The 2015 “Expert” Panel – AUSTRALIA

The ESC United “Expert” Panel is back once again reviewing all Eurovision songs and rank them accordingly.

You are probably asking yourself on how we pick our panel and the criteria. We looked at people from all walks of life to bring together a unique group of panelists with a wide range in taste. They all bring different skills and tastes to the table so who are they?

Anselm – The Alternative Guy
Arie – The Professional Musician
Daniel – The Noob
Katja – The Schlager Queen
Mike – The Smart One
Olivia – The Journalist

You can read more about them HERE

Disclaimer: While we picked, what we perceived individuals with a wide range in taste, it is subjective to a certain degree so just enjoy their thoughts and if you don’t agree, feel free to post your comments below.

We’re all still recovering from the big news that broke not too long ago, when the EBU announced that Australia would take part in this year’s Eurovision. The internally selected Guy Sebastian and the Panel has reviewed the song “Tonight Again”. How did they perceive the first Australian song?

Daniel – The Noob
If there is one thing so far, everybody noticed about this year’s ESC then the debut of Australia. What a great choice for making their debut. They did well by sending such a happy guy with such a feel-good-song to Vienna. A melancholic entry would have been an odd first impression for a debuting nation. So well done! For me it is a cool song which will be end up in the upper midfield.
Points: 7/10

Olivia – The Journalist
Well the Ozzy entry definitely adds a different vibe to Eurovision this year. Though many Eurovision pundits expected didgeridoos and Australian motifs, it seems they went for an entry which reflects, to an extent, the current Australian music scene. And who better than Guy Sebastian – a singer who has been a mainstay in the music industry down under for many years. He’s got a proven track-record as a performer, and his vocals are always strong. But there is one thing lacking – the song. It just doesn’t really go anywhere. It’s uplifting, and easy-going, but just a little lack-luster. I enjoy the brass elements and the uplifting quality of the song, and if you’re a Bruno Mars fan, then it will certainly appeal. But I doubt it will go down in the Eurovision history books…!
Points: 6/10

Katja – The Schlager Queen
And now, ladies and gentlemen, I present you my favorite song of the year. Incredible how a country, which is so far away from Europe geographically got it so right in Eurovision this year. This entry is CATCHY (which is my main condition to even consider it among my faves and I think every song, that became a hit in the recent years was catchy and had a great hook which captivated the audience), it’s RELEVANT (it’s like a combination of Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy mixed with Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars Uptown Funk) and the singer has tons of live experience (and amazing live vocals) and is charismatic enough not to rely on any unneccessary props and gimmicks to stand out. I think the idea of Australia in eSC is perhaps a tad too exotic for the televoters and the juries to vote it to the win. But I think Aussies will do very well and Guy Sebastian should score a massive summer hit and a decend post-ESC career in Europe with this. G’day and g’luck , Mates!
Points: 10/10

Mike – The Smart One
Except for the banality of the lyrics (yeah, we love having a good time dancing, etc. tonight and don’t want tomorrow’s reality to intrude) this is a really good song. Male lead has a wonderful voice. Very well mixed. Back up band that reminds me of Chicago really good, too. This is an extremely strong entry from Australia in terms of the music at least. Just enough complexity in melody and accompaniment that doesn’t interfere with the song as a whole. Very nicely upbeat, too. However, really wonder how the live performance and its choreography will affect the final score.
Points: 9/10

Anselm – The Alternative Guy
Oh, it’s Australia! Upon finding out Guy Sebastian would represent them I was both disappointed and even afraid of getting something absolutely terrible from Down Under after listening to his previous stuff. However, I was actually pleasantly surprised by “Tonight Again”. Yes, one might argue we’ve heard this song a hundred times before but I think it’s a nice addition to the contest. It was a good decision to come up with something cheerful and upbeat after all. One thing is for sure: I’m glad Australia will be there!
Points: 6/10

Arie – The Professional Musician
Uh oh…here comes Australia! This song has a great beat, fun vocal harmonies, a catchy but diverse melody, and punch thanks mostly to it’s driving horn parts. It has an almost CeeLo Green retro feel that I appreciate while still remaining contemporary and that is no easy task. The lyrics are not exactly Shakespeare, but they’re not exactly fluff either. It’s really just a “let’s party” song, and that’s just the atmosphere it creates. If I were to add my own tweaks, I would just hope for a more free tempo in the beginning with a kind of gospel sound, a powerful bridge (not just a subito piano chorus that crecendos back into the song), and a bigger ending (both in terms of a busier chorus musically again along a kind of gospel sound, and in the very end, after the melismatic solo, it could definitely use a brassy instrumental chord with individual horn ad libs).
Points: 9/10

Overall: 47 Points

Woah, what happened here? Is Eurovision going Down Under? Guy Sebastian just destroyed the competition and finds himself in first place. An impressive 47 points, that’s going to be hard to beat. Let’s check the ranking:

1	Australia Guy Sebastian Tonight Again Points: 47

2	Austria The Makemakes I Am Yours Points: 43

3	Denmark Anti-Social Media The Way You Are Points: 40
4	Romania Voltaj All Over Again Points: 38
5	Montenegro Knez Adio Points: 37

6	Belarus Uzari and Maimuna Time Points: 36 (8)
7	Russia Polina Gagarina A Million Voices Points: 36 (7)
8	Netherlands Trijntje Oosterhuis Walk Along Points: 34
9	Czech Republic Marta Jandová & Václav Noid Bárta Hope Never Dies Points: 33
10	Moldova Eduard Romanyuta I Want Your Love Points: 26