A synth-metal band performing a song that takes listeners on an “anthemic rock voyage” will represent Australia at this year’s Eurovision contest.
Voyager, a quintet from Perth, will take their song Promise to the international music competition in Liverpool, becoming the first group to represent Australia.
“We filmed the music video in both the city of Perth and beautiful parts of Western Australia to showcase the majestic beauty of our home state,” their lead singer, Danny Estrin said in a statement. “Eurovisionation, we are coming!!!”
Promise is a pop number that bends the genre with trademark riffs, climactic guitars and keytar solos. The song opens with Estrin belting out the lyric: “Have you ever done anything like this before?” The singer thinks it’s fitting given the occasion.
“[Promise] is made for the Eurovision stage and collectively we feel it’s one of our best yet.”
And the director of Blink TV, Paul Clarke, trusts the song will “deliver in spades”: “From the very first listen I knew it was something special – an epic, cinematic track that will take listeners on an anthemic rock voyage all the way to the Eurovision stage.”
Voyager have had their sights set on Eurovision since Australia first took part in 2015. The band’s route to represent the country has been a long one, submitting songs every year. They were shortlisted in 2020 but did not make the final 11 in Eurovision – Australia Decides.
Last year they came close, leading in the public vote for song Dreamer but placing second on the combined score to Sheldon Riley performing Not the Same. Riley made it to the final in Italy and placed 15th.
This time around they have been selected without a public vote.
“Voyager have been determined to get centre stage for the biggest song contest in the world and SBS knows they will bring that grit with them along with a whole lot of fun,” said the broadcaster’s head of entertainment, Emily Griggs.
The UK will host Eurovision at Liverpool Arena in May on behalf of last year’s winner Ukraine, as war with Russia has hindered their ability to host.
Australia will appear in the second semi-final on 12 May alongside Albania, Armenia, Cyprus, Romania, Austria, Denmark, Lithuania, San Marino, Belgium, Slovenia, Iceland, Georgia, Greece, Poland and Estonia.
From there, the countries voted into the top 10 will perform at the final on 14 May.
The closest Australia has been to winning Eurovision came in 2016, when Dami Im placed second for her performance of Sound of Silence.
“I can’t wait to see Eurovision fans the world over embrace [Voyager] as much as Aussie crowds have,” Griggs said. “Look out, Europe, the Aussies are coming!”
