Photo courtesy of ORF / Roman Zach Kiesling

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.

24 Comments
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lex
lex
1 year ago

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

Yudhistira Mahasena
1 year ago

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

Yudhistira Mahasena
1 year ago

own country.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

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.

potaxio
potaxio
1 year ago

Sticking to stuff that didn’t work is madness, that’s my tea

Harry
Harry
1 year ago

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.

Kirill
Kirill
1 year ago

Austria should have been in the final instead of Armenia, such a shame Armenia bribed to perform in the last spot.

sam
sam
1 year ago
Reply to  Kirill

out of all countries to go after for qualifying you pick armenia? the most successful song of the whole year? lol

Kirill
Kirill
1 year ago
Reply to  sam

Just because it got some attention on Tiktok doesn’t mean everyone likes it, lmao.

tom
tom
1 year ago

Halo was amazing!!! 🙁

Sir Stevia
Sir Stevia
1 year ago

Just make sure they can sing

tom
tom
1 year ago
Reply to  Sir Stevia

Pia could sing – She was not Serhan or Demy …

tom
tom
1 year ago
Reply to  tom

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 🙂

tom
tom
1 year ago
Reply to  tom

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)

Leo
Leo
1 year ago
Reply to  tom

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.

tom
tom
1 year ago
Reply to  Leo

Pia was 18/19 i think not 16

Euros
Euros
1 year ago
Reply to  tom

Demy and Serhat qualified, so they were not that bad.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

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…

Midnight Gold
Midnight Gold
1 year ago

If Bilderbuch would go with something on the level of Bungalow or Maschin, Austria would win the contest again.

Harry
Harry
1 year ago
Reply to  Midnight Gold

Agreed!

Pauly
Pauly
1 year ago

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.

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

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.

tom
tom
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

You could be C.E.O … 😀

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Pauly

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.