SBS and production company Blink TV have announced the first three artists to compete in ‘Eurovision - Australia Decides’ 2022.
Eurovision 2017 artist Isaiah Firebrace, Australia Decides entrant Jaguar Jonze and Australian Idol star PAULINI will all compete on the Gold Coast in February.
Isaiah finished in 9th place at Eurovision in 2017 with ‘Don’t Come Easy’ but this time will be singing a duet with a yet to be named artist. Isaiah said he was excited to be back, saying,
“I’m over the moon to be jumping onto the stage for Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022. When I first represented Australia at Eurovision in 2017, I was 17, it was my first time in Europe and I feel like everything was a blurry dream that went by so quickly - I’ve grown so much as a singer, a performer and as a person since then and I’ve definitely got unfinished business! I can’t tell you anything more except that I’m singing a duet with someone incredible and that we co-wrote the song.”
Jaguar Jonze won over many fans after finishing 6th at Australia Decides in 2019 with ‘Rabbit Hole’ and is ready to embrace the experience again saying,
“I am honoured and bubbling with excitement to be performing at Eurovision - Australia Decides again in 2022! The imagination, creativity and talent of the performances is always so inspirational, it’s such a special place to express yourself as a musician and an artist. My song is going to be a moment that celebrates our resilience and the little steps that lead to big change, as well as push my creative boundaries to another level. So much has happened since we were all together, and being back with the added strength of my Eurovision family and fanbase will make it a show worth waiting for. I can’t wait to see you on the Gold Coast!”
PAULINI is the first new-to-Eurovision artist to be announced but she is a household name in Australia after making the Top 4 on the inaugural season of Australian Idol won by Guy Sebastian in 2003. She is ready to join the Eurovision family saying,
“I’m super excited to be part of Eurovision – Australia Decides, after all it’s been ages since any of us have really been able to perform to anyone other than our families. That also means it’s been a little while since I’ve been able to belt out any of the big notes I’m known for. But that is something the audience can definitely expect to hear in my new single which I’ll be performing at ‘Eurovision – Australia Decides’ on the Gold Coast in 2022. Eurovision to me is like the Olympics for singers! It brings together so many countries and cultures— and while it’s a competition I see it as uniting much of the world through music.”
These are the first three artists of the 10 acts who will be performing on the Gold Coast in February.
The songs for the artists are still to be released, but will come from the more than 700 songs that were submitted to the ‘Eurovision – Australia Decides’ song portal during the four-week entry period.
One songwriter who has been chosen from this process is Jude York from Toowoomba, Queensland who said,
“To think of my song being shared on such a monumental platform is truly mind-blowing. I wrote it with the amazing Billy Stonecipher about staying hopeful that dreams can come true. And now to have this opportunity as a queer artist in regional Queensland, I’ve never had a better reason to believe in that message! I can’t wait for everybody to hear this!”
It has been a difficult time for the music and entertainment industry with SBS Head of Entertainment Emily Griggs saying,
“Australians are ready to revel in live music again and ‘Eurovision – Australia Decides’ is here to help. This first look of artists and songwriters represents what the competition is all about. We’re celebrating artists from a range of backgrounds and lived experiences with unique stories and perspectives. Where else can you find songs from accomplished writers alongside emerging talent like Jude York. SBS and Blink TV are ready to celebrate amazing artists, original songs, and celebrate the moment.”
Creative Director of ‘Eurovision – Australia Decides’, Paul Clarke, hinted at some of the types of songs and songwriters on offer saying,
“This year we received over 700 songs from Australian songwriters, with a handful co-written by American and European songwriters - unexpected co-writers like Boris Milanov. COVID has created some really dramatic song writing themes - one gothic epic, a couple of exciting power ballads but it’s a year of incredibly joyful music. Thanks so much to the songwriters and our partners, because ‘Eurovision – Australia Decides’ is back and has never been in better shape - it’s going to be a truly memorable event on the Gold Coast February 25-26 and we’d love to see you there.”
Boris Milanov has written 12 Eurovision entries including 2017 runner-up ‘Beautiful Mess’ from Bulgaria and ‘Nobody But You’ which finished 3rd in 2018 for Austria.
‘Eurovision - Australia Decides’ will be hosted by Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst and will take place at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February with tickets on sale now!
Ticket sales open today, all details at: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=EUROVISI22