Australia is going all in for 2018! With its participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 confirmed, and the inaugural Eurovision Asia on the horizon, the Aussies are ready to showcase its pop music industry in two major events in the year ahead. At this stage they are the only country confirmed to compete in both contests. For SBS and their production team at Blink TV, it’s a matter of going big or going home. Flying up from Down Under isn’t cheap, guys….

With that in mind we’ve had a think and can now reveal five acts we hope will make the Aussie shortlist for Eurovision Asia. These are just five of the many acts we have on our minds. More lists to follow in the months ahead…

1. Jessica Mauboy

Who better to introduce Australia on the Asian stage than the woman who first flew the Aussie flag in Europe? Jessica Mauboy’s “Sea of Flags” was Australia’s unofficial Eurovision debut in 2014 before Australia was invited to compete. Jessica set the stage for three years of great success and there’s no doubt she has what it takes to do the same at Eurovision Asia. Asia needs some indigenous Australian realness and she is ready to represent.

Since Eurovision Jessica has starred in the hit Australian series The Secret Daughter, where she shows off both her acting and singing abilities. The soundtrack to the show, which she released as an album, became her first to top the Australian charts. She also became the first indigenous Australian to debut at #1 on the ARIA charts. Outside of this she has also released “This Ain’t Love” and “Fallin'” from her upcoming studio album. Jessica is on a hot streak and water can’t cool her down

2. Delta Goodrem

Perennially rumoured to represent Australia at Eurovision, Delta Goodrem may have been biding her time to conquer a different continent. Delta’s latest studio album Wings of the Wild showed that she is capable of nailing a big ballad, a pop bop and even a bit of country-pop. Australia would do well to send her — and her broad repertoire — to Eurovision Asia.

In recent times, Delta returned to Australian soap opera Neighbours for its 30th anniversary. She also made her Australian theatre debut in Cats. She also joined the cast of Australian drama House Husbands for its fifth season. A woman of many talents, Delta would be a great choice for Australia. Her wings were made to fly!

3. Alison Wonderland

Stepping away from some of the big names in the Australian music industry, we move to a lesser-known artist with major potential. Alex Sholler, better known as Alison Wonderland, is a Sydney-based DJ who could bring on-trend EDM to compete against powerhouse artists from the rest of the continent. Alison Wonderland’s music might not scream “Eurovision”, but a new contest brings new opportunities and Australia can shine with this DJ’s take on electronic dance.

Her debut album Run peaked at number 6 in Australia and number 12 in New Zealand. Billboard praised her most recent single “Messiah“, describing it as “a steady build into a brightly burning hook.” Alison Wonderland could bring the club banger to get Eurovision Asia fans on their feet.

4. PNAU

If Australia wants electronic music, then PNAU is a very safe option. The group has been active since 1999 and enjoyed plenty of success with their 2016 release “Chameleon”, which peaked at number 4 on the Australian charts. Formed by Nick Littlemore and Peter Mayes, they brought on Sam Littlemore seventeen years after their founding, showing that they’re keen to evolve. Their music has made the annual Triple J Top 100 list several times.

PNAU will drop a new album in November 2017. Eurovision Asia could be the perfect platform to promote their music beyond Australia’s borders.

5. Tkay Maidza

Would it really be Eurovision Asia without some Zimbabwean rap? Adelaide-based Tkay Maidza hails from southern Africa and her brand of rap would surely stand out among anything Asia has to offer. She released “Glorious” in 2017, showing her prowess for electronic pop. A woman of many talents and many sounds, she packs an unusual sound that could cut across borders.

At just 21 years of age, Tkay Maidza already claims some major accomplishments. She’s featured on Troye Sivan’s album “Blue Neighbourhood” and has opened for the likes of Charli XCX and Rita Ora. She would be a brave choice for Australia. But it’s a risk that just might pay off.

Who do you want to see flying the Australian flag at Eurovision or Eurovision Asia? Let us know in the comments box below.

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Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

Mauboy being part Indonesian and having tourned Asia before will give her an upper edge in this contest. Don’t think that Delta is interested in ESC anymore after she turned it down last year.

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

These are “dream” acts, so can we not dream a little bigger? I’m talking Minogue sisters, Sia, Natalie Imbruglia, Vanessa Amorosi, Tina Arena, etc. – or whatabout the return of Olivia Newton John or Gina G? If you’re looking for younger acts, there’s Cody Simpson, or…or…okay, I give up now.

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

They can think bigger than that 🙂 If twe should dream, let’s dream bigger :9 they have better, more credible and more famous and respected big names at their pop and rock scene….Kylie was maybe great around 1990 but not now 🙂

Jonas
Jonas
6 years ago

How dare you. Kylie was, is now, and forever will be, queen of all she surveys. I don’t really give a hoot about credibility (is that another word for snobbery?), or “respect” – these same music critics have no respect for the Eurovision Song Contest either – I imagine Kylie still, at the grand old age of 49, would go down very well with actual Eurovision fans.

Kermit
Kermit
6 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Kylie might still be big among gays…but that’s it 🙂 (asdie from that, I don’t mind her, but she has already head “her time”

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Maybe among some self-declared music taste “experts” in the outside ESC-bubble, but the “other” real music world, credibility would be another name for snobbery….But not so in ESC I think! 🙂 I think the clue is something genuine, honest, quality, original…which is not constructed for ESC, and singers who have a great deal of respect attached to them among critics etc. ESC should indeed be credible! 🙂 Nothing “snobbery” with that

euroboy
euroboy
6 years ago

EXCUSEME!! how you can say that? Kylie is the best selling Australian artist of all time! and you say that she stock in the 90’s when Fever is one of the best albums of the 00’s and Aphrodite from 2010 give her a guinnes record! maybe you are fan of Justin Bieber and don’t know other music them only that garbage… you needs more information my friend!

Kim
Kim
6 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Yeah don’t think Olivia would be an option . I would think her health and going into remission with the cancer she has would be a bigger priority at this time.Sia wouldn’t be an option either she doesn’t do concerts so she wouldn’t do Eurovision I think she gets a little stage fright and when was the last time one of the Minogues had a new song or did a concert -years let them enjoy their retirement . Australia has great new talent let some of them have a go.

Twisted French
Twisted French
6 years ago

Ok I get that Australia has been a guest at Eurovision for 3 years and it was a pretty good idea. But Eurovision Asia?? Australia has never been in Asia. I don’t get it. Si if the US do Eurovision Americas then Australia will go because it’s an English speaking country? What about Africa? Australia in an African song contest because…. I don’t know, some Australians have an African background?? Why do they feel they need to participate in such a contest? Their artists already sell worldwide. It’s not like nobody knows What Australia is or what kind of music… Read more »

Miss X
Miss X
6 years ago

Go away, intruders.

Kim
Kim
6 years ago
Reply to  Miss X

Oh please I’m sick of this your not part of Europe crap you forget that Eurovision was created as a way of bringing countries together and by insisting on your exclusivity you are contradicting the reason that Eurovision was invented.To bring countries closer together to prevent the persecutions that happened in WW2 to ever happen again .Australia is not part of Asia either we are an island in the pacific that has taken in people from every country in the world . Australia Fought on European shores from the Crimean war through to WW2. We could have sat in the… Read more »

Euroboy
6 years ago

Ok! Australia have amazing artista!!! my best option maybe are Dannii Minogue, of course Kylie never will go, but! Danni is so cool and rigth now she will comeback with a new álbum and her new son Holding On is AMAZING!! #MinogueToEurovision !!

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago
Reply to  Euroboy

They should send some of their most legendary, credible and biggest music names..:Crowded House, AC/DC, Nick Cave etc. So big music scene, so a lot to come up with!

We need more rock in ESC, so AC/DC would be amazing. And they are of course legendary too. And Crwded House could even win with some of their great melodic tunes.

Kermit
Kermit
6 years ago

Good choice – way better than shouty ballad divas 🙂 We need some more rock in ESC indeed.

Kim
Kim
6 years ago

Sorry but if we are going to be technical half of AC/DC are living in other countries and poor Malcolm Young has Alzheimer’s and as spectacular as Crowded house are both bands are technically retired and only come out and tour sometimes with only a few members ( RIP Paul Hester)

Sabi
Sabi
6 years ago

I think that Australia shouldn’t not participate in both contests. They should choice between Asia and Europe, then i want Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia + Kazakhstan (if ever get ESC participation) to take part in both contests as well.

This situation remembers me when Spain and Portugal participated in both OTI Festival and Eurovision when they couldn’t win and host ESC as well.

Kermit
Kermit
6 years ago

AC/DC! Real rock legends. Really – NOTHING in the wrold could top that 🙂 Honestly…Imagine they do a Lordi and win with hard rock. Would be just awesome! 🙂

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago
Reply to  Kermit

Would be great!

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Someone has low standards

azaad
azaad
6 years ago

Why not have Dami represent Australia at Eurovision Asia? That would be an automatic 24 points from South Korea! Any of these acts would be a good choice.

tez
tez
6 years ago

delta would be perfect her vocal ability is out of this world. i would love to see either delta or the veronicas.

Kermit
Kermit
6 years ago
Reply to  tez

Veronicas with some real rock would be nice.

The Orinoco Child
The Orinoco Child
6 years ago

I think they should also include Samantha Jade or hopefully Dami Im again.

This is a long shot but Sia or Troye Sivan would be amazing but I highly doubt it.

Kim
Kim
6 years ago

Samantha Jade -hell what are you thinking ? She can sing but sounds and looks like Kylie but can’t do the big performance Eurovision needs .Have nothing against the girl but dude nooooo!!!!!

fastfoodmusiclover
fastfoodmusiclover
6 years ago

it’s boring but i think it’s best to send dami/guy. they both are proven to be very good during their run in the original eurovision and they’re both ASIANS.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Am I the only one who finds Delta’s songs boring and dated?
Anyway, I’ve listening to Josef Salvat lately, so why not?

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago

Personally I don’t think it’s fair that Australia gets to participate in both Eurovision and Eurovision Asia. Perhaps SBS is participating in both contests just in case Eurovision Asia ends up becoming a disaster.

No Name
No Name
6 years ago

And please leave Eurovision. Thank you.

escphbelgium
escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  No Name

Nah, man! They’re here to stay!!
#dealwithit

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago
Reply to  escphbelgium

Do you think it’s fair that Australia gets to participate in both Eurovision and Eurovision Asia?

azaad
azaad
6 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

Other countries can if they’re interested. They just aren’t.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  No Name

^That is if the EBU continues to extend their invitation for Australia to participate.