Australia to compete at Eurovision 20170:22
Dami Im came second this year - now Australia is going back for more Eurovision fun in 2017.
The search for Australia’s next Eurovision star is on with a long list of possibilities headed by Tina Arena
THE next pop star to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017 faces the daunting challenge of bettering Dami Im’s phenomenal performance this year.
And organisers are already on the hunt for an artist capable of winning the title after Im narrowly missed out on first place with Sound of Silence in May.
The European Broadcasting Union confirmed on Monday that Australia is back in the hunt for the title next year.
According to the man who convinced Europe to invite us to their singing party, Head Of Delegation Paul Clarke, our representative has to be distinctly Australian, connect with and intrigue SBS viewers and Eurovision fans, be able to charm the European media and deliver jaw-dropping performances every time they take the stage.
While he is keeping his artist wishlist close to his chest for fear of scaring off potential representatives, the early long list would have to include Tina Arena, a Minogue, Darren Hayes and The Veronicas.
Delta Goodrem is out of the running because her schedule with The Voice next year would clash with the Eurovision lead-up.
“What Dami was able to do was to bring Europe to us, they really opened their arms to us,” he said.
“Guy Sebastian and Dami did such great jobs, they put us on the continent. We’ve got it right twice, hopefully third time lucky.”
Dami Im sings for Australia at Eurovision 20160:35
Dami Im sings for Australia at Eurovision 2016
It probably doesn’t hurt to be signed to a major label which has the funds to back the long and expensive campaign to win Eurovision.
Clarke said “lobbying” by Australian managers, songwriters and labels has already begun with SBS expected to decide our contestant in early 2017 ahead of the official unveiling in March.
Among the songwriters Clarke is likely to approach to consider composing our song entry would be DNA Songs who wrote Sound of Silence for Im, and Tame Impala’s creative controller Kevin Parker who is in-demand for his writing after working with Lady Gaga on her Joanne album.
“Obviously there are brilliant independent artists and alternative bands also out there but to be honest, most of them have no interest in doing it,” Clarke said.
“We only have one shot so we have to go with an artist who really wants it and is willing to give themselves over to the whole thing.”
Highlighting Australia’s ethnic diversity also appears to be in the back of the minds of the Eurovision team at SBS, considering the artists who have graced the Eurovision stage in the past three years, kicking off with Jessica Mauboy’s special guest appearance in 2014.
Sebastian managed a very respectable fifth in our first year of competition in 2015.
“The artist has to be distinctive and reflect the SBS brand and the values behind that, which highlight the diversity we have as a culture,” Clarke said.
“That’s not ruling anybody out, it’s a mindset and Guy and Dami did that perfectly.”
But perhaps the biggest requirement of the Australian candidate is to be able to belt the song out of the stadium in Kyiv, Ukraine next May.
“Not everybody can do that,” Clarke said.
Both Sebastian and Im enjoyed significant boosts to their international careers courtesy of appearing at Eurovision with both song releases and tour opportunities.
The 2017 Eurovision field
Tina Arena
The Queen of belting it out of the park, possesses vast resources of charm and elegance and knows how the Europeans tick having lived and worked there for more than a decade. Arena commands the big stages with effortless professionalism and always rocks a glamorous frock.
Kylie or Dannii Minogue
If anyone could win Eurovision, it is our Kylie. But it just wouldn’t be fair to the other 42 countries. So we place our hopes in the underdog sister choosing the Kyiv mega-stage to launch the pop comeback of the year. Yeah, we’re dreaming.
Darren Hayes
The London-based pop prince is overdue for a big moment and Eurovision could be the vehicle for his return to the upper echelons of the charts. Hayes possesses a magical voice which conjures goosebumps just thinking about it.
The Veronicas
Twin sisters who love a stadium stage and can bring the drama to their performance would intrigue the Eurovision diehards who love a bit of quirk with their power pop. They are currently working on their next album so could be enticed to schedule it to coincide with the contest.
Justice Crew
The dance troupe turned chart-topping, sales-shifting pop stars possess so many of the attributes SBS are looking for in the 2017 contestant. Cultural diversity, tick. Can sing, tick. Can blow minds with their moves, tick. Can handle themselves in a press conference, tick.
Montaigne
She may not be a household name here yet but performing at Eurovision would fix that for Jessica Cero. Her debut record Glorious Heights scored her a clutch of ARIA Award nominations and announced a distinctive, compelling pop artist. She is also an incredibly good football player.
Betty Who
Although she is US-based, this Australian pop singer is riding high in the charts here with her hit cover I Love You Always Forever. She is a powerhouse live and dynamic performer with a commanding presence.
Dan Sultan
They don’t come more distinctive or quintessentially Australian than Dan Sultan. That smooth and smoky blues-tinged growl wraps easily around pop melodies while restoring some much-needed rock cred to our cultural cap. When it comes to shaking up a stage, watch out Europe.
Tim Omaji
The all-dancing, all-singing, all-charming pop man so can do Eurovision. The Nigerian-born, Australian singer, songwriter and master of the moves would definitely bring the showbiz needed to wow the discerning audience.
Empire Of The Sun
Eurovision fans tend to be divided into two camps; the lovers of the Big Voice and those who want Big Kitsch. These electronic pop visionaries do costumes better than anyone and love to stage a spectacle with wild choreography and lighting.
Emma Louise
The alternative pop star, Emma Louise already has a following in France and beyond thanks to her breakthrough song Jungle, which soundtracked a long-running Yves Saint Laurent perfume campaign. She has a dramatic flair for live performance which could bewitch the audience.
Originally published as Aussies with a Eurovision shot