He’s the Belgian producer, noted for staging The Common Linnets song “Calm After The Storm” at Eurovision 2014 and Spain’s Eurovision song “Do It For Your Lover” last year.

And now Hans Pannecoucke has been confirmed as the stage producer for Belgium’s Eurovision 2018 act Sennek and her song “A Matter Of Time”. 

Pannecoucke has brought longtime collaborators Ignace D’Haese and Yves Ruth on board to help stage the show. D’Haese will produce the lighting and Yves Ruth will choreograph the performance.

The trio previously worked together on Belgium’s 2016 entry “What’s The Pressure”, putting together Laura Tesoro’s performance and a stage show that delivered a top 10 result for Belgium in Stockholm.

They also worked together on Spain’s 2017 entry, which despite their talents finished dead last on the scoreboard and only received five points. Staging can only do so much…

Belgium is the second country Pannecoucke is involved with this year. Dutch Eurovision 2018 act Waylon confirmed Pannecoucke would produce the stage show for “Outlaw In ‘Em” in late February. It’s also the second time Pannecoucke will stage both Belgium and The Netherlands’ Eurovision performances simultaneously.

Hans Pannecoucke at Eurovision

It’s fair to say that HP’s track record at Eurovision is hit and miss.

His biggest hit by far is “Calm After The Storm”. The single camera shot staging won plaudits, and helped the Netherlands win their semi-final and place second on the night of the Grand Final.

Likewise Laura Tesoro’s performance of “What’s The Pressure” also lifted the song up and opened the 2016 Grand Final with a bang.

Unfortunately, Pannecoucke has also worked on several notable Eurovision flops, although whether staging is entirely to blame for their failure is up for debate.

The staging of the Netherlands’ 2015 entry “Walk Along” drew significant criticism from the Dutch media and international fans alike and “Do It For Your Lover” gave Spain its worst performance in a Eurovision final in the 21st century.

In both cases, HP has defended himself, describing the staging for “Walk Along” as “classy” and saying that the team involved in staging “Do It For Your Lover” had created something to be “proud of“.

Whether the staging for “A Matter Of Time” will be hit or miss has yet to be seen.

What do you make of the news? Do you think Hans is the man for the job? Let us know in the comments below!

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hater
hater
5 years ago

Just want to say after the semi final1, this guy Hans Pannecoucke really ruins everything! WTF

Geza
Geza
6 years ago

Netherlands is going to slay eurovision 2018. Think they are going to surprise with their live performance and staging. Can be a winner this year that not a lot people see coming at the end.

Okta
Okta
6 years ago

Warrior is a great song, I think Amber can take the trophy home for Malta. Valletta 2019?

DyGh
DyGh
6 years ago

You know, “do it for your lover” wasn’t really a good song and the performance was… cringy. *insert rooster mating call*

Astrid
Astrid
6 years ago

Pannecoucke is really really good. Another great sign for Belgian victory!

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
KE2018
KE2018
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

WINNER ALERT!

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Lol, I was faster than wiwibloggs. So proud of myself 😀

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

God DAMN, can I just go one day with a consistent top ten? All these new entries are pushing my other favorites down!

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

Masterpiece. Zagreb 2019 looks possible.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Shouldn’t Crazy be out already?

Nico
Nico
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

I thought so, too. Someone said 7pm CET. I’m updating wiwibloggs like every 5 minutes waiting for the song, but nothing so far…

Marco
Marco
6 years ago

HUGE let down from Begium! I expected much more than this boring song..

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

Ok, the Ukraine situation has me sweating. It’d really suck if they had to sit it out a year after hosting.

KESC
KESC
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

They confirmed on Twitter that they are not going to withdraw. Additionally, they’ll also release the music video of Under the ladder soon.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Oh thank goodness

KE2018
KE2018
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Which situation? Could u explain?

Joe
Joe
6 years ago
Reply to  KE2018

It almost looked like the Ukrainian broadcaster was going to lose its funding, which would’ve meant sitting out Eurovision.

Aaron
Aaron
6 years ago

WHERE IS CRAZY FHRJNDNFGN

Rom
Rom
6 years ago

Really want Belgium to do well. Lets see how high the staging can take it.

Elfi
Elfi
6 years ago

Luisa Sobral was the name that Belgium needed to win….and by the way, If you want to win dont’t start the buzz yet, it’s too soon, it will not help you…

Linde Rottiers
Linde Rottiers
6 years ago
Reply to  Elfi

you’re at the wrong country my lady. This is Belgium, not Portugal. We have our own talents. It is wiwibloggs that this article places, We have nothing to do with it.

Elfi
Elfi
6 years ago
Reply to  Linde Rottiers

Fair enought. What i was trying to say is we did not have to know right now who would be responsible for the belgium staging, the statement was released and not by wiwibloggs… about the producer i think he knows how to do it well, however always the same old names don’t impprove the originality of the show. But that’s just my opinion. Btw, i have a c*** so i would prefer to be called sir instead of lady 😀

Linde Rottiers
Linde Rottiers
6 years ago
Reply to  Elfi

haha Ok Sir 🙂 I am also not happy with this choice of Pannecoucke. There was a press conference yesterday. That is why the press is curious. Questions are automatically asked and answers given. It is already known from the Netherlands and probably also from other countries. Why do you have a problem especially with Belgium? Hans Pannecoucke is Belgian and indeed a familiar figure in this world . No word has yet been written on this subject on the Belgian Eurovisionwebsite . Hyping is not the reason why this news is released. That’s just my point. 😉

Elfi
Elfi
6 years ago
Reply to  Linde Rottiers

I did not know about the others, sorry my mistake. I do like belgium entry, i am not trying to shade. I just would like to see different faces, different minds. I was also upset when i realized it would be the same guy to create the stage of esc 2018

Jorgos97
Jorgos97
6 years ago
Reply to  Elfi

Luisa and her brother lost 2 times in Portugal national final from Viva la Diva and song Nova Gloria. Thanks to juries Salvador won . And maybe he would won Eurovision if many people don t heard that he have big health problem with heart.

Shavinzki
Shavinzki
6 years ago
Reply to  Jorgos97

Many people didnt hear he had health problem, you idiot. Not even portuguese people did at the start. And Salvador was second in the televote.

Zafirce
Zafirce
6 years ago
Reply to  Shavinzki

Many commentors of Eurovision told to viewers about his healt problem in semi and final in Eurovision.Only because that he was won. Bulgaria would win if we didn t had sad story abourt Salvador health.

Musimakeup
Musimakeup
6 years ago
Reply to  Elfi

Amen from an other Luisa Fan lol … There might be good songwriters there too, but they don’t have the guts to send songs in their own language. And double the shame when it’s a country where you get the chance to choose or even use the diversity 🙂

Elfi
Elfi
6 years ago
Reply to  Musimakeup

Just to explain what i was saying: i didn’t mention Luisa for her amazing capability of songwritting, she was responsible for everything, camera angles, lights, the decision of doing it on the islands, she did an amazing prodution.

Stan
Stan
6 years ago
Reply to  Elfi

As for now, outside Portugal, Luisa Sobral is a one hit wonder. She also doesn’t seem to be the kind of song writer that would do Eurovision over and over again 🙂 Probably a bit the same as Alex Callier whose hand is very clear in this song. If you want to know more from him, just type Hooverphonic into youtube and enjoy some of Belgium’s finest songs from the past 25 years or so. There have been dropped a lot of names on the press conference, about the stylist, make up, staging, song writing etc. It’s almost all Belgian… Read more »

Elfi
Elfi
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

I agree with you, and i think belgium is on the right path. Staying authentic is always the right thing to do. 😉

Stan
Stan
6 years ago
Reply to  Elfi

yep, and Belgium is different from Portugal.. A bit cooler, but there’s a flame underneath the surface 😉

Elfi
Elfi
6 years ago
Reply to  Stan

idk about that… xDD

Aaron
Aaron
6 years ago

omg who cares, the staging is going to be so mellow and underwhelming. Stop overhyping mediocre entries.

This song doesn’t deserve to make the top 10…

Linde Rottiers
Linde Rottiers
6 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

This is a reaction from someone who is very scared of Belgium

kobe
kobe
6 years ago
Reply to  Aaron

…says the fortune teller!

Darkpassionplay
Darkpassionplay
6 years ago

Belgium is looking good , bw Bulgaria just dropped a hint on their twitter that they are sending multiple artists , wich means it wont be a solo entrylike last two years with Poli and Kris!

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Okay, Bulgaria also said they’d send ”something risky”, it would be so funny if they’d send a Punkrock band or something lol. Nobody would expect that.

Darkpassionplay
Darkpassionplay
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

We dont really have punkrock bands here in Bulgaria at all , we have like 90% chalga and 10% pop music , thats all. If you wonder what is chalga music , enjoy …

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aLMfR9ty0no

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

Oh, I know what it is. In Croatia, we call it “Narodnjaci” and it is often a low form of entertainment. Lyrics are 70% love cliche and 30% nationalist bull.

Nico
Nico
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I don’t have time to see that video, so I ask: Is it something like that “Nadro-whatever-rock” Slovenia sent in 2010 (because the words seem more or less similar)? Then I won’t expect very much haha. But we’ll see.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Nico

Not really… 😀

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Nico

Think more like “This is Balkan” (Serbia, 2010), but taking itself less humorous.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

Yeah, it was just a little crazy idea of mine ^^

Sami
Sami
6 years ago

JOWST feat. Kristian Kostov -Burning Bridges- ?
The song is going to be released on 9th of May.

Sami
Sami
6 years ago

Off topic: Does anyone know when the Croatian entry will be released?

Yossarian
Yossarian
6 years ago
Reply to  Sami

19:00 tonight, I think.

Marko
Marko
6 years ago
Reply to  Sami

19:00 CET

Linde Rottiers
Linde Rottiers
6 years ago
Reply to  Sami

Good for you that there was no leak *angry*

Marko
Marko
6 years ago
Reply to  Linde Rottiers

Why, I love leaks! 😀

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Sami

Seems like Franka will avoid the fate of leaking, as only an hour parts us from the official release of the song.

Linde Rottiers
Linde Rottiers
6 years ago

I had hoped that sennek had taken someone else but I have confidence in her that she will have the control and she delivers only quality… <3

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

Well, nobody could save “Do It for Your Lover”… At least he created a nice beginning to the performance, with the guys staring at the sky. Until the drummer decides to leave them. But even if I don’t like “Walk Along”, I guess it’s hard to defend him about that one. It was so uninteresting. On the other hand, “Calm After the Storm” is perfect, one of my all-time favorites. And Laura Tesoro’s performance was incredibly fun to watch. So he did well with the songs I was rooting for and failed with the songs I didn’t care about. I… Read more »

stommie
stommie
6 years ago

And he also does the Netherlands this year.

stommie
stommie
6 years ago

He also did Douwe Bob NED 2016

PP
PP
6 years ago

Anybody artistic director can t save Spain last yearfrom flop same thing wili happen with Fokas, Sasa… Flop with The Nehterlands was because of dress ,not because staging. With first dress (to sexy for many people ) , maybe The Netheralnds would be in final.

JuiceQoo
JuiceQoo
6 years ago

its my favorite song so far. i am very worried how the song staging. i think they should hire someone from Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts for SENNEK’S staging.

Linde Rottiers
Linde Rottiers
6 years ago
Reply to  JuiceQoo

For me it is a disappointment because we indeed have so many other top artists .I don’t understand her choice in this case.

JuiceQoo
JuiceQoo
6 years ago
Reply to  Linde Rottiers

ME TOO . Wish she change another Artistic director .

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

Mmmm… Common Linnets was great, Manel Navarro not so much… But of course, one cannot make wonders with the songs… And this one has a lot of potential. Good luck Belgium

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Manel’s staging was good tho. But the director can’t make miracles.

Glenn
Glenn
6 years ago

Slaying once again!!!! So proud of my country.. This is next level quality and i hope Laura will take the trophie to belgium after 32 years <3

Rory
Rory
6 years ago

I didn’t know that he staged last year’s Spain. LOL

It wasn’t something WOW, but OK. Good luck!

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

I have hopes he’ll do a good job with Sennek’s staging and not fail her like Blanche’s stage director failed her last year.

In other news, Ukraine might withdraw: https://www.ebu.ch/cms/render/live/en/sites/ebu/contents/news/2018/03/uapbc-under-threat-of-closure.html

Roxy
Roxy
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

God nooo, please! The curse of the 43 again?!

Linde Rottiers
Linde Rottiers
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Blanche her staging was just fine.

Ari
Ari
6 years ago

Well, it wasn’t his fault that Spain decides to send the worst rubbish they could find. No staging could have prevented its deserved last place finish.

Now, Trijntje on the other hand I still don’t get. Did he want her to fail? Did she want to fail herself? It’s still mystery to me. And would have been the easiest job in the world to make that song relatable.

As for 2018, I hope he cares about them equally, they are two of my favorites. Don’t let Waylon down, I want more county in Eurovision.

Tomas Davitt
Tomas Davitt
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

It doent massively surprise me that Trintije did badly – I thought ‘Walk Along’ was an incredibly irritating song

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  Tomas Davitt

She’d have qualified with an engaging performance like the one she had when she premiered her song on that talent show. Also, she should have stuck to the MILF cleavage dress. Out of all things, that’s the only thing she changed. Not the veil, not the greyness of the stage. Incredible.

loics
loics
6 years ago
Reply to  Ari

the problem with trijntje was that she had absolutely no clue what she was doing or what she got herself into. she thought all it took to participate in eurovision is just to sing your song. she didn’t think about staging and didn’t even know what to wear until what? a few days before the semi final? the common linnets knew exactly what they were doing and what they wanted and that’s why they did well 🙂

EscFanBelgium
EscFanBelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  loics

And Sennek knows what she wants aswell…

Ari
Ari
6 years ago
Reply to  loics

Ah I see. So she simply was lazy and oblivious. In that case, I blame Mr. Pannecoucke’s staging, though. Although besides that, she also seemed very uncomfortable on that stage.

ESC 4ever
ESC 4ever
6 years ago

Sennek her song is out of this world! A winner, she’s here to top the leaderboard.

ImpressiveInstants
6 years ago

The man behind DO IT FOR YOUR LOVER.