Guy Sebastian selected to represent Australia at Eurovision
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Version 0 of 1. Guy Sebastian will be representing Australia at the 2015 Eurovision song contest. The announcement was made by SBS Eurovision co-host Julia Zemiro on Thursday morning at the Sydney Opera House. “Apparently we’re part of Europe,” said Zemiro. Sebastian, the first ever winner of Australian Idol in 2003, has automatically qualified for the contest’s final round, which will take place at Vienna’s Wiener Stadthalle on 23 May and be broadcast live on SBS in Australia. “Australians love to compete, and we wanted to find someone who we can all believe in and get behind, and Guy is the perfect artist to represent Australia and SBS on the world’s stage,” said Michael Ebeid, managing director of SBS. Unlike many other European countries which elect their representatives using a multiple round, nationwide competition, Sebastian was chosen through closed-door negotiations by SBS and co-producer Blink TV with various major record labels. “It’s incredibly exciting to be given the opportunity to perform at the Eurovision song contest,” said the singer, who has had six number one singles in Australia. “It is the biggest music event in the world with an amazing history and tradition and I’m truly honoured to be invited to represent Australia in its first time ever in the competition.” Related: Guy Sebastian: Madness review – shedding Mr Nice Guy in US chart bid Sebastian has yet to decide on his Eurovision entry but suggested he may sing a track from his recent album, Madness. Eurovision rules allows performers to sing an existing song provided it was released after September 2014. Sebastian did not rule out writing a new track, however. When asked if he was comfortable with the kitsch element of the show, Sebastian said: “It’s a dream opportunity – and yes there are some outlandish performances that you don’t expect, but that’s what makes it cool. It wouldn’t be Eurovision unless you had a laugh at some of them.” Guardian Australian music writer Clem Bastow wrote of Madness, which came out in November 2014, that it “marks Sebastian’s continued assault on chart R&B, which is to say, predominantly dull-bordering-on-awful – and yet another sorry reminder that Australia is yet to chip out its own unique spin on the genre.” This marks the first time Australia will compete as an official entrant in Eurovision’s 60-year history and the first time Australian viewers can vote in the competition. Organisers confirmed Australia’s entry in the famously kitsch singing competition is a “one-off”, although have not ruled out guest entries by nations from outside Europe in the future. The only way Australia would be able to extend its participation would be by winning this year’s competition – considered unlikely when traditionally many nations form alliances and vote in blocs that reflect contemporary international politics and cultural affiliations. Related: Eurovision: Turkey has whirling dervishes. Spain has flamenco. Australia has bogans | Mark Humphries “[Guy] has an individual soul voice that suggests the greats like Stevie Wonder and Al Green, but is distinctively his,” said Paul Clarke of Blink TV, SBS’s Eurovision production partner. “He has matured to become a terrific songwriter, and songs like Battle Scars and Linger show his integrity as an artist and the depth of his talent. “Most of all, Guy is an artist that reflects where Australia is now – he is very much a fitting ambassador for our music and our cultural life and not just because of his love of cricket I’m sure he will fly the flag for us wonderfully.” According to the competition rules, the winning country is tasked with hosting the competition the following year. Should Australia win, the country will partner with a European nation which will then host the 2016 Eurovision song contest. Jon Ola Sand, executive supervisor of the Eurovision song contest, said in February it would be remiss to “throw the world’s biggest party” and celebrate 60 years without inviting “the show’s Australian friends”. Eurovision has a 30-year broadcast history on Australia’s SBS. In 2015, the show achieved its highest ratings ever when Darwin singer Jessica Mauboy – along with dancing surfboards, giant koalas, kangaroos and outsized pints of beer – was invited on the show as a guest performer, with local viewership peaking at 1.028 million. Since Australia’s participation was announced in February, public speculation has been rife about who would represent the country. Social media was awash with nominations, including Guy Sebastian, AC/DC and Delta Goodrem. A petition urging eccentric rock act Tism to reunite and represent the country in the competition quickly acquired over 14,000 signatures. Related: Australia joining Eurovision turns the song contest upside down | Stuart Heritage Other favourites Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan quickly ruled themselves out of contention. Although Minogue told the West Australian that she will definitely be watching and cheering for Australian success. “Surely we are well-suited to this. I mean, c’mon, we had prawns on bicycles at the Olympics, we can do this – and wouldn’t it be amazing if we won?” While 2015 marks the first time Australia has entered the competition, previous competitions have seen Australians participate as representatives of other countries. In 1974, Olivia Newton John came fourth in the competition while presenting the UK with Long Live Love. Other past competitors from Australia include Gina G (UK, 1996) and Jane Comerford (Germany, 2006). Swedish-Australian boyband JTR have also progressed to the final round of Sweden’s national Eurovision competition and could go on to face off with Guy Sebastian. Brothers John Andreasson, Tom Lundbäck and Robin Lundbäck moved to Logan, south of Brisbane from their home country of Sweden 10 years ago, and appeared on the 2013 series of X Factor Australia. The show will be broadcast live on SBS at 5am on 24 May, during which Australians will be able to vote along with the rest of Europe. A repeat will be shown at 8.30pm. |