They’re the Rotterdam-based Eurodance group known for the disco hit “We Like to Party” and the lyrically complex “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!” And now Vengaboys have offered their services to the United Kingdom for Eurovision 2022.

Speaking to the UK’s Metro newspaper, vocalist Robin Pors said: “We can represent the UK.”

He clearly approved of James Newman’s “Embers” and questions why it got the dreaded nil points.

“I was so embarrassed because the UK was really good,” he said. “The song was nice and the singer was nice but they were like, ‘Whatever, zero points.’ How was that even possible?”

“Next year we are going to arrange it. We love the UK.”

That the contest will be in Italy may be a good sign. We know we were not the only ones who initially misunderstood their hit “We’re Going to Ibiza” as “We’re Going to Eat Pizza”!

That song, by the way, topped the UK Singles Chart, as did “Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom.”

Vengaboys at Eurovision 2022 for the United Kingdom?

Historically there’s definitely been an appetite for the Dutch four-piece, which also includes Kim Sasabone, Denise Post-Van Rijswijk and Donny Latupeirissa. In 2001 the World Music Awards named them the best-selling dance group of the year.

And while that was a long time ago, the group remains active. On September 10 they released their latest song “1999 (I Wanna Go Back)” — a cover of the Charli XCX & Troye Sivan hit.

The group have a sincere love of Eurovision. In 2018 they performed on the Open Sea Cruises October voyage alongside Eurovision stars Eleni Foureira, Conchita and Loreen.

The group are currently on yet another global tour, with five more dates in Canada this September (Abbotsford, Winnipeg, St. John’s, Vaughan, and Calgary) before they hit the UK in October. They’ll stop in Hastings and Tyne & Wear before hitting up Spain, Denmark, Ireland, the UK (again), the Netherlands, Switzerland and Latvia.

Are you loving the thought of a Dutch group singing for the United Kingdom? Do you think that could actually happen given their history topping the charts in the UK? Let us know down below!

79 Comments
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Dida
Dida
2 years ago

They’re as relevant as STEPS are. Not… They’re dated, too. UK should send a fresh artist with a modern song….

Samo
Samo
2 years ago

The only way UK wouldn’t get zero points with this is if EBU introduced some way to receive negative amount of points.

This combines two of the UK’s favourite ways to lose: Has-beens and a novelty act. In one package! I have no doubt BBC will go for it.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
2 years ago

Is this to insinuate that the U.K. isn’t even scouting the Commonwealth (with the exception of Australia) for talent worthy enough to put significant points on the board? That they have sunk so low that a 1990s has-been group is offering to represent them? 🙁

Maybush
2 years ago

Just because someone says they would like to do Eurovision in an interview means nothing. It is a no win question, if you say no than they see you as anti UK or anti Eurovision. If you say yes you get criticised for not being the right choice. Also Metro aren’t too bad but if a story is from the Mail or Express (e.g. the Paul McCartney wouldn’t win comments) just ignore it l, they get nothing right and are full of lies. The BBC won’t announce anything about an entry for months yet so just concentrate on other countries… Read more »

RFS
RFS
2 years ago

Great idea… (not) to send a novelty act to show that we are prepared to be as committed as other countries. I pretty much refused to watch (read hid behind the sofa) for Bonnie Tyler and Englebert Humperdinck… I might just refuse to watch if we send these jokers!

Lucy Jones, Surie Jade Ewan and god help me even Blue were our best entries in recent years.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
2 years ago

This article, in passing, mentioned Troye Sivan. I think most of you know what I’m thinking now.

Karen Taylor - Steward

Time UK came out of Eurovision, out of the big 5, just enter like Ireland does, if we don’t quilfy then we don’t pay the big bucks
Its too policical, every year sister countries vote sister countries, it should be about the song not politics
If UK have to enter come out of the big 5 , we enter like Ireland & other countries do
If we don’t get in, then we don’t pay all that money to the contest

Bella
Bella
2 years ago

You do realize that countries pay for their participation fees even if they don’t qualify, right? What a corrupt system it would it be if you could just blackmail not to pay if you don’t qualify… Also I absolutely hate this argument: “the UK pays so they should do well”. By the same logic the UK would have to come out of most major international tournaments since they haven’t won anything since the 1960s. I do agree with you on one point though: the UK should leave Eurovision for a couple years, and come back later with an actual thirst… Read more »

Samo
Samo
2 years ago

Yes, it’s all political and that’s why we get completely different results each years. Geopolitics change on a daily basis and countries move around the map so they vote for someone else each time.

Roo
Roo
2 years ago

Karen Taylor – Steward are you a Eurovision fan or a troll that has taken an extraordinary amount of time to comment on a Eurovision website? If you were a fan you would not be saying the comments you have, you sound just like the Daily Mail. Do people like you really need explaining that the voting may be somewhat partial but not political. Do you think the Eurovision voter particular cares about “Politics”? We have had a variety of countries from north south east and west of Europe in the last decade, some who haven’t won for many years… Read more »

Luc
Luc
2 years ago

If we only take the UK’s recent songs into account, they’re mostly not memorable (to say the least, with due respect to the artists involved) and the performances are usually dreadful

Zander25
Zander25
2 years ago

Well STEPS won’t do for their own country so why not choice those willing foreign and let the trolling continues, UK is really so lost.

Luc
Luc
2 years ago
Reply to  Zander25

At this point it’d be better if the UK withdraws for a while

Roo
Roo
2 years ago
Reply to  Zander25

STEPS only comment on Eurovision because Wiwibloggs won’t leave them the hell alone.

Bella
Bella
2 years ago

Some countries have niches at Eurovision. Like, Finland is the country of rock, Sweden is schlagger, Belgium is dark pop, etc. Now the UK is the country of one-hit-wonders from ages ago and has-beens. This is just sad…

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

There’s also a red-hot rumor on the Voix of Euro that Intelligent Music Project are signed, sealed, delivered to represent Bulgaria

Shuma
Shuma
2 years ago

Would love to see them at Eurovision, and seem to love UK so happy for them to represent us.

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

I feel like the UK should use this as the opportunity to finally court someone more on the indie/folk side. Looking at Amy MacDonald’s performance at the Free European Song Contest for Scotland or at the theatricality of indie acts like The Anchoress, Marina and the Diamonds, or Kate Nash, it seems clear to me that they’d be perfect for something like Eurovision. They’d commit, they’d be true to themselves, and they probably wouldn’t care a lick about how they finished. It’s always the pop acts that get way too in their own heads about results. You have to get… Read more »

Joe
Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I’ve always said the most important thing a Eurovision act needs to show is COMMITMENT. Commitment to your performance, to your song, to really selling what the whole package is all about. Doesn’t matter if it’s Verka Serduchka or Gjon’s Tears: people responded to their acts because they COMMITTED, 120%. If you’re passive, Europe will be passive. So if you aren’t coming in guns a-blazing, just give it up already.

Roo
Roo
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Yes that is what I thought and posted earlier but you said it more succinctly. Lucie Jones has to be the best UK entry of the last decade.

Fatima
Fatima
2 years ago

That they thought the the UK 2021 was “really good” isn’t a good omen

Efraim
Efraim
2 years ago

In the immortal words of Ariana Grande, “thank you, next”.

esc1234
esc1234
2 years ago

the delusion

Joe
Joe
2 years ago

I think it’s more interesting that there are reports that Cyprus might select Tania Breazou with a song by Michalis Hatzigiannis (1998 rep). Cyprus sending a singer ACTUALLY from Cyprus? Who’da thunk!

Joe
Joe
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe

OK scratch that – our local boy Michalis would write the song, but Tania is actually Greek-Romanian. Greek-hybrids coming in for another top mark? ‘Cuz the Romanian connection would definitely guarantee strong marks from Romania and Moldova, possibly Italy, France, and Portugal as well.

Maybush
2 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Don’t forget a guaranteed 12 points from Greece as usual

Héctor
Héctor
2 years ago

Is this some kind of joke? Would be more interesting to promote other independent artists or actually artist who wouldn’t be a novelty act. We are far away from those dark years but for some reason I just see drags and clowns rumoured here. There are so much better artists out there in the UK. This is just pretend an alternative reality. It almost looks like the UK wanna send a novelty act because Europe doesn’t love them. That’s definitely the wrong way to go. I mean, I guess this info comes from other sources but if you want the… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Héctor
Mustafa Aw-Abdi
Mustafa Aw-Abdi
2 years ago

Not exactly sure that Vengaboys were not the right choice for the U.K. in the Eurovision song contest for 2022.
Complete Hasbeens.

Austin
2 years ago

What? They are history and need to stay that way. The UK needs current and contemporary artist singing a great song but the BBC are incapable of delivering.

Lollipopmonster ESC
Lollipopmonster ESC
2 years ago

Me again, maybe the UK should search for a different music style than just POP ….perhaps Rock, Metal, Punk or something could stand out in the ESC. Nobody of us here wants the UK doing bad in the contest. We fans want all countries doing good, that they give their best and that they enjoy the contest.

Luc
Luc
2 years ago

I think the UK would do greatly with something like indie, folk or EDM, but I like your suggestion nevertheless

Lollipopmonster ESC
Lollipopmonster ESC
2 years ago

Like I wrote before in a different article …. why not try an foreign act / singer / band / group. I said the BBC should ask ‘Sigrid’ …..a super singer/songwriter from Norway ….. nothing could be wrong to avoid ‘Nil points’ again.

Last edited 2 years ago by Lollipopmonster ESC
Jimbo
Jimbo
2 years ago

In history the UK has sent a music artist from abroad because Olivia Newton John and Gina G were from Australia. So personally I would be fine about sending a music artist from abroad however I do think that it would be sad to discard so many talented music artists from the UK at the same time. By the way, I do love ‘Sigrid’!

Benjamin Cook
Benjamin Cook
2 years ago

There’s one major problem – they aren’t real singers! Kim’s vocals have always been recorded by a woman called Jane Talany.

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  Benjamin Cook

Have you not heard of “pre-recorded backing vocals”? Problem solved!

musica
musica
2 years ago

Dear Brits, you can have them! Kind regards, a Dutchman.

Clara
Clara
2 years ago

Makes a refreshing change from the endless “British singer/Group looks down their noses at Eurovision” stories. I would have no problem with a foreign act representing UK as 99.9999% of the British music industry think they are too good for Eurovision and don’t want to “waste” a good song on it. The tiny number that are interested, aren’t very good.

But Vengaboys? Thanks, but no thanks.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
2 years ago

yikes… stop making articles about these 90s fads who would come last no matter who they represent lmao

Denis
Denis
2 years ago

Maybe if they perform Boom Boom Boom they could do well. Then all of us who were young in the 90s or people who love 90s nostalgia have an act to support..

Nils
Nils
2 years ago

Oh boy … they’ve got to be kidding.

Jimbo
Jimbo
2 years ago

I have to say all these news reports from Vengaboys and Steps sound like a PR stunt to sell their latest music. Personally I think we should think outside of the box and look for a music artist who hasn’t been discovered but has the confidence to perform on a massive platform plus make sure the song grab the audience when it’s their time to perform in the final. I have to confess I am a playlist curator and here are a few British artists I recommend who are seriously undiscovered but definitely got the talent who are worth giving… Read more »

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  Jimbo

If I remember correctly, Vengaboys supported Steps on their last tour, so yes, this looks like some sort of publicity campaign.

Jimbo
Jimbo
2 years ago
Reply to  Jofty

I definitely think that it is some sort of way gaining PR for their latest music because Steps has released their album “What the Future holds part 2” on 10th September and Vengaboys released their cover of “1999” on 10th September.

Jofty
Jofty
2 years ago
Reply to  Jimbo

Maybe Vengaboys should do a cover of “1944” as they seem to have been around that long

Evan
Evan
2 years ago

Honestly, I am getting kind of tired about all these rumored acts for the UK when they realistically have no chance. Vengaboys, The Frock Destroyers, Bill Bailey, Gemma Collins, and Steps all would likely be novelty acts that no one would take seriously, notwithstanding the fact that Vengaboys have no relation to the UK and Steps comes up every year yet they never go. Ed Sheeran said that England would have to be loved again in order for him to go, which honestly, his songs like “Bad Habits” and “Shivers” would have been great Eurovision songs. Jessie J was rumored… Read more »

Koksy
Koksy
2 years ago

Dear god no thanks! This has nul points written all over it. Their last stuff was nowhere near as good as boom boom boom etc

Ffs
Ffs
2 years ago

W T F

Lorenzo Celli
Lorenzo Celli
2 years ago

But… if they’re not even from UK, what’s the point?
UK will do great at ESC when they’ll send a good song. They have the artists that can do this, please just SEND them!!!

Milan
Milan
2 years ago

So, basically, “we have no clue why James Newman got zero points, but next year we’re gonna do much, much better”!

Iván el Conquistador
Iván el Conquistador
2 years ago

I am not against veterans in Eurovision, as long as they demonstrate they can craft something capable to reach the finals (in the case of countries who are not part of the Big 5) or to avoid the bottom 5 in the case of the Big 5 and host.

sTommie
sTommie
2 years ago

At least they understand there is zero chance AVROTROS will ask them.

Michael STEINER
2 years ago

Thats groop is perfect for bbc.
Old, lame and uninsperation.
I say go with the time uk

Charles
Charles
2 years ago

So … the UK being represented by has-beens from the 90s who felt that looking like ABBA and selling records with manufactured meaningless bubblegum music was credible … them represeting the land of the Beatles, Rolling Stones and Adele? Some people are having fun mocking the UK sending it deeper down in the gutter … but it’s also fair to say that the UK (or the BBC itself with the influence of the late Terry Wogan) have a terrible fair of blame for their own situation. Looking down on Europe as acting all up superior sooner or later would have… Read more »

Yudhistira Mahasena
2 years ago

Vengaboys representing the UK in Eurovision 2022 is a joke. They’re very obviously a Dutch Eurodance group with no connections to the UK whatsoever. They would have made much more sense as representatives of the Netherlands before.

If you want British electronic music in Eurovision to represent the UK, then send in Disclosure or CHVRCHES. Not only because they’re British, but electronic music is often underrated in Eurovision. Remember, the contest is not always about pop music.

Luc
Luc
2 years ago

CHVRCHES sounds like a great idea for the UK! – When was the last time the UK was represented by a Scottish act in Eurovision?

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
2 years ago
Reply to  Luc

1988…

Lesley
2 years ago
Reply to  Leendert Jan

…where we finished second behind a certain Céline Dion.

Eugenie
Eugenie
2 years ago

As electronic music listener and synth player, I say, electronic music is underrated everywhere. In America/Australia it does even worse than here. Of course, if we aren’t talking about 2010s EDM which was more pop than electronic.

Luc
Luc
2 years ago
Reply to  Eugenie

Indeed, though it usually does better in Latin America

Roo
Roo
2 years ago

I often wonder why we feel we need a current pop star to represent the UK at Eurovision. I mean lets be honest. The absolute elite of pop stars like Ed Shearan etc don’t need Eurovision and their schedules are full for several years in any case. Otherwise really most pop stars are clueless kids put in front of a microphone to sing a manufactured song. If most of what you hear on the radio is forgettable then why would it be memorable at Eurovision. Plus they always sing badly and don’t know what to do on the big stage.… Read more »

meri
meri
2 years ago

They are not my favorite group… but they can try!! I hope they’ll represent UK with a good song! 😀

Romeo
Romeo
2 years ago

Eurovision 2022 probably won’t be on a ship so they would fly the Union flag! Not the Union Jack!

Shuma
Shuma
2 years ago
Reply to  Romeo

So sad you got downvotes for speaking the actual truth.

Corey
Corey
2 years ago

Why artists who had their peak around 20 years ago would be a good choice to any country?

Romeo
Romeo
2 years ago
Reply to  Corey

Because the bbc will select jemini again and we need to take any decent chance of not ending last. BBC are literally worse than pointless at eurovision

Ben
Ben
2 years ago
Reply to  Corey

Darude

Corey
Corey
2 years ago
Reply to  Ben

Sadly last place in the semifinal, past success won’t guarantee a miracle.

Luc
Luc
2 years ago
Reply to  Corey

Yeah, Finland learnt that the worst way possible 🙁

Kosey
Kosey
2 years ago

Have I died and gone to heaven?

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
2 years ago

Makes absolutely zero sense for a group from the Netherlands with zero connections to the UK to be representing the UK at Eurovision. Also Vengaboys’s most famous songs were from the 1990s and most Eurovision viewers are teenagers and young people who weren’t even alive at the time.

Luc
Luc
2 years ago
Reply to  ESCFanGA

I confirm, I’m several months younger than their best known song LMAO

Last edited 2 years ago by Luc
Adrian
Adrian
2 years ago

Yes yes yes yes YES!!!!! From the UK, I can say I fully support this. We love the Vengaboys! ????

esc1234
esc1234
2 years ago

all these articles for schlager/trash pop acts wanting to represent are not really doing good to the already damaged reputation of uk in the contest.

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
2 years ago

This is just another STEPS mistake. Hasbeens need to stay put.

Esc addict
Esc addict
2 years ago

Why not, they represent my youth, their musics are uplifting, but they have no direct link with the UK, and their global success was in 00’s, so why not but I’m not really convinced. Of course Embers was a good song and James a really good singer , and it won’t change just because the esc results, I remember the eurofans loving it when it has been released, (like the Irish entry), and because it got 0 points, it’s forcefully bad, no the results should not influence our opinion. Embers was quality and I like this song, it was in… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by Esc addict
hellohi
hellohi
2 years ago

Shocking . One of them thought U.K. 2021 was good . Warning warning . Stay back .

Totorino
Totorino
2 years ago
Reply to  hellohi

The UK have sent far worse. Wasn’t expecting it to light up the scoreboard (no pun intended), however 0 points was NOT deserved

Milan
Milan
2 years ago
Reply to  Totorino

At Eurovision nobody gives you 0 points, you fail to get any points from anyone. The song was unoriginal, and with that staging, I can quite understand why people easily found someone else to vote for.

Paul
Paul
2 years ago

They should’ve appeared last year!!