The 2020 edition of Eurovision Song Contest has been cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Over the past few weeks we have explored many alternative options to allow the Eurovision Song Contest to go ahead,” the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the event, said in a statement on Twitter on Wednesday. “It is impossible to continue with the live event as planned.”
This year’s instalment of Eurovision was set to be held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands on May 16. The country, like much of Europe, is currently on lockdown in an attempt to contain the virus.
This marks the first time the competition has not taken place since its genesis in 1956. Eurovision 2020 was set to involve acts from 41 countries.
“I do think it’s the responsible decision,” shares Chris West, the author of a book on the history of Eurovision. Highlighting that to continue with the event in these times would alter the energy of the competition. “It would be rather different — a bit like football matches played to empty stadiums — it wouldn’t be the same thing.”
Australia was set to be represented in the competition by alt-pop trailblazer Montaigne. You can listen to her very excellent competition entry song below.
Watch: Montaigne – ‘Don’t Break Me’
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Eurovision is just one of many high-profile entertainment music events that have been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the postponement of Coachella, Splendour in the Grass and Under The Southern Stars. Whilst Download Festival Australia, South By Southwest, Bluesfest and now, Glastonbury, were all canned entirely.
It’s a harrowing and uncertain time for the music industry. Australia’s $4 billion live performance industry is “on the brink of collapse” without immediate funds from the federal government’s bail-out fund, says Live Performance Australia’s CEO Evelyn Richardson.
