Minutes ago broadcaster, SBS, presented the artist that will get a lot of extra attention representing Australia at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest. It will be Guy Sebastian to make the country proud at its Eurovision debut in Vienna. The song will be announced later.
As soon as Australia’s participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest was announced fans started a petition to get SBS Television to pick Kylie Minogue as their entrant, however several big names were quickly listed as another option. Aside from Kylie in play with fans and bookmakers were Samantha Jade, Sia, Darren Hayes and Midnight Oil/Peter Garrett. Dame Edna was even mentioned as an option.
Finally, this evening the speculations came to an end. At a press conference held in Sydney Opera House, SBS Television presented its choice: Guy Sebastian– who promised not to wear a dress on stage, so no new Conchita Wurst in him.
About the song:
Guy Sebastian added that the song isn’t ready yet. It might be something written in the next few days, or more likely it might be one from his latest album Madness, which was released some months ago.
Later he said that he basically has it narrowed down to two songs, both of them being ballads as he doesn’t want anything to take away focus from his voice. He also mentioned that he grew up laughing at all the crazy acts taking part.
At tonight’s press conference Guy performed the piano ballad Get Along. He said that he would have liked to participate with that song, but as it was release prior to the set date in the rules, this unfortunately wasn’t possible.
SBS comments:
From SBS, it was mentioned that the process of convincing the EBU that Australia is a part of Europe has been a four year journey. After their performance at the interval act lastn year they receieved even more support from Jon Ola Sand, Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest, who then offered them to take part this year.
They also told that they picked their artist after asking the record companies who then had, and which songs written after September 2014 was an option.
Australia at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest:
After being a regular broadcaster for years, Australia will take part as a special VIP participant this year. They are automatically qualified for the final and will even, as the only country, be allowed to vote in both of the two semi-finals. Their participation is mentioned as a one time thing, but in the case they win, they will also take part next year again. EBU have however already stated that in the case of an Australian victory, the show will be held in Europe in a colaboration between SBS and the broadcaster of the hosting country.
Last year, in 2004, Australia was interval act, and in 1974 Australian Olivia Newton-John represented United Kingdom with the song Long Live Love.
