He is the favourite to win it all at Eurovision 2019. Duncan Laurence is representing The Netherlands with “Arcade”. We had the chance to catch up with this burgeoning Dutch star in Tel Aviv ahead of his second rehearsal tomorrow.

Duncan Laurence interview at Eurovision 2019

Duncan is loving the food, weather and people of Israel. He loved the experience of the first rehearsal and he felt calm because everything was well organised.

The staging is inspired by how Duncan wrote “Arcade” — just a man behind a piano. He hopes the focus will be on the music and the feeling within the song.

Duncan’s outfit in the first rehearsal will be his stage outfit for the second semi-final. He doesn’t want anything flashy — “no circus, no fireworks”, just Duncan Laurence on stage.

Duncan saw reactions about his first rehearsal and they have looked at all of it. He believes it is still premature to judge and that everything has gone according to plan so far. They still have a second rehearsal to look forward to and the performance is bound to only improve. They were happy with what they saw, made changes between the first and third runs and the process of improvement will continue in the coming days.

“Arcade” — First rehearsal reaction

Duncan recently headlined his first concert and describes the experience as special. The crowd were quiet and listening with bated breath and you could hear a pin drop as he performed. He found it really special that people stopped to listen and take in the music.

Performing on a stage as large as the Eurovision arena makes Duncan feel more fragile and vulnerable. However that doesn’t make him nervous. Duncan says he has felt fragile all his life, especially having been bullied at school. He draws power from that and he feels safe behind the piano. “From the biggest mistake, the best song can happen,” Duncan explains.

Duncan doesn’t feel the burden of having to win. He thinks people want to see him win and he is doing his best to make that happen. He feels the expectations but he views it as a compliment rather than a burden. A Dutch victory would bring some meaning to Eurovision in The Netherlands as well as the chance to organise the contest and change the perspective towards Eurovision for many Dutch people.

Duncan’s other Eurovision favourites include Michela’s “Chameleon” and Mahmood’s “Soldi”. He loves the Maltese staging and saw clips of her performance and found it to be amazing. He is also sending love to Italy’s Mahmood and wishes him a speedy recovery.

Duncan Laurence will perform in the second semi-final on May 16.

What do you think of Duncan’s “Arcade”? Are we headed to Amsterdam next year? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more Eurovision interviews here

Read more Netherlands news here

39 Comments
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ESCalator
ESCalator
4 years ago

So, what happened with the broken ESC rules and potential disqualification?

Nikola
Nikola
4 years ago

Pure emotion and focus from North Macedonia’s Tamara

Nikola
Nikola
4 years ago

Pure emotion and focus from North Macedonia’s Tamara

#WALKINGOUT
#WALKINGOUT
4 years ago

Even Armenia is one of this year’s potential winners you don’t interview with them or publish an article about them,enough wit the netherlands!!!!

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago

if ur wise duncan, ditch that piano/keyboard thing, and try to look more appealing, interact more with the audience pls cause your first rehearsal was such a snooze

cent
cent
4 years ago

with this photo we understand who sponsors wiwibloggs this year! now I understand yesterday’s negative review of Italy

Otto
Otto
4 years ago
Reply to  cent

Grow up

Richard
Richard
4 years ago

Duncan is a total sweetheart and he is clearly staying true to his song in the presentation choices he has made. A simple presentation can work, and will need lots of intimate camera shots, otherwise its a man sitting at a piano.

Luli
Luli
4 years ago

William, has a crush on Duncan -)))))

George
George
4 years ago
Reply to  Luli

Def, he was ready to eat him up

Jack
Jack
4 years ago

i love his humble way! great song anf would love to see him win

Vrede
Vrede
4 years ago

This is SUCH a sweet interview. Now I want him to win even more!

no saint
no saint
4 years ago

He used to say he likes Iceland, but because Iceland Music News found out it was a shade, now he likes Mahmood . “Not so silent and innocent” guy. But he will win, like Europe was fooled by Salvador and Jamala.

Robert
Robert
4 years ago
Reply to  no saint

Girl you are making stories up.. fooled? Really queen?

escfan
escfan
4 years ago
Reply to  no saint

Great that you watch Iceland Music News, but you know this is a gimmick all made up just to support Iceland? They make funny videos but don’t take it too seriously…

Guido
Guido
4 years ago

Well done William it was a joy to watch this interview!

AM2PM
AM2PM
4 years ago

Wait, is the mistake that he met William and they are now a couple?

MTD
MTD
4 years ago

Inflated boring uninspiring song that is pushed down our throats as a “winner, winner, winner”!

Just, stop!

Duncan honey, no shade to you, but your song is not even slightly original nor emotional enough.

Guido
Guido
4 years ago
Reply to  MTD

You are sad…

Carlos D
Carlos D
4 years ago
Reply to  MTD

Oh dear…. im so sad 4 you. That you have the urge to write this says so much about you and nothing about the song or Duncan. Jealousy wont get you far.

Leo
Leo
4 years ago

L

Henry
Henry
4 years ago

Winner, no doubt about it.

ESC 2019
4 years ago

I say it again. THE NETHERLAND OR SWEDEN GONNA WIM

MikolasFan
MikolasFan
4 years ago

Humble and charming king , so polite, intelligent and funny, i just can’t get enough of him and the way Duncan was talking about my other king Mahmood just melted my heart, such a caring guy ….aww

thank you dear William for the best interview with Duncan ever !
you can see how comfortable and good Duncan feels during the interview, the chemistry is there lol

Rogesc
Rogesc
4 years ago

Duncan has WINNER written all over him and I am li-ving! He’s an artist with a song so pure and all we do is talking about the smallest details of camera angles. Let’s be real, emotion should win over a camera angle people!

lebro
lebro
4 years ago
Reply to  Rogesc

Exactly!!, People it’s called a SONGcontest,…. not a staging contest.

Otto
Otto
4 years ago

A sweet genuine guy with a wonderful song, hope he wins! And with good taste as I would be happy if Italy and Malta rounded up the top 3. Good luck Duncan!

Stephanie
4 years ago

Amazing interview, William! Duncan is really showing that he’s staying grounded throughout this whole experience and letting the music speak for itself. I can’t wait for all the surprises the Dutch team has yet to unveil for his performance and in my mind he’s still the one to beat for the trophy

Ksenija
Ksenija
4 years ago

such a good song, such a disappointing staging. i’m actually sad.
now i’m rooting for iceland to win.

Guido
Guido
4 years ago
Reply to  Ksenija

Wait until you see the TV production…I think that Will be quite ok!

Eura
Eura
4 years ago

Overrated tbh

Alex
Alex
4 years ago

I really hope Netherlands wins this and we can move on quickly from this underwhelming Eurovision tbh.
Music has to win

Milla
Milla
4 years ago
Reply to  Alex

“Music has to win”. OMG how silly. What are the others doing??

Casey
Casey
4 years ago
Reply to  Milla

I don’t know, ask it to Sergey’s mirror reflection.

AntonESC
AntonESC
4 years ago

Winner!!

IVANOV
IVANOV
4 years ago

AHAAH keep dreaming the dullcans.
#Moscow2020

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

IVANOV, it’s just getting boring at this point…

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
4 years ago
Reply to  IVANOV

Is he even russian? I mean it must be obvious even for him that he’s not doing his country any favors.

Roger Rabbit
Roger Rabbit
4 years ago

Thi is the WINNER.