Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020

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Eurovision Song Contest 2020
CountryFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
National selection
Selection process Eurovision – Australia Decides
Selection date(s)8 February 2020
Selected entrant Montaigne
Selected song"Don't Break Me"
Selected songwriter(s)
Finals performance
Final resultContest cancelled
Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2019 •2020• 2021►

Australia originally planned to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Don't Break Me" written by Jessica Cerro, Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci. The song would have been performed by Montaigne. The Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) organised the national final Eurovision – Australia Decides in order to select the Australian entry for the 2020 contest in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Ten artists and songs competed in the national final and the winner was selected by a public and jury vote. [1]

Contents

Australia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 by invitation from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as a "one-off" special guest to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Eurovision. On 17 November 2015, the EBU announced that SBS had been invited to participate in the 2016 contest and that Australia would once again take part. In 2015, Australia was guaranteed a spot in the final of the contest and was allowed to vote during both semi-finals and the final; however, from the 2016 contest and onwards, Australia would have to qualify to the final from one of two semi-finals and could only vote in the semi-final in which the nation was allocated to compete.

Australia was originally drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which would have taken place on 12 May 2020. However, the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) has broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest since 1983, and the contest has gained a cult following over that time, primarily due to the country's strong political and cultural ties with Europe. Paying tribute to this, the 2014 contest semi-finals included an interval act featuring Australian singer Jessica Mauboy. [2] Australian singers have also participated at Eurovision as representatives of other countries, including Olivia Newton-John (1974, United Kingdom), two-time winner Johnny Logan (1980 and 1987, Ireland), Gina G (1996, United Kingdom), and Jane Comerford as lead singer of Texas Lightning (2006, Germany). [3]

Tying in with the goal of Eurovision—to showcase "the importance of bringing countries together to celebrate diversity, music and culture", the 2015 theme of "Building Bridges", and arguing that they could not hold "the world's biggest party" to celebrate the 60th edition of Eurovision without inviting Australia, the EBU announced on 10 February 2015 that the country would compete at that year's edition as a special guest participant. [3] Along with the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom), and the host country of Austria, Australia was given automatic entry into the final to "not reduce the chances" of the semi-final participants. [4] On 17 November 2015, the EBU announced that SBS had been invited to participate in the 2016 contest and that Australia would once again take part, however they would have to qualify for the final from one of two semi-finals and could only vote in the semi-final in which the nation was competing. On 29 May 2019, SBS confirmed Australia's participation in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest after securing an invitation for the sixth year in a row. [5] In 2019, Australia was represented by Kate Miller-Heidke and the song "Zero Gravity". The country ended in ninth place in the grand final with 284 points. On 29 August 2019, SBS announced that they would once hold a national final to select the Australian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. [1]

Before Eurovision

Eurovision – Australia Decides

Eurovision – Australia Decides was the national final in order to select the Australian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The competition took place at the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gold Coast on 8 February 2020, hosted by Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey. Ten artists and songs competed with the winner being determined by a combination of public and jury voting. The show was broadcast on SBS as well as streamed online at SBS On Demand. [6] The national final was watched by 334,000 viewers in Australia. [7]

Competing entries

On 29 August 2019, SBS announced an open submission for interested songwriters to submit their songs online until 30 September 2019. Songwriters were required to be citizens or permanent residents of Australia and songs were required to be in English or an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language. Minor collaborations with foreign songwriters were permitted as long as the majority of the composers/songwriters were Australian citizens or permanent residents. [8] Ten songs were selected for the competition from the received submissions and performers of the selected songs were determined by SBS in consultation with the songwriters. The ten competing acts were announced in three sets between 8 November and 16 December 2019. [9] [10] [11]

Final

The final took place on 8 February 2020. The combination of public votes (50%) and a five-member jury (50%) selected "Don't Break Me" performed by Montaigne as the winner. The jury consisted of Josh Martin (Head of the Australian Eurovision Delegation), Kate Miller-Heidke (2019 Australian Eurovision entrant), Måns Zelmerlöw (winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 for Sweden), Milly Petriella (Director of Member Relations of APRA) and Paul Clarke (Director of Blink TV and Creative Director of Eurovision – Australia Decides) who each distributed points from 1–8, 10 and 12 during the preview show on 7 February 2020 and had a total of 290 points to award. [12] Viewers were able to vote via SMS and the total votes were divided by 290 to determine the quota that would equal to a single point. The number of votes each song gained was then divided by the quota and rounded up to the nearest integer to determine the points an entry would be awarded. [13] In addition to the performances of the ten competing entries, 2016 Australian Eurovision entrant Dami Im, Kate Miller-Heidke and Måns Zelmerlöw performed as the interval acts. [14]

Eurovision – Australia Decides – 8 February 2020
DrawArtistSongSongwriter(s)JuryTelevoteTotalPlace
1 Iota "Life"Jesse Watt1913329
2Jordan-Ravi"Pushing Stars" Mattias Lindblom, Tania Doko, George Sheppard, Martin Eriksson11122310
3 Jaguar Jonze "Rabbit Hole" Deena Lynch, Aidan Hogg1828466
4 Jack Vidgen "I Am King I Am Queen" Jack Vidgen, Andrew Lowden1915348
5 Vanessa Amorosi "Lessons of Love" Vanessa Amorosi, Aleena Gibson, Trevor Muzzy 4240823
6 Diana Rouvas "Can We Make Heaven" Diana Rouvas, Louis Schoorl 2418427
7 Mitch Tambo "Together" Roberto De Sa, Isabella Kearney-Nurse, Andy Hopkins2433575
8 Casey Donovan "Proud"Justine Eltakchi40601002
9 Montaigne "Don't Break Me" Jessica Cerro, Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci 54531071
10Didirri"Raw Stuff"Didirri Peters, Oscar Dawson3924634

At Eurovision

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 28 January 2020, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Australia was placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 12 May 2020, and was scheduled to perform in the first half of the show. [15] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contest was cancelled.

Related Research Articles

A detailed set of rules and obligations, which all participating broadcasters and participants in the annual Eurovision Song Contest must uphold, is produced annually ahead of each edition of the international song contest. These rules are drafted by the contest organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), and approved by the contest's Reference Group, and typically outline which songs may be deemed eligible for entry; the format of the contest; the voting system employed to select a contest winner and how the results of this vote are presented to the televised audience; the overall values of the contest; and distribution and broadcasting rights through television, radio and streaming services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest</span> Australia at Eurovision

Australia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest nine times since its debut in 2015, the second country outside of the Eurasia region to take part in the contest after Morocco in 1980. The country has been in the top ten five times, with their best result being a second-place finish for Dami Im in 2016, followed by Guy Sebastian finishing fifth in 2015 and Isaiah, Kate Miller-Heidke and Voyager finishing ninth in 2017, 2019 and 2023 respectively.

Estonia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Goodbye to Yesterday" written by Stig Rästa. The song was performed by Elina Born and Stig Rästa. The Estonian broadcaster Eesti Rahvusringhääling (ERR) organised the national final Eesti Laul 2015 in order to select the Estonian entry for the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals and a final. Ten songs competed in each semi-final and the top five from each semi-final as determined by a jury panel and public vote qualified to the final. In the final, the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. In the first round, a jury panel and a public vote selected the top three to qualify to the superfinal. In the superfinal, "Goodbye to Yesterday" performed by Elina Born and Stig Rästa was selected as the winner entirely by a public vote.

Denmark participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "The Way You Are", written by Remee and Chief 1. The song was performed by the band Anti Social Media. The Danish broadcaster DR organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 2015 in order to select the Danish entry for the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. Ten songs competed in a televised show where "The Way You Are" performed by Anti Social Media was the winner as decided upon through the combination of jury voting and public voting.

Norway participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "A Monster Like Me" written by Kjetil Mørland. The song was performed by Mørland and Debrah Scarlett. The Norwegian broadcaster Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK) organised the national final Melodi Grand Prix 2015 in order to select the Norwegian entry for the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. Eleven entries competed in a show that took place on 14 March 2015 and the winner was determined over two rounds of public televoting. The top four entries in the first round of voting advanced to the competition's second round—the Gold Final. In the second round of public televoting, "A Monster Like Me" performed by Mørland and Debrah Scarlett was selected as the winner with 88,869 votes.

Portugal participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Há um mar que nos separa" written by Miguel Gameiro. The song was performed by Leonor Andrade. The Portuguese broadcaster Rádio e Televisão de Portugal (RTP) organised the national final Festival da Canção 2015 in order to select the Portuguese entry for the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. After two semi-finals and a final which took place in March 2015, "Há um mar que nos separa" performed by Leonor Andrade emerged as the winner after receiving the most public televotes.

Greece participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "One Last Breath", written by Efthivoulos Theocharous, Maria Elena Kyriakou, Vaggelis Konstantinidis and Evelina Tziora and performed by Kyriakou. The song was selected through the five-participant national final, Eurosong 2015 – NERIT & MAD show, developed by NERIT and organised and produced by the private music channel MAD TV.

Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna, Austria, with the song "I'm Alive" performed by Elhaida Dani. Dani was chosen through the national selection competition, Festivali i Këngës, organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2014. Dani emerged as the winner of contest with the song "Diell"; however the song withdrawn as the Albanian entry at the request of one of the song's songwriters and replaced with "I'm Alive". Prior to the 2015 contest, Albania had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 11 times since its first entry in 2004.

The Czech Republic participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Hope Never Dies" written by Václav Noid Bárta and Tereza Šoralová. The song was performed by Marta Jandová and Václav Noid Bárta, who were internally selected by the Czech broadcaster Česká televize (ČT) to represent the nation at the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. The Czech broadcaster Česká televize (ČT) announced in November 2014 that it would be returning the Eurovision Song Contest after a five-year absence. Jandová and Bárta and the song "Hope Never Dies" were announced as the Czech entry on 31 January 2015. The song was presented to the public on 10 March 2015.

Australia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 by invitation from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as a "one-off" special guest to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Eurovision. The country participated with the song "Tonight Again" written by Guy Sebastian, David Ryan Harris and Louis Schoorl. The song was performed by Guy Sebastian, who was internally selected by the Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to represent that nation at the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. Sebastian was announced as the Australian representative on 3 March 2015 during a press conference in Sydney. The song Sebastian performed, "Tonight Again", was presented to the public on 16 March 2015. The Australian coloratura soprano of Armenian descent Mary-Jean O'Doherty also participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 contest as part of the group Genealogy representing Armenia, but this marked the first time that the country has officially participated.

Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Sound of Silence" written by Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci. The song was performed by Dami Im, who was internally selected by the Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to represent that nation at the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. Im was announced as the Australian representative on 3 March 2016 during the Sydney concert of Conchita Wurst, Austria's Eurovision Song Contest 2014 winner. The song Im performed, "Sound of Silence", was presented to the public on 11 March 2016.

Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Don't Come Easy" written by Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci and Michael Angelo. The song was performed by Isaiah Firebrace, who was internally selected by the Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to represent that nation at the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. Firebrace as the Australian representative and the song he performed, "Don't Come Easy", was announced and presented to the public on 7 March 2017 during an announcement event in Melbourne.

Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "We Got Love" written by Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci and Jessica Mauboy. The song was performed by Jessica Mauboy, who was internally selected by the Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to represent that nation at the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. Mauboy was announced as the Australian representative on 11 December 2017. The song Mauboy performed, "We Got Love", was presented to the public on 8 March 2018.

Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Zero Gravity" written by Kate Miller-Heidke, Keir Nuttall and Julian Hamilton. The song was performed by Kate Miller-Heidke. The Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) organised the national final Eurovision - Australia Decides in order to select the Australian entry for the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. Ten artists and songs competed in the national final and the winner was selected by a public and jury vote.

Eurovision – Australia Decides was an annual song competition organised by Australian public broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) and production partner Blink TV. It determined the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest between 2019 and 2022.

Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Technicolour" written by Montaigne and Dave Hammer. The song was performed by Montaigne, who was internally selected by the Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) to represent that nation at the 2021 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Montaigne was announced as the Australian representative on 2 April 2020 after they were due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Don't Break Me" before the 2020 event's cancellation. The song Montaigne performed, "Technicolour", was presented to the public on 4 March 2021.

Slovenia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Amen" written by Ana Soklič, Bojan Simončič, Žiga Pirnat and Charlie Mason. The song was performed by Ana Soklič, who was internally selected by Slovenian broadcaster Radiotelevizija Slovenija to represent Slovenia at the 2021 contest in Rotterdam, Netherlands, after she was due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Voda" before the 2020 event's cancellation. Ana Soklič was announced at the Slovenian representative on 16 May 2020, while the song, "Amen", was presented to the public on 27 February 2021 during the special show EMA 2021.

Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy. The Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) selected Sheldon Riley with "Not the Same" to represent the country, after he won Eurovision – Australia Decides on 26 February 2022.

Iceland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with "Með hækkandi sól" performed by Systur. The Icelandic broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) organised the national final Söngvakeppnin2022 in order to select the Icelandic entry for the contest. The national final consisted of three shows: two semi-finals on 26 February and 5 March 2022 and a final on 12 March 2022.

Australia participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with the song "Promise", written by Alex Canion, Ashley Doodkorte, Daniel Estrin, Scott Kay, and Simone Dow. The song is performed by Voyager. The Australian broadcaster Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) selected the Australian entry for the contest. The song and artist were officially revealed by SBS as the Australian entrant on 21 February 2023.

References

  1. 1 2 "Australia: Eurovision - Australia Decides to Return in 2020". Eurovoix. 29 August 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  2. ↑ Vincent, Peter (9 May 2014). "Jessica Mauboy performs at Eurovision Song Contest". The Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  3. 1 2 Kemp, Stuart; Plunkett, John (10 February 2015). "Eurovision Song Contest invites Australia to join 'world's biggest party'". The Guardian . Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Siim, Jarmo (10 February 2015). "Australia to compete in the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  5. ↑ Granger, Anthony (29 May 2020). "Australia: Eurovision 2020 Participation Confirmed". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "Join the party as Australia selects its 2020 Eurovision artist". SBS. 28 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  7. ↑ Roberts, Dale (10 February 2020). "Ratings up for Australia Decides 2020". Aussievision. Archived from the original on 29 September 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  8. ↑ "Who will represent Australia at Eurovision in 2020?". SBS. 29 August 2019. Archived from the original on 29 August 2019. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  9. ↑ "First two artists revealed for 'Eurovision – Australia Decides' 2020". SBS News. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  10. ↑ "Two more acts revealed for 'Eurovision – Australia Decides' 2020". SBS. 19 November 2019. Retrieved 25 November 2019.
  11. ↑ "4 more artists and first song for 'Eurovision - Australia Decides'". Eurovision TV. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
  12. ↑ "Eurovision: Australia Decides 2020: guide". TV Tonight. February 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  13. ↑ "How to vote: 'Eurovision - Australia Decides' 2020". SBS. 31 January 2020. Archived from the original on 28 February 2020. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  14. ↑ "Eurovision royalty to grace Eurovision – Australia Decides – Gold Coast 2020". MY GC. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  15. ↑ Groot, Evert (28 January 2020). "Which country performs in which Eurovision 2020 Semi-Final". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
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