The 65th Eurovision Song Contest is about to begin in the Netherlands as Australia’s very own Montaigne is set to reveal her performance in the world’s biggest song competition.
The contest will be broadcast live and in primetime exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand from 19 to 23 May.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Montaigne will compete in Semi Final 1 with her uplifting and powerful anthem Technicolour, which she’ll perform from home this year.
Montaigne is set to compete against 15 counties in Semi Final 1 including 19-year-old Tusse from Sweden, Eden Alene who will make history as Israel’s first Ethiopian representative, and fan favourite Maltese singer Destiny.
Montaigne said: “I’m very excited to reveal Technicolour on the “Eurovision stage”! It’s colourful and shiny and I’m very proud of it.”
With early morning LIVE broadcasts of Semi Final 1, Semi Final 2 and the Grand Final for immediate results and voting along with Europe, and primetime broadcasts for fabulous Euro-themed parties around the country, there are plenty of opportunities to get behind Montaigne and join in the fun of picking favourites from the 39 competing nations, each bringing a taste of their own musical culture to the contest.
Primetime evening broadcasts
Semi Final 1 – Friday 21 May, 8.30pm (AEST), SBS
**FEATURING MONTAIGNE
Semi Final 2 – Saturday 22 May, 8.30pm (AEST), SBS
Grand Final – Sunday 23 May, 7.30pm (AEST), SBS
LIVE early morning broadcasts
Semi Final 1 – Wednesday 19 May, 5am (AEST) SBS **FEATURING MONTAIGNE
Semi Final 2 – Friday 21 May, 5am (AEST) SBS
Grand Final – Sunday 23 May, 5am (AEST) SBS
Music buff Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey will once again be at the helm of SBS’s Eurovision coverage to bring Australians every angle of the contest as they explore the razzmatazz, kitsch, political voting, showbiz, cultural displays and heart of Eurovision. They will commentate from Australia.
SBS Commissioning Editor and Australian Head of Delegation, Josh Martin, said:
“After last year’s cancellation, SBS is thrilled to again be bringing all the technicolour glory of Eurovision to Australian audiences. This year’s broadcast is shaping up to be one for the history books.”
“39 different countries are competing and the diversity of music, art, staging and language is nothing short of extraordinary. The production quality and technical wizardry of Eurovision will also be taken to the next level and we know all of Australia will be cheering on Montaigne as she represents our country to an audience of nearly 200 million people.”
Creative Director of Eurovision – Australia Decides and Director of Blink TV, Paul Clarke, said: “in some ways it’s the biggest challenge we’ve ever had, to try to qualify from a distance without the incredible stage production in Rotterdam. But we’re excited with our concept, and Montaigne can really hit the notes of the song, and so we believe we’re incredibly competitive. Exciting! Please get behind her, she’s quite amazing to accept this challenge – come on Montaigne!”
As per the official Eurovision rules, viewers can vote in the Semi Final in which their country is participating, as well as the Grand Final. The viewers’ votes make up 50 per cent of the final result.
The other 50 per cent of the vote is decided by a National Jury in each participating country. Australia’s jury will be announced soon. The jury and Australian public can vote for any country except Australia.
For Australian viewers, this means they will need to tune into the LIVE broadcast of Semi Final 1 on Wednesday May 19 at 5am (AEST) and the Grand Final on Sunday 23 May at 5am (AEST) by texting the numbers that appear on screen during the live broadcasts.
