This year’s UK Eurovision entry will be an unknown artist, it has been announced.
The BBC will reveal the United Kingdom entry into this year’s contest, which will take place at the B&W Hallerne in Denmark on May 10, tomorrow night (March 3). The artist has been selected in conjunction with BBC Introducing.
The official BBC Eurovision Twitter, tweeted:
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: @scott_mills will premiere our UK act and song in a Red Button, iPlayer exclusive next Monday at 7.30pm
— BBC Eurovision (@bbceurovision) February 28, 2014
Guy Freeman, the executive producer for BBC Eurovision, explained the selection process. He said: “It’s clear there’s a disconnect between what kind of songs and artists are now winning Eurovision, versus the stereotype that many people – including much of the music industry – still hold in their minds. Yes, novelty songs and acts do still turn up in the show, provide great entertainment and make good press – but they don’t tend to win.
“So, early on in plans for 2014, we took the view that we needed a bespoke, contemporary song, written specifically to suit the conditions of the competition – rather than trying to get lucky with a pre-existing track from an artist.”
He added: “In trying to practice that art, we all listened to a great many potential songs and looked at footage of a great many artists performing live. Nothing was quite right until we looked at a resource right under our nose: BBC Introducing. This is the gateway for undiscovered and unsigned music makers to upload their best tracks and get them heard and featured by the BBC. Some of the artists who’ve received BBC Introducing support at the start of their careers include Florence And The Machine, Ed Sheeran, Rizzle Kicks and Jake Bugg.”
The UK’s 2014 Eurovision entry will be announced on Monday (March 3) via the BBC red button.
