Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Australia| Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurovision Song Contest 2017 | ||||
| Participating broadcaster | Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) | |||
| Country | Australia | |||
| Selection process | Internal selection | |||
| Announcement date | 7 March 2017 | |||
| Competing entry | ||||
| Song | "Don't Come Easy" | |||
| Artist | Isaiah Firebrace | |||
| Songwriters |
| |||
| Placement | ||||
| Semi-final result | Qualified (6th, 160 points) | |||
| Final result | 9th, 173 points | |||
| Participation chronology | ||||
| ||||
Australia was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Don't Come Easy", written by Anthony Egizii, David Musumeci, and Michael Angelo, and performed by Isaiah Firebrace. The Australian participating broadcaster, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), internally selected its entry for the contest. The broadcaster announced Firebrace and presented the song to the public on 7 March 2017 during an announcement event in Melbourne.
Australia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 by invitation from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as a "one-off" special guest to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Eurovision. On 17 November 2015, the EBU announced that SBS had been invited to participate in the 2016 contest and that Australia would once again take part. In 2015, Australia was guaranteed a spot in the final of the contest and was allowed to vote during both semi-finals and the final; however, from the 2016 contest and onwards, Australia would have to qualify to the final from one of two semi-finals and could only vote in the semi-final in which the nation was allocated to compete.
Australia was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 9 May 2017. Performing during the show in position 3, "Don't Come Easy" was announced among the top 10 entries of the first semi-final and therefore qualified to compete in the final on 13 May. It was later revealed that Australia placed sixth out of the 18 participating countries in the semi-final with 160 points. In the final, Australia performed in position 14 and placed ninth out of the 26 participating countries, scoring 173 points.
Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) has broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest since 1983, and the contest has gained a cult following over that time, primarily due to the country's strong political and cultural ties with Europe. Paying tribute to this, the 2014 contest semi-finals included an interval act featuring Australian singer Jessica Mauboy. Australian singers have also participated at Eurovision as representatives of other countries, including Olivia Newton-John (United Kingdom 1974), two-time winner Johnny Logan (Ireland 1980 and 1987), Gina G (United Kingdom 1996), and Jane Comerford as lead singer of Texas Lightning (Germany 2006).
Tying in with the goal of Eurovision—to showcase "the importance of bringing countries together to celebrate diversity, music and culture", the 2015 theme of "Building Bridges", and arguing that they could not hold "the world's biggest party" to celebrate the 60th edition of Eurovision without inviting Australia, the EBU announced on 10 February 2015 that the country would compete at that year's edition as a special guest participant. Along with the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom), and the host country of Austria, Australia was given automatic entry into the final to "not reduce the chances" of the semi-final participants. On 17 November 2015, the EBU announced that SBS had been invited to participate in the 2016 contest and that Australia would once again take part, however they would have to qualify for the final from one of two semi-finals and could only vote in the semi-final in which the nation was competing. On 1 November 2016, SBS confirmed Australia's participation in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest after securing an invitation for the third year in a row.[1] In 2016, Australia was represented by Dami Im and the song "Sound of Silence". The country ended in second place in the grand final with 511 points.
Before Eurovision
Internal selection
"Don't Come Easy" performed by Isaiah Firebrace was announced as the entry that would represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 on 7 March 2017.[2] The announcement event was hosted by Mark Humphries which took place at the Paris Cat Jazz Club in Melbourne. SBS streamed the announcement online through Facebook Live.[3][4] In regards to his selection as the Australian representative, Firebrace stated: "I'm so proud to be representing Australia as our entrant for the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. Even though it has been a dream of mine, never did I think for one minute it would be a possibility. To be able to share this news with my family and friends is unbelievable. I can't wait to go to the Ukraine to perform "Don't Come Easy". I will make Australia proud. Thank you to SBS and my label Sony for believing in me and giving me the opportunity of a lifetime." Isaiah Firebrace was also the winner of The X Factor Australia 2016.[5] The official video and digital download release of the song occurred on the same day. The song was written by Michael Angelo along with the songwriting and production team DNA Songs, which consists of Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci.
