Rumours have begun to circulate in the Netherlands that Sharon den Adel, frontwoman of the Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation, will represent the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon.
The rumours stem from a teaser on the official website of Within Temptation concerning Sharon den Adel. Dutch newspaperย Algemeen Dagbladย suggests that a Eurovision announcement could be forthcoming.
A few years ago, Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS reportedly approached Within Temptation for the Song Contest but the group declined fearing that it might alienate harcore fans. The band also wanted to play their instruments live, which is not allowed on the Eurovision stage. Since then, den Adel has undertaken some solo projects which might suggest that Eurovision is the next step.
A source toldย Algemeen Dagblad that “a contemporary dance track with Sharon’s mysterious voice” could do well for the Netherlands in Eurovision. Den Adel (43) has been performing since a young age and co-founded Within Temptation in 1996. Since then, the band have released six studio albums (including three which charted at number one in the Netherlands) and nineteen singles and completed several European and World Tours.
AVROTROS confirmed the Dutch participation in Eurovision 2018 in August. One early rumour for 2018 was Alain Clark who expressed an interest in going to Eurovision two weeks after the 2017 final in Kyiv.
The Netherlands have used internal selection since 2013 and, since then, they have qualified for the final every year with the exception of 2015 withย Trijntje Oosterhuis.ย In 2017, the Netherlands were represented by OโG3NE, who finished 11th in the final with Lights and Shadows.
Previously,ย Algemeen Dagblad has ruled out high-profile Dutch artists from Eurovision 2018 including Caro Emerald and Martin Garrix. If the latest rumours prove to be correct then the announcement of Sharon den Adel’s selection may be coming very soon.
Source: AD.nl
The Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest
The Netherlands debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and has gone on to compete in all bar four contests. To date the Netherlands has won the contest on four occasions the latest being in 1975. The Netherlands struggled in the contest from 2000 onwards, between 2004 and 2013 the country only qualified twice for the final. The countries best result since 1975 occurred in 2014 when The Common Linnets finished 2nd in Copenhagen with a total of 238 points, 52 points behind Austria.