For weeks and weeks, speculation has been mounting over who the Netherlands will send to Eurovision 2018. Now Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has confirmed that country singer and Eurovision 2014 runner-up Waylon will again represent his country at Eurovision.
The reveal was done with the Netherland’s typical flare for a reveal. Earlier today a teaser video was released, packed with Waylon-esque clues.
The video follows a man waking up after a hard night partying. Surrounded by scantily clad women, he stumbles into the bathroom where he reads Beard magazine (“Confessions of bearded men”) and uses black toilet paper.
The fellow has numerous tattoos on his hands, including a winged “W” symbol.
He then wanders downstairs, says hello to his doggo, then goes into the kitchen and makes a coffee and a peanut butter roll. He flips on the television where The Voice of Holland is playing.
Next, he mosies into his music room and plays a bit of Te Deum on his piano. He gets a text from a “Dolly P” inviting him to her Nashville show in May. But the mystery gentleman can’t make it – “Got bigger plans.”
He then wanders into another room, which has a shrine featuring candles, several guitars and a hat. He pays his respects while Te Deum plays again, and finally, he puts on the hat.
And if there’s one Dutch star who fits this description, it’s Waylon. The country music artist has a beard, he dresses in black and he has a winged “W” tattoo.
He’s been a coach on the past two series of The Voice of Holland and has previously performed with Dolly P from Nashville — aka the great Dolly Parton.
And of course, Waylon is known for his iconic hat.
Guess who's back… ??
Posted by Eurovisie Songfestival on Thursday, November 9, 2017
His participation was finally confirmed in social media, featuring a photo of Waylon serving blue steel.
Waylon previously represented the Netherlands at Eurovision 2014 as part of The Common Linnets. He and fellow Linnet Ilse DeLange performed the moody country ballad “Calm After the Storm”.
Their performance placed second, with 238 points, making it The Netherlands’ best Eurovision result since Teach-In won with “Ding-a-Dong” in 1975.
But the Ilse and Waylon partnership did not last long. Soon after Eurovision, Waylon left the Common Linnets and returned to his solo career.
It seems there was bad blood between Waylon and Ilse. He released the song “Jailbird”, full of references to Ilse’s previous singles, and a lyric about how he needs to leave someone before that person will take him down. Meow!
There’s no word on Waylon’s song for Eurovision 2018, but it is likely that the song won’t be released until spring 2018.
What do you think? Can Waylon give the Netherlands a Eurovision victory? Share your thoughts below!
why isnt jennie lena here
Methinks they’re giving Salvador Sobral’s low-key approach a try, since their own low-key approach worked in 2014.
Alas. 🙁 I would rather they had gone outside the box with Kensington. Salvador went way outside the box and won.
Waylon doesn’t limit himself to quiet low-key songs. He also sings rock, funk, soul,pop. And his latest album contains all of these styles. Waylon IS outside the box, because he is always doing what he wants and fares on his impulses all the time.Maybe an idea to do some YouTubing to see his diversity of styles and perceive how he guides masses of people to enthusiasm?
Hey Angie and Julie, I kindly advise Waylon’s entire discography. If you can, buy his recent four albums: –> “Wicked Ways” (2009): Listen to ‘Wicked Ways, the opening track, to indulge yourself in some serious rock ‘n roll. This album was actually released on the famous Motown label. Also you’ll find a nice balance between soul ballads and up-tempo work. ‘Tell Me What You’re Thinking’ is a lovely song supported by great string sections. –> “After All” (2011): ‘Lose It’ is such a jolly, happy song. Always makes my day. But perhaps ‘Speed Of Love’ and ‘Unfaithful’ are perhaps the… Read more »
I’m so so happy about this! ?
As well as being a fantastic vocalist and performer he is absolutely gorgeous, my ideal guy. I’m sure he will do really well.
Holland’s entries have been quite overrated in terms of points scored over the past two years. I would expect Waylon to produce a song at least better than the previous two, and to do well.
OMG!
First I see the article, I say “Ok” and then I realise we talk about the male singer of the “Common Linnets”.
It’s sad they’re not a group anymore, but I’ll remember this performance with joy. How amazing this song was!
On topic again, I’m positive about this. He’s great! However, we have to wait until the song is released. Hope for sth good right there.
Waylon and Denise should make a duet. It will be so Hot.
Pls Denise say yes
Well it seems the old one is you. You can’t even keep the same fake email to the same alias… oh wait, it’s not an age thing… lack of fresh red liquid iron, right?
May I just say that Oh my gosh those left wing smug people at DWDD (dutch talk show that Waylon was just in) are so.. frustratingly smug. This one iceskater who thinks he is like the king of winter himself kept asking Waylon “why would you participate in this circus” Where Waylon said that he was a musician. To which that same iceskate princess said “Exactly, you are a musician, why would you participate”. It turned into one big bash Eurovision show. Too which Waylon had to defend his choice. I HATE this so much. Why? Anouk, Common Linnets, Douwe,… Read more »
Girl please, get off your right wing high horse. Yes, the interview was embarrassing due to Erben and Matthijs’ answers. But that has nothing to do with political affiliation.
Hey Thierry Baudet, keep your politics out of it please. If you feel insulted by someone like Erben Wennemars, who clearly doesn’t know much about Eurovision or frankly about anything else, you’re SAD.
I don’t think they insulted Conchita, they just didn’t like the song or the singer, and what’s wrong with that? In terms of people taking Eurovision seriously, Conchita wasn’t the ideal winner, that’s just a fact.
Conchita was a fine enough winner. The live performance and staging might’ve been the best in Copenhagen that year.
#sad? Again they INSULTED Conchita. Conchita WAS An ideal winner. Stop acting so smug and high and realise that they are looking down on everyone being an Eurovision fan.
@ Dutchie: I agree with you
Daww, suddenly I am a Right Wing whatever. Oh please. I believe in equality, And Conchita was a perfect winner. Matthijs van Nieuwkerk (the host) calling her an IT is offensive but oh he can get away with it. They should NEVER be allowed to host an Eurovision show if they insult every entry, country and act. They feel so smug and superior over other countries its disgusting. So if anyone should get off their high horses its them and probably you as well. Girl bye
It’s only demeaning if you let it be. I don’t care one bit what these people say about Eurovision. I enjoy DWDD, but you have to realize that these aren’t experts and most people watch Eurovision for the spectacle and the novelty acts. Doesn’t mean that you have to. But please don’t act like an insecure teenager (or maybe you are?) I don’t think it has anything to do with feeling superior over other countries, everyone loves ABBA and everyone loved last year’s winner. But when people saw Conchita, and certainly when she beat our very own Common Linnets, they… Read more »
Fine, I will take both your bait, To those who aren’t aware, DWDD and its host are extreme left wing people who love to whine about Russia and anything eastern European and love to talk about #metoo except if the person in question is actually polittically left themselves, That’s why I talked about left wing. The SAME episode as today they loved to moan about Russia regarding Olympic games in S-Korea without anyproof. And the same people love to betray Dutch values and kick about just anything that doesnt fit their narrow view. And oh please. Call me right wing… Read more »
Without any proof!? Lol, have you watched the documentary they were talking about on Netflix? The evidence is so overwhelming, it’s ridiculous that Russia were allowed to take part in the first place.
@Dutchie, unfortunately, there are certainly Conchita-fans who are very fanatical. They claim ANY single negative opinion about her being “homophobic” etc. Not saying it applies for the majority of course.
Better leave them alone in their own pink bubble. Having said that I agree with you 100 %. Of course, NL was the moral winner of ESC 2014, as post ESC success proves. But sometimes such discussions lead nowhere – been there done that. Have a nice evening in the land of the windmills 🙂
Extreme left wing? As in Marxist? Stalinist?
If you don’t know what you’re talking about just don’t say anything. It’s better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and having it confirmed.
I say this as a fellow Dutchman.
Dont’even. Ironic to even have a miffy waving a Dutch flag defending DWDD as DWDD stands for everything anti Dutch. They are just as ignorant and foolish as the extreme right like PVV. And FYI, I voted d66. So don’;t try to push any side on me. Just let Cornald Maas or AVROTROS make a show about eurovision. Those who really do care about Eurovision. Remember the Common Linnets getting a waterfall of comments on that show? Joan Franka? All for the views I guess. They know nothing of this contest and use it to spew their narrow political views… Read more »
I agree with you, just that I am proud if ESC is a circus. Poor people that master the ART OF CIRCUS don’t deserve to be talked like that. As long as it doesn’t involve animals, circus is super art.
http://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/amazing-animal-free-circuses/
Oh no I’m doomed! Looks like Shalisa van der Laan will have to wait until 2019 to represent the land of tulips. 🙁
She will never represent the netherlands lol, she is good, but 99% of the adults dont even know her.
I hope he’ll do well. I think he can make my country proud with a good song, he is a good vocalist.
If he sends something like “Love Drunk”, it is DONE. I would love some gritty, rocky countryish song to really shake things up.
without doubt the gorgeous Ilse carried him to second place, but if trash songs like Douwe and 0gene can score high, he should easily do better
I actually did not like “Calm After the Storm” but I am kinda excited about this.
Thanks God it’s a man! He is very experienced artist with unique style! Yes, this Eurovision needs. Laura can bring something different too, Aisel is jazz singer. It can be ESC full of diversity. Only Saara Aalto is not good choice for me, next mainstream female pop, uhh. I expect more men and groups with unique and own style. I hope, we will have good edition!
Ew that’s sexist.
Waylon is an excellent singer, very versatile. He actually broke through as a soul singer, not a country music star. He was even signed to Motown.
His latest solo album has every song in a different genre: from disco to crooner to blues. So it’s a bit hard to say what kind of genre he will bring to Eurovision, although country music does fit him like a glove. I’m happy with this choice, he’s a proper musician and likely to be one of the most talented people in the competition.
Hope he brings fast food and fireworks
Oh yes, please! But most importantly some yodelling! How can one survive without it?… I am sure he will bring a lot of fresh blood into the contest! Good for you!!!
L’oiseau – Still frustrated “Yodel it” achieved a great rank while your country scored low low low? Wahahahaha
Well Vampire, baby, I guess the frustrated one is you because you haven’t still let go of your frustration of the yodel thing not have won. And APL ranked much much higher than your ‘ yodel thingy. Last week it was nr 8 in Romania in ITunes… Much higher rank the yodel disaster ever had. I don’t see anyone singing this in any talent show, in contrast to APL… I guess you have find your fresh blood somewhere else, Dracula (Here is a good alias for you…. Don’t you get tired of inventing new names all the time?).
By the way ”L’oiseau”, are you ”Music Is the Key” and ”Bart”?
No Vampire-kid, because unlike dagmar, Dino or Bring DENISE Back Deja, just to mentioned three alias in this post, I am man enough to use only one alias, making it much easier for little trolls like you to attack me… But a yodelly blood-famished little brain like yours cannot comprehend the concept of integrity, can it?
I guess L’oiseau is from Portugal, the country that will make 2018 full of jazz ballads. Great, we know that this will not last.
Wait for the songs before judging, old Vampire! And yes and very proudly so!
Eww. Hated Calm After the Storm.
I hope he doesn’t do a country song because I really want Netherlands to try something different they just seem to country/folksy songs almost every year and it gets a bit predictable
Yeah Trijntje and O’G3NE are definitely folksy indeed.
We’re all better off forgetting Trijntje ever participated 😉
I was going for some of their pre Linnet songs with folksy. O’G3NE and Trijntje were different but didn’t stray too far.
Something lively or maybe a genre they don’t normally perform with like jazz or rock could be interesting
Yeah, like Sweden bringing comercial pop every year 😉
Sweden definitely need to change as well, I’ve not really liked any of their songs and their approach is completely boring and overrated. Sweden should have come dead last in their semi this year.
How come nobody has mentioned his attitude towards the competition last time?
Which attitude?
I don’t know how I feel about this. I mean, chances are that he won’t come anywhere near his 2nd place finish from last time. That was result was an anomaly and unlikely to be repeated. It would be a shame if he flopped like Trijinte.
There is always the risk of sending former champions back. The risk that they can’t better what they did the last time and end up really low. But I think the Netherlands looks set to continue it’s good streak of ending up high. He probably won’t end up as runner up but could do really well. Don’t think it’s going to be country. He likes it, but he’s moved away from that. Curious to see what he will do on his own! Nothing suggest he or the other artists will sing slow songs. Just because they can doesn’t mean they… Read more »
I think it’s a good choice for The Netherlands though I’m a little surprised. Now I’m waiting for his song. Good Luck Waylon. 🙂
This is such great news! Now this is a smart move (sorry Finland…), much more in line what the ESC is heading to (hopefully)… Very much alike the Belgium’s choice actually, in terms of uniqueness. He is an experienced musician with lots of personality (my personal winner of 2014…). Of course, “Calm after the Storm” was not composed by him, but still we can expect a unique song beautifully performed. Problem is of course it will be hard to beat his ESC record, unless he wins… Wouldn’t that be great… Passing of victory from one maritime nation to another…
To be fair, Finland’s entry is the only one that I’m not very excited. It’s like “more of the same” to me.
Me too. My expectations for Finland are very low, actually…
Wait for the song before judging, old man!
Oh how delightful!… The racist ageist sexist homophobic baby Vampire has surfaced from his tomb … Of course, now it’s night longer and you can come out again sooner… Maybe this time round you could man-up and use just one alias for a change…
And btw, I am not judging, I am just saying my expectations are low, ready to be surprised… The same applies to countries like Romania!… Maybe this time round, the Romanian broadcaster could be inspired by Cezar and his very fine taste in music.
Sorry, we’re not in the 80’s anymore, keep your old fashioned advises for yourself!
Again, little Vampire, you seem to be frustrated that all your alias don’t hide your hunger for blood. You have been consuming frozen one, poor you and this has damaged your brain plus all the yodelling… poor you. Well I don’t know how it is your tomb village, but here I write what ever I like. And the old fashioned one is you! You can not pass the 2000’s…. we passed that era… Cezar seem to get you, but not you little ageist Dracula
Waylon is an artist who sings soul and funk just as easy as country. He has flair and musicality and knows what he wants. Don’t just assume he will come with a balad. I’m sure AvroTros will encourage him to explore his musicality and come up with something exciting. And I’m also sure they will have a bigger say in what is going to be THE song, but it will always be a song of his own choice and his own making. This is not an artist that will produce something precooked. It surely will have identity and that is… Read more »
Hear hear! I fully agree!
Maybe he’ll bring something a la Pharrell or Bruno Mars?
This!!!
And it’s interesting to see that non-Dutchies see Waylon as the romantic countrysinger and nothing else, while the Dutch themselves see mainly his multi-talentness. Waylon can freely show all his talent in different styles, cause in his case there’s no recordcompany that imposes a profile or style upon him. He freely decides upon that himself. And that will make his choice only more exciting!
It feels like he is doing it to prove that he would do better than Ilse as a soloist, but I think he needs to have her stage director Hans P to do so 🙂
No single reason to assume he wants to prove that he would do better than Ilse..
What’s going on in people’s minds?:)
I would prefer Ilse coming back since she was the brain and soul of Calm After the Storm, one of my favorites Eurovision’s songs ever. But I think it’s an interesting choice anyway. Waylon isn’t the kind of artist we normally expect to see in Eurovision. I’m not familiar with his solo work, but it would be great if he could do something like a southern/classic rock song. He sure has the voice and the presence for it. One thing that I love about the Netherlands choices on these last years is that they don’t act as they’re trying too… Read more »
I’m actually very interested to see this. I hope he sends like a funk or heavy rock and roll song. I need rock in Eurovision!
@ Amor Not only you, but WE need rock in ESC 🙂 A rock song from The Netherlands would be great.
Anyway, whatever music style (or kind of rock) it looks very promissing
However, I haven’t read anywhere there we can expect a rock song from him
I never was a fan of Calm After the Storm so I’m not very excited with this decision.
That’s fine by me. You people complain too much, my god!
That’s so true lmao even with the damn slogan people complain
Love him! Great pick the Netherlands – I’ve always loved your picks since 2012:)
No Sharon 🙁 I guess he’s okay too.
Okay, so for weeks everyone in the Netherlands was kinda counting on Maan. The last two days though there’ve been rumours about Sharon den Adel (maybe preforming a song by Armin v Buuren), and everybody was getting pretty hyped about that prospect. So Waylon is a bit of a let down now. Still a waaaay better choice than Maan of course, but no Sharon (and Armin).
Sharon wouldn’t do a Dihaj and leave her band to do ESC before coming back to it again. Hopefully Within Temptation are up to it next year.
Of all the acts announced so far, I’m pretty sure Saara Aalto is the only one who’s going to do an upbeat pop song while everyone else does ballads. I know we don’t have any songs yet but I’m certain that 2018 is going to be a ballad heavy year.
I am 100% sure NED18 won’t be a ballad. Nor will it be country.
Waylon is a country singer so of course he’s gonna sing a country song.
Waylon is not a country singer.
Waylon likes country music, but is definitely NOT a country singer. He is an omni-talent and sings funk, rock and soul too. A ballad would be possible, but not the only option.
That’s what happens, when someone has appeared on the esc stage. Everyone thinks their song is the only thing they do.
You should google him better or look at youtube, then you will find out that his musical roots started in country, but his musicality has reached much further since. This guy rocks and sings soul, funk etc just as easy.
News from San Marino- 1in360 said in a comment on Facebook that they believe margarets video is real because it came from her management email
Yes! very happy… no ballad though…
Love drunk: https://youtu.be/RgC39zeQhEU?t=27s
Wicked love: https://youtu.be/vag2-lIQWrQ
I have high hopes of good quality song and a great voice… (and a stable period in his life)
I dunno about this, I always felt like he was Ilse DeLange’s backing singer in the Common Linnets because he didn’t really have any stage presence…
Then you don’t know Waylon, if there’s anyone with stage presence, then it’s Waylon..
I think he was only part of the Linnets for Eurovision, but I’m too lazy to google and confirm this right now.
Sorry, I totally disagree! If anyone had more stage presence that was him… and also vocally he filled the song up. But I do think that the whole ensemble worked very well, so let’s see solo…
I own several solo CDs by Ilse DeLange and I know for sure she works amazingly solo (she debuted in 1998). About him, I have serious doubts–he did make sense in Calm After the Storm, but will he stand out enough on his own?
tbh I’d have rather seen Ilse come back, but I think the four artists we’ve seen so far are actually very interesting, obviously we don’t know the songs, but you can tell the direction the countries are going in by the kind of artists they get, and I think with good songs these four could do very well.
Would of rather had Ilse or Dowue back but Waylon is great 😀
Next year I’m with Netherlands
bye
but I want another duet with Ilse DeLange.
I was really hoping for a female soloist doing something very contemporary and maybe electro. But anyway I liked Waylon’s song “Love Me” — shows how nice his voice is. http://wiwibloggs.com/2014/11/20/love-me-lyrics-waylong-new-single/66190/
Great choice William. ‘Love Me’ has an almost cinematic quality. A very slow-tempo rock-ballad, only supported by a piano and a Nashville-guitar. What works so well with this song is Waylon’s raw voice. It has so much emotional power. If he would perform something like this in Lisbon, then TOP 7 in the final is in the mix again.
Yup…so far belgium, finland, waylon. It’s gonna be a year of ballads and the winner will send a dance song. Mark my words…
There is no any selected song so far and some ppl already started with “OMG so many ballads!!” LMAO! Every year we hear the same thing.
After doing research about those artists, they will definitely send a ballad. Wait and see.
Saraa Aalto – Definitely works better for the more energetic stuff that can work with her personality as we saw in X Factor
Waylon – In addition to country ballads has also produced soul and funk
Asiel – In addition to jazz ballads has also produced soul and pop
Laura – Is still new to music. Her song could be anything
So how did you come to that conclusion?
Sara is stronger when singing ballads, and artists perform what they’re bast at. She slayed when she sang my heart will go on. Laura’s style is slowed down and calm. I dont see Waylon sending any funk…
If you can”t see Waylon send any funk then you close your eyes and ears for simple facts. Funk is part of his history and present.
You won’t see Waylon send any funk. Well, at least I know better.Waylon sings dynamic songs too
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VzIrsBCrlZg
And what about this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAxsimgTRRM
Sometimes people judge when they haven’t researched backgrounds.
I would be surprised if Waylon came up with a ballad. He grew up with country, but his solo projects usually contains a lot of soul and funk.
“The year of ballads” and “so many ballads this year” should be banned sentences.
There is some “balladphobia” among Eurovision fans.
And rockophobia…. Or differentphpbia anyway. Having said that, that only applies to some fans thankfully.
There are good and bad songs in any music style I think. What matters is of it is done. Having said that, of course there are kinds of music I prefer to others
No there isn’t any ballad phobia, there’s common sense. There’s a need for diversity, isn’t that what yall kept praising this year? It should be diverse, that’s it. And there cant be any rockophobia if you have none in the contest.
We have none because most Eurofans don’t like rock. Remember Armenia’s entry being booed in 2013, a song written by the renowned Tony Iommi.
Cringe, no way that waylon will send a ballad. Saara aalto is 50/50 probably only one of three umk songs will be a ballad.
I think that it’s going to be a duo. Waylon and ?????
Maybe with Sharon den Adel? (highly doubt she will be in ESC tho)
I mean Waylon is fine but if they want to recreate the magic of the Common Linnets it would’ve made sense to ask Ilse rather than him. Calm After the Storm was her baby, not his.
It’d be like getting Salvador without Luisa.
Maybe they don’t want to recreate the magic of the CL. The CL has always been Ilse’s project. Waylon solo is completely different.
Waylon isn’t particularly known for his countrystyle in NL. I doubt he will end up in Lisbon as a ‘solo Common Linnet’ act. In the past he put out an album under the Motown label, and he is able to perform more funk and soul songs.
Kinda disappointed lol, I don’t really want Waylon back if any Dutch artist were to return I’d want it to be Anouk or Ilse, but I don’t really like when artists come back anyways. Waylon was the weaker half of The Common Linnets anyways.
Pink socks might be a female partner.
The handcuffs might be Waylon being free from Ilse.
When he takes his hat in the end, we see two guitars (orange and green).
Maybe another duet : Waylon and Maan.
Waylon and sharon den adel :0
I’m curious to see how this pans out. Waylon’s got a great voice and stage presence. But we can’t forget that The Common Linnets was 90% Ilse’s work. She had the concept, the focus, the idea. Waylon was ‘just’ set dressing. That’s why he quit TCL so quickly after ESC.
He could pull through. But can he top 2nd place? I don’t know. But I certainly hope so. It’s about time ESC returns to the Netherlands!
Terrible election from Waylon. I mean, does he really expect to get better than 2nd and with that iconic performance from 2014?. This is like Loreen trying to come back to ESC, with the extra problem that waylon will actually go, and his downfall will be seen by over 200 million people…
Downfall!? Kinda ahead of thing are we!?!
Europe isn’t Sweden. Diversity is allowed.
I hope it would be something like “Jailbird” for Waylon.
Even the dog in the video is Waylon’s well-known dog. So, it’s definitily him. Btw, Waylon is not only a country-singer, which is suggested in the article. He is doing different styles.
It could be a hint to Pleun Bierbooms (winner TVOH 2017), who was in his team last season? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkVDpKXhZQM