On 18 March, the EBU broke the sad but inevitable news that Eurovision 2020 was cancelled due to the coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic.
Almost immediately, fans began to wonder whether broadcasters would give their acts a second chance and select them again for 2021. So far, eighteen countries have done just that.
Eurovision 2021 confirmed acts
As of 21 June, the following countries have confirmed their artists for Eurovision 2021.
- Australia – Montaigne (confirmed 2 April)
- Austria – Vincent Bueno (confirmed 26 March)
- Azerbaijan – Efendi (confirmed 20 March)
- Belgium – Hooverphonic (confirmed 20 March)
- Bulgaria – Victoria (confirmed 21 March)
- Czech Republic – Benny Cristo (confirmed 14 May)
- Georgia – Tornike Kipiani (confirmed 21 March)
- Greece – Stefania (confirmed 18 March)
- Israel – Eden Alene (confirmed 22 March)
- Latvia – Samanta Tīna (confirmed 16 May)
- Malta – Destiny (confirmed 16 May)
- Netherlands – Jeangu Macrooy (confirmed 18 March)
- Romania – Roxen (confirmed 31 March)
- San Marino – Senhit (confirmed 16 May)
- Slovenia -Ana Soklič (confirmed 16 May)
- Spain – Blas Cantó (confirmed 18 March)
- Switzerland – Gjon’s Tears (confirmed 20 March)
- Ukraine – Go_A (confirmed 18 March)
Eurovision 2021: New artists
- Cyprus: Sandro will not sing for Cyprus at Eurovision 2021. Broadcaster CyBC released a statement on 1 June confirming media speculation that the German-born singer of Greek and American descent would not represent the island again. This was said to be a “mutual agreement”.
- Denmark: Ben & Tan will not sing for Denmark at Eurovision 2021. DR will once again select its act through the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix format. The 2020 duo were not offered an automatic spot in the final. Tan says: “I feel we would take the place from some others. After all, we have tried to be part of the show. It must be someone else’s trip next year. That is most fair.”
- France: Tom Leeb will not sing for France at Eurovision 2021. Tom confirmed in a 19 June interview that he would not return next year due to a “pretty busy schedule”. However, just over 24 hours later, the French broadcaster announced detailed plans for a revamped national selection process.
- Norway: Ulrikke will not sing for Norway at Eurovision 2021. NRK has decided to continue with its annual Melodi Grand Prix selection show. The “Attention” singer was offered a wildcard spot in the final, but she declined. “I had a dream that they would send me next year, but that was not the case. I am very sorry and disappointed with that decision, but that was the way it was.”
- Portugal: According to Elisa, Portugal will not change its usual selection method for 2021. This means that she would have to win Festival da Canção first. Portuguese broadcaster RTP has not yet confirmed the news, and Marta Carvalho, who wrote “Medo de Sentir”, hasn’t either. Instead, the singer sent a direct message to her followers on Instagram, writing: “Hello! Me and Marta won’t go to Eurovision 2021”.
Eurovision 2021: Potential new artists
The following list is not conclusive:
- Croatia: Media reports suggest that broadcaster HRT has committed to holding a 2021 edition of its national final Dora. A local newspaper reports that HRT has already booked the Opatija venue that is the current home of Dora. But with this news comes uncertainty whether Dora 2020 winner Damir Kedžo will be involved with the 2021 national final.
- Estonia: On the day of the cancellation, EER confirmed that the Eesti Laul selection would return in 2021. This means that Uku Suviste will not be internally selected. However, he has been promised a spot in the semi-finals, so he may still represent Estonia in 2021.
- Finland: Broadcaster YLE has confirmed song submissions for UMK 2020 will open as normal on September 1. UMK 2020 winner Aksel Kankaanranta is welcome to submit a song, but a pre-jury will decide which songs make the live stage of the competition.
- Lithuania: LRT will once again run with the Pabandom iš naujo selection format for 2021. The Roop have been offered an automatic spot in the final, but have yet to confirm whether they will accept the offer or not.
- Sweden: The Nordic powerhouse also confirmed the return of its national final within hours of the cancellation news breaking. However, unlike Estonia, Sweden has yet to comment on whether The Mamas will get a free pass to compete in Melodifestivalen 2021.
Eurovision 2021: Declarations of interest from artists
The following list is not conclusive:
- Belarus: On Instagram, VAL wrote “We hope that every artist who was chosen to represent their country this year will make it to the next Eurovision”. This number would obviously include the duo.
- Iceland: Daði Freyr Pétursson has clarified that he is open to representing Iceland at Eurovision 2021 with Gagnamagnið — if Icelandic broadcaster RUV “wants to invite us.” However, he suggested strongly that he would not be open to competing in a national final in 2021, writing on Twitter: “It would just feel weird to me to compete in Söngvakeppnin again.”
- Ireland: Speaking on Irish radio, Lesley Roy said “I don’t know what is happening. I am so passionate about this project and so devastated, but I will gladly spend the next six months writing a new song for next year.”
- Poland: Replying to a fan on Instagram, Alicja Szemplinska wrote, “I would be thrilled if I could participate in [Eurovision 2021] and represent Poland!”.
- Russia: Little Big’s front-man Ilia Prusikin has stated he would very much be up for competing at the contest in 2021. While acknowledging that there remains much uncertainty, he said: “If it’s us, then I’m totally up for it”.
Eurovision 2021: Reviewing the situation
The following list is not conclusive:
- Italy: Neither the Italian broadcaster or Diodato have publicly commented on Eurovision 2021. However, Sanremo will return next year, but on a later date than normal. The renowned music festival has been used to select most of Italy’s acts since its 2011 return.
- Germany: Thomas Schreiber, Head of Entertainment at ARD has hinted that 2020 might not be the end of the line for Ben Dolic. “We will now discuss with our creative partners what this means in detail for us and our artist Ben Dolic with his successful song.” Schreiber, Dolic and “Violent Thing” songwriter Boris Milanov have all heavily criticised the EBU’s decision to block 2020 songs from being entered again in 2021.
- Serbia: Tabloid reports that Hurricane would represent Serbia at Eurovision 2021 have been refuted by the girl band themselves. Speaking to wiwibloggs, the group’s publicist says: “We do not yet have official information about this from our state public service broadcaster. We won’t know until September or October.”
Lucky escape for Portugal and France if you ask me…
Saying the Irish person…… take care of Ireland my dear, I can say too that the cancellation is a good thing for Ireland this year, to avoid a disappointment no? Yes! So fed up of these persons thinking that they know what would happen this year. We love Eurovision cause it’s not predictable, so stop all with your predictions , you will never know moreover we don’t know the stagings which is a big part of the final results and that’s why we love so much Eurovision . And that’s not why the majority of eurofans dislike a song that… Read more »
New artists may be from Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Croatia, Estonia, Lithuania, Italy, France, Portugal, Cyprus.
I don’t really care anymore. We’ve requested a ticket refund since it’s impossible to find a room (neither hotel nor AirBnB) for a reasonable price. The rates have skyrocketed (as expected), but people are unbelievably greedy. Prices went from 50–80 € per night to over 400-500 € at AirBnB and hotel rooms would cost up to 2000 € for two nights. That’s absolutely inacceptable. So Rotterdam and the ESC won’t get a single cent from our wallets … And since hosts are willing to rip us off I am not even sad about it.
Go a bit outside of Rotterdam, even villages and you’ll find something, than u just take a bus or something.. why be in the city..
Not really, at least you’d like to stay in Den Haag. Even the accommodations outside of Rotterdam are at least 200 € per night. And I’m speaking of small rooms in private houses with a shared bathroom. Go ahead.
Well, I was satisfied with Ben Dolic representing my country, but him for another year? No thanks. Maybe in the upcoming years, yes, but not next please.
UK – James Newman has said twice he hopes to be back for 2021
Elisa from Portugal said in the interview with Niki Tutorial that she still don’t know nothing about her participation for next year …She said “fingers crossed”..
Sandro said he wants to be back next year and there we have it .-. Their opinions rarely matters.
Haha well, he said he did not like his song, Elisa didnt said anything like that so maybe she is in and Portugal had internal selection even before, also Iceland …for example Albania never had internal selection so maybe she is out, but also Latvia always had national selection so maybe it depends on money actually
Yeah, kinda sad that we will not see all 2020 artists returning next year in 2021. But I’m excited who will be the new artist for France, Sweden, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Denmark, Finland, and Norway.
Ben & Tan haven’t totally ruled out that they will compete in DMGP again, if they Are offered the right song.
Alicja will return 100%. We have elections atm so noone thinks about ESC.
I hope that a decision will be made in Croatia, although parliamentary elections are also held on July 5, and changes in the government are simultaneous with changes in HRT
Honestly, I don’t really see either HDZ or SDP pulling out from ESC at this point. At least I don’t see why would they. But I agree there might be some changes in HRT, which ultimately may lean towards the decision to either send Kedžo or organize another Dora.
I think Lesley Roy will return in 2021 based upon her interview she did with William whereas Dadi most likely won’t due to Iceland leaning towards doing another edition of Songvakeppnin in 2021. As for the rest, I have no clue.
Iceland and Portugal already had internal selection in the past …so there is still a hope …For example Albania never had internal selection so probably Arilena is 80percent out of ESC …also bcs of Corona most of the countries don’t have a lot money for new national selection 🙁
I would love to see Lesley back for us next year but I really don’t trust RTÉ anymore..
If they’re moving Sanremo to a later date that might not allow for Italy to submit a Eurovision entry through that process, then I’m okay with them using an internal selection, although they’ve only used internal selection twice since returning to Eurovision in 2011, and that was in 2012 and 2014. If Italy uses an internal selection for 2021, perhaps they put together Diodato with Arisa (who won Sanremo in 2014, but Italy ended up sending Emma instead as an internal selection; Emma had also won Sanremo in 2012, but Italy sent an internal selection in Nina Zilli that year).… Read more »
I personally think James Newman returning for the UK next year is unlikely as even though he has said he’s up for it, he hasn’t got the voice for this competition…yet. Until My Last Breath was released he had no long lasting experience as a singer or a vocalist, his talents truly lie in his songwriting and his Grammy nomination speaks for that in spades. When SuRie had a petition to return the following year in Israel, did the BBC take heed no they didn’t so I do not think that James is going to return in Rotterdam, which is… Read more »
I quite like My Last Breath and believe that UK should have done better than 20th spot if the show proceeded. Still, would it be in my top 5 choices to personally vote for? Unlikely. And unfortunately, that’s how you get low televoting score. Most abysmal entries are rarely the last ones in numbers. Sure, France would’ve had that 26th reserved, but I’m not sure if UK and Spain would’ve done above 20th spot. In UK’s case, hopefully, but we’ll never know now. In short, what UK needs is to get out of their comfort zone. What does that mean… Read more »
The 26th reserved for France, it continues, the useless and unfunded fury keeps going, some readers are so childish here…..sad world…..no the last place is reserved for your bad spirit mister Colin, a real good fan don’t wish the last place for nobody sorry so maybe you are not in fact…..
Owning my upvote, because I really want to see Fleur East at Eurovision, too. Think about it: she’s got talent, incredible stage presence, and could really give the U.K. a shot at doing well, if she gets the right kind of song. (I’m American, but I’m very familiar with her from her run on The X Factor UK a few years ago; she can definitely work a stage.) Most of the UK’s entries in recent years have tended be very corny or saccharine songs that seem more in place as a coronation song for a singing show than a contest… Read more »
Or just send Adele and win the whole thing right away
But even she says she can get pitchy, and should wouldn’t be able to stop and restart like she did at the Grammys. I’m not sure she’d be happy on the Eurovision stage or press conferences.
James is a great vocalist, he was certainly not among the weakest that would have participated in this year’s ESC. He’s also featured as a vocalist (!!!) in two songs by Armin van Buuren, by the way.
Good points Liam. Much as I liked James and the song, he was yet another inexperienced performer and that would have been noticed. I suspect that BMG already had someone lined up for 2021.
Well, I think it would have helped if My Last Breath had been any sort of hit in the UK.
Fingers crossed for all the artists who haven’t been confirmed yet but I specifically want Leslie Roy to come back
Montenegro will also return to the contest!!! Unlikely for Hungary
Wait what?! Since when!?
Source(s)
Dude trust me
I’m fairly certain that more countries will withdraw.
Montenegro and Hungary technically never left.
I so hope James Newman comes back to sing for UK next year. Still waiting for BBC to tell us.
I’m not so sure about James Newman given the backlash from the entry this year, I hope he does and gets some vocal training to give him the best chance in 2021. However the BBC will throw him to the side, and due to Covid-19 I wouldn’t be suprised if they withdrew, I hope they don’t but you know what us Brits are like, we blame every poor (deserved) finish on politics and that Europe hates us which is BS. But, that’s who your dealing with.
I’ve read that there is a chance that some countries might not participate in Eurovision 2021 due to the financial strain put on broadcasters by coronavirus. I imagine the countries that are selecting their 2020 artists for 2021 will indeed participate because if they weren’t confident of participating they wouldn’t have announced their artists returning in the first place.
i dont think so I doubt that they would have to pay another participation fee when its the same contest but moved next year. Thats why the tickets remain valud.
I concur
I certainly hope at least those internally selected return (Little Big, Lesley Roy, James Newman, Ben Dolic, ect.), even if I’d *really* like to see Diodato and Arilena back too. Alicja Szemplinska also won a NF only newly constructed for 2020, so there’s no ”tradition” to go back to.
Another question I have is what do you think – How many among them will stick to their current genre formula and how many of them might go the opposite way. For instance, do you think it’s possible we get a big banger from Victoria and an emotional ballad from Efendi?
With Victoria, I feel like she has more creative control with the entire process and, aside from songwriting, I have no doubt that she will stick to a song that suits her particular style of sound.
Efendi might still end up having a song handed down to her by her broadcaster, as is most often the case with many recent Azerbaijani artists who took up the mantle of repping their country in ESC.
whatever Efendi gets I am hoping against hope that it is in Azerbaijani. I know its 99% not gonna happen but I can still dream
James Newman also said he would be up for it in the little documentary for the BBC
Well done all broadcasters who didn’t knee-jerk react to an emotional invite to this years artist. The contest will be poorer due to inviting an artist before there is any consideration of the song. Not to mention losing the fun of national finals which we really need after the disappointment of this year. I understand guaranteed spots in a national final but the song still needs to be tested in a competitive environment
Other than VAL, I think we’ll get James, Little Big and Lesley next year because they were internally selected and I think those artists have a higher chance to be selected again (although it’s not a guarantee–Hello cyprus and France). I’d like VAL to have a chance, but unless they are internally selected, I’m betting on a national final next year.
Anyone knows which other 2020 artists are likely not to be selected for 2021? And also which ones are most likely to return in 2021?
It’s not a perfect assumption because there are exceptions, but I think generally an internally selected artist might have a higher chance to be coming back for 2021 than one who goes through the National finals. However, we have had two internal artists (Sandro and Tom Leeb) confirmed to NOT be returning next year, and we have 7 nf winners who will return in 2021. I get the feeling that the returnees are from delegations who are confident that they would do well year next while delegations who are not bringing their 2020 artists back are cutting their losses because… Read more »
“France was on danger of getting last place AGAIN” !? Really?! As if it was always….. how many times France was last? And nobody can say what would happen this year if the contest was done, sorry.
Maybe it wasn’t the right choice of words, but France came last in 2014 and ended up somewhere in the bottom in 1998, 2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013 and 2015.
It’s already been said by Joey, but I was referring to France’s last place in 2014. I know France does not have a frequent record of placing last (that would be Norway and Finland).
I’d say:
Likely to return: Little Big, Athena, Alicja and Hurricane.
Than kind of in the middle(I’ll include artists that may win the next NF): Vasil, Mamas, Aksel, the Roop, VAL, Lesley Roy, Uku, Natalia, Arilena, Ben, Damir
and I’d say unlikely: James, Dadi and Diodato.
also, apparently athena has already been selected to represent armenia but it wont be announced until after jesc because arm tv are focusing on that right now.
How do you know this? Where did you get this inside scoop?
I know someone who knows someone who is reliable. its not a shocker though they will obviously send athena again and they have a great relationship with athena so it is obvious.
If they feel confident that Athena can bring Armenia back into the final, I don’t blame them for retaining her. I hope she can get a great song.
I think she’ll be back as well.
Well, I hope they do, because that girl can own the stage. I just hope they let her equal creative control over the song.