They’re the London-based music company that steered Sam Ryder and the U.K. to second place at Eurovision 2022. But now TaP Music — the music company behind Lana Del Rey — has pulled the plug on their partnership with the BBC.
The decision comes just months after Mae Muller finished 25th in the grand final in Liverpool.
Writing on Instagram, TaP said:
“We are thrilled that Eurovision in the UK has a bigger and wider audience than ever before and to have been part of the UK hosting it in Liverpool with Ukraine this year was an incredible moment for us, showing the unifying power and importance of popular culture.”
“We’re so proud of Sam and Mae for representing the UK so wonderfully and are enjoying watching their careers flourish as a result.”
“It’s been brilliant working with the BBC this last two years, but for now, we think it is time to pass the baton back. We wish the BBC the best of luck with ongoing success and continuing to build the excitement and audience in the UK.”
When the BBC announced its partnership with TaP ahead of Eurovision 2022, TaP’s co-founder said he was keen to leverage the U.K.’s many musical assets. Ben Mawson said:
“We’re really excited to be teaming up with the BBC for this event and will use Eurovision to authentically reflect and celebrate the rich, diverse and world-class musical talent the UK is globally renowned for.”
Dua Lipa, who was with TaP at the time, even came out in support of the new selection method, where TaP would internally steer proceedings. The pop diva said, “I’m a proud Brit whilst also being a proud Kosovan. I’m happy to lend my manager to the cause. I’ll be cheering them on!”
Suzy Lamb, Managing Director for BBC Studios, was joyous.
“BBC Studios are proud to once again be producing the coverage of the biggest music competition in world. We’re excited to be collaborating with TaP Music. Their expertise in managing world class artists and finding huge international hit records speaks for itself and we look forward to working with them on the UK act and song for the 2022 contest.”
What do you make of TaP’s decision? Do you think it has to do with the U.K.’s poor showing on home soil? Let us know down below!
I had high hopes for SuRie in 2018, for me it was not a song for winning but certainly a higher placement. Even before the contest she seemed to me a serious professional singer.
Then why was her backing vocalist “hidden”?
I am old enough to have seen Lulu win, then 76, 81 and 97. I don’t think the UK will win again my my lifetime.
Hopefully this means Daz Sampson will return. *fingers crossed*
Well since Bela**s is no longer an option
Watched that the other day (UK 2006) and it seemed a lot better than I remembered. It was nice to see a track performed only by people onstage.
It had a certain charm and sounded contemporary. Daz looked a little long in the tooth though so some people might have found it all a little much.
Performed by people as supposed to what? Animals?
The UK needs to understand that top tier artists should be sent to Eurovision. There are other platforms, both nationally and internationally, to promote emerging artists. Eurovision is the major league…
Italy does it; Ukraine does it; Sweden does it; Russia used to do it; Israel joined the group too. That is why theese countries perform well, not because they are inherently good.
Last time Sweden sent a top tier artist was in 2006 with Carola, and even then her best days as a hitmaker had vanished as she relies on “old but gold” material mainly, rather than trying for new hits.
Other than her mainly some Idol contestants, randoms, newcomers and old artists that aren’t there more than for their name have competed in Melodifestivalen. Honestly it would be like UK would consider between Scootch, Katie Price and some random guy that came 7th in X Factor.
I agree – it’s not for nothing that Italy, Ukraine and Sweden are usually high in the odds.
The UK has all the building blocks to do well (such as a large bench of talent and the financial means to make an act look good).
Their problem is that they either send an inexperienced singer or play it too safe with their song (or both). Either way, they’re still completely outclassed by everyone else who is, you know, actually trying to win.
Hopefully no bland and boring songs like 2019, I’m sure UK hosting this year got local music industry interested in showcasing local skill when presenting songs and/or artists to BBC.
Melodifestivalen shouldn’t be a measurment on “what’s good”, as even songs from recent years sound dated and boring. At worst we’re sending song like Rebecka Karlsson’s ‘Who I Am’ from 2019 thinking it’s the most greatest song ever while it gets 0 points in the end.
Let’s see what they’ll do now. Hopefully not going back to talent shows
… Sam ended up as runner up. When was last time talent show entry ended up this close to winning?
Back to last place with 0 points, as UK is used to.
If you’ve got zero then technically you’re not even last, you’re unplaced.
The bad news is we can rule out the possibility of Lana Del Rey or Ellie Goulding representing UK like some people mentioned in this comment section.
The good news is this may encourage BBC to look for another kind of musicians for the contest. There are plenty of choices out there that might work. Florence + The Machine or Gorillaz could win the whole thing, they have quality discographies and can come with something out of the box for the staging.
Never gonna happen, but I’d love to see a 4 nation national final between England, Scotland, Wales & Northern Ireland, a bit like Yugoslavia used to have. Each constituent country of the UK have their own selection process and say the top 2 from each country fight it out in a big national final – that way we may end up with different styles of music, perhaps even more ethnic or with regional languages. Would be a huge expense for the BBC, but I think it would be supported well by the regional viewers.
I fear these things go too regional votingwise, everyone from Wales voting for the artist from there mainly because it’s the Welsh singer. Same for others, it’s how basic voters vote.
A solution like that would probably end in a simularway like Evropesma did in old Serbia & Montenegro
Not totally surprising though if the rumour is true that we ended up with Mae Muller more because “she was available” than anything else. I hope the BBC manage to get another label/management company on board who are passionate and able to look at Sam’s success and career more than Mae’s result.
Fingers crossed Jane McDonald is available and not snapped up by San Marino
Jane for San Marino would be hilarious, and also realistic somewhat, she fits that dated has been artist well what they tend to like
Good point. For all the early optimism, it’s clear that none of the many other established acts linked with TaP wanted to to the contest. The best result was with a guy they found on TikTok.
It’s sad, but not bad. Maybe they learned something from the collaboration and continue sending great songs
Hang on Laura, ‘Mountain’ may not have needed to be a commercial success but I thought both it and ‘Somebody’ would have charted higher. They were super songs. I am a fan of his, I just wish he’d had bigger hits. I’m sure people at TaP felt the same.
I always respect your opinion Fatima but a lot of people, including me, find him annoying and too full on. I hope he is not the next Eleni/Mans/Verka appearing at every final just because.
Whether someone likes Sam or not has nothing to do with the departure of TaP Music. Sam arguably had a better attitude towards Eurovision than Mae Muller but still, none of these points are relevant.
Going back to my original points, record sales are relevant, Jess. Otherwise why were there so many stories here rightfully informing us of the many chart positions of Eurovision acts?
The worst thing About this news is that Legendary Lana Del Rey probably wont Post about English Esc Representive anymore …
I wonder if this might have more to do with Sam than Mae. For although he had a great contest in 2022 and is a national treasure, he’s not selling many records. Even ‘Mountain’ managed just one week at #35 despite being performed at the Grand Final. Yes he had a number one album, but that didn’t stay around long either. It’s a pity.
I deleted it but I’ll repeat what I said. Mountain didn’t need to be a commercial success because it was a brand campaign with Ottobock, the largest protheses company in the world. A 3 minute performance as an interval act doesn’t guarantee anything because we are in a streaming era. It was a MIRACLE that it charted at all. Fought and Lost written for Ted Lasso and Sam is now an Emmy nominee. That is MASSIVE and something 99% of artists will never achieve in their career. It wasn’t pushed as a single because Spotify won’t support an Apple Original… Read more »
Using that logic Chanel must be responsible for Spain firing their Head of Delegation in May 2023?
Well, no. All I am saying is that I’m sad he hasn’t had the hits he’s deserved, and that TaP might well have taken the same view. I could be wrong.
You don’t understand the music industry. Sam is still arguably one of the biggest new artist launches of the last few years in the UK and continues to be successful.
Yes, but not as successful as many of us were expecting. One week at #35 for a strong new song performed at a prime slot on a programme watched by 10 million alone in the UK was disappointing. It should have been top 10, don’t you think?
I don’t think Mae’s placing had anything to do with it. First of all, I think that the UK was hosting and she got placed last and her vocals were a bit shaky–the chances of a good placement were iffy at best. The song was still respectable, she got plenty of radio play and sold records and overall it was a well-staged entry. Nothing for the UK to be ashamed of. I think TaP probably doesn’t see the upside with lots of work and little financial reward. Ultimately they provided the BBC with a blueprint of what to do and… Read more »
I think Mae’s problem was four-fold:
* Going last in the running order – not necessarily a bad thing, but not great either (going after Croatia didn’t help).
* A not-particularly-well-executed performance
* Poor vocals
* And, most importantly, the competition. There were a lot of songs that were more jury-friendly, and almost all of the finalists were better live (so no help from televotes). In other words, “I Wrote a Song” was always gonna struggle in a competitive year – let alone with the flaws in Mae’s performance.
Considering what Poland did with THEIR performance it seems clear that the UK could have done a lot more. If they could cover up Blanka’s lack of vocal prowess, then surely Mae should have sounded at least as good. I personally still love the studio version of “I wrote a song” and I happen to think that it explains the song’s relative chart success despite the live performance. Because it really shouldn’t have done well after that. This could have done a far better with more effort and a little vocal trickery (next time hit Poland up for technical tips!).… Read more »
In my eyes the first UK win in 21st century will be a male performer with a modern song that has super catchy chorus with a vocal moment followed by clean and wise choreography, perhaps some fresh new national final with different approach wouldn’t be bad really.
So one bad year was all it took for TaP to go “f**k it, we’re out”? If everyone operated under that mindset Eurovision would be just Italy vs Sweden by now.
I thought they only ever committed to one year, but agreed to a second year when uk became the host.
Italy vs Sweden vs Norway vs Ukraine probably
Where did wrong for tap music ? I’m glad they gone they picked Mea mullet it was the biggest mistake ever let’s move on to 2024 we need a national file and with a bigger songs better artist
and you should learn english again, that’s unreadable
oh and i wrote a song was a great song, she just didn’t hit the notes
I hope they get John Ludvig to pen them another song not good enough for Melodifestivalen.
Greece is falling really low in this contest. Instead of searching drama they should start searching a good singer with a good song…
no we don’t care about songs anymore, only drama for the likes
TaP had a contract for 1 year only. Sam’s success made them renew it for 2023. There. Mystery solved.
While Mae’s entry was a bit of a fail, I hope the UK doesn’t revert to its flop era with this
I loved her song – but not her live performance. It’s a pity for sure.
The actual song is great though. At least as far as I’m concerned.
Could this be the time to send something in Gaelic or Welsh?
Probably not. The amount of artists who sing in Gaelic or Welsh that have a free schedule and the skill to pen a song that won’t come last (thanks to the lack of producers and songwriters who are also able to make a song based around a fluent speaker) would likely end up with somebody there just because they speak the language and do just as badly. Representation shouldn’t come with tokenism. I reckon they’d have to try for several years to find somebody who could pull it off. If they just forced themselves to do it for 2024 it’d… Read more »
Sadly whenever Western countries come with something traditional and folky they end up in bottom 5 and European audience ends up being like “What is this, we didn’t expect this from you…”
Shame! I sense Cyprus is about to actually send one of its best songs for a while.
of course Cyprus = Sweden 2.0, nothing authentic about that fake country
I was at the final and it was amazing! This year had the strongest songs for a long time . 95% of the songs were good . There are only so many points to go round so some artists may not get any points . It was a hard decision who to vote for, the top 4 were all great in different ways . People didnt vote for us because they didnt like the song it was that there were plenty of better songs this year. I personally loved the song and I see that Eurovision is getting more updated… Read more »
The song quality was absurdly good. Heck, I wasn’t even that bothered about some of my favorites doing worse than expected, since I was just happy to add so much to my playlist!
Another Swedish Song Incoming …. I call it Now . And unfortunately many Countries will follow this same Strategy. 2016 All over again
Why are Trolls always Downvote me ? I think because you Just Hate my Facts. Others Can say the Same as me and receive 50 Voted but all Mine are -50
no one would give that +50 likes.
Maybe it’s because you’re confusing some things for facts.
UK BETTER SEND LOSE MY HEAD 2.0 NEXT YEAR OR ELSE IM QUITTING WATCHING ESC BECAUSE WE WONT GET GOOD RESULTS WITH BBC
I Wrote A Song wasn’t a winner, but it should have been Top 10, Norway and Israel both made Top 5 with similar.
Difference is that Norway and Is***l both can Sing . Mae Mueller could Not , and orry to her because the Studio Track was a Bop but a Dissaster live.
Actually, all three of them (Noa, Alessandra, and Mae) are on the same mediocre level at singing. It’s just that the two of them were smart enough to use auto-corrections and playbacks and relied heavily on back singers to sound decent.
Bye . Allesandra sings Wistle notes and Noa was dancing. May barely could do her Little Rap part
no criticism for our princess Noa though, the israeli beyonce
Noa Kirel is a much stronger singer than Alessandra and Mae.
Autotume isn’t even allowed.
Clever move imo.
A polite way of saying that they want nothing more to do with this fake and not clean contest, and it’s more than understandable, at least THEY are smart.
So, if ESC is fake and dirty, why are you still here? By logic, you should have better things to do than complain about the contest.
Given the fact that 4 songs were in the top ten of the UK charts post-contest, surely some of the major labels will take interest in the contest again, let alone the number of acts touring at the moment e.g. Joker Out? Would be interesting to know whether TaP or the BBC made this call. Thank God I took the chance to go this year as who knows what may happen next, time will tell.
I hope the BBC have good alternative plan in place. Even with Mae coming 2nd to last, I thought the partnership with TaP could still work.
True. It’s about choosing the right performer and it felt like they expanded their team significantly and knew what they were doing.
I guess BBC wants to make sure they do not host again in the near future.
Big mistake, big mistake.
Awful news, I have no faith in the BBC to get UK out of the bottom 5.
2022 was a fluke, due to UK leadership in standing up for Ukraine, and so we could host next year.
2023 Europe reminded us exactly what they think of us.
BS
So what your saying is that Europe voted for us because of our support for Ukraine but the following year, after we dedicated a whole Eurovision to Ukraine, people went back to not voting for us?
Think before you type.
I strongly believe that UK placed second because people liked that Space Man. Also, Sam Ryder was great.
good news!!!!!
back to masterpieces like Bigger than Us, Storm <3 <3 <3 <3
Oh, no… please not bland acts such as SuRie, Jack&Joe, the giant trumpet guy and the like.
The 2023 song was not that strong, it sounded very mid and not like international hit
and she was singing flat as a pancake whist doing Benny Hill facial expressions.
It was strong in terms of the studio cut which got it a top 10 placement on the UK charts.
It’s disappointing, but TaP did hint at this back in March in that Music Week interview. I’m not too worried. BBC did JESC without TaP and managed perfectly fine. Whether they go it alone or find another similar company, I’m sure 2024 will still be promising.
Send something ethnic for once ffs!!
they always send ethnic music in their own language though
No, they don’t.
english music is ethnic for them
we don’t care about scottish or welsh
Children of the Universe: am I a joke to you?
Anyway yes, give us a bagpipes song!
Please tell me we are not going back to Jack & Joe Lucie whoever and Surie type songs.
Joe & Jake weren’t bad. Just compare them to Josh Dubovie or Daz Sampson. Or KEiiNO and Blanka, too.
Eh, Lucie was great! Don’t diss her!
Oh.
Disappointing news, perhaps I don’t realise the whole picture. I was hoping the partnership would carry on fora few more years, and a bit worried one low result could be the reason.
If they aren’t involved anymore, what do we expect will happen for the next contest?
“handing the baton over” doesn’t necessarily mean the BBC will look for the next entry alone, they may appeal to other labels to support. I hope they find another great partnership
we need more melfest rejects from the UK, nothing homegrown anymore
After just one bad result? That’s not very good imo. I don’t trust BBC
Despite the last poor result, tap music really seems to get it and if it wasn’t for them, the second place wouldn’t have happened. I am concerned where is BBC gonna take this…
How much credit do TaP really deserve for saying “ok” in regards to Sam, who had already established himself as a talented live performer, internet sensation, was about to release Space Man without them and was suggested by, like, everybody?
Ready to see the UK go back to getting zero points and dead last every time now. Mae Muller was a blessing in disguise. Our songs won’t be so commercial too. It’s sad. TaP achieved TWO great things!
She could have come top 10.
Oh please no i wanted to see Ellie Goulding on ESC stage 🙁
hopefully, after this, they will dare enough to revive their national final, similar to the way Spain does it with Benidorm Fest; if not in 2024, at least in 2025. but, if they ever want to do it again, they should make it more proper: one song for only one artist, modernized production as if it was Eurovision, proper 50/50 voting (just like in Eurovision, Melodifestivalen or 2023 edition of MGP).
Unfortunately that will never happen. Our previous NFs have been TERRIBLE in terms of the results for the songs we were given: improvements, but only small.
terrible maybe because of the format. the last time they did it, it was not how it should be (they should learn, at least format-wise, from Melfest, MGP and Benidorm Fest).
Sweden, Norway have entries in their own languages
swedish bop Tattoo, this year finally a song in swedish winning <3
In the words of Gordon Ramsay, ‘It’s RAW!!!’
I don’t know how the UK can ever recover after this. You’ll soon be wishing Mae Muller be back because at least she saved the Brits from zero points and a last place finish! He come the last placers!
yes we love the last placers, let those fishwife taxpayers continue to work hard and pay the license fee
Surie finished higher and got more points than Mae.
OH
GOD
NO!!!
This is a terrible decision! Handing the baton over to the BBC will just bring us to our old ways! At least TaP brought us our highest result since the 1990s and highest score ever and two best charting Eurovision songs in a while! Now it’s all gone to waste unless TaP continue to be involved or some kind of national selection involving other record companies occurs!
There was only 16 entries in jesc in 2022. Chances of coming in someone’s top 10 were greater.
How much credit do TaP deserve for saying “ok” in regards to Sam, who had established himself as a competent live performer, internet sensation, had Space Man ready to release and was suggested by, like, everybody?