The rumour mill can finally die down! After several potential names over the last fet days, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has revealed their artist for Tel Aviv. 25 year old Duncan Laurence will be flying the Dutch flag at Eurovision 2019!
Duncan may be a relatively unknown name, but he comes with a serious set of endorsements behind him. Amongst his supporters is Common Linnets star, Ilse De Lange – who coached him during The Voice of Holland.
In the official statement, the director of AvroTros, Eric van Stade says:
“We were blown away by this song. It is so powerful that we have unanimously decided that Duncan is our man. “
Who is Duncan Laurence?
Duncan – real name Duncan de Moor – is a singer, songwriter and producer, born in Spijkenisse. He’s previously a student at the Rockacademie in Tilburg in the south of The Netherlands.
In 2014, he participated in The Voice of Holland under his real name. There, he made it through to the semi-finals, coached by Ilse.
Speaking about Duncan – who she brought to the selection committee’s attention – Ilse has been full of praise. “Duncan is special. His songs are very international and authentic. Duncan has the personality needed for a big opportunity like this. For him, music always comes first.”
We’ll be able to hear the song that has got AVROTROS so excited on March 7. Until then, we’ll just have to wait!
What do you think of this choice? Are you excited for Duncan or did you prefer one of the rumoured acts? Let us know in the comments section below!
Read more Netherlands news here
picture: AvroTros
OEH! if it is the [deleted] song of above (in a shorter version since length restrictions), with good staging it could be a killer!
I am starting to get excited!
it’s definitely exciting!
HYPE! I really want to listen to that song. To all those who are complaining about an unknown artist representing The Netherlands or asking why the AVROTROS have selected him, or even blaming the AVROTROS for not caring about the contest… you just have the answer above. The answer is simple. You just have to read: “We were blown away by this song. It is so powerful that we have unanimously decided that Duncan is our man. “ If it isn’t enough then try listening to some songs from him. His voice is amazing. I don’t really know what are… Read more »
Pretty sure the song of choice is in the second video of this article, since it has been deleted just after publishing this article. ANYONE WHO SAVED IT?
OMG. I hope it was just a demo version
That song is a killertrack. Would be a contender IF (!) they’ve chosen it.
That was something special!
I wouldn’t be surprised if the song is called “Sweet Revenge” because that is what Ilse will get by convincing the AvroTros to send one of her pupils to the ESC?
Revenge for what, though?
Haven’t heard about the beef with waylon?
Of course. But how is this her revenge? She always ruled out returning and Waylon kind of already screwed himself last year. Unless she co-wrote Duncan’s song I don’t see how this can possibly turn out to be sweet revenge.
I honestly think this is The Netherlands’ song for 2019: https://youtu.be/vlnBQzI70gM (from.1:00l
Pure quality and very moving!
It’s deleted! Makes room for the rumours 🙂
Following Waylon is a big ask. Good luck to him!
I’m in favour of countries sending a not well known artist, if he/she has the talent. Let’s wait an see. Good luck to the Netherlands.
I am afraid he will pull out a “Aisel – X my heart”-realness. A smoothy, jazzy girl who is forced to sing a poppy dance track. Don’t let us down huntieees!
Sending a established artist with a strong musical identity has worked very well for The Netherlands the last couple of years (except for Trijntje). Why you would change that is a mystery to me. Honestly nobody knows who Duncan is in The Netherlands. It will be just like watching a foreign contestant. Build anticipation with a national final or with a well-known artist. Now the Dutch care way less about a good result and the ESC itself.
Exactly they were teasing us that this year a big name will respresent Netherlands and they send this unknown guy who no one knows him and know will remember him after Eurovision
The answer is simple. There aren’t many established artist left that are actually willing to go. Or they only want to go with their own plan without any interference about the song or act. That ignorance and stubbornness wasted the potential of Trijntje, Og3ne and Waylon. Hopefully now it’s different and there will be a lot of people involved who know what will do well at eurovision.
Nobody knows for sure what will do well at ESC. The committee shouldn’t make itself so important. Just choose an artist and let them do what they want… It’s not like the committee’s choices guarantee a top result.
No I agree about ‘the commitee’. But I meant to involve actual profesionals. Not self-proclaimed ‘experts’ like cornald maas
I agree with you on that as well.
You seem to forget that he is an expert. His job is that of critic for tv and theatre. He has presented the ESC several years and knows more facts about it than anyone else in the Netherlands. I don’t always agree with him but i don’t doubt his expertise.
It’s been clear for a while now that this year they would go for song first, artist second. Which makes sense, because since The Common Linnets the songs have been a bit so-so (or, with Trijntje, just horrendously awful). What’s the point of sending a big name if they sing a crappy song.
You have to agree the excitement is much bigger when a well-known artist is chosen… In my opinion ESC is to showcase the music of your country, not to introduce a unkown artist to the public.
I cannot think of other well-known artists who were not asked and turned down the opportunity. If you let the Dutch audience vote you end up with middle of the road, boring acts that never go anywhere. We had that long dry spell of not exactly great acts between 1976 and the year Anouk went in 2013. Dutch artists that do well in our national charts are rappers and that kind of music has been tested at the ESC but no song like that did well. Our main musical export are DJ’s with dance music that might work for the… Read more »
As if Douwe Bob was that famous when he was chosen.
Yes he was.
No he wasn’t. He did a duet with Anouk and he was in “De beste singer-songwriter van Nederland”, a talent show with a very limited appeal compared to for example TVOH.
Its appeal wasn’t limited, just a different audience than The Voice. But if you look at the actual talent those few seasons of De Beste Singer/Songwriter have produced, there’s really no comparison: Nielson, Douwe Bob, Maaike Ouboter, Lucas Hamming, versus… uhh, Maan and OG3NE?
The only thing you can say about De Beste Singer Songwriter is not as much people watched it on tv. But the artists it produced are as good as the artists that won The Voice, if not better. I would choose Douwe Bob, Michael Prins, Maaike Ouboter over TVOH-winners like Ben Saunders or Iris Kroes any day. Both shows produce good and bad artists.
After last years debacle with Waylon, of course they went another road for this year. I for one am happy they chose Duncan, he has a great voice and is very talented. Can not wait to hear the song.
Not the most pleasant falsetto, but I’ll wait for the song….
Same as with Belgium, excited that they go for a non-celebrity and want to give him a chance to make it in the music world! But the song and the act is the most important, so we’ll just have to wait until March.
Btw, are there going to be reaction videos about Duncan and Eliot like there always is when an artist is announced? Or are you going to wait until the songs are released to react?
For everyone doubting he could deliver a dance song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQUzTBz6_sg
Would love to hear/see something like that at eurovision this year.
Is that his stage name? Couldn’t be more anglophone than that…you wouldn’t even know it’s Dutch…sounds like someone from the UK signed up.
I think so. His real name is duncan de Moor
who the hell is this indie artist ? he has even less followers in instagram than me lol. netherlands will not even qualify this year. thumps down
How old are you, twelve? Who cares how many Instagram followers the guy has.
Lol of course having many instagram followers is not a important thing. But all these days they were saying that a famous artist will represent Netherlands and they end up sending someone who probably even me i am more famous than him lol.
Who are “they”?
Maybe he prefers to have a real life instead of sucking up to brainless online b*tches.
Dziarma rumored in Poland. Her manager was seen in the headquareter of Polish Broadcaster. Dziarma is a female singer mixing alternative,pop and hip-hop. She’s recording in Sweden like Margaret. It makes sense. Couldn’t get Margaret and turned into Dziarma.
I’m from Poland and I’ve never heard of her. But seeing her music… better not.
OMG YASS! Her single ‘Incomplete’ is really pleasant.
One question: Is an act like this possible
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=riohO4dcy08
Where the artist is like on the middle stage but the main camera time goes to this dance?
He seems alright, final for the Netherlands once again? It might be very interesting with dance song.
So Michael Schultze 2.0`?
Could work. Sounds interesting. It sounds very promising and he does sound authentic. Hope the song is good. Though I’m still hoping for folk/rock sound…
Nah, Michael Schultze’s music is a bit commercial. I honestly think this guy is more of an indie artist, since Ilse is so fond of his music.
People saying dance track wouldn’t suit him, I disagree with you all. I can imagine him doing some deep house, maybe something like “Promises” by Calvin Harris. However, I hope for a soulful r’n’b or neosoul song.
sounds like prince(: but less good offcource…after sometime this high pitch voice starts to irritate
Well, can’t be worse than last year…
Song yes, staging no.
…. Waylon DID qualify and came in a respectable 18th place. So it CAN be worse than last year!
I am talking about the overall package. Many people thought it was offensive.
I think after Waylon’s performance, it was obvious Ilse was the brains behind ‘Calm After the Storm’. So good on NL for bringing her on board, and giving a young talent a chance to shine.
to clear things up for everyone, nobody ever said the netherlands would send a dance track. jan said he’d like to see a dj represent us, and cornald said the act would surprise us. that’s all
Looking at his appearance and which kind of music he does, I would not necessarily expect a dance song from him. Either Cornald has trolled us all, or idk whatelse.. Is he the Aisel of 2019?! 😀
I don’t think a dance track would suit this guy. It would probably end up like Aisel. Perhaps that was just a rumor?
The Netherlands this year Looks Promising!
Wiwi Portugal has released the songs for Festival da Cancao,we need u to review it Asap,Conan Osiris sounds so promising!
It’s there honey 🙂 https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/01/21/festival-da-cancao-listen-to-the-16-songs-competing-to-represent-portugal-at-eurovision-2019/231675/?fbclid=IwAR0zR4HZ8KneAroTgefu9Mk7SbMGVw6jb72A_5jLl4ec9SZpdQKKBKOdht0
Promising choice for Netherlands. We need to wait for the song.
It seems Avrotros is following the Belgian approach this time and giving importance to the song and I like that
No one said it was going to be a dance track. That was just a rumour, and this guy doesn’t seem likely to be going down that road.
I had never heard of him. From what I’ve listened to so far, I’m not a fan, but I wish him good luck and maybe he’ll surprise us all with a good song.
Good choice dear neighbours! Love from Belgium <3
Ok. He looks very cute and seems a good singer, now i have to listen his song to complete my impression , for now i think he is a nice choice: )
I am positive, i have a good feeling about this guy and i think the song will be Epic.
I’m feeling quite positive about Duncan as well. Can’t wait to hear the song. ????
He is more like a ballad guy or indie pop…Don’t send a dance song, please.
He seems to be an interesting performer and Ilse’s approval means a lot to me. I’m intrigued.
An suddenly we have more men than women as confirmed acts. 4×3.
Interesting
A “dance track” you say Cornald?
Didn’t we say he was drunk?
Also I just went back and checked what he said and he doesn’t mention it being a dance song once. That’s just a rumor bc Jan Smit said it’d be a good option.
He’s good, but what’s the point of rushing the artist announcement and then waiting so long to make the song announcement?
I’ll say what I said on the last post: he’s got a terrific voice that will translate well live, and a low-key approach could be just what they need. Ilse knows that for sure. Looking forward to his song (I’ll bet anything it isn’t actually a dance track). Also, it’s funny that both Belgium and the Netherlands are sending competitors from their local versions of The Voice.
I agree with you, but The Voice is a Dutch tv show, and it’s OTHER countries that have a local version of the Voice. The Voice of Holland is the original, not a local version imo.
Technically, that’s still “the local Voice.”
All I have to say: If Ilse says, he is good, then he must be good! I love Ilse and I trust her! Looking forward to his song <3
Is Armin Van Buren writing the song for Duncan?
This is really weird. He doesn’t look like the type of singer who would sing “dance tracks”.
Ironically, Trijntje Easter Egg got one thing right – they are sending a complete unknown with nothing to lose. Hoping for a good song.