Eurovision season has officially kicked off Down Under with Australian broadcaster SBS closing applications from aspiring song-writing wizards and ambitious artists. They’re all vying for a spot in Eurovision: Australian Decides, which, in its first year, became one of the most talked-about national selections. With Eurovision fever coinciding with a red hot Aussie summer, you could easily be mistaken for thinking Australia’s talent is on fire!

 

But maybe Eurovision: Australian Decides doesn’t need to unearth fresh, new talent in 2020. Perhaps Australia can open up its vaults and rediscover its glorious musical wonderbox of yesteryear. Wouldn’t it be great if the stage was set for epic past Australian acts to return to the stage for a one-off Eurovision performance? 

 

I would go to the moon and back to bring back Savage Garden. I am sure the world would fall truly, madly, deeply all over again for their poppy crooning ways. But, if we put that fantasy to the side, there’s still plenty of room for dreaming big. Here are five Aussie acts we’d love to see get their microphone out of retirement for a star-studded Eurovision performance in Rotterdam.

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan

Once upon a time, Australian pop queen Kylie Minogue and her prince Jason Donovan were Australia’s sweethearts. After playing Charlene and Scott on the much-loved Australian soap opera Neighbours, they channelled their real-life romance into song with “Especially for You.” (Seriously, this needs to be given a prominent spot in the Australian songbook.) Both their careers have endured despite their romance being short-lived.

 

Over the years, they have united on stage to recapture their 90s young adult romance. But how the world would benefit from seeing this one-time couple recreate their onstage chemistry. After all, it’s the stuff of soap opera dreams.

 

 

2. INXS

 

 

Can INXS rekindle their new sensation on the Eurovision stage? We think so!

INXS is an Australian musical institution, having released music for nearly four decades, starting with their 1980 hit “Just Keep Walking.” With a string of hits after that (“Don’t Change,” “Need You Tonight,” “Never Tear Us Apart” and then some), INXS seemed to be unstoppable. Then tragedy struck.

The band’s lead singer Michael Hutchence passed away in 1997. Since then, the band has performed with a list of guest singers including JD Fortune. INXS continued to have great success, including 2004’s hit “Pretty Vegas.” Monsieur Fortune was replaced in 2011 by Ciaran Gribbin – but his INXS singing days would be short-lived. A reunion on the Eurovision stage in 2020 would look pretty indeed.

 

3. Holly Candy nee Valance

 

Former soap star turned pop singer Holly Valance followed in the footsteps of fellow Neighbours alumni Kylie Minogue to enter the pop world. Valance released her debut single “Kiss Kiss” in the early 00s to great fanfare. Covering a hit Turkish song, Valance was able to make it her own, charting her way around the world with an accompanying raunchy music video. It’s evident that Valance took note of her predecessor, not only for mastering the art of creating the perfect song, but also by choosing iconic outfits. 

Kylie may have been spinning around in her gold pants, but Valance had her saucy shimmering bodysuit. After a handful of hits, Valance decided to set her mic to silent. But maybe a stint at Eurovision would light Valance’s fire and see her blow the crowd one more kiss.

 

4. Dannii Minogue

 

Where, oh where, art thou other Minogue, Dannii?

 

A star in her own right, Minogue has played a long list of roles: singer-songwriter, actress, television presenter, fashion designer and more. Her singing career spans two decades with a string of hits both in her homeland and in the UK throughout the 90s and early 00s including “Love and Kisses”, “This Is It”, “All I Wanna Do” and “Who Do You Love Now”. Minogue has been quiet on the charts but she has kept busy with other commitments, mainly as a judge for reality talent shows in both Australia and the UK.

 

Perhaps Minogue can break the Sound Of Silence and call upon The X Factor Australia‘s 2013 winner and her protégée, 2016’s Eurovision runner-up Dami Im, for stage cues.

5. Young Divas

Is third time really a charm for Jessica Mauboy?

 

Australia’s most underrated manufactured all-girl band Young Divas was formed in 2006 and consisted of former Australian Idol finalists including season three winner Kate DeAraugo, Paulini, Emily Williams and Ricki-Lee. Their debut single was a cover of Donna Summer’s “This Time I Know It’s For Real.” The song turned out to be a surprise hit, peaking at number two on the ARIA Singles Chart. 

 

When Ricki-Lee quit the band to focus on her solo work, our gal and two-time Eurovision performer Jessica Mauboy stepped in to fill the void. A cover version of Loverboy’s “Turn Me Loose” was the first and final single to be released off the band’s second album (and first to feature Mauboy) New Attitude. Soon after the song’s release, the group dismembered, leaving fans to wonder if the Young Divas would ever return to the stage, for real?

 

What Aussie act would you like to see return after their long hiatus? Tell us in the comment section below!

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Denis
Denis
4 years ago

Said it before but Darren Hayes would be a great choice. Especially since he seems to be a fan of ESC..
Nick Cave would be cool to but can’t really see him in the ESC stage:)

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
4 years ago

For starters, none of the first 4 you mentioned.

Peters
Peters
4 years ago

Maybe Darren Hayes from Save Garden will participate this year since he did watch and support Kate last year for Australia Decides.

daniel
daniel
4 years ago

comment image

Kim
Kim
4 years ago

You are kidding surely. A band that’s lead singer is dead and the replacement hasn’t got the chops to replace him, Kylie and Jason and Dani are average singers who are autotuned within an inch of their lives and the Young Divas who has one girl with a drug problem another one who can’t drive but drives anyway without a licence and someone who has severe anxiety on stage and should stick to recording only . How much have you been drinking love. There are way better performers than these guys in Australia .

Fatima
Fatima
4 years ago
Reply to  Kim

JD Fortune was/is an incredible singer. “It Ain’t Pretty” was being played all the time when I was at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Kim
Kim
4 years ago
Reply to  Fatima

He’ not Australian and that’s the purpose of the above article Australian Artists from the past. JD was replaced by someone else later anyway ( can’t remember his name because he didn’t make much of an impact himself other than in impact of the car he was drink driving with ) His first name was Jon and he dated James packers Ex can’t remember his last name but as you can see the only impact most of the above singers mentioned were their various misdeeds.

Nikki
Nikki
4 years ago

Do 2000s Italy!
Unless you don’t want my 5k essay on why Laura Non C’è by NEK would have win by landslide with a finger snap.

Ankko
Ankko
4 years ago

I would love to see Sam Perry representing Australia.

mad-professor
mad-professor
4 years ago

Surely Kylie would be more likely to represent the UK given she pretty much lives there and her record label is BMG? Not that she’d be likely to do it though.

Trent
Trent
4 years ago

My dream Aussies: Delta Goodrem, Missy Higgins, Sheldon Riley, Bella Paige!!!

yodenman
yodenman
4 years ago
Reply to  Trent

Definitely Delta. She has the stage presence and vocals to do well.

Kosey
Kosey
4 years ago

I would prefer Dannii, she was always the more interesting sister.
But if Australia really wants to drag out a star from the past, they should go for Silverchair – Eurovision needs more grunge!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

those would be good picks if we were in 1990! kylie is a respected legend who would never consider the contest, the others are way past their prime…

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

That was my point regarding Dani. Most known names who did Eurovision were (way) past their prime.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

I don’t follow or know pop music particularly well, so I don’t know if Kylie is still big, but her sister was never big, so I think Eurovision would not be such a bad deal for her.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

She was Dami Im’s mentor on X Factor Australia, and Ruth Lorenzo’s on X Factor UK…it would be kinda embarassing if she didn’t at least get Top 10 like them.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Yes, it would show that anyone can be a judge and that it means nothing. I mean, it’s kind of hilarious when someone like Cheryl Cole judges the voices of others. Although I liked both of them from the clips I watched on YouTube. They’re better judges than singers. Your comment sounds like you wouldn’t not be very confident about Dani cracking the top 10.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

Well…that would depend on the song. She may deserve Top 10, but she’s not gonna get it based on her voice, and would an ageist audience vote for a 48 year old? I dunno.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

You do realize Russia 2012 happened?

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

Sure, but how many winners over 50 has there been? Or even over 40?

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

How many over 40 and 50 are even trying to participate? I wanted the one true superstar Patricia Kaas to win but I still know better than to blame her result on her age. Clearly, her song which I love was not made for a drunk televoting audience. Maybe old people are busy having children? I heard 30 is the new 20, so by that logic 40 is the new 30 and so on. Sertab was almost 40. It’s not like people are voting for the best looks at Eurovision. Duncan is the perfect example for that. I don’t know… Read more »

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

Right, hardly anyone in that age category is sent by broadcasters. That says a lot in itself. I wasn’t actually making an accusation, I was merely expressing doubts. Also, I’m not sure why my own age would be relevant…but I was born on the very same day as Taylor Swift, so I guess if you consider her old, then so I am I.

Fatima
Fatima
4 years ago

“It’s not like people are voting for the best looks at Eurovision. Duncan is the perfect example for that. ”
Saucer of milk for “Guest”

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

she has a great discography, she deserved more success. her albums are disco gems

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

The words disco and gem don’t match in my universe.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
4 years ago

90s disco was much more interesting. give her ’97 album ‘girl’ a stream

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago

Neon Nights is a classic!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

I was always more partial to the music of Dani rather than Kylie. Would definitely be excited if she were to even consider ESC.

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

My Aussie Eurovision wish list: Middle Kids, Tina Arena, Hilltop Hoods, Courtney Barnett (pipe dream, but you never know), Betty Who (so obvious I’m surprised nobody mentioned her yet), Nick Cave (again, unrealistic, but could you imagine?), and Natalie Imbruglia.

Jonas
Jonas
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Nick could compete as a songwriter, I could see that…maybe with his old pal Kylie as singer…

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Kylie Minogue already said she’s terrified by the idea of doing Eurovision, and the idea of sending post-Michael Hutchence INXS is disgraceful.

On the other hand, nobody has said Tina Arena yet, and she’d smash it.

yodenman
yodenman
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

You have read my mind. Michael was essentially INXS. To still call themselves that name is nonsense. Very much like Queen without Freddie.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Big fan of Tina Arena from her musical theatre days so yeah….definitely think she has the vocal chops to handle a proper winner-quality song.