Ahead of the Scottish Referendum on September 18, politicians are debating the pros and cons of an independent Scotland. As they debate currency, higher education and membership to the European Union, the team at wiwibloggs have more pressing concerns: Who would sing for Scotland at Eurovision? Scottish Eurovision fan Steve McPherson shares his shortlist.
We all know that Scotland has some amazing musical talent, but I’m not going to select anyone who has already hit the big time. I just don’t think that works. Instead, an independent Scotland should follow the UK’s 2014 selection and take a chance on a fresh, relatively unknown artist. Would Scotland suffer the same fate as the UK? Not necessarily. Perhaps not being associated with the rest of the UK might give Scotland a fresh look in the eyes of Europeans. Hold on to your flags: We might get some points!
Emma’s Imagination
No stranger to television music contests Emma, already won the Sky talent show “Must Be The Music”. But she hasn’t had as much recognition as she deserves. She was signed to Gary Barlow’s record label, which, sadly, he closed. We all know Gary can pen a great song so, Gary, come over to the bright side and write a Eurovision entry for the “new” Scotland! Here’s our girl singing “This Day”…
Colin MacIntyre
I’ve followed Colin for years. Most of his stuff is released under the name “Mull Historical Society” and he has charted several times over the years. A multi-instrumentalist, Colin is uber talented and would be a perfect representative for Scottish music. He also had a song called “Watching Xanadu”, so I’m sure there’s some Eurovision link there already…
Astrid
The name might sound Scandinavian but they are not. Or should I say they were not. Sadly, this band split up before they even got going. Maybe Eurovision can bring them back together? I’d love that. Here’s one of my favourite songs from them – “Modes Of Transport”…
Scots Waaahey
Cheese, cheese we need some cheese. I wouldn’t be doing Eurovision justice if I didn’t form the most cheesiest band ever and put them forward to represent Scotland. I would call this band “Scots Waaahey” – they have all been on reality TV shows and then lost, lost forever in the Scottish glens or something. Ladies and Gentleman – a supergroup, well a group made up of lots of individuals anyway…
Step forward, David Sneddon, The MacDonald Brothers, Leon Jackson, Nicholas McDonald, Darius Campbell, Ainslie Henderson. May the cheese be with you.
Karen Matheson
Some people might think us Scots talk another language and it does sometimes annoy me that we get subtitled on the television even though we are speaking English at the time. However, we do have our own language (in your face England!), and it’s called Gaelic. I’m always a big fan of Eurovision songs that are performed in the country’s native language so in my eyes there’s only one person who could do Scotland proud by singing in the mother tongue. Karen Matheson, lead singer of Capercaille…
Twin Atlantic
They’re a real up and coming band in Scotland right now. I only recently discovered them and have watched this video many times over the last few days. They show what Scotland is capable of…
Subo Sande
Okay! I know I said I wouldn’t pick anyone who is already mega famous but hey: it’s my rules and I can do what I like. Can you imagine if Emeli Sandé and Susan Boyle, probably the most famous singers from Scotland right now, teamed up and performed a duet? I think Europe would go into meltdown… I write songs, so I’m happy to pen something for ’em.
There we have it! Whether Scotland votes yes or no remains uncertain, but at least we know who they could send to Eurovision.
What Scottish acts would you like to see at ESC?
Hi Bledar
It probably will be held in thr same place, but the winning county must select 2 NEW presenters from that county.
@Deven, I really like your idea of the All Ireland Song Contest. It’ll be a nice change from the British talent shows we’re stuck with! Would it be hosted in the same place every year though, as most counties are rural counties, like Donegal and Kilkenny, so they probably couldn’t host it. And I would definitely attend the Dublin-wide contest (I wouldn’t participate though), and the school thing would be good and hilarious!
@ Robyn & Deven O’ Kereny WELCOME TO ALBAVISION Scotland’s National Final for the ESC. Presenter Dawn O’Porter (Born in Scotland, grew up in Guernsey) Green Room: Ian Sterling (Comedian and TV Presenter) Format Four Weeks on Saturdays Three Semi-Final – Usher Hall Edinburgh Pure Public Vote 8 Entries a Week 4 Proceed to the Final 1st Week – Solo Women 2nd Week – Solo Men 3rd Week – Groups Final – Glasgow – SSE Hydro 12 Entries 10 Regional Votes The Outer Islands, Orkney, Shetland & Western Isles/ The Highlands of Scotland/ Grampian Hisghlands/ Angus & Dundee/ Perthshire/ West… Read more »
Robyn, I don’t really know the Scottish presenting scene. I only know Nicky Campbell and Carol Smilie but that is about it and I am not wild about them hosting the Scottish national final and yes, I have an idea to create a national final. But one way I have in mind is to do an 8 week selection process, where 12 acts will fight for the ticket to Eurovision. Well known stars and amateurs can take part. It is structured similarly to the X Factor. I won’t say too much more, I won’t raise your expectations too much. As… Read more »
Has anyone noticed how “new” nations to ESC seem to do very well? (Ukraine, Serbia, Azerbaijan, e.g.). DR, you are SO on the money – time to start a Western Northern Celtic European Voting Bloc! Grab the shortbread and hoist yer kilts! Oh, and bring back Franz Ferdinand!
I don’t want Scotland to sing in Gaelic, but if Karen Mattheson does enter with a song in Gaelic, she would probably get high points from France as she represented France in 1996 as part of L’heritage des Celtes!!!
SUSAN BOY CAN WIN EUROVISION SEND HER NOW U K OR SCOTLAND DOESNT MATTER
If Scotland enter, they could be at the centre of two power blocs, the Celtic and Scandinavian blocs (Although Ireland is incorporated into Scandinavia’s voting patterns as well.) Here are the countries that will award Scotland a heavy amount of votes (and amount of points (maximum and minimum)): 1. UK 12 points max. 8 points min. 2. IRELAND 12 points 5 points 3. ICELAND 10 points max. 2 points min. 4. DENMARK 12 points max. 6 points min. 5. SWEDEN 12 points max. 3 points min. 6. NORWAY 12 points max. 5 points min. 7. FINLAND 7 points max. 0… Read more »
Agree with CHVRCHES, Twin Atlantic, and Amy McDonald. And I think Glasvegas could also represent Scotland as well, they were a nice band! Conferred by the fact that their career is declining a little bit right now, Eurovision could be such a great platform for them to bounce back.
I just realized though that Paolo Nutini is from Scotland…
As half Scottish, and half English I don’t wont political independance, but I do like the idea of a Scottish Entry, and a welsh, northern irish, and an english entry. Split the BBC up into different country organisations under one bbc, and have four members to the EBU instead of one. Then we can start voting politically… lol. But the BBC wont allow that even though we already have BBC Scotland/Wales/N. Ireland. They just aren’t autonomous enough.
Emeli would be great. As a Canadian, I didn’t know anything about her until I saw her perform during the 2012 Olympic ceremonies and fell in love with her
Twin Atlantic
I don’t know much about Scottish independence, but it seems like the majority of people are gonna vote no, so we might have to wait much longer for a Scottish entrant.
@Darren, I guess your right! We will have much more success now if Scotland joins!!!
I would love to see Scotland both independent and in Eurovision. With a country whose culture and native language is almost 100% similar to Ireland, we would finally have an ex-Yugoslav style friendship at ESC. Personally, I think either Twin Atlantic, or CHVRCHES would be ideal for ESC, Calvin Harris too, but he is too famous now, although he could produce a Scottish song.
Sheena Easton could follow in the footsteps of Bonnie Tyler.
My Eurovision dream is to hear Capercaillie performing in Gaelic, representing either UK or an independent Scotland. “Alba gu brath!”
(P.S. sorry, Steve but SuBo is no Agnetha Faltskog – where’s that SEERING PAIN in TWTIA?)
I suggest Emeli Sande. She’s popular in many countries – and everyone out here in Ireland will vote for her! Or use an unknown singer but have Calvin Harris compose the song and maybe Annie Lennox write the song (I’m not sure if she writes her songs or not.) It may seem like Scotland will only get a Comme çi Comme ca result through this but have Calvin and Annie on the stage with them and it will go from Comme çi Comme ca to tres bien!
PAOLO NUTINI!!!
Defo for Nina. Paulo may give Europe the impression we are all wasted all the time haha
Loved Emma’s Imagination before she disappeared! Also think Annie Lennox, Amy MacDonald , Nina Nesbitt or Paolo Nutini would be fab. And for a random superstar – Calvin Harris.