This March is shaping up to be a busy one for Eurovision fans. Belgium group Hooverphonic have confirmed that they will release their song for Rotterdam on 4 March. The band hasn’t given many details about the song, just an intriguing teaser video.

Songfestival.be reports that Hooverphonic’s song for Eurovision 2021 will be released on the MNM morning radio show, hosted by Belgium Eurovision commentator Peter Van de Veire. On 4 March at around 8.45am, the song will have its first public play. The music video will also be released at around the same time.

There’s already a hint of what fans can expect from both the song and the music video. Hooverphonic have uploaded a teaser clip that appears to include a snippet of the music video.

The teaser video is short — only nine seconds long — but there’s plenty of glean from it. The video is set in an old house that has seen better days. There are two shots, the first of a cluttered corridor, the other of a woman dressed in a bridal gown. It’s spooky and evocative.

The snippet also includes a short piece of music. While it hasn’t been confirmed as Hooverphonic’s Eurovision entry, this is a strong possibility.

The music sounds more upbeat and with a bit more swagger than the group’s 2020 effort “Release Me”. But not much is revealed — just a driving beat with a bit of electric guitar over the top. It seems to be leading up to something bigger — perhaps the haunted bride will have more to reveal!

Hooverphonic’s Eurovision journey

Hooverphonic have been together since 1995 and have built up an audience both in Belgium and internationally. Group member Alex Callier was one of the songwriters behind Sennek’s song for Eurovision 2018, “A Matter of Time”.

Hooverphonic were internally selected to represent Belgium at Eurovision 2020. They were due to perform “Release Me”, with Luka Cruysberghs on lead vocals.

After Eurovision 2021 was cancelled, the group was given the return ticket to Rotterdam. In November, Hooverphonic confirmed that they had ended their “collaboration” with singer Luka. Instead former group member Geike Arnaert would return for Hooverphonic’s Eurovision entry.

What do you think? What sort of song do you think Hooverphonic will have for Eurovision 2021? And what is going on with the music video? Sound off in the comments section below!

Read more Belgium Eurovision news here

59 Comments
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Miss Uncongeniality
Miss Uncongeniality
3 years ago

Ohhhh pleasee it’s totally boring the speech of “poor Luka humiliated by evil Alex”, like if you are talkig of Alex like “El Diablo”…. we don’t know the real reasons of that decision, just the group members, and all of them (including Luka), will give their own version. And let’s be realistic, the chief in the band is Alex, and as in all jobs, if you are the chief and you have an employee that isn’t fulfilling your expectations, you simply dismiss that person, and hire someone new, in this case someone not new but definitely with more experience. So… Read more »

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

They certainly haven’t got support from eurofans but in the end it’s the general public and juries that decide.

I liked a lot ‘Release Me’, very Bond-like song! Curious to hear their 2021 song, it can’t be mediocre.

Sad that Luka is not part of the band anymore.. she deserves to be in ESC.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

Belgium having a good song this year would be a total game changer in terms of the odds. How irresistible could a good Hooverphonic song be to the juries, and to their many fans across Europe? Belgium could be a real dark horse going into Rotterdam.

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Can’t see that happening at all.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago
Reply to  Kalla

Their 25+ years making music say otherwise.

Moonstar
Moonstar
3 years ago
Reply to  Azaad

Did it really say it with “Release me”?

Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

The snippet has piqued my interest.

Whatever the case, I hope Hooverphonic can engage productively with Eurovision this year, for themselves, for fans, for the Contest they have entered and for Belgium.

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
musica
musica
3 years ago

Geike Arnaert is a great singer, she helped shape Hooverphonic’s sound and she also sang on their signature song Mad About You. I have a lot of faith in this entry, the snippet (if it’s a snippet of the song) already sounds promising. I understand that people think they screwed their previous singer over but it was always a weird combination, Geike fits much better, also in terms of age.

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
3 years ago

Even though I understand why people don’t like them, I feel like people should realize that only Alex Callier has a bad behaviour. When it comes to Luka, I’m sad too that she is not in the group anymore but the fact is that nobody knows the reasons but the members of the group themselves. I’m from Belgium and here is how I will support them. If they have a good song then I’ll be happy and I hope people will vote for them. If they have a bad song, I won’t be sad if they don’t qualify. This is… Read more »

Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

Completely fair. It’s also fair to give a chance to Geike, who wasn’t involved in any of the choices in 2020 that has led to such a backlash from Eurovision fans against Hooverphonic.

TIM74
TIM74
3 years ago

So I guess no matter what it will sound like, a whole lot of hate will come their way, right? Poor Geike, who seems to be a very nice person from what one can see and hear on various sites…
Jeez guys, get over yourselves…I’m starting to wonder who are the real bullies and drama queens here…
Maybe sweep your own frontporch first…

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
3 years ago
Reply to  TIM74

Yeah Geike has a great personality. She’s also quite known in the netherlands for a hit she scored 2 years ago with ‘zoutelande’

EProduc
EProduc
3 years ago
Reply to  TIM74

Honestly, Geike is amazing. She’s modest, mysterious, down to earth and full of talent. She brings the decency Hooverphonic needed after those missteps last year. However I must say that I liked the freshness and youth Luka brought to the band too.

eha
eha
3 years ago

Not gonna support this entry no matter how it will sound like
Their arrogance last year and the way they treated their previous singer was just too much.

Moonstar
Moonstar
3 years ago
Reply to  eha

Who likes to be discarded as if they are rubbish?

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  eha

That’s your reason? There are so many arrogant bastards in the music industry, but nevertheless they make some damn good music. And that’s all that should matters! Oh by the way to give you a small example the Gallagher Brothers or better known as Oasis!

Alex
Alex
3 years ago

Guys, this is a song contest. Let’s focus on the song and their performance. I’ve heard a teaser (don’t know if it’s the same one) and I liked it so I’m looking forward to what Hooverphonic will give us on Thursday 🙂

Last edited 3 years ago by Alex
Teddi
Teddi
3 years ago

By the way am I the only one getting Paloma Faith – Only love can hurt this way vibes?

"Music first"
"Music first"
3 years ago

I think people are a bit unfair and silly (sorry) if they write off Hooverphonic automatically after the incident last year. OK, I agree it was strange, but they were free to decide. And it’s a new year and what should matter now is the quality of the new song.

Personally I look very much forward to it. I really liked their music already when they were internationally famous. It’s so cool with a more credible / alternative act in ESC. Something different. The snippet sounds nice

Moonstar
Moonstar
3 years ago
Reply to  "Music first"

I think what bothers people is that one year will not change who they are… and that’s creepy…

Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago

Meh, didn’t really like some of their decisions last year and they went about it. Get a very arrogant vibe from them, not expecting much.

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  Kalla

You might be shocked when speaking to them! Especially Geike is a very humble and nice person. And okay Alex can be an ass but at least he’s not fake like many others are during this competition!

Biqer
Biqer
3 years ago

Hooverphonic = quality. Thats what we want in ESC.

Benny Hill
3 years ago
Reply to  Biqer

And by ‘we’ you mean…?

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago
Reply to  Benny Hill

You don’t want quality?

Benny Hill
3 years ago
Reply to  Jamie

I don’t want just quality. I don’t mind duds. At least it’s easier to choose the winner.

But I just hate when people speak for others. Let us all have opinions.

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

YESS love them

LaVoixCZ
3 years ago

Sounds promising! Somebody has to save this year.

Aplk
Aplk
3 years ago

what attitude problem do they have? first time i’m hearing about it

Teddi
Teddi
3 years ago
Reply to  Aplk

They changed lead singer and people are butthurt lol

Justin
Justin
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddi

Why “they” ? Nobody except them know the reasons of their separation…

Justin
Justin
3 years ago
Reply to  Aplk

Last year, when the contest retracted in May, they didn’t want to take part to the “Love Shine a Light” sequence because they kinda don’t appreciate this song (but we see Luka drawing a heart in the video with the other artists at the end). So many fans were disguted, but with the time, I think I can understand their decision and many eurofans are just crazy about that. The second thing they said was some months before, when they said the contest was a “circus”. They’re fan of the contest and these words were misunderstanded. They wanted to say… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Justin
Moonstar
Moonstar
3 years ago
Reply to  Justin

It would not have hurt their carreer to be a part of “Love shine a light”, it would not have killed them. It would have been for a good cause! They were just too arrogant!

Justin
Justin
3 years ago
Reply to  Moonstar

That’s your opinion, but how can you know them ? Maybe they don’t fee the song and juste didn’t want to do that. the proof is that we can see Luka on the final spot 🙂

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  Justin

And that’s how it starts! Alex NEVER said that eurovision was a circus. It was the radio host who used the word “circus”

Justin
Justin
3 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

Yes I think their “reputation” among eurofans is unfair. But I still think that these haters are the minority, but the minority always speak louder…

Craig
Craig
3 years ago

Another mar 4 release wooo

cjs
cjs
3 years ago

wow another mar 4 release bring it on!!!

EProduc
EProduc
3 years ago

Alex Callier is a brat, that’s true, but the bigger audience simply doesn’t care about their attitude prior to the contest itself, they only care about the performance on stage. That being said this snippet sounds and looks promising, I’m hoping for something upbeat and powerful. I’m having no doubt the song and music video will be artistic, outstanding and strong (like Belgium has been since Loic Nottet), it’s the staging in may I’m worried about. That seems to be the struggle Belgium has been dealing with the last few years. Can’t wait till thursday.

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
3 years ago
Reply to  EProduc

Why upbeat? This year is going to full of upbeat songs. Hooverphonic’s chill style could really make an impact.

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago

It might sound ridiculous, but I’m nervous. Sorry!

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

You know, there’s a reason why Ms/Mr Congeniality is given to a non winner in contests….

dxi
dxi
3 years ago

Another one on 4 March O-o I still don’t like their attitude, but I’ll give it a shot.

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  dxi

What has been done, is done. Get over it!

Teddi
Teddi
3 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

What did he do?

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  Teddi

Short version. Last year, Alex refused to sing along with the song Love shine a light, during a special program.
Just to see that I already got 6! down votes for what I said is just sad, very sad! So to all you haters BRING IT ON I COULDN’T CARE LESS!

stan
stan
3 years ago
Reply to  Stephanie

he is right, you know… love shine a light is probably the worst winner ever… he is just too honest

Kristof
Kristof
3 years ago

Never mind the negative attitude that fans have developed around 2020 incidents… Hooverphonic is back. Geike has an overload of experience, has a magical voice, never fails on camera !

Maxim
Maxim
3 years ago

I wasn’t a fan of Hooverphonic’s 2020 entry, but this snippet really intrigues me!

Robert
Robert
3 years ago

Sounds smooth, mysterious and funky..

Jamie
Jamie
3 years ago

Instantly like the beat. I hope the rest is as good!

Gig
Gig
3 years ago

I kinda like their attitude and last year release me was one of my top 5 songs. Hope they would reprise us with something good

Safiya
Safiya
3 years ago

Their attitude is often off-putting… I almost don’t want to like them. But the snippet sounds good to me and makes me curious.

NickC
NickC
3 years ago

Sounds really promising. This is the third song (after Lithuania and Finland) that gave me potential winner vibes after few seconds.

Fionn
Fionn
3 years ago
Reply to  NickC

u honestly think finld could win?

Stephanie
Stephanie
3 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

And why not?

NickC
NickC
3 years ago
Reply to  Fionn

They have one of the most impressive resumes in the competition. Who else had a worldwide hit like “Mad about you” other than Hooverphonic? While I do not appreciate the way they treated Luka, one should never rule out such an established group of artists

voix
voix
3 years ago

they managed to become the less likeable artists for a while, that takes talent…

dave
dave
3 years ago
Reply to  voix

I’m sorry, but the current singer can’t do anything about that. She deserves a fair chance.