Last night in Liverpool, UK, Perth-based progressive metal band Voyager took to the Eurovision stage and belted out their synth-heavy song Promise. The band’s lead singer, immigration lawyer Danny Estrin, rolled onto the stage in a car and, along with his four band members, performed his way into Sunday morning’s grand final.
They will go on to compete against Eurovision’s “Big Five” – Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the UK – as well as entrants from Albania, Estonia, Belgium, Austria, Lithuania, Poland, Armenia, Slovenia and Cyprus, who are represented by Cypriot-Australian singer Andrew Lambrou.
Long beloved by Australian audiences, Australian musicians have been competing at the high-sparkle, high-octane Eurovision contest since 2015, when Guy Sebastian made the final, ultimately coming fifth in what was billed as a one-off special to commemorate the 60th anniversary. Australia was then invited to compete every year until 2023. Australia has made the top 10 four times in its Eurovision history. Dami Im’s second place in 2016 is Australia’s best result. Other Australian contenders have included Jessica Mauboy, Kate Miller-Heidke and Montaigne.
It remains to be seen if Australia will be invited back to participate in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, so make this one count.
Australians can watch the Eurovision grand final on Sunday May 14, 2023 at 5am AEST. It will be broadcast on SBS TV and SBS On Demand.
