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The vibrant quintet choreographs an intricate dance between metal and pop; employ a keytar on stage, and bring forward a positive, uplifting feeling to their music, running head-first into the endless parade of heavy bands who see the world in a different light. Voyager ’s latest album Colours in the Sun exploded like a supernova onto the worldwide stage with their vivid, uplifting, and exhilarating music and live performance, capturing the excitement of existing fans and the intrigue of new ones from all around the world. Frontman Danny Estrin, a long-time Eurovision fanatic is not only an award-winning, multilingual lawyer by day, he also moonlights as a renowned and respected musician. Danny’s signature dose of ‘80s influenced vocals and hook-laden keytar lines over the top of genre-transfiguring, ultra-modern and prismatic hard rock has travelled the world many times over.

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Australia’s Voyager rock through to Eurovision final

Perth synth-metal band voted among 10 winners of their semi-final in Liverpool, and will perform their song Promise in the final on Sunday morning AEST

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Perth band Voyager are through to this weekend’s Eurovision final after winning in the semi-final stage in Liverpool.

The Australian synth-metal musicians entered the stage on a car, before rocking out on the car’s bonnet with guitars and keytars as they performed their song Promise in the competition on Thursday evening in the UK.

They faced off against Albania, Armenia, Cyprus, Romania, Austria, Denmark, Lithuania, San Marino, Belgium, Slovenia, Iceland, Georgia, Greece, Poland and Estonia in round two of the semi-finals.

Australia will now compete against 25 other countries at the grand final on Sunday morning AEST, under a typically convoluted voting system that collates audience polls in Europe and – for the first time – around the world.

Becoming a part of the Eurovision family was a dream Voyager’s lead singer and keytarist, Danny Estrin, had for a lot longer than the seven years Australia has been part of the competition. On Thursday, he told Australian Associated Press that the band’s success had already exceeded their expectations, so they were not feeling the pressure to take out the trophy.

“You are fiercely competitive in some ways but in other ways, you’re just all there to have a good time and perform to the best of your abilities and it’s all about the music for the end of the day,” Estrin said. “Does it mean we don’t have what it takes to win it? I think we do.”

But if worst comes to worst, the group is philosophical.

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Alex Canion, the bassist, said: “We’re a progressive metal band from Perth, Western Australia, playing Eurovision in Liverpool. I mean, how could we ever consider ourselves losers in this?”

Unlike many competitions in life, a music contest can come down to tastes and on-the-day performance, the band said.

“We’re not running a hundred-metre race. Well we are, but we’ve all got different costumes on,” said Estrin, adding their finals costumes would be “extra”.

Canion agreed: “It’s so subjective. There’s no ‘who can perform the song fastest’.”

And with a potential final audience of 180 million viewers, the exposure is second to none, according to the drummer, Ashley Doodkorte.

“On the day, on the night, we all get that same three minutes in front of that same audience,” he said. “Everyone wins.”

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Eurovision should go some way to developing a global following for the band that has existed in one form or another for some two decades.

“This has all been an elaborate and highly effective album release strategy for our eighth album which comes out after we finish Eurovision,” joked Estrin, who is a part-time lawyer. “Already, up to this point now, we’ve already won.”

Denmark, Romania, Iceland, Greece, Georgia, and San Marino were sent home on Thursday night, with Malta, Latvia, Ireland, Azerbaijan and the Netherlands eliminated earlier in the first semi-final.

The “Big Five” countries – Italy, Spain, Germany, France and the UK – are given automatic spots in the Eurovision final.

Eurovision is being hosted by the UK this year on behalf of Ukraine due to the Russian invasion. Ukrainian hip-hop band Kalush Orchestra claimed victory last year.

Australia first competed in Eurovision in 2015, having been invited to take part due to the popularity of the song contest among European diaspora communities. Australia has been in the top 10 four times and is the second country outside of the Eurasia region to take part in the contest since Morocco competed in 1980.

Australia was granted permission to participate in Eurovision until at least this year. It remains unconfirmed if the country will be invited to participate again.

Australian Associated Press contributed to this report

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Australia's Eurovision Song Contest entrant Voyager finally get to deliver on their 'Promise' in Liverpool

Voyager have had a different sort of journey to get to Eurovision than any of Australia's previous entrants in the world's biggest Song Contest.

For one, they're a band — and we haven't had one of those before. For another, they're a progressive metal band, capable of delivering everything from 80s pop to crunchy metal.

In addition, although the line-up has changed markedly over the band's time, there is nearly a quarter of a century of history there.

The key to their longevity is that, not only have they been able to make seven full-length albums, but they have a solid reputation as a kick-arse live band.

And, aside from Kate Miller-Heidke — who came ninth with Zero Gravity in 2019 —  the Perth-based quintet are the only performers from this country at Eurovision not to come to prominence via a reality TV competition.

So when they take to the stage at Liverpool Arena for their semi-final, seeking a place in Sunday morning's grand final, their song Promise will not look or sound like anything we've sent before.

Of the three students who began Voyager at the University of Western Australia, more than two decades ago, only lead singer Estrin remains in the current line-up — who have been together since 2011 — along with drummer Ash Doodkorte, bassist Alex Canion and guitarists Simone Dow and Scott Kay.

But in addition to their discography, numerous overseas tours and taking their brand of heavy music across the mainland capital cities in Australia over the years gives them priceless experience for taking on the Contest.

Speaking to ABC from London after a series of preview party performances prior to heading to Liverpool, Estrin — whose other job is as an immigration lawyer — puts Voyager's career in perspective.

"It's the overnight success story that's taken 20 years," he says.

"I assess it as training. And I feel sorry for the people who are doing their first or second or third show at Eurovision because it's really, really hard and it's very intimidating. And we've had a lot of practise over the years. 

"It's like you've been practising for years, you've honed your art to a fine finesse and you, you're comfortable. You're comfortable on the shitty stages. On the big stages as well."

Estrin grew up in Germany before moving to Australia with his family when he was 11.

"I remember listening to Eurovision [growing up]. My mum had a double vinyl, the Eurovision winners. It's like this bright blue thing. I remember teaching with the song Ding a Dong (Netherlands, 1975). That was one of my favourites.

"And just that melody and just the kind of vibe of Eurovision being very heavily melody focused. That certainly rubbed off on me because most of the stuff that I was listening to at the time was classical music.

"It was kind of the only exposure I had to any sort of vaguely pop music. And it just continued through my university years and then when we moved to Australia. It [Eurovision] has been a part of me for a very, very long time."

Melody is at the heart of what Voyager does, so they are a good fit for the Contest. While Estrin's desire to make it to Eurovision has been there for decades, other band members caught up later.

But the story of how Voyager finally got the gig to represent Australia is a tale of at least three songs, not one.

Runaway just misses out

Voyager had been sending in songs to the national selection ever since Australia first competed in 2015.

The first one Australia heard was the band's 2020 entry for Australia Decides, Runaway.

As an intro to the band, it made a splash. SBS played a short snippet from the video to highlight songs that didn't quite make the final shortlist for Australia Decides.

The melody is there from the start, with strong guitars and big vocals — but the star of the show is the keytar, as Estrin takes special delivery of one of his trademark instruments in the middle of a Western Australian lake.

That year, Montaigne won Australia Decides with Don't Break Me , but never got to perform it on the big stage, as Eurovision was cancelled due to COVID.

Australia's creative director for Eurovision, Paul Clarke, says Runaway was the 11th-rated song, just missing out on the final 10.

Jury doubts spoil Eurovision hopes for Dreamer

Last year it was Dreamer, with the synth sound, fluoro colours and still a metal edge as well.

"Ash [Doodkorte] and Danny [Estrin] flew over to meet us at the Eurovision — Australia Decides (E-AD) show on the Gold Coast  and they were lovely guys," Clarke says. "We encouraged them to enter the following year and they came up with Dreamer … hearing that song the idea dawned that they were right for Eurovision."

Voyager were a big hit in the live show on the Gold Coast, but in the end they came second in 2022 to Sheldon Riley , who went to Eurovision in Turin performing his big power ballad, Not the Same. 

"[Voyager] won the public vote of E-AD last year, but a few of the judges thought that there would be a lot of rock bands following Maneskin's win [for Italy in 2019] — that often happens and didn't want to be seen that we were going with Voyager to 'copycat'," Clarke says.

"After that, we had a 'preservation of friendship' meeting.

"I encouraged them to have another crack. They came up with the song Promise. I thought it was even better than Dreamer."

Kay talks about the changes between Runaway, Dreamer and Promise.

"I think we've been able to think a little bit more about how the staging and the sort of televised nature of Eurovision alters how we write a song," he says.

"I think we've thought a lot more about how it would translate to a stage rather than just writing it for music's sake. So there's a bit more of an analytical approach, but no less creative."

Canion says:

"The biggest learning curve for us was learning how to become a band for TV. Not for a live audience.

"It's such a different way of performing and something that it was such valuable experience for us. Especially going into to Big Eurovision."

Estrin adds:

"Restraint is really important because if you look at the [2023] Madrid pre-party, we were just so raring to go, we're just like, let all our energy loose. Which is not necessarily the best thing to do.

"But we were just so excited to be playing music rather than talking about it for months that we just had to do it. So I think restraint and control are the big things that we learned from Australia Decides."

Promise fulfilled? Voyager can't wait to find out

The band was told they were finally into Eurovision on a Zoom call with organisers after submitting a demo of Promise. Estrin says the band's drive to make it to the Contest was matched by a desire to get there with the right song.

"The song had to be right. We wouldn't have put our hat in the ring if we weren't behind the song. Cause we spend months talking about it and if you're not sure about it then you don't come across as confident.

"Whereas now we're like, yeah, this is sick. We love this. We love every single second of that and we can talk proudly about it. And I think that's really important that that comes across."

Promise is a cleverly crafted three-minute composition, half-anthem, half Eurovision in a snapshot, designed for the biggest stage.

From one perspective, the band throws everything but the kitchen sink at this. There are 80s-style synths, a classic rhythm section from drummer Doodkorte and bassist Canion, some strong, contrasting vocals from Estrin and Canion, and cracking lead guitar from Simone Dow and Scott Kay.

Then add the trademark keytars and a bit of harpsichord — and a massive metal 'growl' from Canion in the breakdown in the middle and there is something in this for everyone.

The song itself is about how we deal with the stresses of modern life, posing a number of questions along the way.

Have you ever been alone too much? / Have you ever prayed for human touch? / Have you ever just lost a little part of you / To find a little something new?

And the chorus allows the crowd to join in with Estrin's vocal before Canion delivers the fierce 'growl'.

Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh / Since you told me everything's alright / Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh / Promise me it's gonna be al…Right! 

The studio version is cohesive, building naturally and nailing a big finish. The normal question that follows at Eurovision is whether entrants can perform live. That is not a concern, here. 

Voyager have played for and with all sorts of rock and metal royalty, from Queensryche to Nightwish, and they have a big fanbase, including in Europe.

Drummer Ash Doodkorte makes the rather brave statement that "nothing could possibly happen to us on stage [at Eurovision] that hasn't happened to us 10 times worse and 20 times before."

Estrin then recalls a moment that happened at one of the pre-party shows in The Netherlands.

"There's this wonderful scene in Spinal Tap where the band is being led down corridors backstage and they get lost and their usher doesn't know where they're going. And it's probably about a five to six-minute sequence where they're just going down this labyrinth, they can't get on stage.

"We had a very similar situation in Amsterdam, so we've certainly had a lot of Spinal Tap moments in our career and let's hope that the actual event at Eurovision doesn't give us another one."

Musically the band can do anything from big, heavy epics to a stripped-back piano ballad, like Summer Always Comes Again. Do they think their versatility helps them hit numerous audiences at Eurovision?

"Yeah, absolutely," says Estrin. "The wonderful thing about metal generally is when people think metal, they think of Cookie Monster vocals and they think of bands like Slayer and those traditional kind of metal bands that are extremely heavy.

"But there are so many metal genres and sub metal genres which have really beautiful melodies which are sophisticated and refined and don't necessarily sound like metal when you listen to it. So this is such a great way for people to discover not only us, but also heavy music.

"Summer Always Comes Again is not a metal song, but it's in the metal category. And what a shame if people go, I don't want to listen to metal and they're missing out on this wonderful song.

"The beauty of us doing Eurovision is people go, hang on, I didn't like metal, but I like this. Maybe I do like metal. Right?"

Canion joins in.

"It's interesting this year that there's a direct comparison with two bands [at Eurovision] that have metal in their name — us and [Germany's] Lord of the Lost.

"We are both technically metal bands, but sound nothing alike. So it's a great way for people to be like, oh okay, well this is metal and this is metal, but they don't sound the same."

Last year Sheldon Riley had to practise singing his number with carrying sandbags to mimic the wearing of his 40 kilo dress that he wore on stage.

What does training for Eurovision look like for Voyager?

"I don't think I'll need sandbags necessarily, but I think maybe a bit more stretches to make sure that when we are jumping around, I don't want to pull a hammy in front of 180 million people and making sure our impeccable costumes don't break," says Estrin.

Doodkorte provides an intriguing visual of proceedings.

"We've been doing rehearsals in big rooms just tied at each other's waists, like a bunch of mountaineers so we don't run too far from each other.

"Cause it's a very big Eurovision stage and we'll want to use all of it, but then we might not be in frame. So it's a bit of forced discipline."

Clarke is confident in what Voyager bring to the table for 2023.

"They're a pretty special band. They are great friends, they write terrific songs, they've got great singers in Danny and Alex, and they have a really irreverent sense of the moment, while understanding how important it is. They will stand out, trust me."

The video for Promise was an open skies number, with Voyager filming at famous WA locations like Nature's Window, for a show-stopping sequence as Simone Dow shreds on the guitar, and then Estrin performs a rapid keytar solo.

Scott Kay describes it as "the ultimate rockstar's dream. Really."

The man tasked with creating an impact in Liverpool is 2023 staging director Marvin Dietmann, who has sorted out the vision for many Eurovision numbers over the years, including the 2014 Contest winner, Rise Like A Phoenix by Austria's Conchita Wurst. 

"It's an interesting song that really encourages a feeling of being by yourself at the start, and builds to a moment that brings everyone together. I love the build – I think Queen would be really happy with the song structure and the solo. So it has to be staging that builds, and relates to them [Voyager]," Clarke says.

Asked if there will be any surprises, Estrin goes straight for one of the cult-hit Eurovision moments of all time, Poland's suggestive visuals from their 2014 entry,  quipping: "I'm going to be churning a lot of butter suggestively on stage."

He follows up by saying the band does have "something a little extra planned".

"I can tell you what ... there's no ice skaters, there's no monster outfits, but it will be something a little bit extra, which I think people will go, that's special, that's pretty speccy. It is Eurovision, after all!"

The elephant in the room is the fact that this is Australia's last year of the contract with the Eurovision Broadcasting Union (EBU) to compete at the Contest, and there are no guarantees we will be back in 2024.

"We sure have done our best to deliver great music, performances and staging. At this stage, our future in the song contest is a live discussion, but it’s no secret we love being part of Eurovision," Clarke says. "Right now, we’re focused on giving the best performance we can with our very first band entry."

Regardless of the result, and the future of the Contest in Australia, those present at Liverpool Arena and the viewers watching and streaming at home can be clear on one thing — Voyager will be putting on a show at Eurovision. And that's a promise.

Australia's Eurovision semi-final is on Friday morning at 5am AEST. ABC will have a wrap of the semi, and will live blog the Grand Final on Sunday from 4:30am AEST.

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Australia's Voyager through to Eurovision grand final

Australia's voyager made it through to the eurovision song contest grand final with their performance of promise..

Australian band Voyager is through to the Eurovision finals. Source: AAP / Sanjin Strukic/PIXSELL/PA/Alamy

• Voyager's song Promise won over fan votes from the 37 countries competing at this year's song contest.
• They will compete in the grand final on Sunday 14 May at 5:00am AEST.
• If they win they would be the first Australians to do so.

Eurovision: Voyager's Danny Estrin gatecrashes SBS World News in Liverpool

Australia's Eurovision entrant is also an immigration lawyer

Australia's Voyager through to Eurovision grand final - how did they get into the contest?

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AUSTRALIE - Voyager

Le diffuseur australien SBS a annoncé que le groupe Voyager représentera l'Australie au Concours Eurovision de la chanson 2023, avec sa chanson Promise .

C'est la première fois qu'un groupe va représenter l'Australie au Concours Eurovision. Le Quintette synth-métal avait déjà tenté sa chance l'année dernière grace à l'émission "Australia Decides" mais n'était arrivé qu'en seconde position avec sa chanson Dreamer . L'Autralie est d'ailleurs toute jeune dans le Concours puisqu'elle ne participe que depuis 2015, à l'époque en tant que Guest (invité).

Voyager mélange des voix New Romantic des années 80 avec un cadre technique et mélodique, des lignes de basse groovy, une batterie explosive et ce qui est en train de devenir l'instrument emblématique du groupe, le keytar. La chanson Promise a été conçue pour avoir un impact maximum à Liverpool. 

Le groupe est composé de Danny Estrin (chant, keytar), Simone Dow (guitares), Simone Dow (guitares), Alex Canion (basse) et de Ash Doodkorte (batterie).

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Culture | Music

Who are metal band Voyager? Australia’s Eurovision entry set to rock the contest

Australia has a short but impactful history in Eurovision , and its 2023 entry looks set to be among its most memorable.

Metal band Voyager have been trying to get a place on the show since before Australia was even competing, so when Europe was extended to a land down under for the show in 2015, they were keen to join the fun.

Bass player Alex Cainon told the NME : “The most common feedback we get is that we look like we’re having fun onstage – which we’ve found, over the years, translates into the crowd themselves having fun. And that’s exactly what Eurovision is about, you know?”

Voyager formed in 1999 in the Western Australian city of Perth - a place other Aussies will tell you is in “woop woop” (a million miles from anywhere). And perhaps as geographical outsiders they have had what it takes to form a cult following which has seen them release eight albums - most recently Fearless in Love this year.

There is a huge Eurovision following in Australia and the country was set to compete only once in 2015 to mark the 50th anniversary, but has returned every year since - although it has yet to win. While it is not unheard of for a metal band to win the competition (remember Lordi in 2006?) Voyager are considered outsiders for this year’s competition which begins, for them, on Thursday, May 11 with the second semi-final.

But winning is not everything and the band are instead hoping to put Australian metal onto the global stage.

“Eurovision is the kind of thing you can do and come out of with a completely new fanbase,” guitarist Scott Kay told NME .

“If they’re into more obscure types of music, hopefully they’ll see us and then check out all the other amazing talent we have in Australia.”

Voyager will enter the 2023 competition with their song Promise which they hope will provide a solid entry point for fans. The band have crossed the boundary and are now in the host city of Liverpool hoping to make the final which will be on Saturday.

To find out more about Eurovision 2023 click here .

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• L’Australie envoie à Liverpool le groupe Voyager avec…

L’Australie envoie à Liverpool le groupe Voyager avec la chanson Promise

• Actualités Participants 2023

• Mis à jour le 5 mars 2024
• Publié le 22 février 2023

Le diffuseur australien SBS a annoncé ses représentants au concours Eurovision de la chanson 2023, il s’agit du groupe Voyager avec leur chanson « Promise ». Il a été choisi en interne pour représenter l’Australie à Liverpool. Ce sont les premiers participants australiens à l’Eurovision à être sélectionnés en interne depuis 2018. Une sélection nationale « Eurovision – Australia Decides » a été utilisée entre 2019 et 2022 pour choisir le représentant. Voyager n’est pas inconnu dans le monde Eurovision, ce dernier a participé l’année dernière à la finale australienne, en se classant à la deuxième position, juste à quelques points du gagnant Sheldon Riley. Ils avaient remporté le vote du public avec leur chanson « Dreamer ».

À propos de

Voyager est un groupe de métal progressif originaire de Perth en Australie occidentale. Le groupe a été formé en 1999 autour du chanteur et claviériste originaire d’Allemagne Danny Estrin et a sorti sept albums. Le groupe compote 5 membres (de gauche à droite) : Simone Dow, Danny Estrin, Alex Canion, Ash Doodkorte et Scott Kay.

En 2020, ils avaient soumis une chanson pour représenter l’Australie au concours Eurovision de la chanson intitulée « Runaway », mais ils n’ont finalement pas été retenus comme l’un des 10 artistes en compétition pour la finale. Et bien qu’ils n’aient pas réussi, Voyager a été reconnu pour son travail le soir de la finale.

Chaque année, nous avons soumis un morceau à l’Eurovision via le portail du diffuseur, sans jamais imaginer que nous pourrions un jour être sélectionné en tant que groupe de métal. Mais cette année, nous avons reçu un appel pour dire que nous avions été présélectionnés et que nous étions invités à l’émission de télévision en direct. Danny Estrin

En 2023, Voyager a enfin la chance de battre le drapeau australien au concours, devenant ainsi le premier groupe à le faire dans l’histoire de la participation du pays. Voyager se produira dans la deuxième moitié de la deuxième demi-finale le 11 mai prochain.

Version studio de la chanson « Promise »

8e participation du pays à l’Eurovision

L’Australie a fait ses débuts au concours Eurovision de la chanson en 2015 dans le cadre des célébrations marquant les 60 ans du concours. Le diffuseur SBS diffuse l’Eurovision en Australie depuis 1983. Le meilleur résultat du pays à ce jour est survenu en 2016 avec la représentante Dami Im, et sa chanson « Sound of Silence », elle a terminé à la 2e place de la finale avec 511 points, à seulement 23 points de la victoire.

En 2022, Sheldon Riley a représenté l’Australie à Turin avec la chanson « Not The Same » terminant à la 15e place avec un total de 125 points dont 123 points du jury (9e), avec 10 points provenant du jury suédois, et seulement 2 points du télévote exclusivement de l’Azerbaïdjan (24e).

L’Australie fera-t-elle mieux cette année ? N’hésitez pas  à partager votre avis  dans notre bloc discussion.

Credits Photo : SBS

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Why is Australia in Eurovision? When the country joined and what happens if Voyager win the Song Contest

Australia first entered eurovision in 2015 and has appeared at every edition since, making the final on all but one occasion.

Eurovision 2023 is in full swing, with Liverpool embracing the spirit of the Song Contest with suitable enthusiam this week .

The UK is hosting this year’s competition instead of last year’s winners Ukraine due to the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine , with the best (and worst) of European music descending for the semi-finals and final .

One unexpected nation that has become something of a fixture  in recent years is Australia , despite the fact that it’s very obviously not in Europe – so why can they enter Eurovision ?

Why is Australia in Eurovision 2023?

On 10 February 2015, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced that in honour of the 60th anniversary of Eurovision, it had invited Australia to participate in the finals of the contest .

The decision, expected at the time to be a one-off, was in keeping with the theme that year, which was Building Bridges.

Australian broadcaster SBS has aired the event since 1983, and it has built a significant following Down Under.

Countries are usually eligible to take part if their broadcaster is a member of the EBU and broadcasts within a pre-defined “European Broadcasting Area” – a deliberately over-expansive region that also covers swathes of the Middle East and North Africa.

The quirk means Eurovision has seen entries from Israel and Morocco over the years, while nations as far afield as Syria and Egypt could technically take part in the future if they wanted. Even the loosest definition of “Europe”, however, would logically preclude Australia, but the EBU agreed to waive the rules to allow the nation to take part.

Australia’s participation brought the number of the finalists to 27, the highest number of entries in a final in the contest’s history. After a top-five finish in 2015, Australia was invited back the next year, when it placed second.

The continued success of Australia at the contest led to several more decisions to invite them back on a case-by-case basis – until, in 2019, Eurovision bosses confirmed that Australia would be allowed to stay in the contest until at least 2023.

In its first year of entry, the Australian entry – sung by Guy Sebastian – was placed directly in the grand final but, since then, the country’s entry has had to qualify through the semi-finals, winning the heats in 2016 and 2019.

Australia has only ever failed to make the grand final on one occasion so far, in 2021 – last year, its entry Sheldon Riley came 15th in the final with the song “Not the Same”.

Who is Australia’s 2023 Eurovision entry Voyager?

This year, Australia is being represented by Voyager, a progressive metal band from Perth.

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The five-piece has released seven albums since forming in 1999, and become the first band to represent their country, after a succession of solo acts.

Voyager were also the first Australian entry to be selected internally the the broadcaster SBS, rather than through the Eurovision – Australia Decides selection show used previously.

They released their entry song “Promise” in February, and it climbed to a peak of number three in the Australia singles chart.

Lead singer Danny Estrin moonlights as an immigration lawyer, and told SBS ahead of the Song Contest that he believes this makes him unique in Eurovision history.

He said: “I think I might be the first lawyer to take part in it. I know San Marino sent a dentist a while ago, so I’m fairly confident saying I’m the only immigration lawyer who has participated in the contest.”

What happens if Australia wins?

Australia’s highest placing at the Eurovision final so far came in 2016, when Dami Im came second with “Sound of Silence”.

In the event that Australia should win, the EBU confirmed that, in accordance with the rules, Australia would not host the event in the southern hemisphere. Instead, it would have to nominate a co-host nation from Europe.

At the time, it was thought Germany would be the first choice, with the UK and the BBC being the back-up hosts should Germany decline.

However, other broadcasters have since voiced their interest in co-hosting the contest if Australia wins.

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• Apr 20, 2023

Eurovision 2023 Australia profile: 'Promise' by Voyager

Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest

Australia made its Eurovision debut in 2015 with Guy Sebastian performing 'Tonight Again'. Since then Australia has reached the final in all but one of its seven participations. The nation's best result came in 2016 when Dami Im finished second with 'Sound of Silence', topping the jury vote in the Grand Final.

Last year, Sheldon Riley represented Australia with 'Not the Same', qualifying in second place from the second semi-final and ultimately finishing 15th in the Grand Final.

2023 Entry: Voyager - 'Promise'

Voyager will perform in 16th spot in semi-final 2 and close the show

My Eurovision Scoreboard ranking: 22nd

Odds to win ranking: 16th

(Rankings as of 20 April 2023)

About the act

Voyager is currently a quintet consisting of Danny Estrin (vocals, keytar), Simone Dow (guitars), Alex Canion (bass), Scott Kay (guitars) and Ashley Doodkorte (drums). The band was originally formed as a three-piece in 1999 in Perth, with Danny being a founding member. There have been several line-up changes over the years.

The group released its debut album 'Element V' in 2003 in Australia. The following year it was distributed throughout Europe by Dutch label DVS Records. Voyager's second album 'uniVers', released in 2007, received critical acclaim worldwide. In Finland it was voted album of the week in Imperiumi magazine, and in Belgium it was voted album of the month in Mindview magazine.

Back home in Australia, 'uniVers' was rated by the Triple J radio station as the seventh best Full Metal Racket album of 2007. Since then, Voyager has released five more albums, including the most recent album 'Colours in the Sun' in 2019.

Voyager has also toured extensively worldwide, first performing overseas at the ProgPower Europe Festival in the Netherlands in 2006. The band has supported many well-known acts including the Deftones, Opeth, Nightwish, Children of Bodom, and Coheed and Cambria.

The band describe themselves as a "progressive pop metal force" that defies genre norms and boundaries. Its most notable musical characteristics include the blending of new-romantic and 80s-infused vocals, keytar solos, groovy bass and bombastic drumming.

About the song

Voyager's Eurovision entry 'Promise' is described by the band as an "epic progressive pop metal offering that transports the listener on an emotive story of adventure and redemption". The song was written for Eurovision specifically, but also for people who have never heard Voyager before.

'Promise' seeks to take the listener on a musical journey, showcasing Voyager's ability to execute various genres. The first two verses of the song groove along quite softly by Voyager standards, whilst the key feature of the chorus is its rock vibe. An explosive synth metal instrumental follows the second chorus, and at the bridge there is a "calm-after-the-storm" feel before the music ramps up again to a guitar solo. The final portion of the song offers up a glorious denouement, both vocally and instrumentally

The lyrics also reflect the travelling nature of the piece: the opening repetition of the question "Have you ever done anything like this before?" and the follow-up response "If you've never done anything like this before then you haven't been alive" encourage the listener to embark on an adventure, with the repetition of the phrase "Promise me it's gonna be alright" throughout the chorus suggesting that throughout every journey support and comradery are essentials.

How Voyager was selected for Eurovision

The band's bid to represent Australia at Eurovision is a story of perseverance and dedication. Voyager first sought to be Australia's entrant at Eurovision back when it was announced we would be debuting at the contest in 2015. In every subsequent year, the band submitted entries in the hope of becoming Australia's representative one day.

Voyager's breakthrough came in 2022 with the group's participation in 'Eurovision - Australia Decides'. The band finished second overall, just three points behind winner Sheldon Riley, topping the televote portion of the voting.

Based on the latter result, SBS took on board the feedback of the Australian public and internally selected Voyager to represent Australia at Eurovision 2023, announcing in the early hours of February 21 the group's upcoming (and for them long-awaited) appearance at Eurovision.

Australia will compete in Semi-final 2 on May 11 (European time) in Liverpool.

For continued updates on all the Eurovision Song Contest news follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. All links at: https://linktr.ee/aussievisionnet

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JO de Paris 2024 : Histoire, parcours, coût… La flamme olympique en cinq questions

Nicolas Stival

Publié le 16/04/2024 à 11h43 • Mis à jour le 16/04/2024 à 11h43

Pour la flamme olympique, le grand voyage commence. Elle a été allumée ce mardi matin sur le site mythique d’Olympie et arrivera à Paris le 26 juillet, jour de la cérémonie d’ouverture des Jeux. Le champion olympique d’aviron grec Stefanos Douskos, sacré à Tokyo, assurera le premier relais, avant de passer le flambeau à Laure Manaudou , titrée à Londres voici 20 ans sur 400 mètres nage libre. Cette flamme, censée résister au vent et à la pluie, représente l’idéal de paix et d’unité entre les peuples.

Une tradition pas si ancienne

Une « grande prêtresse » dans un costume inspiré de l’Antiquité, postée devant les ruines du temple d’Héra, vieilles de 2.600 ans. A priori, le rituel de la flamme pourrait sembler aussi vieux que les Jeux olympiques, créés au VIIIe siècle avant Jésus-Christ avant d’être ressuscités dans leur forme moderne par le Français Pierre de Coubertin en 1896. En fait, pas du tout.

Si des courses aux flambeaux existaient à l’époque de Périclès ou d’Aristote, elles ne concernaient que certaines festivités, mais pas les Jeux olympiques. Le relais actuel de la flamme a été institué pour les Jeux de 1936 à Berlin . Les nazis, le ministre de la Propagande Joseph Goebbels en tête, avaient en effet un penchant pour l’antiquité grecque. Pour les Jeux d’hiver, il faudra attendre ceux d’Oslo, en 1952, beaucoup moins connotés…

Le retour à la normale, enfin

En 2020 et 2021, avant les Jeux d’été de Tokyo et d’hiver de Pékin, le cérémonial avait été perturbé, comme tous les autres événements dans le monde, par la pandémie de Covid. En mars 2020, le relais avait été interrompu sur le sol grec pour éviter les rassemblements populaires et donc limiter les risques de contamination, après avoir drainé une foule très importante à Sparte. Pour cette édition, on revient aux fastes anciens, avec présence d’officiels et parcours complet et en public.

Quel parcours ?

Ce mardi, la flamme olympique a entamé un périple de 5.000 km à travers la Grèce. Le voyage va durer onze jours avec comme étapes les îles de Corfou, de Santorin, ou encore l’Acropole d’Athènes. C’est dans la capitale grecque, au stade panathéique, qu’elle sera transmise aux organisateurs français le 26 avril. La flamme quittera le Pirée à bord du Belem, un fameux trois-mâts fin comme un oiseau, pour rejoindre la France et Marseille, le 8 mai .

Passera-t-elle dans toute la France ?

Non, 64 territoires, dont cinq d’Outre-Mer, seront parcourus par près de 10.000 relayeurs sur environ 12.000 km. Certains départements, notamment le Gard, l’Isère et la Savoie, ou une grande ville comme Lyon ont renoncé à participer à la fête, pour des raisons de coût, essentiellement. « On aurait aimé le faire, naturellement, mais 180.000 euros pour une action qui dure une journée, ne nous paraissent pas raisonnables en matière d'action publique », avait ainsi expliqué Bruno Bernard , le président EELV de la métropole en juin 2023.

Quel lieu d’accueil à Paris ?

La vasque qui accueillera la flamme durant toute la durée de la compétition ne se trouvera pas au Stade de France, épicentre des Jeux. Elle sera installée dans le jardin des Tuileries , au niveau du grand bassin rond, soit entre le Louvre et la place de la Concorde, en plein cœur de la capitale. A l’origine, c’est la Cour carrée du Louvre qui devait accueillir ce symbole des JO, mais elle a été jugée moins facile d’accès au public par les organisateurs.

À lire aussi

Mont-Saint-Michel, Antilles… Le parcours de la flamme olympique dévoilé

Cette résistante de 102 ans portera la flamme olympique dans la Loire

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