There aren’t many musical hallmarks capable of crossing social and political boundaries quite like Eurovision. A spectacular characterized for its total aptitude for all things glam, Eurovision has managed to capture the imagination of the world like no other event.
Although Australia’s history with the event has been short, viewers around the country have embraced the ultra-naff celebration with enthusiasm.
Next week, ten local musicians will face off in the hopes of winning the country’s vote to represent Australia in Lisbon. From shimmery indie-pop global hitmakers to national treasure crooners, the lineup of talent ready to face off against the world’s most creative is huge – but who exactly should receive the honour?
We’ve taken a look at the ten artists who’ll compete for the vote….
Sheppard
Having garnered a huge amount of international success in recent memory, Sheppard have the global-crossover appeal required to stun the glitter-crazy audiences of Eurovision.
As total purveyors of anthemic pop, Sheppard combines a sleek yet quirky aesthetic with tight songwriting that guarantees the heartstrings of iPhone-lit arenas are tugged.
Their new track, ‘On My Way’, has already swept the globe in its warm, comforting pop sheen and it’s already got a universal backing, having been added over 20 ‘New Music Friday’ playlists on Spotify upon its release.
The track has all the makings of a Eurovision hit – it’s undeniably jubilant, universal in its message and showcases the act’s knack for crafting mega-catchy, tight and quirky tunes.
Frontman George Sheppard described the song “as being about someone making their way back to the person that they love,” a sentiment sure to get the voters teary-eyed and bittersweet.
Prior to ‘On My Way’, Sheppard’s international successes include receiving a nomination for the World Music Awards ‘World’s Best Song’ award in 2014 with ‘Let Me Down Easy’ and wrapped up a tour in Europe late last year.
The track ‘Coming Home’ gained traction in Europe, sitting at number 1 on the Dutch airplay charts for 5 weeks and was also featured during the highlights reel of every World Cup match aired on Dutch TV.
At home, the band have achieved chart success with 2018’s Watching The Sky landing the Number 1 spot on the ARIA charts, with ‘Coming Home’ nabbing the title of being the#13th most played song on Australia radio that year.
Sheppard – ‘On My Way’
Ella Hooper
Ella Hooper is an Australian national treasure. Although a Eurovision entry may be a far cry from her days donning eye-liner and dreads and commanding stages at Big Day Out, the former rocker has the talent and charisma needed to win over the theatrics-loving Eurovision crowd.
Hooper has revealed the upbeat pop-rock gem ‘Data Dust’ as her entry into Eurovision – an exuberant ditty that dances and dives into the intricacies of a world obsessed with social media. The track’s powerhouse vocal delivery, sleek instrumental and universal message works aligns perfectly with the Euro Vision (we’ll stop now).
Explaining the track on her socials, Ella said, “I realise I’ve spent time feeling almost embarrassed about my naturally high levels of positivity and enthusiasm.”
“I’m never able to be the cool girl that just hangs back, the silent seductress or the pale and interesting type, characters I’m fascinated by and enjoy channeling sometimes but at the end of the day, they just aren’t me.”
What she lacks in glitter, she makes up for in unrelenting positivity and bubbliness.
Ella Hooper – ‘Data Dust’
Kate Miller-Heidke
Taking the mid-’00s Australian indie scene by storm with her eclecticisms, Kate Miller-Heidke makes for a strong contender in Australia’s Eurovision race to victory.
With 13 ARIA nominations and thousands of albums sold at home over the span of her career, Miller-Heidke is one of the country’s most celebrated artists.
‘Zero Gravity’ shows off Heidke’s tantalizing musical background entirely – the track features a warbling bass line and thumping electronics in the vein of any great Euro-dance staple, melded with Miller Heidke’s almost medieval leaning, operatic vocal stylings.
Taking a turn for the eccentric is where Miller-Heidke shines – a trait Eurovision devours with eagerness.
Kate Miller-Heidke – ‘Zero Gravity’
Mark Vincent
This one is undeniably for the nonnas. It may seem like a niche audience, but in the world of Eurovision, they rule the empire with a firm grip. Amidst a see of pop stars and dance bangers, Mark Vincent is delivering the good ole crooner spirit, reminiscent of Frank Sinatra and Perry Como.
‘This Is Not The End’ has all the makings of an epic piano ballad and tells the simple yet poignant tale of a boy with a dream. Vincent is clearly a believer in the power of positive manifestation as the prophecy of the song rings reminiscent of what it’d be like if it were to take out the Eurovision crown.
Having won Australia’s Got Talent back in 2009, ten years later Vincent is still a hallmark of Australian vocal performance. Embrace the shmaltz.
Mark Vincent – ‘This Is Not The End’
Alfie Arcuri
As The Voice winner of 2016, Alfie Arcuri has already swept the nation under his palpitating charm once. His entry, ‘To Myself’, ponders on the topic of serious self-reflection and finding oneself in a world that often feels overwhelming and confusing.
Imagine a single spotlight, a graceful orchestral backing an Alfie standing mid-stage, before erupting into an epic chorale fuelled by the power of hopes and dreams.
It may seem like a safe bet, but it could just be a winner.
Alfie Arcuri – ‘To Myself’
Aydan
At the ripe old age of 18, Aydan is already an Australian reality TV veteran. Having starred on the nation-wide re-boot of ’80s classic Young Talent Time in 2012, Aydan made his return to the silver screen to steal the nation’s hearts once again with his appearance on The Voice in 2018.
Injecting some more youthful spirit into Eurovision’s ether, with ‘Dust’ showcasing a radio-ready alt-pop sound. With percussive guitar pops and a caramel smooth voice, Aydan’s 2014-esque Bieber vibes may be the spark Australia need to conquer Eurovision’s kingdom.
Aydan – ‘Dust’
Electric Fields
Duo Electric Fields are gunning to bring their world-music influenced ’00s-throwback echoing vibes to Eurovision – it’s a sound you just quite can’t pin down to one descriptor.
The duo’s meaningful description of the track encompasses exactly why they could be our perfect exports, “We can do this by becoming aware that we are all here, together, for reasons we’ll never fully grasp,” they explain.
“There’s room for everybody. We are not your worries, we are a beautiful energy that just has the ability to think. So use those thoughts to navigate a path to a new level of freedom. Because in no time we’ll all be dead.”
“Then all of those atoms that make up your body will become part of nature and your energy will also move on to something else,” they continue. “We’re not going to live forever, BUT, that process of impermanence WILL go on forever. Live that, and we really could be the best generation yet.”
Electric Fields – ‘2000 and Whatever’
Leea Nanos
The 16-year-old singer-songwriter Leea Nanos is the youngest ever Australian to represent the nation in Eurovision. The pop stalwart showcases a musical maturity beyond her years, taking cues from current pop superstars like Dua Lipa and Ariana Grande.
“I love the fact that [with my music] I can be unique, be myself, and have a voice and share it with the world – I just love that; there’s nothing else in this world that I connect with more than music,” she says.
Leea Nanos – ‘Set Me Free’
Tania Doko
After sweeping pop fans under her spell with Australian ARIA award-winning pop duo, Bachelor Girl, Tania Doko is back to make us proud at Eurovision.
“As the song suggests, I am giving Aussie audiences a ‘Piece Of Me’, and for me that’s pretty special as I’ve been living in Sweden for ten years and I genuinely miss performing in Australia,” Doko explains.
“For me it’s another reminder of an inescapable truth – that we are all people, not machines,” she continues. “We live in a fast-paced world, and we can all feel like everyone wants a piece of us. But at the end of the day, what’s it all for? Who represents home? Sometimes we forget the ‘why’ and take those closest for granted.”
Tania Doko – ‘Piece Of Me’
Courtney Act
Courtney Act is an Australian icon at this point. Having spent the last ten years combining her artistic output with a fervent fight for social justice, Courtney Act is the perfect artists to represent the nation.
“A sweet 16 years after Australian Idol, I have the chance to show Australia how I have grown as an artist and a performer. I’ve sat at home every year since Guy Sebastian competed at Eurovision in 2015 and have been so keen to be a part of it,” said Act upon releasing ‘Fight For Love’.
Courtney Act – ‘Fight For Love’
