Image Credit: Michael Dann/Tourism WA
Australia have decided! The Australian broadcaster SBS have internally selected Voyager to represent the country at Eurovision 2023 with the song Promise. Voyager are no strangers to Eurovision and its fans; having to tried to represent Australia multiple times at the contest, 2023 is finally the year that the band will be heading to the Eurovision stage. Our artist preview will take a further look at the band and how they’ll be bringing their distinct synth-metal style to Liverpool.
Who are Voyager?
Hailing from Perth, Western Australia, Voyager are a progressive-metal band that were formed in 1999. They have released seven full-length albums with the most recent ‘Colours In The Sun’ being released in 2019. Despite various line up changes throughout their years, the current line up of the band is as follows: Danny Estrin (Vocals/Keytar – and is also professional lawyer!), Simone Dow (Guitar), Scott Kat (Guitar), Alex Canion (Bass), Ashley Doodkorte (Drums).
Describing themselves as “fearlessly defining any genre norms, boundaries and regulations… embracing pop… and bringing forward a positive, uplifting feeling”, Voyager mix a metal sound with synth pop melodies. Their unique sound has won them fans around the world, and they’ll be hoping to win the hearts of even more on the world’s biggest music stage.
Previous Eurovision Attempts
Voyager are self-proclaimed Eurovision fanatics and according to their official website have been “throwing their hat in the ring” ever since Australia first announced their participation in the contest in 2015. The band were shortlisted in the 2020 Australian national final with the song “Runaway”, but were not chosen as one of the ten acts to compete in the final.
In 2022, the band participated in Australia’s national final ‘Australia Decides’ with the song ‘Dreamer’. The song became a fan favourite of the selection and won the public vote on the night, however they lost out by just three points when ‘Not The Same’ by Sheldon Riley was selected via a combination of a jury and televote.
Australia’s Song For Eurovision 2023
It’s third time lucky for Voyager! After broadcaster SBS decided not to go ahead with a national final this year, the band were internally selected to represent Australia at Eurovision 2023. Their song for Eurovision, Promise, is everything we’d expect from a Voyager song, keeping with their heavy metal sound but overlayed with catchy synth-pop. You can watch the official music video for the song below.
Why Are Australia in Eurovision?
Australia were invited to participate in the 2015 edition of Eurovision to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the contest. The country has taken part in Eurovision seven times, with six times qualifying for the grand final. Their first ever entry, ‘Tonight Again’ by Guy Sebastian, automatically qualified for the final in order “to not reduce the chances” of the other countries in the semi-final. In Eurovision 2022, Australian representative Sheldon Riley qualified for the grand final and finished in 15th place with 125 points.
We wish Voyager and Australia the best of luck in Liverpool!
What do you think of Australia’s entry for Eurovision 2023? Let us know in the comments and on our social media, @ThePhoenixESC!
