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

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This could be a killer!
This could be a killer!
5 years ago

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!

James
James
5 years ago

it’s definitely exciting!

Héctor
Héctor
5 years ago

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 »

Mike
Mike
5 years ago

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?

RoboESC
RoboESC
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

OMG. I hope it was just a demo version

bastian
bastian
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

That song is a killertrack. Would be a contender IF (!) they’ve chosen it.

Fingerscrossed
Fingerscrossed
5 years ago
Reply to  Mike

That was something special!

Frau Loch
Frau Loch
5 years ago

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?

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  Frau Loch

Revenge for what, though?

RoboESC
RoboESC
5 years ago

Haven’t heard about the beef with waylon?

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  RoboESC

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.

Mart
Mart
5 years ago

I honestly think this is The Netherlands’ song for 2019: https://youtu.be/vlnBQzI70gM (from.1:00l
Pure quality and very moving!

Luke
Luke
5 years ago
Reply to  Mart

It’s deleted! Makes room for the rumours 🙂

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Following Waylon is a big ask. Good luck to him!

AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

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.

Nikko
Nikko
5 years ago

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!

wbart__
wbart__
5 years ago

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.

Thunder and lighting it is getting exciting
Reply to  wbart__

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

RoboESC
RoboESC
5 years ago
Reply to  wbart__

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.

wbart__
wbart__
5 years ago
Reply to  RoboESC

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.

RoboESC
RoboESC
5 years ago
Reply to  wbart__

No I agree about ‘the commitee’. But I meant to involve actual profesionals. Not self-proclaimed ‘experts’ like cornald maas

wbart__
wbart__
5 years ago
Reply to  RoboESC

I agree with you on that as well.

MJESC
MJESC
5 years ago
Reply to  RoboESC

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.

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago
Reply to  wbart__

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.

wbart__
wbart__
5 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

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.

MJESC
MJESC
5 years ago
Reply to  wbart__

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 »

stommie
stommie
5 years ago
Reply to  wbart__

As if Douwe Bob was that famous when he was chosen.

wbart__
wbart__
5 years ago
Reply to  stommie

Yes he was.

stommie
stommie
5 years ago
Reply to  wbart__

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.

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago
Reply to  stommie

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?

wbart__
wbart__
5 years ago
Reply to  dutchie

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.

taco
taco
5 years ago
Reply to  wbart__

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.

ESCalator
ESCalator
5 years ago

Not the most pleasant falsetto, but I’ll wait for the song….

Lola
Lola
5 years ago

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?

RoboESC
RoboESC
5 years ago

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.

blondboybc
blondboybc
5 years ago

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.

Frisian esc
5 years ago
Reply to  blondboybc

I think so. His real name is duncan de Moor

thunder and lighting it is getting exciting
thunder and lighting it is getting exciting
5 years ago

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

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago

How old are you, twelve? Who cares how many Instagram followers the guy has.

Thunder and lighting it is getting exciting
Reply to  dutchie

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.

stommie
stommie
5 years ago

Who are “they”?

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

Maybe he prefers to have a real life instead of sucking up to brainless online b*tches.

The truth
The truth
5 years ago

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.

Skiwalko
5 years ago
Reply to  The truth

I’m from Poland and I’ve never heard of her. But seeing her music… better not.

MrBrightside
MrBrightside
5 years ago
Reply to  The truth

OMG YASS! Her single ‘Incomplete’ is really pleasant.

Jeew
5 years ago

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?

Skiwalko
5 years ago

He seems alright, final for the Netherlands once again? It might be very interesting with dance song.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

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…

dutchcrunch
dutchcrunch
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

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.

uzhas
uzhas
5 years ago

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.

gili
gili
5 years ago

sounds like prince(: but less good offcource…after sometime this high pitch voice starts to irritate

NickC
NickC
5 years ago

Well, can’t be worse than last year…

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  NickC

Song yes, staging no.

SVW
SVW
5 years ago
Reply to  NickC

…. Waylon DID qualify and came in a respectable 18th place. So it CAN be worse than last year!

NickC
NickC
5 years ago
Reply to  SVW

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.

nene
nene
5 years ago

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

KESC
KESC
5 years ago

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?! 😀

Dave
Dave
5 years ago

I don’t think a dance track would suit this guy. It would probably end up like Aisel. Perhaps that was just a rumor?

TransUnicorn
TransUnicorn
5 years ago

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!

Marc
Marc
5 years ago

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

dutchie
dutchie
5 years ago

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.

Aline Van Rossem
Aline Van Rossem
5 years ago

Good choice dear neighbours! Love from Belgium <3

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago

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: )

Henry
Henry
5 years ago

I am positive, i have a good feeling about this guy and i think the song will be Epic.

Deven O’Kearney
Deven O’Kearney
5 years ago
Reply to  Henry

I’m feeling quite positive about Duncan as well. Can’t wait to hear the song. ????

Popyy
Popyy
5 years ago

He is more like a ballad guy or indie pop…Don’t send a dance song, please.

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

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.

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago

Interesting

Floprina
Floprina
5 years ago

A “dance track” you say Cornald?

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Floprina

Didn’t we say he was drunk?

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

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.

Noa
Noa
5 years ago

He’s good, but what’s the point of rushing the artist announcement and then waiting so long to make the song announcement?

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

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.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

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.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Technically, that’s still “the local Voice.”

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
5 years ago

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

Libero
Libero
5 years ago

Is Armin Van Buren writing the song for Duncan?

Vol
Vol
5 years ago

This is really weird. He doesn’t look like the type of singer who would sing “dance tracks”.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

Ironically, Trijntje Easter Egg got one thing right – they are sending a complete unknown with nothing to lose. Hoping for a good song.