Luxembourg’s broadcaster RTL is organised and getting ready for a show. It’s only July, but the Grand Duchy has today confirmed that its national final will take place on January 27.
It’s a massive announcement, full of twists and turns for those closely following Luxembourg’s return to Eurovision. Previously the broadcaster had given no clues as to how it would elect its representative, though Prime Minister Xavier Bettel had specified in an interview that the artist should have at least a “Luxembourgish background”.
The call for entries is open until October 1, 2023, and is also open to international songwriters who want to collaborate with Luxembourg talent. Potential candidates will have to meet a set of rules, including possessing Luxembourg nationality or having resided in the country for more than three years, and having a strong link with the national culture.
Applicant qualification conditions
To be eligible as a singer, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Have reached the age of 16 by January 27, 2024
- Be available and flexible between November 2023 and May 2024
- Possess live singing abilities and feel at ease on a large stage
- Hold Luxembourgish nationality
- Hold Luxembourgish nationality or have resided in Luxembourg for at least three consecutive years or exhibit a strong cultural involvement and proven connection with the Luxembourgish music scene. In the latter case, several criteria must be fulfilled, including active national engagement in musical practice, regular collaboration with recognized cultural institutions and actors within the Luxembourgish scene.
What’s RLT is looking for :
Singers wishing to submit a song. Each artist or group can submit a maximum of three songs. The artist or group and the songwriter do not have to be identical for each song submitted. The submission deadline is set for October 1, 2023.
- Singers or groups who do not have a song but wish to relate to a team of songwriters must upload a video containing a brief introduction and the performance of a song of their choice via the registration site by 16 July 2023.
- National or international songwriters interested in collaborating with Luxembourgish talent.
National final will takes place on January 27, 2024
This is undoubtedly the biggest surprise of the announcement: once the applications have been received, a jury of experts will select the finalists who will have the privilege of taking part in the national pre-selection, to be held on January 27, 2024 at the Rockhal in Esch/Belval. We don’t yet know how the voting will unfold, or how the public will be involved in choosing the representative. The event will be broadcast live by RTL, providing national coverage. Luxembourg viewers will be able to discover the songs ahead of the show to generate national interest.
Who could represent Luxembourg at Eurovision?
Since Luxembourg last took part in the contest thirty years ago, the country’s music industry has grown considerably. Luxembourg’s thriving music scene is dynamic and diverse. The country is proud of its local music scene, which benefits from ongoing support from government and cultural organizations. Mentoring programs, competitions and artistic residencies are set up to encourage the emergence of new talent and help them develop their careers.
Here’s an overview of some of the local talent who, in my mind, could represent the Grand Duchy in Sweden:
Chaild
CHAiLD is an up-and-coming electro-pop artist from Luxembourg. His unique musical style is characterized by a voice that is both soothing and intense, transporting listeners into a captivating melancholic universe. Inspired by artists such as Troye Sivan, Sam Smith, Julia Michaels and Mø, CHAiLD has created his own artistic identity by integrating his Italian roots into his personal pop. As a representative voice of queer youth in search of expression, this artist, only 23, has already achieved many notable accomplishments since starting his career in Luxembourg in 2019. Notably, he has had the opportunity to open for artists he admires, such as Dean Lewis and Mahmood, and has performed at various festivals, including Sonic Vision Festival.
C’est Karma
At 22 Karma Catena is truly an extraordinary figure making waves in the music scene. Starting out as a busker at the age of 15, Karma quickly caught national attention and soon found herself opening for Milky Chance. It’s hard to believe that this talented artist had already received the Luxembourg Music Award for Best Emerging Female Artist before even releasing her debut EP in 2019. Beyond her musical prowess, Karma is also deeply involved in political and social activism, using her platform to champion gender equality. With a mesmerizing voice, Karma delivers a fresh take on alternative pop, drawing inspiration from iconic artists like Björk and Idles. Keep an eye on this rising star as she continues to make her mark in the mainstream music industry.
Francis of Delirium
Jana Bahrich and Chris Hewett’s musical project, known as Françis of Delirium, quickly became a huge success. Their hard work has been rewarded with tours across the U.S. and U.K., as well as prestigious support slots throughout Europe. They are backed by internationally renowned managers and PR professionals, as well as an American booker affiliated with the CAA agency, which represents stars such as Brad Pitt, Beyoncé and Leonardo DiCaprio. Their music, which deftly blends ’90s grunge with a Generation Z DIY approach, has received critical acclaim in several leading English-language media.
EDSUN
EDSUN is a talented and versatile artist from Luxembourg who stands out for his unique musical style and captivating stage presence. Originally from Luxembourg, he has quickly attracted attention with his energetic performances and his blend of musical genres such as pop, hip-hop and electronica. His fluid flow and hard-hitting lyrics tackle personal, social and introspective themes. EDSUN was also awarded the title of Artist of the Year in 2018 at the Luxembourg Music Awards (LMA).
Are you excited about Luxembourg’s coming national final? Which Luxembourg artist would you like to see there? Let us know in the comment section.
No post for Blanka from Polands new song . As we expect from this Bias and SwedenFavering Web blog
also nothing from ex eurovision alumni being revealed as a contestant on BBC’s strictly come dancing, Malta’s twice esc star (2001, 2006) Fabrizio Faniello
he’s doing strictly this year <3
It is that they do not care about it when it is countrys they do not like
Just wishing that RTL gets enough submissions that the usual swedish song rejects won’t make their way through, as we’ve seen those sound outdated these days.
Fingers crossed! Though I bet Luxembourg has a vibrant and solid enough music scene for that, I had already known about CHAiLD, Edsun, Gezza and Robin Hustin before this article, and I liked most of what I’ve heard of them 🙂
I’m so excited for this! I am hoping for a great song for Luxembourg. As a bonus, I want for their NF entries to be in Luxembourgish and French. I wouldn’t mind an occasional song in English, and if it’s the best one, then so be it, but as a rule of thumb, the more songs in French and Luxembourgish, the better!
I’m hoping to see GEZZA in Luxembourg’s national final. I remember discovering her in 2017/2018 and was surprised to find out she was from Luxembourg. Her song “Fall In Love” is a great song, although something similar wouldn’t work in 2024.. I’m curious if she’s still doing music haven’t found any later works of hers..
Too bad French singers can no longer try their luck for Luxembourg in Eurovision, but at least we’ll hear the beautiful Luxembourgish language for the first time since 1993. A talented artist like Dëppegéisser, Lede Milestone, or T the Boss should do.
Unless a French or English song wins..
Off-topic, but I think Wiwibloggs should contact Netta and ask her to predict which city in Sweden she thinks will host ESC 2024 before it is revealed XD
If the rumours are true, we’re in for a bit of a underwhelming decision that leaves a lot to desire.
What are the rumors? I haven’t seen any so far
3 of the 4 acts featured as possible candidates are gay acts. Is this the main focus of Luxembourg’s musicians? Or just wiwi’s ideology?
Just you.
Just James.
I don’t get why you’re down voted. Though I have no problem with them being so, I wondered the same too
You’re ignoring the fact that Luxembourg has a way bigger population (It has almost twice the population as Iceland), so I’m sure they can pick a good artist and song
*of not as
A national final is always much better than internal selection, and especially for a return. Luxembourg is not joking around! I hope for something contemporary from them. Good luck!
I’m kinda hyped. I always “adopt” (or find people I want to follow) at the National Finals and I’m already looking forward what Luxembourg music scene has to offer.
I really like they’re trying to keep it as much inside their country as they can, which is a common problem on small countries (looking at you San Marino on ocassion). And I hope I can hear some Luxembourguish in their selection, but also it would be fun is all France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg went French at the same place.
I was expecting Luxembourg to do an internal selection, but I can’t wait to see what they’re gonna do for their national final. They really wanna make a big splash for their long-awaited return. Hopefully, it will all pay off and they make it to the final at least.
One name from Luxembourg that caught my attention a few years ago was Nyvinne. She competed as a newcomer at Sanremo but didn’t make the final cut, I think it was the year Ultimo won. Her song was brilliant tho.
It’s a small country but not THAT small
good luck luxembourg, a new national final, i am hyped
they could’ve easily had a internal selection for Luka Kloser (Queen Desiree’s daughter, no not a real queen, but a former esc host queen ;))
I do know a Queen Desirée tho. Napoleon had the hots for her but she married a friend of his who ended up as King of Sweden thanks to Napoleon’s politicking. The current Swedish Royal Family descends from her and I think one of the names of Crown Princess Victoria is Desirée on her honour.
most people in Luxembourg are rich me thinks, as they are quite a financially well off country
also good to get to know new music talent <3 not just for ESC, but also for our own fan contests you know
Even though I do not believe Luxembourg follows the same pattern as Qatar, where individuals outside the primary circle live in poverty while the state is fairly wealthy, I do not think every Luxembourgian is extremely wealthy. Interestingly, I compared Luxembourg to Lithuania (my country) on My Life Elsewhere (https://www.mylifeelsewhere.com/cost-of-living/lithuania/luxembourg), and I discovered that Luxembourgians pay twice as much for everything on average. Now, you can accuse me of being self-centered, but after Liverpool, I do not want to see another “pay-the-*ss” hosting where only the elitists can afford to enjoy it or you have to take out a loan… Read more »
it’s literally being hosted this year in a uber-rich country (Sweden)
You literally do not know the difference between uber-rich and uber-expensive. Check my comment once again. Comparing a medium-income country such as Lithuania to Luxembourg, the latter’s residents pay twice as much for the same. When you check the same data for the Lithuania-Sweden comparison, the latter one is only up to 30% more expensive. Heck, even comparing Sweden to Luxembourg, the later one is 96% more expensive for general stuff. Thus, I stand by my point: I do not want this event to become a show for elitists only. It is already too much that Eastern and Southern countries… Read more »
i would love for them to send a big power ballad they used to be great with them
it definitely won’t pull a San Marino, the residency/nationality rule make sure that “the leftovers” from other countries won’t fill the lineup. and even this option is very restricted.
EDSUN or Francis of Delirium are truly unique and different, the two qualities the ESC values above everything else. Their styles could work if they dared to send songs in French.
would deffo be something modern, standout the combination of those two their genres + french or luxembourgish language
and we know luxembourg loved to experiment back in the day, and tbh they had so many successes with new rising stars (Nana Mouskouri, Vicky Leandros, Corinne Hermés, Lara Fabian) also with a bigger name (Baccara)
It’s so great that Luxemburg will be back next year. I hope for a lot of good songs in their national final and for a great winner
Welcome back, Luxemburg!
I have a strong feeling there will be plenty of quality songs in the national final, i hope they don’t screw up their chances.
I’m keeping my expectations low at the moment, but good luck!
Understandable because the last thing you want is to be disappointed, so I am also going to keep a lid on my expectations, but I hope for the best for Luxembourg.
Robin Hustin or Francis of Delirium are the best two options for Luxembourg, such that they could be easily internally selected a get a top 10 result with the right song. However, a new national final is certainly a game changer.