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After our favourite guilty pleasure was sadly cancelled last year, there has been some good news and developments with the plans for Eurovision 2021, with plans and several artists already announced for the upcoming event.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021 will take place in Rotterdam, in the Netherlands from 18th – 22nd May, with contingency plans in place to allow for changing Covid conditions and three scenarios laid out to ensure the event goes ahead:
The first and most optimistic scenario, outlines plans for a socially-distanced and live show environment, which means that a smaller than normal audience would be in attendance, spaced 1.5m apart. The artists would perform together in Rotterdam (the host country) as was the previous tradition, just to a smaller crowd, taking safety measures.
The second scenario plans for any artists who are unable to travel to Rotterdam, and so would allow a remote performance to be included digitally into the show, keeping things fairly close to the first scenario, but allowing for the unexpected in relation to travel restrictions.
In the third scenario, if the situation has worsened then the contest will go ahead live but with no audience, and will incorporate remote performances from any artists who are unable to travel to the Netherlands.
It looks as though the scenarios have taken into account the most likely obstacles Eurovision may face when organising an international event, and even the worst-case provisions should enable the competition to go ahead – even if this consists of a more digital setup for 2021.
The slogan for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 is ‘Open Up’. Together, the theme and slogan are the creative foundation for all choices made around the show in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
“The slogan ‘Open Up’ is intentionally incomplete: Open up to each other. Open up to music. Open up to Rotterdam. Open up to… whatever you choose! Feel the freedom to complete the slogan in your own way. That way we get to know each other better,” says Sietse Bakker, Executive Producer Event of the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.
“We have looked for a theme and slogan that reflect what the Netherlands stands for and which the Dutch can identify with; a country with an open mind to the world, where we speak our mind, with respect for each other. We also found it important to choose a theme that reflects the spirit of our times. People are concerned about increasing polarization and freedom isn’t as self-evident for everyone as it should be,” emphasised Sietse. “With the slogan ‘Open Up’, we warmly invite people to open up to others, to different opinions, each other’s stories and of course to each other’s music.”
It came as a blow to the many artists on the 2020 line up who missed out on the chance to perform and compete in the cancelled competition. However, in some welcome news, many who missed out will in fact get their chance to take part this year, although they will need to submit and perform a new song for 2021.
The song of 2020 was undoubtedly the infectious number from Daði Freyr, Think About Things, which did very well on the UK airwaves and in the media.
Iceland has never won Eurovision, and following publicity from the fantastic Will Ferrell film, Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga, combined with their 2020 banger, Freyr were the favourites to win in 2020. There are high expectations for Daði Freyr this year after missing out, and I for one can’t wait to hear the 2021 track.
James is a successful songwriter, who was brought in to represent the UK following the national tradition of another last-place fail in 2019. Newman’s 2020 song, My Last Breath was a slow grooving pop track, however he has described a more upbeat and dancier number for 2021. Talking to the BBC, Newman hinted at the different approach for this year, saying:
“I feel like everyone wants a party and to have some fun so when I was writing, that’s what I had in my head. I wanted something people can dance to, even if it’s just in their kitchen”.
The Bulgarian ballad Tears Getting Sober was also tipped to do well in the cancelled 2020 competition, and Victoria is welcomed back into the line up for 2021.
Another typically catchy and dance-worthy track came out of Malta’s All Of My Love, from Destiny, who will be returning in 2021.
One of the non-English entries for 2020 came from Spain’s Blas Cantó with Universo, and he will also be back this year with a new track.
More returning acts for 2021 include:
Australia – Montaigne
Austria – Vincent Bueno
Azerbaijan – Efendi
Belgium – Hooverphonic
Czech Republic – Benny Cristo
Georgia – Tornike Kipiani
Greece – Stefania
Ireland – Lesley Roy
Israel – Eden Alene
Latvia – Samantha Tina
Moldova – Natalia Gordienko
Netherlands – Jeangu Macrooy
North Macedonia – Vasil
Romania – Roxen
San Marino – Senhit
Serbia – Hurricane
Slovenia – Ana Soklic
Switzerland – Gjon’s Tears
Ukraine – Go_A
For the latest Eurovision 2021 news follow:
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James “Fitz” FitzSimmons Interview: The Boys In The Band On Netflix
Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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