It’s the new national final that’s fast becoming a fan favourite on the Eurovision calendar. But while there won’t be a Eurovision – Australia Decides in 2021, show producers Blink TV have confirmed their intention is for the national final to return in 2022.
In April, broadcaster SBS confirmed that Australia Decides 2020 winner Montaigne would have a return ticket to Rotterdam in 2021 and another chance to represent Australia at Eurovision.
But while SBS hasn’t said exactly how Montaigne’s song for Rotterdam will be decided, today’s announcement at least confirms that there WON’T be a special edition of Australia Decides to select the entry for Eurovision 2021.
However, the good news for Australia Decides fans that the national final producers and SBS intend the show to return in 2022.
Paul Clarke — the former Australian Head of Delegation and current Creative Director of Eurovision – Australia Decides — thanked the show’s sponsors and partners who had helped build up the show over the past two years.
He added, “To our music community we say – write the perfect Eurovision song! We have every intention of bringing the show back to the Gold Coast in 2022 bigger and better than ever.”
A 2022 edition of the Australian national final hasn’t been formally been confirmed by broadcaster SBS. There’s still a lot to consider, including the state of the Covid pandemic in 2022. Under current Queensland state regulations, concert venues can only operate with 50% capacity.
Australia’s journey to Eurovision 2021
Meanwhile, Montaigne is busy working on her song for Rotterdam. Last month, Montaigne posted to Twitter, saying “i reckon i’ve written my eurovision song for next year it’s totally f****d, lets see what [management] says”.
It remains to be seen if this song ends up being the song that Montaigne actually ends up performing in Rotterdam, but if her enthusiastic tweets are anything to go by, it could be a good option for Australia.
Earlier this month she shared the emotional ups and downs she had experienced since learning that Eurovision 2020 was cancelled. But, as the article noted, Montaigne isn’t quite convinced everything will be back to normal next year. She said, “I was stoked but … I’m resigned to the possibility I’ll never perform in Eurovision.”
However, Paul Clarke and the Blink TV team are backing Montaigne, saying, “It’s great to know for certain that Australia will be able to cheer for Montaigne at Eurovision 2021, and we’re excited to be working with her on a new song and staging.”
What do you think? Are you excited for Australia Decides 2022 to return? Who would you like to see compete in the contest? Tell us your thoughts below!
Australia Decides had a lot of sponsors who have helped build the series. This is pretty usual for Eurovision national broadcasters, though some broadcasters are non-commercial and so can’t use sponsors.
Ok but like, Gold Coast isn’t the only city in Australia…
tru but if it wasn’t Gold Coast it would be either Brisbane, Sydney, or Melbourne. Perth (my city), Adelaide, Darwin, Canberra, and Hobart never get any attention anyways
Good news! Now let’s hope it won’t be another 3 hours show for 10 songs, where most of the time went to ads!
This is great news, loved both shows, Montaigne deserves to get a chance, loved her song this year. Glad Australia Decides is coming back, found some great artists through it. Sheppard, Electric Fields, Didirri and Jaguar Jonze and Montaigne have all had songs in my playlists
How do they (SBS) even fund “Australia Decides” when Kate had to raise 60 000 dollars herself even after someone helped her out with 60 000 dollars?
I want to see Montaigne in Eurovision next year but I think I can see that she won’t get picked in the end and I am already prepared for that. If that happens, I will still hope for her future appearance in the contest along with Ulrikke, Tom Leeb, Elisa, The Mamas again and Damir.
Kinda pointless having it because no matter who enters, Dami is going to win it anyway. Unless Sheldon Riley or Sia enters and throws a spanner in the works but seriously, just give Dami the title now.
as we should