Luxembourg is returning to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2024 after 30 years. As such, the Duchy’s public broadcaster decision-makers have the difficult task ahead of them of finding the delegate and the song that will represent Luxembourg in Malmö.
Thus, the day before yesterday, Wednesday 22 November, the live auditions for the selection of Luxembourg’s representative at Eurovision 2024 started. These auditions will serve to select the finalists for the national final from which the artist representing the Duchy at the 68th edition of our favourite competition will emerge.
The auditions process
It has been more than three decades since Luxembourg, the small Western European duchy with five wins under its belt, last took part in the Eurovision Song Contest. As it goes without saying, the music industry has changed dramatically compared to the early 1990s.
This was the reason why Luxembourg’s public broadcaster, RTL, turned to a panel of five experts who will have the first and last word in choosing the finalists of the national final, as the expectations and interest of the people of the Duchy exceeded all expectations.
In total, 459 artists expressed their interest to participate in the process of selecting the Luxembourg representative in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. Then there was the pre-selection stage from which RTL‘s decision-makers singled out some 70 songs and 50 artists to be judged by the international panel. All the artists are either Luxembourg citizens, residents or closely linked to the cultural scene of the Duchy.
Source:RTL/Steve Müller
As a reminder, the panel of five Eurovision experts in charge of selecting the finalists for the Luxembourg national final is made up of the following:
Christer Björkmann, who is a Swedish producer and TV presenter as well as a former Eurovision participant (Sweden 1992). Björkmann has also served as Head of Delegation for Sweden, has produced the Contest in 2013 and 2015, where it was hosted in Sweden, as well as the only American Song Contest to date in 2022.
Jan Bors, who has served as Head of Delegation for the Czech Republic.
Cesár Sampson, who has represented Austria at Eurovision in 2018, taking first place in the jury vote. Sampson will also play an active role in the Czech national selection this year, as artistic director and presenter of the national final.
Alex Panayi, who is considered a Eurovision expert. Panagi has represented Cyprus at Eurovision twice, in 1995 and 2000. In recent years, he has acted as Vocal Coach for many Eurovision entries and was also the vocal coach for Helena Paparizou in 2005.
Tali Eshkoli, who is an Israeli television producer. Eshkoli was a producer for Eurovision 2019, has also worked on the Miss Universe 2021 contest held in Israel and has been a jury member for national selections of various countries over the years.
Source: RTL/Steve Müller
Contestants’ impressions
The process has caught the attention of the Luxembourg media, as enthusiasm is widespread in the small Western European country for its return to Eurovision after 1993.
“It has without doubt shaken up the industry in Luxembourg,” says Edsun, one of the artists present at the Rockhal, where auditions started yesterday and will run until Friday. “It has given everyone a lot of hope as to what our country can accomplish and where we can take our music. No matter what happens, Eurovision will open doors for our artists and serve as a springboard.”
“The whole experience has been incredibly exciting,” explains Shirley from the Luxembourgish band The Spaceminers, who auditioned Wednesday. “For artists, Eurovision acts as an incomparable creative prompt and the way the process in Luxembourg has been, artists have not only been motivated to write and propose new songs but have also had the opportunity to work with renowned composers.”
Jury’s impressions
Relying on an international jury at this point is crucial in order to ensure impartiality in the selection process.
“The musical industry in Luxembourg is blossoming, but it is small, as is our country,” points out Eric Lehmann, the head of the Luxembourgish delegation to Eurovision.
“By bringing in international juries, none of which are familiar with our music scene or know any of the artists, we ensure that everyone gets the same attention and treatment. Furthermore, these experts bring invaluable knowhow to the table. They know what Eurovision requires. And let’s not forget that the Luxembourgish entry won’t be judged by anyone in Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest, but by the other countries, which is also why this outside view is important to us.”
The five jury members seem acutely aware of what’s at stake and are fully invested in finding the right song for Luxembourg.
“Luxembourg has such an incredible Eurovision heritage, and we’ve waited a very long time for a return – it’s important to work really hard on making it successful,” underlines Tali Eshkoli. “It’s not easy to find the best song, the best singer, and the best performance, but I need all three. We need an entry that can create that magical moment and a unique staging.”
Jan Bors is no less demanding: “I’m looking for perfection, for talent and for a great song of course. I’m looking for a Eurovision winner, not just a song that will qualify for the final. The song and the artist need to be an impeccable match.”
Meanwhile, for Alex Panayi, the most important thing is: “Originality and honesty! And you know it when you hear it. As a vocal coach I’m obviously also very attentive to the voice and what can be done to make it even better. When I listen to each song here, I also imagine what it would sound and look like on the Eurovision scene. There’s a lot to consider.”
How the act will look and sound in context is equally vital for César Sampson: “I’m looking for a song that translates well to Eurovision. It needs to be a hybrid, something that would work as well on television as it would in a stadium. So, a stageable song and a solid performer. I want to find a winner, someone who can fill a stage. You don’t need a specific music genre to succeed in Eurovision, and that’s the beauty of it. But you need a song with a vibrant range, with a ‘beat’ like in theatre.”
“As a group, our jury has very different starting points, but it makes a great dynamic,” concludes Christer Björkman. “For me, it’s important to find a song that can connect contemporary music with Luxembourg’s Eurovision legacy. What I’m looking for is a contemporary hit with a touch of Luxembourg, and I have no doubt that we will find a great selection of songs to fit the criteria for the national selection in January!”
The auditions continue until the beginning of December, when the list of candidates who will compete in the national final in Luxembourg will be announced. The Duchy’s national final will take place on 27 January and will give the people of Luxembourg the chance to choose the song and artist who will represent them at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö in May, 31 years after their last performance in 1993.
Will Luxembourg continue its successful run at Eurovision?Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!
Source: RTL
