The preparations for Eurovision 2021 are in full swing. In January, Executive Producer Sietse Bakker revealed that we can expect an even better show than what was planned last year.

Now, Dutch broadcasters NPO, NOS and AVROTROS have shared the names of the opening acts for both the grand final and the semi-final two. Established singer Eefje de Visser is set to open the second semi with breakdancer Redo. Meanwhile, Pieter Gabriel will open the grand final on 22 May.

Eurovision 2021 semi-final two opening act: Eefje de Visser and Redo

Dutch singer Eefje de Visser will perform together with breakdancer Redo. Redo was also due to be the semi two opener. This time he’ll be accompanied by Eefje’s vocals. The pair will share Redo’s life story as a dancer with physical impairments.

Talking to the Dutch networks, Redo says:

“The focus of this performance will be on the dancing and on a personal story: conquering setbacks. The story is relevant to a lot of people now: from a dark period, in which we are located now, we are working towards a moment of cheerful victory. I hope that people recognise themselves into that and that Eefje and I can touch people through our performance.”

Eefje is just as enthusiastic. She adds that Redo is a very talented dancer and she is looking forward to performing on the large Eurovision stage — “Our performance is about resilience.”

Eurovision 2021 grand final opening act: Pieter Gabriel

Sixteen-year-old DJ Pieter Gabriel — whose real name is Pepijn Maat — hails from Amersfoort. Pieter started his career young: he was only eight when he first took to the stage. The teenage DJ was also scheduled to open the 2020 grand final. For his performance at this year’s edition, Pieter plans to create a remix of a “large Dutch hit”.

He tells the Dutch broadcasters that:

“In my opinion, the opening act of the Eurovision Song Contest is the coolest part. It immediately sets the scene for the final show. I am going to show an energetic, uptempo, but accessible sound on stage: everybody will go crazy. And I want to bring people, but also all performing countries, together with my performance. I hope that my music will bring a moment of brightness in this difficult time. I am incredibly looking forward to it.”

Are you looking forward to these performances? Which “large Dutch hit” do you think Pieter Gabriel will remix? Let us know below!

Read all our Eurovision 2021 news here.

19 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
dygh
dygh
3 years ago

Open with Zoutelande or I stop watching

Juan Czena
Juan Czena
3 years ago

I’m gonna be disappointed in The Netherlands doesn’t have Golden Earring perform “Radar Love” during the interval at the Grand Final.

Davo
Davo
3 years ago

I hope he remixes Slave to the Music by Twenty 4 Seven.

Colono
Colono
3 years ago

Sounds meh..

Barry
Barry
3 years ago

15 Miljoen Mensen? Written by Eric van Tijn.

Last edited 3 years ago by Barry
Nils
Nils
3 years ago

oh, yes! it’s pieter gabriel, performing his big hit ‘sleetjehammer’! 😀

seriously, who is pieter gabriel? anyway, i like the idea of a dj opening the show. that flag parade set to swedish house music was glorious, a few years back.
also, eefje de visser is really good.

Azaad
Azaad
3 years ago

Love that they’re giving a spotlight to Dutch talent….although in a pandemic that’s not only nice but also medically responsible!

Bear
Bear
3 years ago

My first thoughts: amazing! that they want to display local talent. These are not actually just random people, but talentfull people who now finally get the chance to develop themselves on a bigger scale. First Pieter (DJ): I expect a really high energy dance song like Avicii’s songs during the 2016 GF opening. That song above (FOREVER) that he did with Fource (JESC 2017) is really great. At a relatively young age he performed at the Amsterdam Dance Event ADE. He’s still young, but I expect him to follow the path of Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Afrojack, Hardwell etc… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by Bear
HARPYdarper
HARPYdarper
3 years ago

Exciting news, all sound very promising. Are these all household names in the Netherlands, or are they up-and-coming ?

id like to see Trijije Oosterhuis perform in the final too, along with Glennis Grace, to make up for the times they both didn’t qualify in their respective years. Given the former is Edsilia’s sister-in-law, and all three have been in the Ladies of Soul, this may be likely!

I’m quite surprised we’ve never seen the Metropole orchestra invited to feature in any of the shows, maybe with distancing this might be too tricky.

Jvdh
Jvdh
3 years ago
Reply to  HARPYdarper

These are all up and coming names, most of the dutch people don’t know all / any of them (including myself :))

Last edited 3 years ago by Jvdh
Zelenovi
Zelenovi
3 years ago
Reply to  HARPYdarper

Eefje de Visser is pretty famous – I’ve been following her for a few years, she has toured extensively and her last three albums have charted in the Dutch top 10.

I *love* her so really excited she will be involved! :))

Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
3 years ago

I wonder that Lady Gaga performs an interval act in Eurovision 2021!

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Hyunwoo

Yeah, I do hope Kim-Lian returns as well.

#BreaktheIce

Barry
Barry
3 years ago
Reply to  Hyunwoo

Maybe at Eurovision in her own country.

Louka
Louka
3 years ago

It’s always pleasant when artists from the country can be in the spotlight for this occasion and show their habilities to such a big audience. Maybe he can create a theme song for this year’s contest too because I find this is something that really miss in the whole “package” of Rotterdam contest. Like for example, the short sound that introduces the official ESC Youtube videos. Do we know if a theme song is planned? Maybe it is saving for later? 2015, 2016 and 2018 were perfect references on this side.

Jvdh
Jvdh
3 years ago
Reply to  Louka

I also hope that there will be a theme song, is always a very nice addition and often remembers later on that year’s contest. just haven’t seen anything about it

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

love that they are using local talent. And let’s hope that the final interval act won’t be an american superstar, the netherlands has plenty of talented and successful artists.

Montell
Montell
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Agree 100%. That’s what Ukraine did in 2017 and because of that I discovered one of my favorite bands – ONUKA. Monatik was also great!

Mircs
Mircs
3 years ago

Now it’s really getting real. I’m still in this delusional abyss from last year when the ESC couln’t happen. Great to see that they’re doing their preperations. I’m sure that the Netherlands will be a great host, no matter what. These acts seem enjoyable!