association with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, the City of Gold Coast and Screen Queensland, 'Eurovision – Australia Decides' will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 February and tickets for the Opening Night Show, Matinee Show and Live TV Final are now on sale.
Hosted by SBS Eurovisionaries comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst 'Eurovision – Australia Decides' will showcase the best of Australian music and bring the nation closer to the Eurovision action. Audiences are encouraged to vote for their favourite acts and the winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final broadcast live and exclusively on SBS on Saturday 8 February."
I'll continue with the quotes from the important people in a moment - I want to highlight dates and times at this point:
OPENING NIGHT SHOW Friday 7 February, 7.30pm AEST (Not televised) - Jury Vote
MATINEE SHOW Saturday 8 February, 1.00pm AEST (Not televised)
LIVE TV FINAL Saturday 8 February, 7.30pm AEST
(Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS)
Public Vote and Winner Announced
OPENING NIGHT SHOW Friday 7 February, 7.30pm AEST (Not televised) - Jury Vote
MATINEE SHOW Saturday 8 February, 1.00pm AEST (Not televised)
LIVE TV FINAL Saturday 8 February, 7.30pm AEST
(Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS)
Public Vote and Winner Announced
For those of us that live in Europe, that means the the main shows are at 9.30am GMT (10.30am CET) - quite a civilised time to watch a National Final!
“Following on from Kate Miller-Heidke’s history-making performance in 2019, I cannot wait to see who Australia will choose to represent us in 2020 and the first step on this journey is submitting a song. With a truly diverse and inclusive line up, the inaugural Eurovision – Australia Decides was a great success – and we want this one to be bigger and better than ever! There is such an incredible depth and breadth of musical talent in our country – both established and emerging. SBS has been the home of Eurovision in Australia for more than 35 years and we’re thrilled to be able to provide this exciting new platform for artists to launch original Australian music globally”
The driving force behind this National Final and an integral part of the Australian delegation at Eurovision, Paul Clarke, Creative Director of 'Eurovision - Australia Decides', had this to say, including an early entry for 'tagline of the season':
"Who will wear the crown? Which artist and song will represent Australia at Eurovision 2020? We are delighted to be working with Queensland and The City of Gold Coast to create Australia’s only original song contest for TV. We can promise we have the makings of another excellent Eurovision weekend on the way. There will be some surprises in the format, and some real surprises about who will be competing. Please Eurovision fans, don’t miss out – get your tickets early!"
I know an Aussie fan who already has their tickets for all the shows so it might well be worth following Paul's advice and getting them early (especially as there is a 10% Early Bird discount at the moment). Here is the link for those who can make it Down Under...
That's the most important bits flagged up for us fans but the press release does also talk about how songwriters can submit an original composition for the process. As I do know a couple of such people who will be interested in knowing those details, here they are:
"SBS is again calling on songwriters across Australia to submit an original composition as part of the selection process via sbs.com.au/Eurovision. The song portal is now open for submissions until 30 September 2019. There are no restrictions on the number of songs composers and songwriters, both published and unpublished, can submit.
Songs will be shortlisted and announced later this year, along with the ten Australian artists set to compete for their shot to represent Australia on the world’s biggest stage. Then it’s up to the Australian public and a Jury to decide who will take the stage at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest to compete for Eurovision glory."
Jury Final - 7th February 2020, 7.30pm AEST (10.30am CET / 9.30am GMT)
Public Final - 8th February 2020, 7.30pm AEST (10.30am CET / 9.30am GMT)
Song submissions via sbs.com.au/eurovision until 30/09/2019
All information also at eurovisionaustralia.tv
I am delighted to be able to spread the word about Australia's continued involvement at Eurovision and also excited to be involved in the process for their next National Final. It is up there for me along with Melodifestivalen, Norway's MGP and France's Destination Eurovision already - I am really hopeful that the level of experience and commitment shown by the artists we saw last year at the Gold Coast will be at least matched or perhaps bettered by the class of 2020! I wonder if any will try out again, especially these two 'big hitters':
As soon as I hear anymore, I will let you all know!