Today, it was revealed that the band Voyager will represent Australia at Eurovision 2023 with their song ‘Promise’.
The announcement was made with a premiere of their music video on the official Eurovision YouTube account.
Many fans will be familiar with Voyager after they finished runner-up at ‘Eurovision - Australia Decides’ 2022 behind Sheldon Riley.
They may not have won there, but they did win the public vote and SBS alluded to that result in their announcement today saying,
“In 2022, Australia decided. This year, we’ve listened.”
The song ‘Promise’ is an epic prog-rock 80s synth inspired track that will no doubt suit the big stage of the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool.
The lead singer of Voyager, Danny Estrin said:
“As a long-time Eurovision fan, this is the pinnacle - Voyager gets to play the greatest show on earth! Our song ‘Promise’ is made for the Eurovision stage and collectively we feel it's one of our best yet. We filmed the music video in both the city of Perth and beautiful parts of Western Australia to showcase the majestic beauty of our home state. Eurovisionation, we are coming!!!”
Voyager will be the first band and the first West Australians to represent Australia at Eurovision.
They are made up of Danny Estrin (vocals, keytar), Simone Dow (guitars), Scott Kay (guitars), Alex Canion (bass, vocals) and Ash Doodkorte (drums).
The group are the seventh band to be announced for Eurovision so far this season, but importantly, only one of two (so far) in their semi-final.
The semi-final this year will be 100% televote, with a mix of jury and televote for the Grand Final.
Overseeing the Australian entry will be Australian broadcaster SBS and their production partners Blink TV.
SBS Head of Entertainment Emily Griggs said:
“Voyager bring together my love for the 80s and catchy lyrics that you can’t stop singing. I can’t wait to see Eurovision fans the world over embrace them as much as Aussie crowds have. Voyager have been determined to get centre stage for the biggest song contest in the world and SBS know they will bring that grit with them along with a whole lot of fun. Look out Europe, the Aussies are coming!”
Director of Blink TV Paul Clarke said:
"'Promise' is a song that delivers in spades, from a band that never fails to impress. From the very first listen I knew it was something special – an epic, cinematic track that will take listeners on an anthemic rock voyage all the way to the Eurovision stage. This year, Australia’s hopes are in the masterful hands of a band for the first time ever, and I can’t wait for Voyager to rock your socks off in Liverpool.”
The internal selection of Voyager follows the cancellation of Australia's national final 'Eurovision - Australia Decides' announced late last year.
Australia will perform in the second half of semi-final 2 in Liverpool on Thursday 11 May (Friday 12 May in Australia).
Australia has qualified for every Grand Final where it has participated live at the event. The only non-qualification came in 2021 when Montaigne's live-on-tape broadcast was used due to the pandemic.
This year also marks the 40th anniversary since Australia first broadcast the Contest in 1983.
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