SBS and production partner Blink TV today announced the first three acts to compete in Eurovision – Australia Decides on the Gold Coast in February.
The first three acts to be revealed are a diverse mix of high-profile artists from across the musical spectrum setting the stage for a show like no other: powerhouse entertainer PAULINI, multi-media artist Jaguar Jonze, and Australia’s 2017 Eurovision Song Contest representative, Isaiah Firebrace who will be singing a duet with a soon to be revealed Australian artist,
Isaiah Firebrace said:
“I’m over the moon to be jumping onto the stage for Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022. When I first represented Australia at Eurovision in 2017, I was 17, it was my first time in Europe and I feel like everything was a blurry dream that went by so quickly – I’ve grown so much as a singer, a performer and as a person since then and I’ve definitely got unfinished business!
“I can’t tell you anything more except that I’m singing a duet with someone incredible and that we co-wrote the song. What I can tell you is that I cannot wait to share everything with you and that Eurovision – Australia Decides is going to be the biggest party on the Gold Coast. Until I can release the official Aus Decides duet, I’m keeping myself busy and releasing my own single “More Than Me” on November 12 – it’s going to be a very good Summer!”
Paulini said:
“I’m super excited to be part of Eurovision – Australia Decides, after all it’s been ages since any of us have really been able to perform to anyone other than our families. That also means it’s been a little while since I’ve been able to belt out any of the big notes I’m known for.
“But that is something the audience can definitely expect to hear in my new single which I’ll be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides on the Gold Coast in 2022. Eurovision to me is like the Olympics for singers!
“It brings together so many countries and cultures— and while it’s a competition I see it as uniting much of the world through music.”
Jaguar Jonze said:
“I am honoured and bubbling with excitement to be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides again in 2022! The imagination, creativity and talent of the performances is always so inspirational, it’s such a special place to express yourself as a musician and an artist.
“My song is going to be a moment that celebrates our resilience and the little steps that lead to big change, as well as push my creative boundaries to another level.
“So much has happened since we were all together, and being back with the added strength of my Eurovision family and fanbase will make it a show worth waiting for. I can’t wait to see you on the Gold Coast!”
As for what they’ll all be singing… More than 700 songs were submitted to the Eurovision – Australia Decides song portal during the four-week entry period. Shortlisted songs are in the process of being matched with artists and all will be revealed soon.
SBS is also thrilled to introduce Toowoomba based musician, Jude York; a singer-songwriter whose uplifting ballad arrangement has been selected from the hundreds of compositions submitted to the 2022 Eurovision – Australia Decides song portal. SBS will reveal the lucky artist set to sing his song in coming months.
Jude York said:
“To think of my song being shared on such a monumental platform is truly mind-blowing. I wrote it with the amazing Billy Stonecipher about staying hopeful that dreams can come true.
“And now to have this opportunity as a queer artist in regional Queensland, I’ve never had a better reason to believe in that message! I can’t wait for everybody to hear this!”
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). Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre; Jury Vote.
MATINEE SHOW: Saturday 26 February, 1.00pm AEST (Not televised – Tickets available). Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre.
LIVE TV FINAL: Saturday 26 February, 7.30pm AEST (Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS – Tickets available), Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre; Public Vote and Winner Announced.
To purchase tickets: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=EUROVISI22
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
Artist Biographies and Additional Quotes
Isaiah Firebrace first shot to fame when he won The X Factor in 2016 and grabbed global attention for his #1 single ‘It’s Gotta Be You’, which is certified Platinum in Australia, 2 x Platinum in Sweden, Platinum in Norway and Gold in Denmark and has now been streamed over 280 million times. He represented Australia as the first Indigenous Australian and third ever competing Australian contestant at the Eurovision Song Contest (finishing in the top 10) and features on many high-profile television events, including The Masked Singer Australia 2020. Isaiah is highly engaged in the fashion world, having worked with some incredible brands over the past two years and will be performing at Melbourne Fashion Week in 2021.
Paulini has been heralded as one of the finest vocalists and performers to come out of Australia. The Fijian born songstress rose to fame through television screens on the very first season of Australian Idol which thrust her into the spotlight. Making it through to the final four, she won the hearts of a nation with her angelic, five octave range, and engaging personality. Post Idol, PAULINI rose to the top of the Australian ARIA Charts in 2004 with her debut Platinum album ‘One Determined Heart’ and her Platinum smash single ‘Angel Eyes’, both hitting the #1 spot and receiving Aria Number 1 Chart Awards (‘Angel Eyes’ remained at the top of the charts for 6 consecutive weeks). In fact, PAULINI is still 1 of only 10 Australian female solo artists to have a #1 album debut on the Australian ARIA Charts.
There is nothing predictable about the remarkable rise of the artist Jaguar Jonze. Her success stems from hard work and her pure creative vision, with WHO DIED AND MADE YOU KING the latest step in cementing her position in the cultural landscape. As the public artist voice of the Australian #MeToo movement, Jaguar Jonze has appeared on The Project, triple j’s Hack, The Guardian and in numerous news pieces as she strives to create meaningful change in the music industry. A true advocate, Jaguar Jonze’s commitment to getting results for survivors in an industry which has ignored reports of harassment and assault has seen her join a working group of industry professionals to build and enforce behavioural guidelines and victim support strategies in the workplace. Her latest musical work will sit alongside her photography and visual art as another reason this truly unique and iconic artist cannot be ignored.
Newcomer Jude York has arrived on the international music scene with surprising haste and a flurry of interest and activity around the refreshingly unique, 22 year-old, artist. As he starts to take his rightful place in the spotlight, he emerges with over 20 million streams already under his belt. Whilst releasing music under a variety of different projects, Jude York has honed his proficient skills as a singer, songwriter and producer. The results are breathtakingly beautiful, journey driven, musical delicacies.
SBS Head of Entertainment, Emily Griggs, said:
“Australians are ready to revel in live music again and Eurovision – Australia Decides is here to help. This first look of artists and song writers represents what the competition is all about.
“We’re celebrating artists from a range of backgrounds and lived experiences with unique stories and perspectives. Where else can you find songs from accomplished writers alongside emerging talent like Jude York. SBS and Blink TV are ready to celebrate amazing artists, original songs, and celebrate the moment.”
Creative Director of Eurovision – Australia Decides, Paul Clarke, said:
“This year we received over 700 songs from Australian songwriters, with a handful co-written by American and European songwriters – unexpected co-writers like Boris Milanov.
“COVID has created some really dramatic song writing themes – one gothic epic, a couple of exciting power ballads but it’s a year of incredibly joyful music. Thanks so much to the songwriters and our partners, because Eurovision – Australia Decides is back and has never been in better shape. It’s going to be a truly memorable event on the Gold Coast February 25-26 and we’d love to see you there.”
