Eurovision season this year has kicked off early, with four artists already known in December – with a song form one of them. In big news today, we found out that lucky Eurofans get another on Monday 11th December. Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS has announced that the artist representing the Netherlands at Eurovision 2024 in Malmö will be revealed at the beginning of next week.
In a video posted on AVROTROS’ Instagram and YouTube channel, they had plenty to talk about. They said that over 600 submissions were recieved for the internal selection, a record for the country. All 600+ entries were put through a rigourous evalution and sifting process to create a shortlist.
Some artists rumoured to submit entries included 2016 Eurovision alum Douwe Bob, rappers Bizzey and Kraantje Pappie coming together as a duo, and YouTubers De Bankzitters. In the past week on social media, the gossip has been heating up around artists Ilse DeLange, Karsu and Numidia though Ilse’s management have sinced denied she put her hat in the ring.
Aiming higher for 2024
There have been significant changes since Eurovision 2023 in the Dutch camp. Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper failed to qualify for the Grand Final with their ballad ‘Burning Daylight’ with only 7 points gained. Because of this, Twan van de Neiuhuijzen became the new Head of Delegation, as well as the changes to the internal selection. Some fans were hoping with the changes would come a national final – alas AVROTROS advised there wasn’t enough interest in the Dutch music industry.
The broadcaster has never been afraid to present something daring or original to the contest. They’ve given us edgy ballads from alt-songstress S10, a harmony-laced girlgroup in O’G3NE, and recently given us Jeangu Macrooy’s entry, introducing the Sranan Tongo language to the contest.
*Me waking up from my Eurovision hibernation when the Netherlands announces its artist* pic.twitter.com/pV0nWpKqy9
— Esma Jansen ? ?? (@EsmaJansen) December 8, 2023
The selection committee
In the announcement today, the selection committee detail how they wanted to look for a song that can win over the whole of Europe. Throughout the clip which details how they shortlisted, there is a lot of emphasis on setting personal taste aside to appreciate what works for a wider audience.
The committee is made up of musicians, industry speciailists, and TV personalities close to the contest including Eurovision In Concert host Cornald Maas. They started lsitening to all the songs, and shortlisting them together to 9 songs; t,his was then whittled down to five. These performed at AVROTROS HQ so the committee could get a feel for the artist as a performer. From here they chose the Dutch representative.
They explained that it was hard choosing, as they were comparing “apples to oranges, it’s Mondrian and Rembrandt” – meaning the songs were so different to each other. From this statement, we could get any genre come through to Malmö.
We absolutely cannot wait to see who is brought into the Class of 2024 on Monday, and into the Eurovision bubble. We will have to wait a while to hear their song, but we can still get excited anyway, right?
Who would you like to see representing The Netherlands at Eurovision 2024? What genre are you hoping to see from the artist? What is your favourite Dutch entry, and why? Let us know in the comments below!
