Kiwis finally get their Eurovision vote, now it's time to push to take the stage

Friday, 12 May 2023

Monika Linkyte of Lithuania performs during dress rehearsals for the second semi-final at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England.

“Europe united. But we weren’t invited. And we feel like a failure. We get the reason, we’re not European, but neither is Australia.”

Singing as their comedy musical act, Two Hearts, Kiwi couple Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore are hoping their recently released “unofficial entry” Eurovusion (Open Up) might just be the catalyst for finally getting New Zealand entry into one of the globe’s most beloved annual celebrations of culture, cheesiness and patriotic pride.

Running since 1956, the Eurovision Song Contest is a continental-wide (that has also controversially included our near neighbours since 2015) clash of musical styles that culminates now in three nights of riotous colour, kooky costumes and crazy choreographed routines.

Eurovision fans head to Liverpool - the host city of this year's song contest.

Over the years, it has helped launch the careers of the likes of Celine Dion, Abba, Lulu, Sandie Shaw and, um, Bucks Fizz and given the world such memorable earworms as Puppet on a String, Boom Bang-a-Bang, Waterloo and Making Your Mind Up.

Speaking on Three’s The Project after the internet debut of their music video late last month, committed Eurovision fan Daniel said it was time for New Zealand to make a concerted effort to join the party.

'I believe in us. When Kiwis are given an opportunity to excel on the world stage, they do. I know we are a little bit low-key, but I think we'd do a great job. We could always team up.'

But what makes Eurovision so special? Former Eurovision producer Dominic Smith once summed it up to Stuff thus: 'Where else do you hear the Estonian language on your television?

'Each of the performances is basically a three-minute advert for that country. It's also the collective experience Eurovision engenders. You can print out our own scorecard and create your own platter of foods [and drinks] from each country. And unlike all the other music contests you get to be your own mini Simon Cowell at home. I think it’s quite empowering not having judges commenting on the performances, you get to make up your own mind. It is quite long, but it is great hilarious telly.'

And what is the key to making a great, Eurovision-winning song? 'It goes in phases,' Smith said back in 2015. 'In the 1960s and 70s, big stars like Cliff Richard, Sandi Shaw, Nana Mouskouri and ABBA took part and they tended to hold sway. Now, it's a hell of a lot of winners from X Factor Latvia and Belgium.

“There used to be encouragement and rules for contestants to sing in their own language, but in reality the language of pop is English – and German doesn't always sound the best for romantic ballads.

‘’It sounds more like you’re going to war than wooing somebody. Actually, the ballads and folky stuff are out of favour at the moment and dance music has become quite prevalent. It will be interesting to see what comes next.'

For the first time, New Zealanders will be able to have their say in who wins this year's Eurovision Song Competition.

Of course, like it or not, politics have always played a part in Eurovision, with countries often accused of voting for their mates, rather than basing decisions on musical talent or performance – and an entry’s success or failure sometimes determined by the regime currently in charge.

Back in 2015, Smith successfully predicted to Stuff that the UK’s entry that year – Electro Velvet’s Still in Love With You – would be scuppered by the recent re-election of David Cameron’s less European-orientated Conservative Government. The duo finished 24th out of 27, accumulating just five points.

Smith, who worked on the TV coverage of the big night for more than a decade, said one of his fondest memories was when the UK’s Katrina and the Waves won with Love Shine a Light in 1997.

“That was the year Tony Blair was elected. I don't think anyone gave them much of a chance until this sweep of warmth headed towards UK in the hope they would stop being quite so conservative and vote Labour and be more Europe-focused.'

Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra were the winners of last year’s competition.

Even as far back as then, such biases and voting-influences were nothing new. 'I think we romanticised the past. Even before the ex-Soviet Bloc started competing, the likes of Cyprus, Greece, England and Ireland were just as guilty of always giving each other higher votes than they deserve. It's not surprising – you're familiar with that country's neighbourly culture…so you're more likely to vote for them. It's like football, we're all tribal.'

Change though is clearly in the air. This year’s Liverpool-hosted competition (the English city standing in for the currently-under-siege Ukraine whose entry – Kalush Orchestra’s Stefania – won the 2022 edition) marks the first time in the show’s history that we here in Aotearoa can help influence the winner.

Norway’s Subwoolfer delivered one of the more striking performances at last year’s Eurovision.

When voting opens after all 26 acts have performing during Sunday morning’s (New Zealand time) grand final (which those in Aotearoa can watch live via YouTube), Kiwis will be able to vote for their favourites at esc.vote or via the official Eurovision App.

All the selections from people from non-participating countries like ourselves will be tallied up together, with the “Rest of the World” given the same status as the likes of Denmark, Italy, Croatia and Belgium in being able to hand out points (from douze to nul) to the ones we collectively like the best.

While a tangible way of feeling part of the festivities is welcome progress, the idea of a New Zealand act taking centre stage has been talked about for years without success, something that’s been particularly frustrating as we’ve watched Guy Sebastian, Jessica Mauboy and Dami Im represent our trans-Tasman cousins.

In 2018, then European Union (EU) trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom told TVNZ’s Q&A show that New Zealand would be very welcome at Eurovision and the organisers should give the idea “serious consideration”. Maybe we should make a chance to participate part of our free trade agreement with the EU that’s currently being finalised.

The grand final of the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool from 7am (New Zealand) time on Sunday, May 14. Kiwi viewers can check out all the action live via the competition’s official YouTube channel.