Media Release Thursday 23 January 2020
Eurovision royalty to grace Eurovision – Australia Decides 2020 Watch the Live TV Final on Saturday 8 February 8.30pm AEDT on SBS and cast your vote
SBS and production partner Blink TV today revealed Swedish pop phenomenon and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 Måns Zelmerlöw is heading to the Gold Coast to perform and be one of the Jury members for Eurovision – Australia Decides next month.
Swedish singer, songwriter and TV presenter Måns Zelmerlöw masterminded one of the most memorable wins in Swedish Eurovision Song Contest history with his performance of the uplifting multi- platinum single Heroes. After winning, Heroes peaked at #1 on iTunes in 21 countries and his tour across Europe took him to 22 cities – most of them at sold out venues. In 2016, he co-hosted the song contest in Stockholm, Sweden where Dami Im made history winning the Jury vote and coming second overall with her performance of Sound of Silence.
Måns Zelmerlöw said: “I’m so excited to come back to my favourite country to perform, and to be a guest judge on the National Eurovision selection show! Australia has sent great songs ever since they joined the Eurovision Song Contest and I think 2020 could be THE year. I might sing a line or two from my winning song from 2015 and from my newest single, Walk with Me, featuring the wonderful Dami Im. Can’t wait to see you all!”
Joining him in Australia is Eurovision boss Jon Ola Sand who will step down as Executive Supervisor after Rotterdam 2020. Over the past decade, Jon Ola has become synonymous with the Eurovision Song Contest among the hundreds of millions of viewers who’ve watched him throw to the voting segment with the iconic phrase “take it away.”
Jon Ola Sand said: “I’m very happy to be down under and a part of Australia Decides this year. Since first taking part in 2015, SBS has made a huge contribution to the success of the Eurovision Song Contest. Their excellent national selection show, which showcases the country’s best singing talent, underscores SBS and Australia’s place as valued members of the Eurovision family.”
Hosted on the Gold Coast and broadcast live and exclusive on SBS on Saturday 8 February, the national selection, now in its second year, showcases ten well-known Australian artists, performing original songs, for the chance to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Revealed recently, the 2020 contenders from across the musical spectrum vying for the top spot are: Aussie icon Vanessa Amorosi, powerhouse entertainer Casey Donovan, rising First Nations artist Mitch Tambo, glam rock star iOTA, art pop auteur Montaigne, alternative artist Didirri, The Voice winner Diana Rouvas, Australia's Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen, 19-year-old emerging singer- songwriter Jordan-Ravi and Taiwanese-Australian multi-media artist Jaguar Jonze.
The winner of the inaugural Eurovision – Australia Decides Kate Miller-Heidke will return to the stage where it all began to perform Zero Gravity, while powerhouse vocalist and Eurovision 2016 runner up Dami Im will take to the stage with a brand new track.
SBS Commissioning Editor for Entertainment and Australian Head of Delegation Josh Martin said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Måns and Jon Ola to Australia for our national selection show. Normally, Australia heads to Europe, but in February Europe is coming to Australia! Måns is one of the all-time Eurovision greats and fans are in for a real treat. And it’s with a mix of sadness and excitement that we welcome Jon Ola to our shores as his stewardship of Eurovision approaches the end. Since 2010 he has overseen a phenomenal period of change and growth in the contest, and all of us here at SBS and around Australia will be forever thankful that we were invited to the party!”
Creative Director of Eurovision – Australia Decides and Director of Blink TV Paul Clarke said: “Hej Hej, welcome Måns! He was a game changer at Eurovision when he won in 2015 and it will be like a Eurovision masterclass for our artists and audience to see him performing on the Gold Coast. It’s a dream come true for Dami Im to release a song with Måns, and their duet on the night will be one of the highlights of the show. We also look forward to hosting Jon Ola Sand at Australia Decides - he’s been a great advocate for Australia’s involvement in Eurovision over the past decade.”
In association with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, the City of Gold Coast, Screen Queensland, APRA AMCOS, Moroccanoil and accommodation partner QT Gold Coast, Eurovision – Australia Decides will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 7 and Saturday 8 February and tickets for the Opening Night Show, Matinee Show are on sale, with limited tickets available to the Live TV Final.
Hosted by SBS Eurovisionaries comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst, Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and bring the nation closer to the Eurovision action. Audiences are encouraged to vote for their favourite acts and the winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final broadcast live and exclusively on SBS on Saturday 8 February.
Be a part of history and see it live at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
OPENING NIGHT SHOW Friday 7 February, 7.30pm AEST (Not televised – tickets available) Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Jury Vote
MATINEE SHOW Saturday 8 February, 1.00pm AEST (Not televised – tickets available) Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
LIVE TV FINAL Saturday 8 February, 7.30pm AEST (Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS – LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE) Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre Public Vote and Winner Announced
To purchase tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=EUROVISI20 Eurovision – Australia Decides 2020 airs live and exclusively on SBS on Saturday 8 February. Broadcast times across Australia: NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT 8:30pm – 11:00pm AEDT QLD 7:30pm – 10:00pm AEST
SA 8:00pm – 10:30pm ACDT WA 5:30pm – 8:00pm AWST NT 7:00pm – 9:30pm ACST
For images and video assets: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/9snqsd8fnl3gvwz/AACntUBM6vTdW1s26Kz82Lcoa?dl=0
For songs and music videos, click to stream or download: Casey Donovan – Proud Song: https://CaseyDonovan.lnk.to/Proud
Diana Rouvas – Can We Make Heaven Song: https://DianaRouvas.lnk.to/CanWeMakeHeaven
Mitch Tambo – Together Song and lyric video: smartURL.it/MT.Together iOTA – Life Song: https://ampl.ink/VDMmR Video: youtube.com/watch?v=KupeRaWrY8c&feature=youtu.be
Jordan-Ravi – Pushing Stars Song: https://ampl.ink/Lam34
Jack Vidgen – I Am King I Am Queen Song: https://ampl.ink/2DLvp Video: youtube.com/watch?v=LXQqJbBblhs
For more information on Måns Zelmerlöw: https://manszelmerlow.se/
Stay tuned to the SBS Eurovision website for updates: sbs.com.au/Eurovision
#Eurovision #AusDecides
For more information, please contact: Nikita Jacka | 0425 171 192 | [email protected] Eva Pitarides | 0403 142 465 | [email protected]