UPDATE: Eurovision 2019: Here Are The Final Three Acts In The Running To Represent Australia
ORIGINAL STORY: The first four acts in the running to represent Australia at Eurovision 2019 have been announced, ahead of the 64th annual Song Contest taking place in Tel Aviv, Israel next May.
Singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke, pop outfit Sheppard, operatic pop singer Mark Vincent and electro-soul duo Electric Fields will compete against six other acts (still to be announced) in the ‘Australia Decides’ national Eurovision selection show in February, hosted on the Gold Coast and broadcast by SBS.
Over 700 songs were submitted for Australia’s Eurovision campaign after the selection process was opened up to all Australians in October, and the eventual winning act (and song) will be chosen by the public and a special Eurovision jury.
“I’ve never done anything like this before,” said Kate Miller-Heidke.
“I do feel vulnerable putting myself out there in a competitive setting. I’m trying to ignore that element, and thinking of it as a very eclectic celebration of Australian music. I think there will be a lot of solidarity amongst the performers.”
Electric Fields said they are “excited” to be part of the selection process.
“We want to tell a story on stage with fierce energy that will hopefully shoot through the cameras and out of the TV screens at home,” they said.
‘Eurovision – Australia Decides’ will take place at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday, 8th and Saturday, 9th February, and will be hosted by Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey. The show will air on SBS on Saturday, 9th February, when voting opens to the public.
Eurovision 2019 will mark Australia’s fifth appearance at the competition, after Jessica Mauboy took out 20th place in 2018 with her song ‘We Got Love’ (below).
Israel’s Netta Barzilai won the competition with her song ‘Toy’, which has since been accused of plagiarising The White Stripes.
UPDATE 19/12/18: Three More Acts Are Now In The Running To Represent Australia At Eurovision 2019
