After years of discontent, low scores and ever-louder grumblings from Terry Wogan, the BBC has decided to take a new direction with its entry for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest.
Last night, in a video address to the nation, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber appealed for the nation’s populace to stand up and be counted:
So, we will be entering a song written by Andrew Lloyd Webber (plus, supposedly, a lyricist), but that song will be performed by a soloist or group to be selected by some form of public audition process.
Is this really the right way to go to restore the UK’s place at the top of the Eurovision tree?
As Ewan wrote so eloquently on these pages last month, this sort of selection process is fraught with pitfalls:
The X Factor approach to choosing our entry could work with professional performers, but placing a member of the public into the pressure cooker environment of a stadium with all Europe looking on is tempting fate. It worked with Garlick (ex-Pop Idol), but both Jemini and Andy Abraham (ex-X Factor) were woefully under-prepared. A poor or badly-judged performance can destroy any hopes of a good result. There must be a strong team backing up whoever wins, a team with experience of stadium performance and showmanship, ensuring we have a confident act on stage with little nerves.
Looking at the entry form, which you can download here (Word doc, 134Kb), entry is open:
ANYONE CAN ENTER - the search is open to amateur, professional or semi professional singers.
You may have never had a singing lesson in your life, be a trained singer or even have a record contract (but be legally able to take part) - all are welcome to give it a go It does not matter which you are, what we are looking for is potential.
I’d be far happier if they were looking for experience. Who wants the UK to be represented by an artist or group who are just in the process of discovering their potential? Wouldn’t it be far better to be represented by trained professionals who know what they’re doing, and in whom we can have the confidence to be figureheads for the UK in front of an international audience of 150 million?
My worry is that, even with the reintroduction of a jury system, similarities in musical tastes will ensure that pockets of continental Europe will continue to vote for geographical neighbours because, you know, they like the song. We, however, will submit a song that might play in the West End or Broadway, but says nothing to the voting millions.
And if that does happen, who will get the blame — the ‘discovered’ talent, or the established songwriter? I know where it should go, but my money would be on the talent…
I think this is a great way to get more people supporting the Eurovision, and it's a bit of fun. Potentially this could be a winning ticket and I'd love to see it work.
If nothing else we should get a great entry but the way the whole thing works means we may still get null points!
Perhaps ALW ought to compose something with an Eastern European flavour - that way we might stand a chance in the voting
Anyone who is legally entitled to work in the UK can apply...So I think that it would be a good idea to choose a professional artist with a beautiful, powerful voice, from another country in the EU....In this way, the country from where this singer is coming, would probably give 12 points to the UK... The artist, being a professional would have both the POTENTIAL and the EXPERIENCE to give a great performance and memorable performance.
About time, the Eurovision is awful and we need to encourage talent not stupidity.