SBS reveals first artists to take the stage at Eurovision – Australia Decides

28 October 2021

PAULINI, Isaiah Firebrace and Jaguar Jonze all in the running for Eurovision glory

SBS and production partner Blink TV announced the first three acts to compete in Eurovision – Australia Decides on the Gold Coast in February.

The first three acts to be revealed are a diverse mix of high-profile artists from across the musical spectrum setting the stage for a show like no other: powerhouse entertainer PAULINI, multi-media artist Jaguar Jonze, and Australia’s 2017 Eurovision Song Contest representative, Isaiah Firebrace who will be singing a duet with a soon to be revealed Australian artist,

Isaiah Firebrace said

“I’m over the moon to be jumping onto the stage for Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022. When I first represented Australia at Eurovision in 2017, I was 17, it was my first time in Europe and I feel like everything was a blurry dream that went by so quickly – I’ve grown so much as a singer, a performer and as a person since then and I’ve definitely got unfinished business! I can’t tell you anything more except that I’m singing a duet with someone incredible and that we co-wrote the song. What I can tell you is that I cannot wait to share everything with you and that Eurovision – Australia Decides is going to be the biggest party on the Gold Coast. Until I can release the official Aus Decides duet, I’m keeping myself busy and releasing my own single “More Than Me” on November 12 – it’s going to be a very good Summer!”

PAULINI said

“I’m super excited to be part of Eurovision – Australia Decides, after all it’s been ages since any of us have really been able to perform to anyone other than our families. That also means it’s been a little while since I’ve been able to belt out any of the big notes I’m known for. But that is something the audience can definitely expect to hear in my new single which I’ll be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides on the Gold Coast in 2022. Eurovision to me is like the Olympics for singers! It brings together so many countries and cultures— and while it’s a competition I see it as uniting much of the world through music.”

Jaguar Jonze said

“I am honoured and bubbling with excitement to be performing at Eurovision – Australia Decides again in 2022! The imagination, creativity and talent of the performances is always so inspirational, it’s such a special place to express yourself as a musician and an artist. My song is going to be a moment that celebrates our resilience and the little steps that lead to big change, as well as push my creative boundaries to another level. So much has happened since we were all together, and being back with the added strength of my Eurovision family and fanbase will make it a show worth waiting for. I can’t wait to see you on the Gold Coast!”

As for what they’ll all be singing… More than 700 songs were submitted to the Eurovision – Australia Decides song portal during the four-week entry period. Shortlisted songs are in the process of being matched with artists and all will be revealed soon.

SBS is also thrilled to introduce Toowoomba based musician, Jude York; a singer-songwriter whose uplifting ballad arrangement has been selected from the hundreds of compositions submitted to the 2022 Eurovision – Australia Decides song portal. SBS will reveal the lucky artist set to sing Jude’s song in coming months.

Jude York said

“To think of my song being shared on such a monumental platform is truly mind-blowing. I wrote it with the amazing Billy Stonecipher about staying hopeful that dreams can come true. And now to have this opportunity as a queer artist in regional Queensland, I’ve never had a better reason to believe in that message! I can’t wait for everybody to hear this!”

In association with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, Major Events Gold Coast, Screen Queensland, APRA AMCOS, and official artist accommodation partner Dorsett Gold Coast, Eurovision – Australia Decides will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February.

Hosted by comedian Joel Creasey and music buff Myf Warhurst, Eurovision – Australia Decides will showcase the best of Australian music and talent. Australians are encouraged to vote for their favourite artist and song to represent the nation on the world’s biggest stage. The winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final which will be broadcast exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand on Saturday 26 February.