Cornald Maas announced yesterday that broadcaster AVROTROS has chosen both its artist and song for Eurovision 2019. Rumours suggest that a dance song may be chosen, something Dutch Eurovision commentator Jan Smit earlier has been advocating for in the media. Could Armin Van Buuren be back in the picture? 

Dutch Eurovision commentor Cornald Maas made the statement on the television Show Shownieuws last Saturday. He has high hopes for the chosen song and artist and believes it’s a good choice.

“I know everything, but I’m not going to say much yet,” said the former national selection jury member. “It’s going to be very good and pretty unexpected. Let me put it this way — the entry and song that we’re about to present,  I’m very enthusiastic about it and I also believe that it is very likely to end very high”.

After Nashville, a dance song?

Last year the Netherlands went Nashville with Waylon. Rumours are that the Netherlands will be going in the opposite direction this year and have chosen a dance song. This won’t surprise many, considering the country’s diverse range of songs in recent years and their history with the genre (DJ Tiesto, Armin van Buuren, Ferry Costen, etc.). Also, Dutch Eurovision co-commentor Jan Smit has been vocal in the media this year, urging his nation to send a dance song to Tel Aviv. Back in 2013, the broadcaster approached Armin Van Buuren, who wasn’t unwilling at the time, but didn’t have a song nor a singer.

Whether or not a big name is involved in the project, the Dutch broadcaster is certainly diversifying its musical portfolio. It has been some time since the country sent a dance song, having dipped in and out of country music in recent years.

Willemijn Verkaijk for the Netherlands?

In a radio interview last Friday on Dutch Radio NPO 2, Eric van Tijn said his preference would be to send singer/musical star Willemijn Verkaik for the Netherlands. Eric Van Tijn is a Dutch producer and was a composer behind two previous Eurovision entries — Ruth Jacott’s “Vrede” in 1993 and Edsilia Rombley’s “Hemel en aarde” in 1998. Willemijn is best known as musical star for her role as Elphaba in the musical Wicked. She has taken up this role in several different countries — the United States, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Germany. Dutch fans will also know her from her performance on Dutch Liberation Day. On that day — that’s May 5, 2018 — she sang “Let It Go“.

Who would you like to see going to Tel Aviv for the Netherlands? What do you think of Willemijn Verkaik? Can the Netherlands pull off a dance song? Let us know in the comment section below!

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AntonESC
AntonESC
5 years ago

According to rumours it will be Eva Simons with the song Like That…….that will be a good choice!

Jesper
Jesper
5 years ago
Reply to  AntonESC

Yes, Eva Simons announced on her Instagram that she’ll release this song on Friday. But I doubt the AVROTROS would just let her announce it through her Instagram, including a snippet of the song.

It won’t be Eva Simons, at least not with that song.

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago
Reply to  AntonESC

Eva Simons is just trying to stir up some hype around her new release, since everyone in Holland has already forgotten about her. It won’t be her, this is not the way Avrotros does it.

Armando De jonge
Armando De jonge
5 years ago

It is Eva Simons with Armin van Buren. 25 january official.

Henry
Henry
5 years ago

Armin would be great, but Eva Simons?? A big No No, for me, she cannot sing Live at all.

Jesper
Jesper
5 years ago

Yes, Eva Simons announced on her Instagram that she’ll release this song on Friday. But I doubt the AVROTROS would just let her announce it through her Instagram, including a snippet of the song.

It won’t be Eva Simons, at least not with that song.

José
José
5 years ago

Please AVROTROS, send Willemijn!

Niels
Niels
5 years ago

Nicky Romero is the dj whom has no scadule this season due a break… he will be available for 2 weeks in may. The other dj’s are fully booked.

Stephen Muckle
Stephen Muckle
5 years ago

I would really love it to be Emma Heesters. Her YouTube channel is brilliant.

Stella
Stella
5 years ago

i LOVE willemijn verkaik, ive been a fan of hers for years, an i’d love to see her in Eurovision. her voice is amazing!

Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Well they better have a winner since I made a bet with my friends on who’s going to win and my three picks were the Netherlands, Norway and Russia.

blondboybc
blondboybc
5 years ago

Norway??

Glenniebooooy
Glenniebooooy
5 years ago

I’m still hoping for davina michelle!

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Glenniebooooy

Didn’t she outright say not this year?

SVW
SVW
5 years ago
Reply to  Glenniebooooy

She wants to go, but not in 2019!

MyEuroVision
MyEuroVision
5 years ago

I think it will be Within Tempation. They have said that they are interested in competing and I don’t think the selection committee won’t take this great opportunity. And now Cornald says the entry will be unexpected, so I dont think it will be a dance song, since Jan Smit has stated several times that he would like a dance song to go.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  MyEuroVision

I hope you’re right.

Meliris
Meliris
5 years ago
Reply to  MyEuroVision

Hope you are right as well…

Jesper
Jesper
5 years ago
Reply to  MyEuroVision

Shownieuws reported two days prior that a dance song has been chosen, though, and that they were looking for a female vocalist.
But who knows, maybe they didn’t find one and went with their second option

ESCalator
ESCalator
5 years ago

To be frank, not expecting much from The Netherlands. Helaas….
But a dance song would be the best choice.

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago

The best part is that Cornald was clearly tipsy when he did the interview, so maybe he revealed a bit more than he was planning to. Cornald is the more ‘left field’ of the selectors, meaning that he is more into alternative and musically interesting entries. He really seems to be quite enthusiastic about the song, so if it’s a dj that would surprise me because it’s not really down his alley.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

If Waylon or indeed another country/ folk rock singer was to compete he would have faired really well. I mean, A Star is Born was a huge sucess with it’s folk rock soundtrack. I think Waylon was a bit ahead.
The Netherlands or any country could have waited and seized the moment now and get a hit.

Marc
Marc
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

I thought the same. This was the year to go with Folk/Rock
It’s like Amar Pelos Dois and La La Land

Esc
Esc
5 years ago

Oh please.. Whitin temptation! ¡!

Eurovisionfan12
Eurovisionfan12
5 years ago

Off topic: The Sanmmarinese participant for 2019 might have been leaked, who it will be Inis Neziri! She took a pic with the San Marino HoD a few days ago so it may be her

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Oh please oh please oh please

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
5 years ago

The Albanian singer who sang “Piedestal” in FiK 2017? For San Marino? Surprise, surprise… 😀

West
West
5 years ago

Oh please, please – let it be her and not the scary human Ken guy.

ImFromRomania
ImFromRomania
5 years ago

I think will be Naaz

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

Weren’t 2 unlimited Dutch?! Can you imagine!!! Or the Vengaboys! I would die if either happened!

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Paul

No Vengaboys! It’d be Las Ketchup all over again!

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I say Anananananaje. Anananananaje.. Sorry, it overcame me 😀 😀

Jesper
Jesper
5 years ago

They have chosen a dance song and were looking for a female vocalist to sing it, but it seems they have found her too. So it will probably be a (famous) Dutch DJ with a Dutch female singer. I am excited to see which DJ they have found to produce a song and perform at Eurovision.

Marc
Marc
5 years ago
Reply to  Jesper

Dj: Kris Kross Amsterdam
Female act: Maan & Tabitha
Song: Hij Is Van Mij

Probably it won’t happen because it’s the biggest Hit in Netherlands now and it’s in Dutch but it would be a great and different choice.

Jesper
Jesper
5 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Yes I also would’ve loved that one and I have been thinking about that option for weeks. Without the Bizzey verse it is close to 3 minutes, too. But the news from a few days ago was that they still had to find a female vocalist so I doubt it will be that song. However, I would LOVE for Maan & Tabitha to be our act and to sing that song in Dutch.

Marc
Marc
5 years ago
Reply to  Jesper

It would be a great choice and finally Dutch.
It will be interesting to see how it goes choosing a song and then find the artist. It worked for Cyprus last year though.

Vrede
Vrede
5 years ago

I’m rooting for Thomas Azier or Naaz. A little more leftfield artists who could pull a Belgium by being authentic and modern and extremely good.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

“I know something. But I won’t tell.” What is this, pre-school?
I prefer finding out everything at once, anyways. Listening to final product is the only worthwhile information and I do hope The Netherlands will win this thing sooner than later.

stommie
stommie
5 years ago

Afaik Eric van Tijn isn’t part of the selection committee.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Of all the suggested acts, the two I’d like to see the most are Willemijn Verkaik and Within Temptation. That being said, the Netherlands have become one of the world’s dance music capitals, so it might be nice for their Eurovision act to reflect that.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

I really want us to win soon, that would mean I could attend my first Eurovision which would be awesome :D. I think a dance track would be good, but I also think that we will have a lot of upbeat entries this year, following the succes of Netta and Eleni. I just hope we have a good song this year, I am very satisfied with the quality of our most recent entries and it would be great if we would be able to keep up with that trend.

OrangeVorty
OrangeVorty
5 years ago

I’d like to see the Netherlands win again soon – they’ve put a lot of effort into their process in recent years and done quite well out of it. It’s about time the founding countries of Eurovision bounced back and sent a couple of winners.

DyGh
DyGh
5 years ago
Reply to  OrangeVorty

Nonononoo Belgium is also one of the founding countries and it’s been way too long since we won. Since 2015 we are the best founding country on average.