When countries don’t get the results they hoped for at Eurovision, they often change their selection format. But ahead of the 2023 contest in Liverpool, Austrian broadcaster ORF is sort of sticking with it by once again choosing their act through an internal selection. But this time more people are getting involved and offering their thoughts on the artist and song.
As daily newspaper Kleine Zeitung reveals, the broadcaster won’t organize a national selection and will once again pick their artist internally. Similar to recent years, producer Lukas Hillebrand and radio host Eberhard Forcher once again contacted various music managers and acts directly to see if they’d consider Eurovision. One year ago, Forcher explained how the process works in an exclusive interview with Wiwibloggs.
This year, producers selected the final 15 acts, and live auditions took place last weekend – behind closed doors. Now those live performances will be sent to a special jury consisting of 25 music experts from Austria and abroad. This, of course, is similar to the procedure that neighbouring Switzerland has used successfully since 2019.
In addition to its expert jury, Austria is also getting input from different fanclubs from all over Europe. ORF wants to know what fans think about the possible acts for Liverpool and who gets the most positive feedback from fans. This could be a clever move as Austria struggled to qualify over the past three editions. Perhaps foreign views will provide the outside input they need to make it to the Saturday show in 2023.
Additionally, Kleine Zeitung reports that Austria will announce its Eurovision act for next year in early 2023. Last year, Eurovision scout Eberhard Forcher revealed even before LUM!X & Pia Maria were announced which acts had been considered. Famous Austrian rockband Bilderbuch were in talks with ORF for seven weeks (!) and duo ANGER made it to the final candidate list for Austria 2022. It‘s not known yet if one of them will try again to represent the nation.
The last time Austria used an open national selection was back in 2016. Considering that year they got more televote points at Eurovision than ever before, it seemed possible that they might go back to a national final show for 2023. In the end, though, ORF and producers decided that there will be an internal selection again. The last time Austria took part in a Eurovision final — back in 2018 in Lisbon — they came third with Cesar Sampson.
Who do you want to see representing Austria in 2023? Do you like the idea of asking fan clubs about their favorite act for Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.
i hope felicia lu has a shot. she’s really stepped up her game since anxiety (although i love that song anyways) and i think if her quality stays the same as her last few releases she could bring good results
I don’t care who’s the singer, for as long as they’re good, they will bring Austria back to the final. Something like Charlee or Andreas Gabalier should be good.
Hopefully Marvin Dietmann will direct their staging. He’s a great stage director, he’s my favorite, loved for his minimalism, and he can do well for his
own country.
I’d like to see Austria make a come back next year because it will be five years since we last saw them in the final, but we’ll have to see.
Sticking to stuff that didn’t work is madness, that’s my tea
In my opinion, the best choice would be Matthias Nebel. For those who don’t know him, he was part of the german version of the Voice. His Blind Audition (Bed of Roses) has gone viral and is seen in many compiliations of the Voice. He is a phenomenal singer and a wonderful person too. I think he should represent Austria.
Austria should have been in the final instead of Armenia, such a shame Armenia bribed to perform in the last spot.
out of all countries to go after for qualifying you pick armenia? the most successful song of the whole year? lol
Just because it got some attention on Tiktok doesn’t mean everyone likes it, lmao.
Halo was amazing!!! 🙁
Just make sure they can sing
Pia could sing – She was not Serhan or Demy …
Yeah i will cause everyone hates her … If she was representing Serbia, San Marino, Sweden, Norway, Romania, Azerbaijan or Greece we would have a different conversation …. she was not perfect but definitely could sing – after all Eurovision is not the Voice competition – if u judge voice only u should watch The Voice competition 🙂
Well thats the power of opinions – u did not like it but i did and everyone will write their own truth – I still think some countries has a name and love and Contest changed from Circus Competition to Voice Competition …
Young generation is always robbed in ESC (artists or viewers)
I have heard worse but giving a 16 year old one of the wordiest entries of the year, and shouting “where are you?” Over it At various intervals, isn’t a good idea.
Pia was 18/19 i think not 16
Demy and Serhat qualified, so they were not that bad.
Wouldn’t it be a shame if one of these 25 music experts leaked the names of the 15 acts who are shortlisted to represent Austria so they could see the internet’s reaction before finally selecting?
Just a thought…
If Bilderbuch would go with something on the level of Bungalow or Maschin, Austria would win the contest again.
Agreed!
I love Halo and the vibe in the arena was very positive. Great modern track but ORF made a huge mistake for not having a say on the singer who clearly got a lot of backlash during rehearsals and pre-parties. I know that DJ entries are cursed to flop but Halo had the potential to qualify, it’s soo catchy and needed a better singer. I personally did not like the staging, very dark and static. They needed to get some choreography on stage.
Honestly, they just needed to bring the song a key or two down and it could’ve worked.
I imagine it could’ve been even better with a deep male voice. It was a shame Pia Maria didn’t deliver.
You could be C.E.O … 😀
Agree re DJ entries sadly. In defence of the singer, it was a difficult vocal which anyone would have struggled with. I hope Austria will not be put off and pick an annoying screaming diva.