Hooverphonic has been criticised on social media, after the act were the only 2020 participants not to perform “Love Shine a Light” for Eurovision: Shine a Light.
Alex Callier of Hooverphonic has been criticised after the group were the only act due to participate in Eurovision 2020, that did not cover ‘Love Shine a Light’ for last nights Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light. All other forty competing acts recorded themselves performing the song as part of the closing feature on the show.
Alex who leads the group had stated in an interview on ‘Gert Late Night’, that he did not like the song ‘Love Shine a Light’. As a result he decided that Hooverphonic would not record a cover of it and would not participate in that element of Eurovision: Europe Shine a Light.
Alex has responded to the social media criticism to VRT stating that:
I have never compromised artistically…The only reason I had considered this was if all the proceeds from this hymn had gone to charity, I would have set aside my principles, but that’s not the case now. It was just a TV broadcast I never gave my OK in advance to participate in this type of TV broadcast I gave my OK to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest And I also do that with 200% and I’m really going to fight for our country for the best possible place
We have also clearly wished everyone a lot of strength in the broadcast. I don’t really understand the commotion.
Social media users have criticised Alex for his ego and his behaviour during a show that was meant to be uniting Europe.
Image Source: Eurovision.tv / Source: HLN / VRT
Updated: 16:20 CEST
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.
