There’s change afoot at RTE y’all! The Irish broadcaster today revealed details of its selection process for Eurovision 2015, with the public being invited to submit entries, including songs, performer(s) and those all-important staging and performance details, which Ireland desperately needs to improve upon. These entries will then be heard by a hand-picked panel at RTE, before being short listed and ultimately presented to the public.
The mentoring system, whereby five supposed music industry experts chose a performer and a song to guide through Ireland’s national final, has proven to be rather hit and miss; with Jedward’s success in 2011 its crowning achievement and Kasey’s failure to qualify this year its biggest disaster.
Head of delegation Micheal Kealy praised Ireland’s past successes at Eurovision, while admitting that RTE could do with a helping hand from the general public:
Ireland has a track record at Eurovision which is second to none but finding a song and an artist who can perform at the biggest entertainment show in the world is not an easy task. This year we have decided to have an open selection process for Eurosong 2015 and we want to hear from the very best songwriters and performers who believe they have what it takes to compete at the highest level in Vienna next May.However, it has not been revealed exactly what form Eurosong 2015 will take, although rumours of talent show The Hit taking over the selection were apparently dismissed earlier this month. Although we would LOVE a huge national final in Ireland, we are glad to see that RTE have acknowledged that the old system was no longer working and more importantly, that there is still great longing to take the Emerald Isle back to its 90s heyday. Dublin 2016 anyone?
Entries must be submitted on CD or on USB key as an MP3 or WAV file to Eurosong 2015, RTE Entertainment, Donnybrook, Dublin 4 before October 31. If you think you’ve got what it takes, go here for all the details!
So what do you guys think? Will this back to basics approach put Ireland back on top? Do you have any suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!
Darren, I don’t agree with you. Imagine the greedy looks RTE’s bosses would get if they see how much money could be made for hosting Eurovision? The boost to the local economy would be astronomical. Eurovision has become a bit of a joke in Ireland over the last couple years, and its nice to see a bit of excitement and positivity associated with it. I think this is a new chapter in Irish Eurovision history, at least now we are looking at new ways to produce a decent song. Why on earth wouldn’t they want to win Eurovision? That’s not… Read more »
@deven Seriously, there is absolutely no mention of Ireland being a red hot favourite to win next year, or that there is public interest in Ireland’s new selection process except an article in the Irish Independent the day after the 2014 final. Rte are too tight to make an effort at this, they would rather put their money into the pointless political programming that it currently airs, a format like The Hit IMO is the only way Ireland can win back success, and Rte know this, hence why they are staying away from it. They simply don’t want the burden… Read more »
Deven and DR, I wouldn’t get my hopes up when there haven’t even been any songs chosen yet. I feel like I see people every year talking about the great Ireland or UK comeback, despite that each country has only hit the top 10 once since 2007. They’re still planning on having only 5-6 songs at the national final, according to ESCtoday. The only improvement I see is that they’ve stopped wasting time with the mentors. I don’t think Ireland’s problem is a lack of talent, but rather the low number of songs for the jury and televote to choose… Read more »
I’m the one being very realistic tbh .. Rte don’t want to win .. Simple as ..
Dar, you don’t have to be so negative, bro. It is kind of unrealistic to be honest. 🙁 Try and show a bit of dignity.
Deven , seriously .. The will be lucky if someone who can even sing will put a song forward ..
This year, a lot of attention is circulating around Ireland and the change in selection process. Needless to say that I think it has been very positive. TBH, I don’t think that I would be too surprised if Ireland 2015 turned out like Denmark 2013. The red hot favourite from day 1, become an even hotter favourite as time goes by and then win it all in the end.
Having the irish public send in entries will not make a difference .. The should have used “the hit” as selection process .. Missed opportunity ..
Anyone who think RTE wants to win is crazy .. The won’t want to spend the money on it .. The bosses there are too busy looking after their salaries ..
Well a year ago I would’ve said that if Ireland ever won I would run to Dublin and back dressed as Linda Martin shouting out “Irelande Douze Pointe” repeatedly because I thought the idea of us winning again was ridiculous, but now it seems like it could happen, but in not putting my life on it, but I would love it to be at the 3Arena in 2016 as it’s just 15 minutes on the BART from me. #Dublin2016
Right now, I think that RTE are going out of their way to win Eurovision 2015. I mean, let’s be honest, they have never asked the public what way they want the staging and the performance and allowing a public selection process. Good to see Ireland trying again. 😀
It could be Dublin or London 2016. Both countries had shock results so it looks like Ireland and the UK are coming out fighting knowing that the old ways aren’t working.
Good Luck Irish Friends.
Any word on where national final will be held? No mention of The Late Late Show… Please please take it away from there, give the singers and songs the best chance to impress.
Dublin 2016? Hell Yeah!!!
The 3 Arena as the host venue of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016?? Absolutely. Done deal my friend!! 😀