JOY Eurovision

For the very first time, Australia is sending a band to Eurovision. And it’s not just any band – it’s Australia Decides favourite, Voyager. Scott, Simone and Ash joined Michael for a coffee and chit chat ahead of the semi final rehearsals. The Perth-based synth-metal rockers shared their thoughts about the state of Aussie music, particularly the rock scene, and how much of a connection there is to Eurovision. There’s a last-minute staging change for Promise and the return roasting of Greece’s Victor Vernicos, along with a discussion of how close this year’s theme is to reality. 🤫 How long did they have to keep this all a secret? 🚗 Is Danny really to blame for that classic ’80s car on stage? 🌟 Who are the band’s favourite Eurovision contestants? You can see Voyager perform Promise during Semi Final 2. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Friday 12 May at 5am AEST (and remember to vote) * Prime time on Saturday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST 📺 See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts

It’s been a long time since a British Eurovision artist could catch a train to the big event and a long time since the Brits have served back-to-back bangers. Mae Muller is ready and willing to do the UK proud this year with I Wrote a Song. Michael caught up with Mae before rehearsals began to chat about going from unknown to starlet thanks to Better Days and what it’s been like to be in the Eurovision spotlight. 🍺 Has Mae performed at the pub she used to work at? 📱 How important is social media? 🎉 What has been the most exciting part of the Eurovision lead up? You can see Mae Muller perform I Wrote a Song during the Grand Final. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Sunday 14 May at 5am AEST (and remember to vote) * Prime time on Sunday 14  May at 7:30pm AEST 📺 See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts

He might be young, but Greece‘s Victor Vernicos is full of talent. He took some time out to chat with Michael about the excitement of walking on to the massive Eurovision stage with What They Say, the song he wrote as a 14 year old. They chat about the first rehearsal and keeping secrets about eating too much, and there’s even a message for Australia’s Greek community. 🥲 How are emotions a big part of Victor’s performance? 🎤 Will we ever see Victor in a boy band? 🩳 What are Victor’s 2024 Eurovision staging plans? You can see Victor Vernicos perform What They Say during Semi Final 2. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Friday 12 May at 5am AEST (and remember to vote) * Prime time on Saturday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST 📺 See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts

It’s inching closer and closer to the biggest week of the year, as the Eurovision train starts its journey to Winner Station. Michael and Io are joined by Liam, beaming in live from his Liverpool hotel room, to preview the second half of the big second semi final. There are opinions to be had… and you’re welcome to add yours, especially as you watch it all unfold on SBS from 5am Melbourne time on Friday 12 May. How big was Nordic Night for Liam? What does everything think of Voyager? Who does Io want to get shagadelic with? 🗳️ Make your voice heard: Vote for your pick of this half of SF2. 🎶 Stream all the entries via your preferred platform. 📲 Follow JOYEurovision across the socials: linktr.ee/joy_eurovision 🌍 Not in Australia? Grab this podcast via Spotify Podcasts. Playlist 🇵🇱 Blanka – Solo 🇸🇮 Joker Out – Carpe Diem 🇬🇪 Iru – Echo 🇸🇲 Piqued Jacks – Like An Animal 🇦🇹 Teya & Salena – Who The Hell Is Edgar? 🇦🇱 Albina & Familja Kelmendi – Duje 🇱🇹 Monika Linkytė – Stay 🇦🇺 Voyager – Promise

We last caught up with Andrew Lambrou in the lead up to 2022’s edition of Australia Decides, hoping to represent Australia with Electrify. Just over a year later, Greek-Cypriot-Aussie is going to be representing Cyprus instead. Michael grabbed hold of Andrew to chat about having the opportunity to delve into his Cypriot past, his other Liverpool love and getting his arms out on stage. 🇦🇺 What makes Australia so special for Andrew? 🪩 Will we hear Break a Broken Heart on the dance floor? 🌍 What has Andrew learnt about the world as an Aussie? You can see Andrew Lambrou perform Break a Broken Heart during Semi Final 2. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Friday 12 May at 5am AEST (and remember to vote) * Prime time on Saturday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST 📺 See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts

From being told to be mysterious about his sexuality, to having 2023’s pride anthem, Gustaph has gone a long way. He caught up with Michael to talk about being gay in the music industry, how Belgium has changed and the importance of showcashing the stories behind Because of You. 🔊 Why is ’90s house so important for Gustaph? 👬 How are his husband and besties making this such an exciting experience? 🍺What are Gustaph’s plans for a night out in Liverpool? You can see Gustaph perform Because of You during Semi Final 2. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Friday 12 May at 5am AEST (and remember to vote) * Prime time on Saturday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST 📺 See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts

We don’t often need exorcisms for those performing at Eurovision, but it’s possible that we will in Liverpool. Michael caught up with Teya and Salena, representing Austria this year, with a song about Edgar Allen Poe. They discuss being possessed by spirits, their timely meeting and getting back into practice to learn the dance for Who the Hell Is Edgar?. 🎼 Who did what at the songwriting camp? 💸 How likely are they to receive their $0.003? 🍽️ What would Edgar get up to at a ghostly dinner party? You can see Teya & Salena perform Who the Hell Is Edgar? during Semi Final 2. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Friday 12 May at 5am AEST (and remember to vote) * Prime time on Saturday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST 📺 See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts

Slovenia is taking a different route this year, enlisting the help of Joker Out to win the Eurovision trophy with Carpe Diem. Jan, Kris and Nace joined Michael to talk about how the band came together, the road to Liverpool, and the ins-and-outs of Slovenian citizenship law. 🥳 What makes a good party for the boys? ☑️ Have the boys ticked anything off their bucket list? 🎸 What was so exciting about the Eurovision pre-parties? You can see Joker Out perform Carpe Diem during Semi Final 2. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Friday 12 May at 5am AEST (and remember to vote) * Prime time on Saturday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST 📺 See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts

Some call her Queen, others call her Mother, but there’s no denying just how big Loreen is in the world of Eurovision. Michael got the satellite phone out to chat with the woman hoping to take the Eurovision trophy back to Sweden thanks to Tattoo. Eleven years since she last took to the stage, many things have changed but a lot has also stayed the same. Find out more about what the song and performance mean in this chilled out chat. 🏆 What’s Loreen’s relationship with Euphoria? 💅 How is she coping with those nails? ⌛ Why is this time so much different to the last? You can see Loreen perform Tattoo during Semi Final 1. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Wednesday 10 May at 5am AEST * Prime time on Friday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST 🌍 Not in Australia? Listen to the interview via Spotify Podcasts

Having won The Voice, Remo Forrer is trying to win on another TV stage. Representing Switzerland with Watergun, Remo is hoping his song can bring a voice to what is happening in the world. Michael fired up the Melbourne studio to catch up with Remo ahead of his journey to Liverpool. 🪗 Will the accordion ever return? 🪣 What’s on the bucket list? 🌍 What would Remo change about the world? You can see Remo perform Watergun during Semi Final 1. Watch it on SBS: * Live on Wednesday 10 May at 5am AEST * Prime time on Friday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST 📺 See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts