It’s been years in the making. Now Australia is finally set to launch its first-ever national final later this week. Australians will be watching with bated breath on Saturday night Aussie time (that’s 11:30am Central European Time) to have their say on who they will send to the Eurovision stage in Tel Aviv.
But it’s not fair to leave Europeans out of the loop. So it’s time for you to have your say on your favourite Australian acts in our inaugural “Eurovision: Australia Decides” poll!
Ten Aussie Artists. One Choice. Get ready for #Eurovision #AusDecides. Get your tickets for Eurovision #AusDecides here: https://t.co/zP7fYBPqKr pic.twitter.com/mZlRRD5gq3
— SBS Eurovision (@SBSEurovision) January 31, 2019
The line-up includes some well-known Australian faces, as well as newcomers making their Australian music debut. Genres range from pop to opera to popera to punk rock and everything in between. Australian music is just as diverse as its people.
With that said — which songs are your favourites? Listen to the tracks below and vote for your favourites. You can vote for as many songs as you like, but you can only vote once — so make your vote count!
Eurovision: Australia Decides — competing acts
Alfie Arcuri – “To Myself”
Aydan – “Dust”
Courtney Act – “Fight For Love”
Electric Fields – “2000 and Whatever”
Ella Hooper – “Data Dust”
Kate Miller-Heidke – “Zero Gravity”
Leea Nanos – “Set Me Free”
Mark Vincent – “This Is Not the End”
Sheppard – “On My Way”
Tania Doko – “Piece of Me”
[polldaddy poll=10229288]In the first non-televised show on Friday, each of the 10 acts will perform for the jury, who make up 50% of the final score. On Saturday, the acts will perform in a televised national final, where Australians will be able to vote by SMS.
Who would you like to see win Australia Decides and make their way to Tel Aviv? Let us know in the comments below!
OMG have you seen all the vlogs on YouTube about our national final.There are heaps of them the majority of them saying the same thing it’s out of 3 songs from Sheppard , Kate and Electric Fields but I think Electric Fields has the slight edge the other 2 songs take a little while to grab you but 2000 and Whatever just grabs your attention straight away and that is what you need in Eurovision – grab people by the ears and shake and get their attention . That song is an ear worm but in a good way. I… Read more »
Not Courtney Act !
ELECTRIC FIEELLLDDSSSS PLEEAAASSSEEEE
My favourite is Leea Nanos, but it’s clearly going to be a fight between Kate Miller and Sheppard.
I am surprised that Zero Gravity is not the clear winner of the voting. To me it is the best song so far of all National Selections – means I think it could win Eurovision in Tel Aviv.
It is the song you won’t forget – at least different bits of it appear in my head all the time… can’t help it really
Electric Fields should get to go to Eurovision. Alfie Arcuri should get to go to my house.
I think Fight for Love is quite underrated because everyone’s hyping either Sheppard, Electric Fields or Kate Miller tbh (I love the first 2 though, I just hope Courtney can do well too)
fingers crossed for her!
I’m pretty sure homophobia is involved too
OMG Australia, it’s as if you have been doing this for years! How good the national final will be technically, I don’t know, but for sure, based on the studio cuts, this is THE strongest national final this year. Except for one or two songs, I really like every single one. I hadn’t heard 2000 or whatever before today, so Zero Gravity and This is not the end were my favorites, both beautiful songs I could see doing well at Eurovision. Dust is also beautiful, a really good song, but might not do so well at Eurovision. THEN, I heard… Read more »
SBS, the Australian broadcaster for Eurovision, has an EBU-sanctioned agreement in place with a German regional broadcaster, NDR, part of the German broadcasting group ARD, which broadcasts the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany. NDR would work with SBS to host the contest in Germany. If NDR was unable to do so, SBS has an agreement with the BBC to host in the UK. Why Germany, you ask? I’m not sure of official reasons, but I presume it’s partly to do with location (Germany is central within Europe and slightly closer to Australia than the UK for flight times), which is… Read more »
Considering how strong Australia Decides 2019 is, it may well be a win for Australia and a “see you in Hamburg 2020”
SBS, the Australian broadcaster for Eurovision, has an EBU-sanctioned agreement in place with a German regional broadcaster, NDR, part of the German broadcasting group ARD, which broadcasts the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany. NDR would work with SBS to host the contest in Germany. If NDR was unable to do so, SBS has an agreement with the BBC to host in the UK. These tentative agreements were put in place so that due planning was made in case Australia won the Contest on its debut in Vienna 2015. Why Germany, you ask? There may be other official reasons but it’s… Read more »
Yes, that is indeed what I read as well, almost word-for-word.
Another extension of this idea would be to “purchase” a venue in Europe for 3-4 weeks, and have SBS do the entire production from there, pretending symbolically that it belongs to Australia. So Dusseldorf could become “New Sydney” for a month, for example. 🙂
Many good acts in Australia – they can be extremely happy with it.
With ELECTRIC FIELDS i see a potential winner of Eurovision here: It’s a crazy/special pop-tune, absolute modern ans chart friendly, with ethnic style/language and an outstanding charismatic singer.
That’s the whole package: Jurys will love it – Audience will go for it and the Fans in the arena will party to it.
omg this is so hard
european broadcasters take notes
Since LEEA’s surname clearly shows her Slovenian ancestry she would definitely get 24 points from us.
Hope she wins 😀
i love her song too
Greek, but the points would be welcome anyway if you like the song 🙂
I want Zero Gravity or Electric Fields but im scared Australia is gonna vote for Sheppard.
If Zero gravity wins, it would be the first song with a chance to win Eurovision this season (now that Seemone is eliminated….)
It’s between Kate and Electric Fields for me. I hope they both become international bangers no matter what the result of the show.
I think the actual voting will battle it out between Electric Fields, Sheppard, Kate and Courtney. Courtney could get much televote-love, but hopefully juries let her down. Sheppard are well known, but the song is not THAT powerful to be honest. So I am all in for Electric Fields (the clear favorite) and Kate, who could actually be the winner with the “Jamala-voting” (getting 2nd in both, whereas EF and S are balancing themselves out).
I feel as though Courtney could take votes away from Electric Fields.
I don’t get this whole Sheppard or Electric Fields hype train….???
I don’t get the Sheppard hype at all. 2000 and Whatever is an absolute banger and deserves to go international in the charts.
kate miller-heidke could win the entire esc, fantastic song and fantastic vocals, not generic, and dreamy af.
People said La Forza could win the whole thing but we saw the jury still couldn’t give opera song any justice. So…although I love Zero Gravity, I don’t think Australia should send her.
“2000 and Whatever” or “Zero Gravity”.
She sings Britney Spears toxic live here at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6wIxSE3GVI
I find electric fields song so annoying..
I either want Kate Miller, Sheppard or Lea Nanos
electric flops is pure noise, idek what ppl hear in it
I agree it’s very noisy and not pleasant at all..
Agree
can someone tell me what time in europe this final starts?
You need to fix the article because it incorrectly says 1130 CET.
i’ve read it’s 10:30 cet from other sources tho ?
We should have it mid-arvo next year so they can get the *real* 5am experience 😉
See you then, Hbau 🙂
Hell thats still a more reasonable time than 5 am in Australia when the Eurovision final is on it’s worse for you guys in NZ I usually build myself a nest on the sofa with quilts and pillows and have a cup of tea and toast – Europe gets brunch time
I’m scared that Australia will choose the name not the performance. NO Courtney!!!!!
I have a couple of favourites based on studio versions, but there’s not a single song I dislike. Well done SBS! Who I ultimately vote for on Saturday night will be a function of the song, vocals and staging on the night all combined. Can’t wait for the live performances!
I’m glad people prefer Electric Fields over dated song from Sheppard
In my books, the only 2 respectable candidates are Courtney and Electric Fields. The rest are not worth even a mention.
I voted for Dust and This is Not the End, but most of these songs are quite good. I wouldn’t mind seeing 2000 and Whatever on ESC, because it really brings something new in the contest. Bravo, Australia! 🙂
When do the rehearsals start? I am so eager to see what the performances will be like… the anticipation is driving me nuts!
The rehearsals won’t be streamed but voting will open at 12:01 am Saturday AEST with the public able to vote based on clips of the jury performances.
1 mark vincent
2 sheppard
3 electric fields
4 Leea Nanos
5 Tania Doko
6 Ella Hooper
7 Kate Miller Heidke
8 Aydan
9 Courtney Act
10 Alfie Arcuri
I wouldn’t mind anybody in my top 7 winning though.
Electric Fields, Sheppard, Aydan and Leea, I dont really like Zero Gravuty and I hate Kourtney Acts song.
Kate pleeeaaaaaasssee!!!!!!
I really like Courtney’s song, but she is not a good live singer. Unfortunately.
Sorry, I don’t like any of these songs. All of them seem generic and nothing memorable about them, heard this type of songs in most of the national finals plenty of times (Sweden, Norway, Denmark, UK) and the ballads remind me of Malta and Ireland (boring). The only song standing out is indeed ELECTRIC FIELDS – “2000 AND WHATEVER” but I’m not sure it’ gonna represent Australia or if it does, if it will stand out in front of the weird juries (last year they’ve apreciate it the Swedish generic junk sung by Ingrosso. Meh…)
Such a shame, that people are voting down this, because this is WAAAAAAYYYYY TOO ACCURATE.
YASSS ELECTRIC FIELDS WINNERSSSSS!!!:)
“Zero Gravity” is second to none here (although I am missing a little something towards the end of the song).
I would love to watch the selection, but it would start at 5:30 AM for me :/
Welcome to our world. In eastern Aus we have to get up at 5 am to watch Eurovision!
In Western Australia we need to get up at 3am, it finishes at 7am normally!
One of the better selections this year. However, if Sheppard wins Australia doesn’t deserve the final. The most basic song i’ve ever heard. Aus has a chance at top 10 with at least 3 of these songs and Sheppard is not one of them.
Am i the only one who likes Dust? It has a darky vibe that gives the song a very nice feeling! But I think that 2000 and Whatever has the best shot at doing great in the GF (it is a very good song as well)! Maybe even winning, who knows…
Dust is actually a great song regardless and I like Aydan, I just don’t think it would go well at the actual Eurovision Contest 🙂
I’ll be voting for Electric Fields on Saturday night. I would still be happy if Kate won instead though.
Here in Australia, the Top 3 will be 2000 and Whatever, On My Way and Zero Gravity in whatever order. But Australia will either vote through either Electric Fields because it’s culture and cool mixed together or Sheppard because they’re well known, the song’s good and it’s been in the iTunes Australia Top 10 since it was released which means it will get lots of radio play leading right into the final.? Right now my own vote is with Electric Fields but that might change after I see the staging and performance.
Finally a national selection show I can watch without getting up extremely early in the morning as Australia is just a timezone away from me. I hope there’s a stream available for overseas peeps. 🙂
Since I’m only 3 hours before Gold Coast I’m going to watch it in afternoon 4.30PM! Yes!
Where are you from mate ? 🙂
Indonesia, to be exact 🙂
Nice. I’m from NC 😉
Can someone figure out if it’s available to watch or stream outside of Australia!? I’d love to watch it!!!
It’ll be streamed live and available worldwide on the SBS Australia Eurovision facebook page, and I think on their website but I’m only sure of the former 🙂
Thank you!!!
Alfie by far! Only him!
I will state my opinion but just know that I have a streak so far this year that all my favourites have been undermined by either the public or juries and have not qualified. Personally from what I have seen in my experience with Eurovision , Zero Gravity seems like a risky but good move for Australia. Some of the other songs are good and I can not judge Australia’s choices because it is their first national selection. I really hope Australians can vote for the actual vocals and songs instead of how influencing the artist. I will say that… Read more »
My favorite from this selection is Leea Nanos
My 2nd option is electric fields
I’m anticipating the voting system as of now. When it’s a 50-50 point voting ala DE, Courtney or Sheppard might win by televoting, unless Kate/EF can cancel Sheppard or Courtneys’s televoting amount and got high marks by juries. When it’s a 1-12 conversion, Kate would have a big chance to win.
I’m with Leea Nanos, but picking from either EF/Kate/Sheppard/Courtney, I will go with Kate. Good luck to all the participants!
Did you think that Aborigenes could support Electric Fields ? The duet can also win the televoting 😉
Yes, they do! There’s a possibility of Electric Field coming through by the Aboriginal votes. But seeing how Sheppard got much support in their home country EF might get at least second in tele and Sheppard on top, or vice versa.
I just hope the Aussie audience will vote for the best act of Australia Decides 😉
Probably the most competitive National Final of the season so far. You all know my personal favourite, so instead of singing it to you again, I will spare you the pain and just wish everyone very good luck. Looks like many of us will be setting our alarms to try and watch this one.
Surprisingly, I agree with the poll. It has to be Electric Fields or Sheppard! My top: 1. Sheppard – On My Way (8.5/10) 2. Electric Fields – 2000 and Whatever (7/10). I was expecting something like their previous songs (they were so good, I’m a fan now…). This song is a bit disappointing, but still good, original and uplifting! Their image and sound are really interesting. 3. Alfie Arcuri – To myself (7/10). Maybe another piano ballad, but it is very well produced. His voice sounds so smooth too. Serving quality. 4. AYDAN – Dust (6.75/10). Good vocals, current song.… Read more »
I want Electric Fields or Kate Miller-Heidke to win. But I would be fine with Sheppard, Leea or Aydan too.
I still have faith in Electric Fields. The song grew on me A LOT. Kate, Sheppard, Courtney – they are all good, but “2000 and Whatever” has everything I need from Eurovision entry – catchy tune, good production, sophisticated text, cultural value, modern sound and captivating performer. They came out of nowhere and I believe they are going to win voters’ hearts on Saturday night.
Be brave Australia, play to win!
Electric Fields really would be great at ESC. They deserve a fair go!
Of course, Electric Fields has to win. The best choice for Australia. The duet can reach the top 5 in the GF with ‘2000 and whatever’.
Come on!
The best is “Set me free” by Leea Nanos
I love the “Blanche” vibe it has! She could sing it as well
Good choice AUS
I will keep waving the Courtney Act flag even if its the least popular choice.
Get ready for the incoming the downvotes girl. 😛