Ben Dolic would have started for Germany this year. It is not set for the event next year.
The music competition Eurovision Song Contest was canceled in May 2020 due to the corona. Since then, the edition has been planned for next year. Also in Germany. And here's a little surprise. Because, unlike in many other participating countries, the representative chosen for the ESC 2020, Ben Dolic (23, "Violent Thing"), was not automatically confirmed for the event next year. In an interview, the local ESC officials explain why this is the case, even though he won the two independent juries during the selection process.
Only new songs allowed
"We received a lot of positive feedback. Many radio stations played 'Violent Thing', the video was viewed 3.5 million times on YouTube on the two official channels. We were very happy about that. And a top 10 ranking would be, say we weren't impossible, "said Alexandra Wolfslast, Head of Delegation, about the success despite Ben Dolic's ESC failure.
The big but comes from Christian Blenker, ARD team boss for the ESC: "The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) has confirmed the rules for the upcoming ESC: Also next year only new, not yet released songs may compete. 'Violent Thing' was out and we have to start again. "
How did Ben Dolic react?
The situation was then discussed with Ben Dolic and the responsible music producer Boris Milanov. The result: "Fortunately, both want to know it again and submit a new song for 2021. But Ben is not set, but in competition with others. We also want to give new artists a chance to compete for Germany at the ESC 2021" continues Blenker.
And how was Ben Dolic's decision? "Of course he was disappointed," admits Wolfslast. "But we are all very happy that he wants to know again with a new song."
How is the German representative determined for 2021?
After all, Ben Dolic knows how the selection process for the German representative at the ESC 2021 works, because: "We will stick to the procedure. Two expert juries will choose," says Wolfslast. "Both juries have people with a proven ESC instinct. Music professionals and international members from the country juries of the ESC," says Blenker. The choice of Ben Dolic and "Violent Thing" showed that they would do pretty well. "That is why we entrust them with the selection for the German Act for the ESC 2021."
In this context, he expressly praises another aspect of the new selection process to date: the exclusion of the public. "Protecting artists through an internal process pays off. Now we can encourage those who haven't done it in the past year but got very good ratings to try again."
Can artists and songwriters apply openly?
In addition to Ben Dolic, other artists and songwriters now have the chance. Can interested parties apply openly? "We received direct applications in the past year and we searched for young talent with professional scouting. We have had good experiences with this," Blenker answered in the affirmative.
The ESC 2021 final will be held on May 22nd in Rotterdam, the semi-final shows will take place on May 18th and 20th. At the moment, however, talks are still ongoing regarding the schedule collision with the planned DFB Cup final for men on May 22, 2021 in Berlin, as Wolfslast confirms.