Rumours continue to circulate regarding the Netherlands‘ broadcaster AVROTROS and the internal selection of their act for Lisbon. Now Dutch newspaper AD is reporting that the broadcaster is struggling to attract big-name artists.

The official announcement of the Dutch artist for Lisbon is expected in two weeks, but at this stage, no one seems to know who it might be.

AD‘s sources have already been able to rule out some major artists. Singer-songwriter Dotan, international DJ Martin Garrix, pop-rock singer Jacqueline Govaert and indie group Chef’Special are not in the running. These artists were either not approached or were but turned down the opportunity.

But The Voice winner Maan is again mentioned as a potential artist. AD notes that a young diva like Maan, Romy Monteiro or Sharon Doorson could give AVROTROS the opportunity to excel at Eurovision with a dance song written by a reputable DJ.

The Netherlands has produced many superstar DJs, such as AfrojackArmin van Buuren and Hardwell, along with Martin Garrix. However, busy artists of this calibre would not have the time to spend two weeks in Portugal for rehearsals. Simply put, they could be making a lot more money elsewhere and public broadcaster AVROTROS can’t match their regular fees.

But, as AD speculates, it might be possible for such a DJ to still contribute as a songwriter alone without needing to be in Lisbon for on-stage rehearsals.

Learning from the past

The newspaper also notes that OG3NE’s performance in Kyiv is considered a “missed opportunity”, despite the sisters delivering an 11th place finish.

The Vol sisters reportedly managed to push their song “Lights and Shadows”, written by their father Rick Vol, despite there being less enthusiasm for the song at the broadcaster. Songs from writers such as Alain Clark and Paskal Jakobsen were quickly rejected by the trio, and the sisters cancelled a session with Swedish songwriters.

OG3NE and their father/manager Rick were so convinced of the quality of “Lights and Shadows” that they felt there was no point looking any further for songs. But it’s felt that a stronger song could have given the Netherlands an even better result, if not a win, in Kyiv.

A source at the broadcaster told AD that this cannot be allowed to happen again, and AVROTROS will hold tighter reins on the song selection process. But has this strict system scared off top acts?

What do you think? Should the Netherlands send a diva and a DJ to Lisbon? Who would you like to see? Share your thoughts below!

 

READ MORE EUROVISION NEWS FROM THE NETHERLANDS

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Tony
Tony
6 years ago

AMAZING !!!
EUROVISIE 2018 – Albania Inis Neziri ( “Piedestal “)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75sEdGED920

Tony
Tony
6 years ago

AMAZING !!! EUROVISIE 2018 – Albania Inis Neziri ( “Piedestal “)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75sEdGED920

Matty
Matty
6 years ago

The Netherlands should send a male artist to Eurovision, for example Caught in the Act.

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
6 years ago

Friday Night on night radio, Shirma Rouse, the big female backing singer from Anouk, announced that she’s be very happy to go to Eurovision and encouraged other artists to go as it is an magnificient experience to have a showcase.

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
6 years ago
Reply to  Hebbuzz

she’d be very happy. It was a kinda open invitation. She’s got the voice, but nit sure if she’s the right choice.

Now that she’s out of X-factor UK, Berget Lewis might have a chance? She’s from the incrowd once-a-year-girlgroup with Edisilia Rombley (who’s married to Trijntjes brother), Glennis Grace, Trijntje Oosterhuis (who’s married to her brother) and Sax-player Candy Dulfer. Wouldn’t be suprised if she’ll be picked by AVROTROS and Tjeerd Oosterhuis is allowed to write the song and Candy Dulfer can join on a sax-solo on an uptempo song.

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
6 years ago
Reply to  Hebbuzz

Trijntje is married to Berget’s brother, Edisilia to composer Tjeerd Oosterhuis, the brother of Trijntje….

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

Maybe they could send The Kik. They would bring something new to the stage and they legit make some good music.

Timselvision
Timselvision
6 years ago

I’m Dutch and I’m really sad about this. I thought we were going in an upwards spiral in which artists saw ESC as a way to get an international audience, but O’G3ne were very hyped by everyone and the expectations were “at least top 5”. I saw an article saying that the 11th place last year was “a disappointment”… well, I was positively suprised but okay. This makes that artists return in the “nobody votes for us”-stadium. I’m honestly scared we’re jumping into another dark era for this country. Not only the problems mentioned above are a factor, also the… Read more »

Max Mark
Max Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  Timselvision

Please! Not so dramatic! It’s nice for having Dutch big names the past year. But Please remember: It’s not about the artist, It’s about aan very very good song.
I am very pleased that AvroTros is focussing on the song.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

Gimme rock this time!

Chef’Special would have been a very interesting choice.

I still want Kensington. I hope they haven’t been approached yet and said “no”.

And what about Delain?

beccaboo1212
6 years ago

I want Shalisa (JESC 2015) to fly the Dutch colors in Lisbon! 😀

Tony
Tony
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Oh please not, I don’t like her and the public either that’s why she was in the bottom 🙂

beccaboo1212
6 years ago
Reply to  Tony

Too damn bad! I’m really hoping for Shalisa to do better in the regular Eurovision than she did in the Junior counterpart. 😮

LAHAYANO
LAHAYANO
6 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

Shalisa who?

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

Can’t they just send an artist who has already represented them in the past?

The New Common Linnets might be interesting.

Barry Piatoff
Barry Piatoff
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Mark has a very good idea with The New Common Linnets. I give it a +1.

myEuroVision
myEuroVision
6 years ago

Now I know they won’t pick a ‘big’ name, I hope they choose new and fresh talent. I’m really hoping for Naaz!! She is a great singer with her own style. She is really modern and I think that’s what the Netherlands needs, cause our songs of the last years were all kinda dated. I’d also like Vichenzo or Rochelle

Daan
Daan
6 years ago

Maan who? Oh right, Maan with a voice of one in a dozen. Nope.

And ugh, regarding Og3ne, we all knew that. Their father is preventing them from breaking through because he loves to stroke his own ego. I mean, imagine, your name being watched by 200 million people as a song writer oh my. Heck, Og3ne even let down a big American music producer because of their father. It’s sad.

Mateo
Mateo
6 years ago
Reply to  Daan

What is sad? Being a close knit family who enjoy working together and manage to share doing what they all enjoy: making music? They may not be as successful internationally as they potentially could be but for that they get a hell of a lot in return.

Amor
Amor
6 years ago
Reply to  Mateo

It’s good that they are close with their dad and he wants to be involved but at the same time they should do what’s best for their career. Cancelling sessions with producers who could have given them a better song was a big mistake.

saraol
saraol
6 years ago
Reply to  Amor

Producers who want what? Private meetings in the office with three sisters? We know those producers want to negotiate with the female artists in private. Good for their father to say NO!

Amor
Amor
6 years ago
Reply to  saraol

I think you are taking this a bit too far. Not everyone in the music industry is a Harvey Weinstein, okay? Most are good people who look at music as an art, not a way to be pervy. Also, they are in their 20s their dad can’t say no anymore. They should have their own voice.

saraol
saraol
6 years ago
Reply to  Amor

Sure, whatever you say!

Jak
Jak
6 years ago

For years I’ve been saying ‘Send Luìsa Sobral, Portugal’ and everyone laughed at me until this year.
In the case of the Netherlands, this person is being Laura Jansen. She could win in Lisbon for real with fresh electronic pop song – it would be a very different approach from Dutchies anyway, after three country songs in five years.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

How about they pick someone obscure? Belgium did and it worked.

Joris
6 years ago

I think Kenny B – Parijs would have been a good entry for Eurosong.
French, English and Dutch words (like 90% is Dutch).
Fun lyrics, happy, love song.
Too bad it’s two years old.

Maybe they should approach Kenny B and write a beast song for him? I don’t know.

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

Is it just me, or do northwestern and northern European countries like the Netherlands have a subconscious inferiority complex vis-a-vis English that they have to send carbon-copy English songs? O’GENE’s song this year reminded me of that…not very original or inspiring. Deserved what they got, despite their talent.

valdo
valdo
6 years ago
Reply to  blondboybc

I don’t know, but in my opinion, if you look abroad, you must look 360 degrees and some countries look only at UK or Sweden.

Daan
Daan
6 years ago
Reply to  blondboybc

The main problem here is that we Dutch are afraid that our language might not be pleasant to listen to. Like Arabic and Hebrew we have a hard G. And hard sounds in general. Sure, some artists can cover this easily and some have a soft G (like the southern and eastern Dutchies; Ilse and stuff) But..

Dont get me wrong. I would LOVE for us to send a Dutch song. But sadly most of our most succesfull artists sing in English.

LAHAYANO
LAHAYANO
6 years ago
Reply to  Daan

It’s not that unpleasant to listen to – unless it’s Glennis Grace singing. Don’t get me wrong I think she’s excellent, but her GGGGG is very, very present..

EscAU
EscAU
6 years ago

If Netherlands line up a massive dj with a pop singer on a banging dance track they would cut through eveything else (ballads), though Cascada didn’t do too well even though that song is still my fav… give dance a chance one year Nederland, you’ve got the power put it to use 🙂

Dennis
Dennis
6 years ago

Please select Rochelle Perts!

LAHAYANO
LAHAYANO
6 years ago
Reply to  Dennis

Agreed!!