SBS has continued their drip-feed of acts for their national final Eurovision — Australia Decides 2022. On Friday in Australia it added three more artists to the mix. They include: America’s Got Talent and The Voice Australia finalist Sheldon Riley, Adelaide-based girl-troupe G-NAT!ON and social media star Andrew Lambrou.
Introducing the next bunch of talented singers and songwriters taking part in Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022! ?#SBSEurovision #AusDecides pic.twitter.com/OmzukMJl6P
— SBS Eurovision (@SBSEurovision) November 25, 2021
Australia Decides 2022: Next three revealed artists
Sheldon Riley
The ever avant-garde Sheldon Riley first gained attention as a contestant and grand finalist on The Voice Australia in 2018, before returning to the show in 2019 as an All-Star. Known for his unique appearance and his crystal-draped mask, his performance of “Frozen” by Madonna has garnered over 14 million views on YouTube. Similar to Eurovision — Australia Decides alumni Jack Vidgen, Sheldon auditioned for America’s Got Talent with success and praise from the likes of Simon Cowell and Sofia Vergara. With the likes of international pop sensations Sam Smith and Adam Lambert among his fans (and Instagram followers), Sheldon has carved his way into the Australian music scene as a future-forward ultra pop-ballad sensation. Expect a Sheldon spectacular!
Sheldon said:
“It has always been the highlight, waking up at 5am every year to watch from Australia. Growing up on the Gold Coast, watching Conchita for the first time was proof to me that the world will choose different if given the chance to see it. I am different but I have found my place on mainstream television where I never fit the mould, on radio that has never played music like mine, festivals you’d never think I’d fit the bill for because I always dare to dream… in my fashion and my music always bringing that little bit of Eurovision magic with me every time. I’m so proud of the artist I am today, wearing my crystal mask in so many parts of the world. It would be an honour to represent Australia and bring my sparkle to Europe! After all these years of dreaming and creating the artist I am today. It’s all coming to life in epic fashion, LIVE on stage!”
G-NAT!ON
Formed at the Australian Company of Performing Arts, Adelaide-based G-NAT!ON are a six-piece, all-girl R&B/Pop group, comprised of Taylah (18), Isla (17), Mateja (16), Rylee (17), Alessia (17) and Emma (18). The girls combine powerhouse vocals with incredible moves to deliver a pop show experience. Despite being independent and unsigned, the troupe made it to the grade final of The Voice Australia this year under the mentorship of Rita Ora. With a polished package, you can expect these girls to bring the house down in harmony.
Emma from the group said:
“We are beyond honoured to be the first ever girl-group to perform at Eurovision – Australia Decides! It is so exciting to be a part of the creativity, inspiration, and diversity that Eurovision brings every year, and we cannot wait to bring our song to life on the national stage. Full of strong harmonies and edgy choreography, our song is a dance-pop explosion set to provide the ultimate live show experience. We hope our performance inspires other young people to be strong, powerful, and confident in themselves – see you on the Gold Coast!”
Andrew Lambrou
Sydney-based Andrew Lambrou is a singer-songwriter from a Greek-Cypriot family. He first attracted attention in 2013 after uploading a cover of the Evanescence ballad, “My Immortal”, to YouTube, before making it to the top 20 of The X Factor Australia in 2015 at only 17 years old. His music to date has been described as being pop interspersed with dark elements, brought together with an uplifting positive message. Andrew is often inspired by movie music and cinematic themes, and has released covers on his YouTube channel of songs by Harry Styles, Camilla Cabello and Sam Smith, among others. He released his first original song, “Throne”, in early 2021.
Joining the 2022 Eurovision Australia Decides lineup, he said:
“I’m so thrilled to be a part of Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022! I’ve grown up watching Eurovision with my family, admiring all that goes into it and seeing artists show their craft to the world, and to be a part of this show is like a dream come true. I’m so excited to show Australia my artistry, and to potentially represent my country in this amazing song contest is the most encouraging thought for me.”
Sheldon, Andrew and G-Nat!on join previously revealed entrants to Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022 including Isaiah Firebrace, Jaguar Jonze and PAULINI.
About Eurovision — Australia Decides 2022
SBS sent the following info in their press release:
In association with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, Major Events Gold Coast, Screen Queensland, APRA AMCOS, and official artist accommodation partner Dorsett Gold Coast, Eurovision – Australia Decides will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February.
Hosted by comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst, Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and talent. Australians are encouraged to vote for their favourite artist and song to represent the nation on the world’s biggest stage. The winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final which will be broadcast exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand on Saturday 26 February.
Be a part of history and see it live at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre. Tickets for the Jury Preview Show, Matinee Preview Show and Live TV Final are now on sale.
OPENING NIGHT SHOW Friday 25 February, 7.30pm AEST (Not televised – Tickets available)
Jury Vote
MATINEE SHOW Saturday 26 February, 1.00pm AEST (Not televised – Tickets available)
LIVE TV FINAL Saturday 26 February, 7.30pm AEST (Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS – Tickets available)
Public Vote and Winner Announced
To purchase tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=EUROVISI22
For Queensland accommodation packages see: here
Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022 airs live and exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand on Saturday 26 February.
Broadcast times across Australia:
NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT 8:30pm – 11:00pm AEDT
QLD 7:30pm – 10:00pm AEST
SA 8:00pm – 10:30pm ACDT
WA 5:30pm – 8:00pm AWST
NT 7:00pm – 9:30pm ACST
#Eurovision #AusDecides
I also love Sheldon’s voice, but the overtop dressed appearance is not my thing. I think Eurovision must get more classy, not how more crazy the better, what do you think?
I’ve heard from Alex Lambrou before, mainly exploring on Instragram, so it’s fun to see him competing.
He is really hot on insta can’t help looking at him :p
I’m Australian and I have no idea who any of these people are
How?
Regardless of who actually wins the ticket to represent Australia at Eurovision, one thing is for sure. Australia is not going to stay behind in the semi finals next year.
SBS better stump up and go next year.
– Sheldon has one of the best ‘The Voice’ auditions of all time.
– Andrew’s song throne, I’ve been listening to it for months and loved it thinking he was a random artist, I’m shocked. If he sends something like that he could be one to watch.
What a strong lineup! Really excited about Sheldon Riley and Andrew Lambrou.
What a great lineup already thank you Australia!
Each one of them I like! My favorite Andrew Lambrou his style
Oml, the entirety of G-nat!on is younger than me, it feels so weird to see more and more younger artists at ESC or National finals by each year passing :’)
Songs aside for now until they’re released, and notwithstanding the unreleased artists, if Australia are in it to win it it has to be either Jaguar or Sheldon. They will slay!
100%
I’m the biggest fan of Sheldon Riley and G-Nat!on, i hope that one of them will go to Eurovision
Australia is as close to Sweden’s Melfest as you get. Why oh why couldn’t the BBC pull the same thing off?!?!
Omg if Sheldon has a good song he could kill his potential is massive
i really like andrew lambrou from what ive heard so far, he sounds very interesting and promising
Sheldon’s style screams Eurovision, ahn? I’m liking a lot how Australia’s final is shaping up.
Where is Dami Im? I thought she was set
Too busy with Masterchef. :3
She won’t hun, she said that it 2019 but since the cancellation of 2020 and re-selecting of Montaigne she said she was not going to the Gold Coast
Today 5 Dec she just announced she is pregnant. Probably too pregnant to do the Eurovision tour and fly.
Great 🙂 does anybody know how many songs will participate in Australia’s nf?
10, so 4 more to go. SBS are releasing artist 1 month apart, so we are likely to get the final 4 artists just before New Years.
Wow Australia is coming strong this year! I’m sure they will have great entrant for Torino.
Sheldon better have a killer song.
Say what you will about Australia’s participation, but there’s no doubt we take it seriously! Shaping up to be an excellent NF.
SBS take it seriously sure, but both times we’ve done this the audience has voted for the more ridiculous performances, which is unsurprising since our televotes at the main event tend to follow that same pattern too.
Casey’s song wasn’t the best but I thought it was a serious song that was performed well – she won the televote because she’s famous, not because she was a novelty act.
Sheldon Riley is going to GOBBLE the other girls up omg (except maybe jaguar)
Constructive criticism to the women from Adelaide, please change your name. I don’t know what it means or how to pronounce it or why it is in capital letters.
G, pronounced like the letter itself. Nation. G Nation.
I still don’t know what that means. Also, not everybody is an English speaker.
is it truly that hard to say ‘g nation’
Not if they spelled it properly.
you’re such a killjoy for truly no reason. don’t you have kids to scream off your lawn or something
At least I never get personal, unlike you. Argue the point, Ashton, not the person.
I’m just gonna let the downvotes speak for themselves
Thank you. Try and do that more in the future.
They are all awful names. Nobody seems to believe me that I genuinely meant it as constructive criticism.
I don’t mind their name, but I believe you.
Thank you, Jimmy.
G nation sure is easier to pronounce than Måneskin, yet they won
It literally does not make a difference
Thanks. If you look at the headline of this article, the name is not in capital letters – if you read the article, it is. This is the kind of problem having a confusing name can cause.
This is a bit of a bizarre criticism for a competition juggling so many different languages. You could have just asked and someone would have told you its pronounced Gee/jee nation and stands for girl nation. But Girl Nation is a bit boring, so they chose stylize it. I’m not saying this is better or any less generic, but that’s the reasoning.
O’G3NE was extraordinarily stupid. And the explanation behind the name didn’t help it either. But hey, at least it was original.
‘G-NAT!ON’ and ‘Intelligent Music Project’ instead both sound as if they were spilled out by an online generator for 90s eurodance act names.
The line-up is shaping up very nicely. 🙂