Speculation has been mounting as to who will represent Austria at Eurovision 2020. But now broadcaster ORF has confirmed that R&B singer Vincent Bueno will be Austria’s man in Rotterdam. He will sing the uptempo song “Alive”.
Austrian broadcaster ORF made the announcement this morning. Vincent shared his excitement for the opportunity, saying:
“Wow, even thinking about the fact that I am going to participate in the song contest gives me goosebumps. The Eurovision Song Contest is like the Eurocup for musicians and singers. The huge stage, all those artists doing their absolute best, all the songwriters and producers of Europe gathering in one place to celebrate their work while at the same time stepping into the ring – it is breathtaking and formidable. Let’s go, Austria!”
Vincent may be best known to Eurovision fans for his previous attempt at representing Austria. In 2016 he competed in the last Austrian national final with the dance song “All We Need Is that Love”. It received a mid-table score from the jury and didn’t make it to the superfinal.
The R&B star is no stranger to the Eurovision stage. In 2017, Vincent supported Nathan Trent on backing vocals for “Running On Air”. Vincent also produced the remixed Spanish-language version of the song for Nathan, titled “Aire”.
Watch Vincent accompany Nathan Trent on an acoustic performance of “Running On Air” in Kyiv:
When will Vincent Bueno’s song “Alive” be released?
“Alive” will be released sometime in 2020, however ORF has not given a specific date. But Vincent has dropped several clues about the song with five hashtags and a brief explanation of their meaning.
#vincentbueno
“I love to laugh. I’m a motivated guy. ‘Troubleshooting’ is my personal motto! I love my family above all, have a deep faith and both give me strength in my life. I love music, I love people. I’m very sensitive, which can sometimes be a disadvantage – ‘open-hearted’.”
#alive
“From the moment I let go of the fast-paced confirmation of social media and its pressures to be something specific, I reconnected with my identity. That makes me feel alive.”
#fireshots
“My happiness comes from deep within. It is something that no fame or money in this world could ever give me. I would like to use this energy purposefully.”
#behindthewall
“All of us fight our own egos. An ego is like a high wall. If you break it down you realize how much easier and freer life can be.”
#hiddenheroes
“Each and every one of us has the DNA of a hero or a heroine.”
Who is Vincent Bueno?
Vincent Bueno is an Austrian-born singer of Filipino ethnicity. He came to fame in 2008 when he won the Austrian talent show Musical! Die Show. The show aimed to find the next Austrian star of musical theatre.
The following year, he competed on Dancing Stars, where he placed seventh. In 2010, Vincent travelled to the Philippines where he appeared on the popular variety show ASAP XV.
He has also released two albums — the German-language “Wieder leben” from 2016 and the English “INVINCEBLE” in 2018.
Vincent has released plenty of singles, including recent release “Into You”. It has a cool, contemporary R&B sound and could be a sign of the sort of song Vincent might take to Rotterdam. And it’s evidence that he can rap as well as sing.
There’s another side of Vincent — the family man. Earlier this year, Vincent and his wife Charity Grace — performing as The Buenos — released the hilarious but sweet song “I Still See You”. The song celebrates a relationship enduring despite the demands of parenthood.
What do you think? Are you excited for Vincent Bueno to represent Austria in Rotterdam? Are you looking forward to hearing “Alive”? Tell us your thoughts below!
[…] Vincent was confirmed back in December 2019, when ORF also teased us with the title of his song for Rotterdam. It’s still a well-kept secret if “Alive” gives us the same energy as Imri Ziv’s “I Feel Alive” back in 2017 — as some fans already suggest. All we know is that Vincent’s song will be upbeat. Listening to Vincents previous work, we know this could go in a very contemporary, Spotify-friendly direction. […]
[…] Vincent har både deltagit i den österrikiska, nationella ESC-uttagningen 2016 samt varit med som bakgrundssångare i ESC 2017, se länkar nedan. Bidraget han kommer att tävla med i Rotterdam har titeln “Alive” och är en up-tempo-låt som väntas presenteras i mars 2020. (Källor: eurovision.tv och wiwibloggs.com) […]
People were criticizing Mans Zelmerlow back in 2015 for comments he made that people thought were homophobic and it didn’t do him any harm so I imagine the same will apply to Vincent. Let’s just wait for the song to come out.
https://youtu.be/vz-931viFZs
His voice in ´´into you´´ is kinda ruined by the shotty production, so I wouldn´t worry much about that. I think he has a great live voice.
Austria is clearly going for the jury votes just like they did in 2018. And I have enough faith that they can pull it off.
Plus it will be nice to see more r and b in the contest.
Lol y’all gave his 2016 NF entry a 3.15 XD CANT wait for ‘Alive’
Yesssss i was waiting for this! I loved his NF song back in 2016. He’ll easily bring a top 10 result for Austria
Sounds interesting
Vincent Bueno is very good, Bravo Austria
Why do I get the feeling this will be a bland, “pseudo-deep and meaningful” effort.
I already dislike him just from the description in this article.
That’s what I call an unbiased judgement of a song…. LOL
While I like his style of music, I doubt it would translate well to the ESC stage. I can already imagine William saying “it’s too much musical theatre”.
I think they want to pull a Luca Hanni xD
I hope it works out for them
I‘m quite pessimistic, don‘t like his voice tbh
same with me – his voice and music is not made for my ears (and that’s no hate comment) – it is a fact.
Surely everyone knows that 2020’s winner will be a female – it’s the boy girl boy girl rule…
so there is hope for Aly Ryan to win it (if she finds a country that let her compete).
Next mais pourquoi pas le retour de Cezar Autriche ne gagnera pas cette année lol
Fun fact: That’s the seventh Eurovision song with the word “alive” in the title (or 8th, if you count the iconic Ofra Haza’s number, “Hi”).
Austria 2020 (Alive), Israel 2017 (I Feel Alive), Albania 2015 (I’m Alive), Slovakia 2011 (I’m Still Alive), Switzerland 2007 (Vampires Are Alive), Austria 2007 (Get a Life – Get Alive), and Cyprus 2003 (Feeling Alive). One of these things is not like the other…
Would Eyþór Ingi’s “Ég Á Líf” (Iceland 2013) count? Or am I misinterpreting the song title?
That one means ‘I have a life.’ So relatable to all Eurofans, eh? 🙂
Yaaawn. I expect more from the country that brought us Conchita. Bland title. Bland artist. They clearly don’t want to host again
Can’t blame Austria for playing safe after taking quite a risk with Paenda, which hasn’t paid off at all in terms of results (though I’m one of the few here that loved her song). But I hope they come with something much more interesting and substantial than Vincent’s previous songs. For now, I imagine he’s more like Nathan Trent than Cesár Sampson.
There is an interview with him on heute dot at in which he says he doesn’t want his children to be gay.
Was there a reason why? Like that would make life harder for them or something? Doubt he’d just shout that out at random. Do you have a link?
Google: “Auch ich wünsche mir heterosexuelle Kinder!”
He’s probably gay himself but doesn’t want to admit it.
Being gay is not something anybody has to “admit” to.
Sure. But what if one of his children is gay? How would you feel if you knew your father did an interview in which he stated he didn’t want you to be the person you are? How must if feel to come out to a parent who stated such a thing?
Robyn just answered your question.
My questions were rhetorical.
Ultimately, that’s not our call to make.
Thanks for the clarification on that. I think it’s unfair to crucify artists the way certain Eurofans are doing.
I agree, but we all know that subject is going to come back again and again before Rotterdam.
It’s not much of a clarification. I haven’t read the interview, but just what from what I’ve read here, it’s still a terrible and homophobic thing to say, and I don’t see how the “clarification” makes it any better.
From how I see it, we’re at this stage in time where we are in transition towards a new normal of acceptance. There will be people who may not be able to express how they want to say in a context where they could be understood, in part because they never experienced it firsthand.
I think he may have said that in the interview without malice or intent, but being not German-speaking, I won’t be able to fully grasp what he said there, and I obviously don’t want to rely on Google Translate when it could get lost.
🙂
Yikes! He better start preparing himself and his responses to this topic from now, because I foresee a shit load of “uncomfortable questions” coming his way in Rotterdam!
he’s v religious wbk. he also made an anti-abortion song. i need deban to ask him whether ‘alive’ was inspired by his stances in the upcoming interviews !
he is religious, but that song isn’t really anti-abortion, I checked it and it’s more about not giving up, when a baby has a illness and it’s also on a personal level…
It wasn’t an anti-abortion song, it was about recovering after having a stillborn baby.
Polegend Godgarina: where did it say that his song is particularly “anti-abortion”? Defend your answer.
I don´t like this type of religious people – probably the public will also not appreciate this. We could see it at the televoting….
Now “pepe” starts again the gay – straight thing ……nobody is interrested what he thinks or says. Here again the club is swinging and everything is put on the gold scale. We need no witch-hunt (like against Laura Bretan, NF Romania 2019) again. Don’t put the focus on your sexual predisposition!
as the representative of a country, ppl will care about his opinions, especially if unpopular
agree..
Yeah, the context of the interview doesn’t really make it okay. It’s a “love the sinner, hate the sin” type deal. How disappointing.
I agree – it´s a very weak opinion.
Is this true ??????????
He is so uncharismatic and bland, all of his songs are so boring and not catchy at all.
I rooted for Paenda, I can’t root for him.
Not very excited about him but let’s wait for the song
Everyone will sing uptempo song…. BTW he was my wish 🙂
Austria is my favourite ESC country and I’m very happy with this choice. Viel Glück Vincent!
A bold choice for 2020. I checked his discography and it is super lit! He’s like a Mr. International from Europe to Asia wow! After Austria’s lucklustre performance this year I feel that Austria wants to get that fire back that Cezar gave in 2018 by choosing Vincent.
Am feeling quite positive about this. Luca Hanni showed a strong uptempo, male entry can still do well at ESC. Vincent can deliver something of a similar standard, am sure!
I wouldn’t have high expectations, but since Austria is known for choosing “meh” artists and giving them great songs, I’m excited!
So yeah I think we have another potential qualifier – plus it’s probably Symphonix behind him as well (Borislav is actually my favourite producer)
I, as ever, will make no judgment calls until we hear the song. Seems like a cool artist.
I think we’re gonna get another jury bait song from Austria this year
He almost looks like Manny Jacinto of The Good Place
But really only almost!!!
I’m smelling it’s gonna be produced by Symphonix. If so, I’m just gonna judge when the song’s out.
I think so too, he follows Borislav on IG…
No, he told that his entry is self-written.
Lameness alert but I will wait to listen to the song…
Musical Die Show. So, who died?
Woher soll ich das denn wissen?
Filipino represent. I hope this will be an intermediary for EBU (and SBS in the first edition) to prompt/trigger and not postpone their “Asiavision Song Contest” project again (EBU and SBS still call it “Eurovision Asia”, it should always be called “Asiavision Song Contest”; they should approach ABU, who uses the name “Asiavision” for their news network, to join the production team as well so that the show’s name can and shall be changed to “Asiavision [Song Contest]”). I am from an Asian country as well, Indonesia to be more exact, and I am dying to see Asiavision in the… Read more »
uhh why select an r&b singer to give him an uptempo ? midtempo is what works best for the genre. either way i’ll wait for the song !
Ayun! Good luck, ‘tol.
He’s super trained as a performer but his actual music isn’t that good. Perhaps he should a theatrical style song instead.
Backing vocalist, back to esc, singing about being alive… Imri Ziv?
I hope is uptempo, otherwise he might be just a good voice (Lindita Halimi)
Good luck!
You just don’t see enough Lindita Halimi-Vincent Bueno comparisons. 😉
It’s a fact: ORF does NOT want to host again.
I wonder if this could change in 2023 or 2024 when the new arena in Vienna is ready.
We want to host again, but are not ready until 2023/24.
How so?
There is this amazing super dooper venue under construction
when was the last time someone won but refused to host ? i recall israel 1979 ? winners are symbolically obliged to host
Of course they can’t force them, but it would be an embarrassment for any Western country to decline.
ORF would never ever decline. With a budget of 1 billion euros per year, you can find 40 million for the show if required.
I never said they would decline. Their 2020 choice just clearly shows me that they don’t want to win again YET, when there will be a brand new venue available in a couple of years, much better than Stadthalle. Granted, we don’t know the song yet, but his past stuff isn’t exactly reassuring.
I’m not expecting much. Or anything, really. Maybe ORF does not to want risk winning again under any circumstances before the new arena in Vienna is ready in 2023 or 2024? This definitely seems like a very safe choice when it comes to not winning. Seems like we’re back to the pre-2013 Austria for now.
I didn’t like ”All we need is that love” at all. I hope this song will be better.