Eurovision Song Contest 2020 | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Participating broadcaster | AVROTROS | |||
Country | Netherlands | |||
National selection | ||||
Selection process | Internal selection | |||
Selection date(s) | Artist: 10 January 2020 Song: 4 March 2020 | |||
Selected artist(s) | Jeangu Macrooy | |||
Selected song | "Grow" | |||
Selected songwriter(s) |
| |||
Finals performance | ||||
Final result | Contest cancelled | |||
Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest | ||||
|
The Netherlands was set to be represented in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with the song "Grow", written by Jeangu Macrooy and Pieter Perquin, and performed by Macrooy himself. The Dutch participating broadcaster AVROTROS internally selected its entry for the contest. In addition, AVROTROS was also going to be the host broadcaster, along NPO and NOS, after winning the previous edition with the song "Arcade" performed by Duncan Laurence. Macrooy's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 10 January 2020, while the song, "Grow", was presented to the public on 4 March 2020.
As the host country, the Netherlands automatically qualified to compete in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. However, the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prior to the 2020 contest, AVROTROS and its predecessor national broadcasters, had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing the Netherlands sixty times since NTS's debut in the inaugural contest in 1956. [1] Since then, they has won the contest five times: in 1957 with the song "Net als toen" performed by Corry Brokken; [2] in 1959 with the song "'n Beetje" performed by Teddy Scholten; [3] in 1969 as one of four countries to tie for first place with "De troubadour" performed by Lenny Kuhr; [4] in 1975 with "Ding-a-dong" performed by the group Teach-In; and finally in 2019 with "Arcade" performed by Duncan Laurence. [5] Following the introduction of semi-finals for the 2004 contest, they had featured in seven finals. The Dutch least successful result has been last place, which they have achieved on five occasions, most recently in the second semi-final of the 2011 contest. [6] The Netherlands has also received nul points on two occasions; in 1962 and 1963. [7]
As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, AVROTROS organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The Dutch broadcaster has used various methods to select its entry in the past, such as the Nationaal Songfestival , a live televised national final to choose the performer, song or both to compete at Eurovision. However, internal selections have also been held on occasion. Since 2013, the broadcaster has internally selected its entry for the contest. In 2013, the internal selection of "Birds" performed by Anouk managed to take them to the final for the first time in eight years and placed ninth overall. In 2014, the internal selection of "Calm After the Storm" performed by the Common Linnets qualified to the final once again and placed second, while the internal selection of Duncan Laurence in 2019 managed to achieve a Dutch victory for the first time since 1975. For 2020, the broadcaster opted to continue selecting its entry through an internal selection. [8]
Following their victory in 2019 with the song "Arcade" performed by Duncan Laurence, the Dutch broadcaster revealed in September 2019 that they would continue to internally select both the artist and song for the Eurovision Song Contest. [8] A submission period was opened by the broadcaster on 17 October 2019 where artists and composers were able to submit their entries until 8 December 2019. [9] Dutch media later rumoured that four entries had been shortlisted by AVROTROS and that their performers were singers Davina Michelle, Shirma Rouse, Thomas Berge and Jordan Roy. [10]
On 9 January 2020, Dutch media reported that AVROTROS had selected Surinamese singer Jeangu Macrooy to represent the Netherlands at the 2020 contest. [11] Jeangu Macrooy was confirmed as the Dutch entrant on 10 January 2020 during the NPO Radio 1 programme Humberto. [12] The selection of Macrooy as the Dutch representative occurred through the decision of a selection commission consisting of AVROTROS general director Eric van Stade, television host and author Cornald Maas, singer and television host Jan Smit, radio DJs Coen Swijnenberg and Sander Lantinga, and Dutch Eurovision delegation member Joyce Hoedelmans. [8] In regards to his selection as the Dutch entrant, Jeangu Macrooy stated: "I am indescribably honoured! It's a dream come true and the most beautiful thing that has come my way so far. My team and I are excited to make the Netherlands proud! Let's go!" [13]
On 4 March 2020, Jeangu Macrooy's Eurovision entry, "Grow", was presented to the public through the release of the official music video, directed by Joe Roberts, via the official Eurovision Song Contest's YouTube channel. [14] The song was written by Jeangu Macrooy himself together with Pieter Perquin. In regards to the song, Macrooy stated: "Emotions, good and bad, are a universal language. I hope this song makes people feel a little less lonely in their search for happiness. I think that openness and honesty about how we really feel will ultimately bring us closer. I believe in the power music has to bring people together. It's the reason I do what I do." [15]
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. As the host country, the Netherlands automatically qualified to compete in the final on 16 May 2020. [16] In addition to their participation in the final, the Netherlands is also required to broadcast and vote in one of the two semi-finals. During the semi-final allocation draw on 28 January 2020, the Netherlands was assigned to broadcast and vote in the first semi-final on 12 May 2020. [17] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the contest was cancelled. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) later confirmed that the Netherlands would remain as the host country of the 2021 contest.
As the host nation, the Netherlands' running order position in the final was decided through a random draw that took place during the Heads of Delegation meeting in Rotterdam on 9 March 2020. The Netherlands was set to perform in position 23. [18]
The Netherlands has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 64 times since making its debut as one of the seven countries at the first contest in 1956. The country has missed only four contests, twice because the dates coincided with Remembrance of the Dead, and twice because of being relegated due to poor results the previous year. It has missed the final despite qualifying once, in 2024, due to the personal conduct of its entrant which led to disqualification. The current Dutch participant broadcaster in the contest is AVROTROS. The Netherlands has hosted the contest five times: in Hilversum (1958), Amsterdam (1970), The Hague, and Rotterdam (2021).
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 with the song "My Impossible Dream" written by Robert D. Fisher and Bruce Smith. The song was performed by Glennis Grace. The Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) organised the national final Nationaal Songfestival 2005 in collaboration with broadcaster Televisie Radio Omroep Stichting (TROS) in order to select the Dutch entry for the 2005 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. 24 entries competed in the national final which consisted of five shows: four semi-finals and a final. Six entries competed in each semi-final with three advancing: two entries selected based on a public vote and one entry selected by a three-member jury panel. Twelve entries qualified from to compete in the final on 13 February 2005 where "My Impossible Dream" performed by Glennis Grace was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from three jury panels and a public vote.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 with the song "Without You" written by Ed van Otterdijk and Angeline van Otterdijk. The song was performed by the duo Re-union. The Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) organised the national final Nationaal Songfestival 2004 in collaboration with broadcaster Televisie Radio Omroep Stichting (TROS) in order to select the Dutch entry for the 2004 contest in Istanbul, Turkey. 24 entries competed in the national final which consisted of six shows: four semi-finals, a wildcard round and a final. Ten entries qualified from to compete in the final on 22 February 2004 where "Without You" performed by Re-union was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from a five-member jury panel and a public vote.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1994 with the song "Waar is de zon" written by Edwin Schimscheimer and Coot van Doesburgh. The song was performed by Willeke Alberti, who was internally selected by the Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) to represent the Netherlands at the 1994 contest in Dublin, Ireland. Willeke Alberti's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 2 November 1993, while the national final Nationaal Songfestival 1994 was organised in order to select the song. Eight songs competed in the national final on 26 March 1994 where "Waar is de zon" was selected as the winning song following the votes from twelve regional juries.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "One More Night" written by Tjeerd van Zanen and Alan Michael. The song was performed by Esther Hart. The Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) returned to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their withdrawal in 2002 as one of the bottom six countries in the 2001 contest. NOS organised the national final Nationaal Songfestival 2003 in collaboration with broadcaster Televisie Radio Omroep Stichting (TROS) in order to select the Dutch entry for the 2003 contest in Riga, Latvia. 32 entries competed in the national final which consisted of five shows: four semi-finals and a final. Eight entries qualified from to compete in the final on 1 March 2003 where "One More Night" performed by Esther Hart was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from a seven-member jury panel and a public vote.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with the song "De eerste keer" written by Piet Souer and Peter van Asten. The song was performed by Maxine and Franklin Brown. The Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) returned to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their relegation in 1995 as one of the bottom six countries in the 1994 contest. NOS organised the national final Nationaal Songfestival 1996 in order to select the Dutch entry for the 1996 contest in Oslo, Norway. Five acts competed in the national final which consisted of six shows: five semi-finals and a final. Five entries qualified from to compete in the final on 3 March 1996 where "De eerste keer" performed by Maxine and Franklin Brown was selected as the winner following the votes from 13 regional juries.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "You and Me" written by Joan Franka and Jessica Hogeboom. The song was performed by Joan Franka. The Dutch broadcaster Televisie Radio Omroep Stichting (TROS) organised the national final Nationaal Songfestival 2012 in order to select the Dutch entry for the 2012 contest in Baku, Azerbaijan. Six entries competed in the national final on 26 February 2012 where the winner was selected over two rounds of voting. The first round consisted of three duels and the winner of each duel qualified to the second round. In the second round, "You and Me" performed by Joan Franka was selected as the winner following the combination of votes from a five-member jury panel and a public vote.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song "Calm After the Storm", written by Ilse DeLange, JB Meijers, Rob Crosby, Matthew Crosby and Jake Etheridge. The song was performed by the Common Linnets, a duo consisting of DeLange and Waylon, two well-known and popular Dutch artists, and formed by DeLange as a platform for Dutch artists to create country, Americana, and bluegrass music. In November 2013 the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS announced that they had internally selected The Common Linnets to represent the Netherlands at the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, with their song first presented to the public in March 2014.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "Walk Along" written by Tobias Karlsson and Anouk Teeuwe. The song was performed by Trijntje Oosterhuis, who was internally selected by the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS to represent the Netherlands at the 2015 contest in Vienna, Austria. Songwriter Anouk Teeuwe represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 with the song "Birds" where she placed ninth in the grand final of the competition. Trijntje Oosterhuis' appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 10 November 2014, while the song, "Walk Along", was presented to the public on 11 December 2014.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 with the song "Slow Down" written by Douwe Bob, Jan Peter Hoekstra, Jeroen Overman and Matthijs van Duijvenbode. The song was performed by Douwe Bob, who was internally selected by the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS to represent the Netherlands at the 2016 contest in Stockholm, Sweden. Douwe Bob's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 22 September 2015, while the song, "Slow Down", was presented to the public on 4 March 2016.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Lights and Shadows" written by Rory de Kievit and Rick Vol. The song is performed by the group O'G3NE, who was internally selected by the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS to represent the Netherlands at the 2017 contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. O'G3NE's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 29 October 2016, while the song, "Lights and Shadows", was presented to the public on 3 March 2017.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 with the song "Outlaw in 'Em" written by Waylon, Ilya Toshinsky and Jim Beavers. The song is performed by Waylon, who was internally selected by the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS to represent the Netherlands at the 2018 contest in Lisbon, Portugal. Waylon's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 9 November 2017. Five potential songs were presented to the public between 23 February and 1 March 2018 during the Dutch talk show De Wereld Draait Door, and the selected song, "Outlaw in 'Em", was announced on 2 March 2018.
The Netherlands participated in and won the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song "Arcade" written by Duncan Laurence, Joel Sjöö, Wouter Hardy and Will Knox. The song was performed by Duncan Laurence, who was internally selected by the Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS to represent the Netherlands at the 2019 contest in Tel Aviv, Israel. Laurence's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 21 January 2019, while the song, "Arcade", was presented to the public on 7 March 2019.
The Netherlands was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 with the song "Birth of a New Age", written by Jeangu Macrooy and Pieter Perquin, and performed by Macrooy himself. The Dutch participating broadcaster AVROTROS internally selected Macrooy after he was due to compete in the 2020 contest with "Grow" before the event's cancellation. In addition, AVROTROS, along NPO and NOS, was also the host broadcaster and staged the event at the Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, after winning the 2019 contest with the song "Arcade" performed by Duncan Laurence. Macrooy's re-appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 18 March 2020, while the song was presented to the public during a special live broadcast on 4 March 2021.
The Netherlands participated in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Paris, France. National broadcaster AVROTROS selected Ayana to represent the Netherlands through the national final Junior Songfestival 2021. With her song "Mata Sugu Aō Ne", containing lyrics in Dutch, English and Japanese, she finished in 19th place at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with 43 points.
"Birth of a New Age" is a song by Surinamese singer-songwriter Jeangu Macrooy. The song represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The music video was recorded in the Rijksmuseum. In the song, Macrooy calls for resilience and authenticity. The song is mostly written in English and partly in Sranan Tongo, a lingua franca in Suriname.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with "De diepte" performed by S10. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS internally selected the Dutch entry for the 2022 contest. S10's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 7 December 2021, while the song, "De diepte", was presented to the public during an event on 3 March 2022.
"De diepte" is a single by Dutch singer S10. The song represented the Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, after being selected by the Dutch public broadcaster AVROTROS. It is the first time since 2010 that a song sung entirely in Dutch represented the country at Eurovision. A week after the contest, the song topped the Dutch singles chart. The song was later included in S10's third studio album, Ik besta voor altijd zolang jij aan mij denkt, released on 28 October 2022.
The Netherlands participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with "Burning Daylight" performed by Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper. The Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS internally selected the Dutch entry for the 2023 contest. Nicolai and Cooper's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 1 November 2022, while the song, "Burning Daylight", was presented to the public on 1 March 2023.
The Netherlands was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song "Europapa" performed by Joost Klein. The Dutch participating broadcaster AVROTROS internally selected its entry for the contest. Klein's appointment as the Dutch representative was announced on 11 December 2023, while the song, "Europapa", was presented to the public on 29 February 2024.
Media related to Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 at Wikimedia Commons