Eurovision 2018 just got that much closer with the news that tonight Belgium Flemish broadcaster VRT will reveal their act for Lisbon. The artist will be introduced this evening on the talk show Van Gils & Gasten.
Show host Lieven Van Gils will interview the artist — or artists — and give viewers an introduction to the first confirmed act for Eurovision 2018.
But one thing we won’t discover is the artist’s song for Lisbon. The song itself is yet to be chosen, but selecting the right song will be the focus for both the artist and VRT over the coming months.
At this stage it’s not clear if the selected act will be a solo artist, a duo or some sort of group. However, since 2012 Belgium has always sent solo artists to Eurovision. Their last group entry was Witloof Bay, who narrowly missed out on making the grand final in 2011.
Van Gils & Gasten is broadcast tonight on Eén at 22.00 CET.
The selection process
Earlier in the year, VRT confirmed that they would ditch their usual national final Eurosong in favour of internally selecting the artist for Lisbon.
VRT spokesperson Hans van Goethem recently revealed that a special selection committee had been set up. It included both staff from within the broadcaster and external experts. Together they have selected the candidate who will represent Belgium in Lisbon next year.
The broadcaster had been in talks with both established artists and newcomers, which led to much speculation from fans.
Fan favourite Natalia Druyts has previously said she’d be happy to do Eurovision, but only if she didn’t have to go through a national final. Also interested is young Belgian singer Billie, who has been making a name for herself.
Whoever VRT selects, they will surely be focused on keeping Belgium’s successful track record going. Since 2013, Belgium has qualified for the grand final four times out of five, and has made the top ten three times.
What do you think? Who do you expect to be VRT’s pick for Lisbon? What sort of song should they enter? Let us know what you think below.
Laura Groes.
Sources say Tom Dice
(actually a picture I saw)
Indeed, it’s Tom Dice for Belgium 2018.
UNLESS… he’s a guest, and actually a decoy for the real candidate for Belgium. Let’s hope so, I would be really disappointed if we were to send Tom Dice again.
Indeed he was a guest
Nevermind, I looked at his Twitter and he says he knows it and will tell it with Peter in the show.
https://twitter.com/TomDiceOfficial/status/913489705643233280
If true, they are giving one of their young lions another shot, and he’s still relatively young…
However, given that it’ll be NINE YEARS since his last appearance, this could go either way; either he keeps Belgium in the top 10, or he could end up like many others who tried again, and sent packing after the semis.
I highly doubt Belgium will choose someone really famous like Stromae. I think it’s likely that Belgium will choose someone who was on the Belgian versions of The Voice because that is what they have done for the past three years.
Let the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 begin!
https://youtu.be/isAWwP3TbpA
This is my top 100 songs of eurovision 2010-2017
i place my bet on ‘coely’
I hope it’s Selah Sue, who wrote for Laura Tesoro…
…But what if they oblige Natalia Druyts and send her?
I’m really hoping or Laura Omloop! 😀
That would be a shock tbh
Still hoping for Stromae haha xD
Stromae is likely for 2019 instead.
Why?
Because many of Stromae’s songs are in French, and RTBF is Belgium’s French-language channel.
i definitely think they’ve picked an established/well known artist considering a few have shown interest and they’ve decided pretty quickly. a part of me wants to say perhaps hadise making a return (she is flemish and VRT are choosing) but i could be wrong though.
Omg, if it turned out to be Hadise, or Kate Ryan I would jump for joy.
I miss the Turkish Music at the contest. If Hadise came back she should do a song that includes Turkish, Dutch, French and English. That would be absolutely amazing, if she actually did do that!
But, I know it probably will never be the case 🙁
Benny – I so want that to happen, but it never will.
Can’t wait to see who they’ve picked, although, unless it’s an artist who previously participated on ESC, my reaction will be puzzled. 🙂 It is interesting that any country can release a full song as early as 1. September, but nobody chooses to do so at least until late December / early January. Usually Albania is first as their FIK happens around Christmas, but considering they most often translate it, we get to hear first official ESC song only in January. 🙁 The thing is, a good suspense is worth it. But… with few months of silence and then four… Read more »
OMG!!!
First act of the year! This is so exciting!
We won’t learn the song yet, but the artist is also an important part of an act. So it’s important too.
Looking forward!!
And I have to watch it at 3am in the morning. 🙁
Anyway this is exciting. Gonna watch it.
And me at 7am ^^
I’m not so far of Indonesia 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/groups/881889561846486/
Justin Timberlake, who performed the interval at ESC 2016 final, is performing the Halftime Show at the Superbowl in February 2018.
If that’s important ar all. I just heard about it.
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2017/09/27/justin-timberlake-reportedly-finalizing-nfl-deal-for-super-bowl-halftime-performance.html
PLEASEEE AXEL HIRSOUX AGAIN!
He has a goid voice but he can’t send anything like “Mother” again. :{
I hope it’s going to be Billie ?
I hope it’ll be good. Belgium have had many good entries lately. I hope it’s going to be modern. 🙂
Hmmmmm..
Tension is rising here in Belgium … we are so happy lately with our entries that going back to the old wrong habits would be nothing but a disappointment. I know I might be dreaming, but I truly hope it is “Oscar & the Wolf” … Why would the VRT announce their candidate so early in the process (we are not even October yet) if it ain’t a well known singer/group. Moreover Oscar & the Wolf are releasing their new album tomorrow, so would this all just be coincidence? Anyway … I’ll be sitting in front of the television tonight… Read more »
I don’t expect a big name, but a some or less familiar name because of the early announcement in a primetime talkshow.
The first one to announce the artist and probably (one of) the last to hear the song (just like RTBF).
And so it begins…
ESC 2018 is officially underway!! Drum roll please
Oh my God! I can’t wait already. :O