VRT have confirmed that Hooverphonic will be representing Belgium at the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest.
VRT and RTBF have agreed that Hooverphonic will be representing Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. VRT had internally selected Hooverphonic for the 2020 contest before it was cancelled, with RTBF set to determine the nations 2021 entry. Olivier Goris of VRT commented:
The cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest was a blow to everyone, but also an understandable and correct decision. It only shows what exceptional and difficult times we are experiencing. We are very grateful to our colleagues at RTBF that they are willing to submit the VRT entry next year to continue
Who are Hooverphonic?
Hooverphonic were formed in 1995 in Sint-Niklaas in East Flanders. The current line up of the band is Alex Callier (bass guitar, keyboards and programming), Raymond Geerts (lead guitar) and Luka Cruysberghs (lead vocals). Alex and Raymond were part of the original line up while Luka became the band’s lead vocalist in 2018.
The song that Hooverphonic were due to perform in Rotterdam is called “Release Me”. It was written and composed by band member Alex Callier. Luca Chiaravalli also helped to compose the song. Hooverphonic were internally selected by VRT to represent Belgium in Rotterdam. They were the first Eurovision 2020 act to be revealed.
Source: VRT
Belgium was one of the original seven nations to participate in the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. To date, the country has won the contest only once in 1986. Sandra Kim won the contest with the song “J’aime la vie”, her victory was not without controversy when it emerged that Sandra was just 13 years old, two years younger than the age restriction at the time. In the late 00s, Belgium struggled in the contest failing to reach the final annually from 2005 until 2010, when Tom Dice finished 6th in the final with 143 points. Belgium has finished last at the contest six times, including two sets of nul points.
