This time last year, we already knew that Waylon would again be representing the Netherlands at Eurovision 2018. This time, however, broadcaster AVROTROS has been keeping quiet. But now we know a little bit more. Singer and Eurovision commentator Jan Smit recently appeared on a Dutch talk show and opened up about the 2019 selection process.
While Dutch gossip show RTL Boulevard chases after every Dutch person with a singing ability to ask them about a possible Eurovision participation, AVROTROS still has not taken any concrete step regarding their Eurovision selection.
Jan Smit — one of the key figures in the selection process — appeared on the talk show RTL Late Night met Twan Huys earlier this week and opened up about the progress. And he confirmed that the broadcaster has not yet selected their act for Tel Aviv.
After Jan Smit sang his song “Liever dan eigen mijn leven”, host Twan Huys remarked that such a song would be suitable for Eurovision perhaps. Jan Smit replied that although he has no objections towards singing at Eurovision, he thinks that there are better artists more suitable for the job.
He also shared his wish for the Dutch act, hoping for one of the Netherlands’ top international DJs to helm the entry. Jan explained,
“There are a lot of good artists. I think that every single Dutch artist should raise their hand to go to Eurovision one time. […] In the Netherlands, we have so many DJs, good DJs, so many who have a huge international platform. When those kind of people release a single, it is immediately added to the playlist at a lot of stations across many countries. In that case [if you would send one of them], you are miles ahead of anyone else. We should try that once. […] The vocalist does not matter in that case, [whether it is Maan, Davina Michelle or someone else].”
In the past few weeks, the Dutch media has been chasing around a good portion of the Dutch musicians. YouTube breakthrough star Davina Michelle said she wouldn’t object, Kensington said they had never thought about it and Maan doubted whether she is ready for it.
Previously, jazz and swing singer Caro Emerald said that the AVROTROS could call her. That last part is exactly what is annoying the members of the Dutch selection committee. Jan Smit explained:
“The Netherlands has so many good singers, but it is also a case of applying to us. Often we get confronted by RTL Boulevard or other media, with artists saying ‘I would like to, but they have to call.’ If people really were willing, they should give us a call. It’s not ‘just participating’. It’s a whole project of half a year. It’s not simply ‘taking a leave for two weeks to sing a song in May’.”
Last month, Jan’s Eurovision commentating partner Cornald Maas said that the Netherlands might opt for a “song first, artist second” approach.
It’s been a year since AVROTROS announced the return of Waylon to Eurovision and it seems that we have to wait some more time this year to know who will represent the Netherlands in Tel Aviv at Eurovision 2019.
What do you think? Who do you want to represent the Netherlands at Eurovision 2019? Should the Netherlands send a DJ to Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below!
Having a DJ accompany a singer at Eurovision isn’t unheard of; I quite liked JOWST’s song from 2017, “Grab the Moment”. It sounded current and had a great flow to it. Poland’s entry from this year also included a DJ (Gromee), but I didn’t like it all that much, it sounded like a knockoff of a David Guetta knockoff. As long as they send a quality song, I wouldn’t have a problem with the Netherlands sending a DJ as part of its Eurovision act.
It’s a song contest and you have to … Sing. I like Martin Garrix, but unless he comes to accompany a singer, with his turntables in the background I don’t understand the justification for his presence.
The nederlands should send Glennis grace, davina michelle of og3ne again!
Glennis Grace has said she won’t come back to Eurovision
Davina would be a great option i really like her cover of P!nk’s “What about us”
Sorry, but Martin Garrix’s sound is dated nowadays. I like some of his songs like Animals, but they come off as old news.
The Name of Love and Scared to Be Lonely are totally different to Animals… I’m not sure what you would define as dated, but these songs were massive hits just last year.
None of the big name djs is going to do this… you can forget about it, dear Jan. Maybe they’ll give you a throwaway song and not have their name attached to it.
Here for it because they’ve become very predictable these last few years
I don’t get why DJ’s (in most participating countries) don’t just want to write a song for a singer. I mean, they write songs all the time AND THEY DON’T EVEN HAVE TO GO TO THE CONTEST!!!
If they ever decide to send a dj to Eurovision, please SEND ARMIN VAN BUUREN.
Hvala ne
Nee, bedankt, indeed! 😀
Avrotros has stated they want to have more grip on the overall project and artistic decisions. I doubt an internationally famous dj would participate under these circumstances.
We all know this is just rumours and in the end they will go for another country song
Anything involving a guitar is country, for some of you guys…
Three of their last five entries have actually been country songs though. The Netherlands has some great music and I think most fans would appreciate something different from them this year
For a young DJ who have plenty of hits at an early age, he looks as if he’s getting old now.
The guy on the pic is Jan Smit…
I see. They look like each other in the picture.
The Netherlands are slow at finding their singer for next year. Normally, they’re one of the first to announce.
I don’t know if the Dutch broadcaster is struggling, or so many Dutch singers aren’t interested in Eurovision. I don’t know the overall attitude towards Eurovision in the Netherlands, but I have a feeling AVROS are having great hardship this year!
The attitude towards Eurovision is positive under the Dutch people (the grand final last year was in the Top 10 most watched TV-shows of the year). In 2017, Eurovision even reached more than 5 million people 🙂 The attitude towards Eurovision changed drastically since Anouk in 2013, now most of the people here see it as one of the best and most amusing TV shows in the year. However, not much artists are interested I guess… But in the end there will be someone 🙂
Most people I know do not take it seriously or they look down on it. Anouk changed that only a tiny little bit. Avrotros though to me is not the right organization to pick an entry.(they have a very bad taste is my opinion, the dutch public broadcasting system consist of more organizations like avrotros, but the others apparently are not interested in this)
I think it would be nice if they would alternate between broadcasters, kinda like they do in Belgium. One year you could even have the EO send an entry.:P Or maybe have a national final between different broadcasters.
I would like to see the prospect of Martin Garrix making a song for Eurosong, but sadly I doubt this would happen. If he ever does so, I hope he picks Anuka, Sharon den Adel or Maan as the vocalist
Sharon den Adel? Only if Armin is the deejay.
Martin has made great hits like Animals, Scared to be lonely and High on life. He would be amazing choice with a great vocalist. JOWSTx100
It seems like they are not amused of Caro Emerald because she said “call me”… What a pity. I am rooting for the “Eurovision Jazz Battle”: Caro Emerald (NLD) vs. Scilla Hess (SUI) 😉
No thanks
Yessss please!
Only if it’s Armin…
…I’d have no problem if it were Johan Gielen, though.
What say you about Afrojack?
Whoever it is needs to be joined by a singer who’s either from or has some relation with the Netherlands, such as (but not limited to) Maan, Anouk, Jan Smit, Davina Michelle, etc.