AUSTRALIA – SBS and production partner Blink TV today revealed the next two artists who will participate in ‘Eurovision – Australia Decides’ in February.
Hosted on the Gold Coast and broadcast live and exclusively on SBS, art pop auteur Montaigne and emerging singer-songwriter Didirri will perform an original song for their chance to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
They join four previously announced artists, Aussie icon Vanessa Amorosi, powerhouse entertainer Casey Donovan, rising First Nations artist Mitch Tambo, award-winning singer-songwriter iOTA and four more artists yet to be revealed.
MONTAIGNE
“I’m excited to participate in Eurovision – Australia Decides for the opportunity to release the part of me that is dramatic and extreme. I manage to do it without a massive international music event as impetus, but on the big stage in Europe in front of millions would be everything the drama queen egomaniac inside me could want, and more. It’s licence to let her out,” says Montaigne.
At only 24, the Sydney-based artist has become a major name in Aussie indie music. The past few years have seen her recognised for her work with multiple spots on the Triple J’s Hottest 100, an ARIA award for Best Breakthrough Artist and a nomination for Best Female Artist on her debut album ‘Glorious Heights’. Her sophomore album ‘COMPLEX’ was released in August to critical acclaim.
Montaigne went on to say she’d relish the chance to represent Australia on the world stage. “I didn’t quite get that far in football, so it would be cool to do it in music. It’s like the World Cup for pop.”
DIDIRRI
“I have always been interested in writers. Although the world of Eurovision is new to me, from the outside it seems to respect a well-written song above all else. People seem to be free to express their art in whatever way they want,” says Didirri.
Didirri’s debut EP ‘Measurements’ has collected over 30 million streams, and led to Didirri playing such renowned festivals as the UK’s The Great Escape and Latitude Festival, Australia’s Splendour In The Grass and Barcelona’s Primavera Sound. In a matter of months, he toured the US and UK twice and shared the stage with well-known acts Vance Joy, Hozier, Tash Sultana, The Temper Trap and more.
“Personal experience inspires most of my own writing – all I hope to do is to help people express some part of themselves. I’m also over the moon to be joining the line-up with my friend Montaigne who I respect very much.”
“Montaigne and Didirri are two of the most intriguing artists in Australia at the moment and they bring with them a strong Triple J fan base highlighting yet again how inclusive and exciting Eurovision – Australia Decides is. This is the only show in Australia that can bring together such an amazing group of artists performing original music – and with four more artists still to be announced, this is going to be an incredibly difficult decision for Australia to make!” says SBS Commissioning Editor for Entertainment, Josh Martin.
Creative Director of Eurovision – Australia Decides Paul Clarke said, “I’ve been watching the careers of Didirri and Montaigne for a long time. They’ve been two of the most exciting Australian songwriters and performers to emerge in recent years, and we’re delighted to have them perform in Eurovision – Australia Decides.
“They bring a different energy and audience to the event, and you can feel the brilliant diversity of talent who are gathering. We can promise a terrific show in February – it will be next level! We’re also planning some excellent surprise guests for the Opening Night and Matinee shows, so it’s worth seeing them live on the Gold Coast.”
