It’s no secret that Australia has a big love for all things Eurovision. Eurovision has been broadcast in Australia since 1983 (before I was born!) and has been a part of our lives and households for generations. We’ve technically been sending artists to represent Australia since 2014 (Jessica Mauboy’s ‘Sea Of Flags’ interval act), before we were allowed to vote and compete ourselves in 2015.
Every year like clockwork, I, like many die hard Eurovision fans across Australia, tune in at crazy hours to watch the annual international song contest. Some even make the pilgrimage to travel to Europe to attend. However, not everyone can travel abroad, so this first ever Eurovision world tour is designed in mind to bring the Eurovision experience to you, making it more accessible for all.
Excitedly stepping into Melbourne’s Palais Theatre, I had the pleasure of chatting with the lovely Senhit prior to the show. Senhit herself is a three-time Eurovision representative of San Marino (2011, 2020 and 2021), and is one of 15 performers of this epic 3-hour concert experience. If that wasn’t enough, she is also a co-host of Eurovision On Tour alongside Spanish artist and representative (2009), Soraya. Senhit shared that it was her first time visiting Australia, which was quite common amongst the artists of the epic line-up, all relishing their performance debut here in Australia.
Starting with a brief clip of the Eurovision logo and fanfare (much like every time we’ve watched Eurovision), and a commemorative opening where each artist was introduced along with their country mentioned, it was time for the music.
Now, before each performance, a video was played which mentioned the country and artist, showcasing a little bit about the country the artist represented before displaying photos and videos of the act, including footage of their time at Eurovision. This was much like the song contest itself, and same music of the contest played during the pre-performance ‘Postcard’ at this event too! Not only was this effective to provide the perfect Eurovision experience, but it helped to get the audience excited for the next act. And then, when the music and lights did their iconic flash and sound before each artist performed, also much like the annual song contest, I got chills.
Denmark representative and 2013 Eurovision winner was first up to perform for the night. I distinctively remember watching Emmelie perform during the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest (from the comfort of my couch in Australia) and her song ‘Only Teardrops’ remains to this day lyrically relevant and also one of my favourite ever Eurovision songs. So, you can only imagine how special it was to hear and see Emmelie De Forest perform the song live. I became very emotional and quite teary! Yup, that’s right, she conjured tear drops out of me with a song about teardrops (pun totally intended and also facts).
Two-time Ireland representative and winner (1984 and winner of 1992) Linda Martin dazzled the stage with her songs ‘Why Me’ and ‘Terminal 3’, compete with dancers and their rolling luggage bags. She looked majestic and had a wonderful warm stage presence. Her performance was followed by Romania’s representatives (2010, 2014 and 2017) Ovi & Ilinca where they animatedly performed ‘Yodel It’ before jumping into ‘Playing With Fire’.
One of my favourite performers of the night was Malta’s Destiny. Winning the 2015 Junior Eurovision, Destiny went on to represent Malta in the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest with her song ‘Je Me Casse’. She performed this in a medley with ‘All My Love’ for Melbourne patrons, but not before blessing us with a cover of Loreen’s 2012 Eurovision winning song for Sweden, ‘Euphoria’, which she knocked right out of the park! If that wasn’t enough, Destiny was summoned back to the stage by Senhit to perform a duet together of Marco Mengoni’s gorgeous 2023 Eurovision song for Italy, ‘Due Vite’. The song worked so well as a duet as both Destiny and Senhit’s voices complimented each other, enhancing their already beautiful performance and helping each other shine.
Co-host Soraya stunned the spotlight and audience, proudly wearing the same dress she wore 15 years ago (it still fits!) at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest to perform her songs ‘La Noche Es Para Mi’ and ‘Dime’. Soraya masterfully showcased her excellent dancing skills, captivating stage presence, her soaring vocals and undeniable charisma. Really, she was so cool and collectively amazed the Melbourne audience.
One of the artists in the line-up not a stranger to our country is Australia’s own Dami Im. She controversially placed second (the closest we’ve ever gotten) at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with her song ‘Sound of Silence’. Proving that her vocals are far superior, not only did Dami capture the magic of Eurovision performing her iconic ballad for the Melbourne audience with her sky piercing vocal prowess, but she also aced a cover of Conchita Wurst’s 2014 Eurovision winning song for Austria, ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’. Dami effortlessly made the song her own with an incredible rousing rendition. Not a single patron sat for Dami’s two songs, thus receiving a standing ovation for both. The Melbourne crowd were ferociously and passionately clapping by the end, cheering louder than ever, as if to keep her on stage and in our presence.
The cutest pair, Italy’s Jalisse (1997) thoroughly entertained with their song ‘Flumi Di Parole’ and Domenico Modugno’s 1958 Eurovision song for Italy, ‘Nei Blue Dipinto Di Blue/Volare’, inspiring a sing-along from the Melbourne audience with everyone surprisingly knowing the lyrics! The Italian musical duo, also a couple, had wonderful chemistry not only with the audience but with each other.
Suzy from Portugal (2014) was the last to perform in the first act and charmed Melbourne fans with songs ‘Quiero Ser Lua’ and ‘La La Love’. Everyone was grooving in their spot, cheering and happily waving their hands in the air to her music. Adorned in a cute colourful dress, Suzy amazed the crowd with her energy and strong voice.
During a brief interval, fun trivia and facts about Eurovision flashed on stage before we were played a Postcard clip for San Marino, summoning the superb Senhit back to the stage for her own performance set. Her dress looked reminiscent of a budding flower and as pretty it was, it never restricted her dance moves during her medley of ‘Freaky’ and ‘Slowmo’. This was followed by her 2021 Eurovision song for San Marino with Flo Rida, ‘Adrenalina’. While her epic headdress from the song contest wasn’t present, it didn’t matter. Senhit owned the floor with her dance moves, her smooth vocals, and thoroughly entertained the Melbourne audience, bringing a fun energy to the Palais Theatre venue which had everyone up and dancing.
Netherlands’ Esther Hart (2003) graced the stage with surprise performance of fellow countryman, Duncan Laurence’s 2019 Eurovision winning song for Netherlands, ‘Arcade’. It was a beautiful cover which had audiences loudly and wholeheartedly singing along, followed by her own song ‘One More Night’ which was also received with much delight.
When Moldova’s Sunstroke Project (2010 and 2017) took to the stage, you knew you were in for a treat. Performing their songs ‘Hey Mamma’ and the fan favourite ‘Run Away’, everyone was ready to party the moment Eurovision’s ‘Epic Sax Guy‘ Sergey Stepanov, played that iconic hook on the saxophone. This was complete with the same side stepping, hip shaking and pelvic thrusting choreography that you’ve come to know and love from their Eurovision song contest performance. The now music duo (including Sergei Yalovitsky) were definite crowd favourites and had the Melbourne audience on their feet and swaying their hips to the beat in unison.
Azerbaijan’s Efendi (2021) was adorned in gold and took us on a journey while she displayed her artistry and finesse with her songs ‘Cleopatra’ and the catchy ‘Mata Hari’. Efendi had such a mesmerising stage presence; she was fun, she was sexy, and her vocals were equally as powerful as her performance. Honestly, I wanted more!
United Kingdom’s Nicki French (2000) was so adorable. Not only was she wonderful with her performance of her Eurovision song ‘Don’t Play That Song Again’, but she sung a lovely cover of Katrina & the Waves’ 1997 Eurovision winning song for the United Kingdom, ‘Love Shine A Light’. Nicki even lovingly mentioned that she was no stranger to Australia, having visited before for her Godaughter’s wedding, who, with her husband, were present at the Melbourne concert. Summoning her Eurovision sisters, Linda Martin and Esther Hart back to the stage, the songstresses became a trio, all dressed in matching white to perform a fun and upbeat cover of ABBA’s 1974 Eurovision winning song for Sweden, the iconic ‘Waterloo’.
When Lithuania’s The Roop (2021) took to the Melbourne stage, the audience erupted with glee and many patrons were found to be energetically jumping and dancing along to the choreography of both The Roop’s songs ‘On Fire’ and ‘Discoteque’, the latter of which I wished I knew the dance moves of, so that I too could have just as much fun as those who did. Lead singer Vaidotas Valiukevičius and guitarist Mantas Banišauskas even had their signature all-yellow outfits on, just like at the song contest.
Last but not least, Australian-born singer Silia Kapsis of Greek and Cypriot descent, who represented Cyprus at this year’s 2024 Eurovision Song Contest, commanded the stage with her strong vocals and powerful dance moves. Opening her set by dishing out a mashup of two iconic Eurovision tracks, Silia performed Eleni Foureira’s 2018 Eurovision song for Cyprus, ‘Fuego’, and Helena Paparizou’s 2005 Eurovision winning hit for Greece, ‘My Number One’. The song mashup was seamless and was an excellent introduction to Silia’s Eurovision’s roots and inspirations, before she led us into her 2024 Eurovision song for Cyprus, ‘Liar’.
Concluding the night, our wonderful hosts Senhit and Soraya were joined on stage by the rest of the stellar line-up to sing together Italy’s 1992 Eurovision winning anthem by Tote Cutugno, ‘Insieme’, alongside the return of Epic Sax Guy as well. The cast ended the song in a beautiful acapella style, harmonising their stunning voices while reminding us of the true meaning of Eurovision – love, peace, harmony and a lot of damn fun.
There are Eurovision winners and then there are Eurovision legends. Eurovision On Tour made me want to go to Europe and attend the beloved annual music event. I felt like I was there without having the need to hop on a plane. I genuinely appreciate what Eurovision On Tour has to offer and find it absolutely mad that I has taken this long for the song contest to have its own world tour. Hopefully, this is not the last time that this wonderful production visits our shores. I can only imagine the number of former contestants that would love to put their hand up and be a part of this brilliant touring concept.
Not everyone can travel abroad to attend Eurovision. The Melbourne concert of Eurovision On Tour had plenty of patrons dressed up in their best Eurovision inspired costumes, with cosplays, sparkles, feather boas and all colours of the rainbow on show. With many knowing the words and even the dance moves to each song on the setlist, plus the production maintaining its Eurovision signature fanfare and Postcards, it felt like I was there at the real thing. Right down to the sound and lighting before each performance which gave me goosebumps. My only criticism is that there was no merchandise and I would have at least loved a tour program book as a souvenir to take home.
I’ve always wanted to go to Eurovision but never did ever I think that Eurovision would come to me. Eurovision On Tour is an epic travelling Eurovision experience that is bound to please the masses and satisfy even the casual fan. Hopefully it comes back soon. For now, this wonderful immersive experience really felt like a dream come true. I found my tribe, danced like no-one was watching, and sung all my Eurovision favourite tunes at the top of my lungs. I will fondly cherish this experience for years to come.
Eurovision On Tour played in Melbourne at the Palais Theatre on Friday the 15th of November. The concert experience heads to Enmore Theatre this Sunday the 17th of November 2024 in Sydney, which is their final stop for Australia and for the year. They begin again on Sunday, January 12, 2025, at AFAS Live in Amsterdam.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.eurovisionontour.tv
Carpet photography by Brittany Long.