The first-ever Eurovision World Tour hits Australia this month, with stops in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
After successful shows in London, Paris, and Madrid, Eurovision on Tour will bring 18 Eurovision stars to Australian fans, performing iconic songs from the competition.
Senhit, a popular Italian-Eritrean pop star (who competed for San Marino in Eurovision) and spokesperson for the tour, shares, “Australia has such a passionate Eurovision community, and I’m excited to share this celebration of music and diversity with the fans here.”
Special performances in Australia include Dami Im, a Eurovision runner-up, and Silia Kapsis, the 17-year-old from Sydney and the youngest 2024 Eurovision entrant.
Rolling Stone AU/NZ spoke to Senhit about her excitement for the tour and what makes Aussie fans so passionate about Eurovision. We also caught up with Im, who’s ready to shine on the tour. You can read the full interview below.
Eurovision on Tour Australia heads to The Palais in Melbourne on Friday, November 15th, and The Enmore There in Sydney on Sunday, November 17th. Tickets are available via eurovisionontour.tv.
Senhit
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: Australia has really embraced Eurovision since 2015. What do you think makes fans here so passionate about it?
Senhit: Eurovision is the largest musical event in television history. And it is the only one able to unite so many countries at once. Religion, race, and culture are no obstacles to music, so it fulfils the desire to feel free and completely expressed. This captivates the fans, there is nothing quite like Eurovision as a uniting force.
Since you’ve participated in Eurovision a few times, what are you most excited about for this Australian tour?
It’s the first time I am coming to Australia and I’m super super excited and happy. Also being able to come to Australia by bringing a show like Eurovision, it is such a unique opportunity. To be presenting the tour, but above all as a singer. I can’t wait!!
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Are there any Australian elements or influences you’re looking forward to incorporating into the tour?
Mmm, not really. I’m curious to see how Eurovision fans will welcome this show.
Do you have any connections to Australia?
I have some Italian friends who live in Australia and have always spoken well about this extraordinary continent. So I’m just curious. Also, although it’s a fast tour and a short time, I will have the opportunity to visit three cities, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. I’m very grateful for that.
Dami Im
Rolling Stone AU/NZ: What are you looking forward to most about performing at the Eurovision World Tour?
Dami Im: Reconnecting with the Eurovision fan community in Europe and in Australia. They are the best fans who love and appreciate music.
Your 2015 song “Smile” recently went viral in China! How does that feel, and what do you think people love about it?
It was a complete surprise that it went viral. I couldn’t believe it and I feel so lucky that it did without me trying. It was used in a Pepsi commercial but that was years ago. Maybe because it’s such a feel good song that is light and uplifting it connected and spread like it did.
You were the runner-up at Eurovision in 2016 – how did that moment change your life and music career?
Looking back, it was a big milestone for my career, and also a huge step up on a personal level. I learnt so much about myself, the industry and it gave me this fire in my belly to back my decisions and fight for making big changes in my music career. I left my label with a new manager and started writing my own songs again. That was also when I started touring and really kickstarted my relationship with my live audience.
You’ve mentioned feeling like you didn’t belong until Eurovision. Can you share a bit about that feeling and how it impacted you?
Getting a start in this business from a talent show, I always prepared myself to fade away and go back to my small town gigging artist life. I had a massive imposter syndrome. Once I experienced Eurovision I realised I belonged in the music industry and I wanted to keep doing this on this level and be part of this community of music fans. I felt like I deserved to have a voice through my music.
Having moved to Brisbane as a kid, how do you think Australian culture influences your music?
When I first came to Brisbane as a 9 year old it surprised me how confident other kids my age were and how they weren’t afraid to share their opinions and express their thoughts without the fear of judgement. In Korea kids and adults alike are more self-conscious about saying the wrong thing and afraid of embarrassing themselves. I think learning to have this more confident attitude helped me unlock my creativity and be more expressive in sharing my art. Fear of judgement is the biggest killer of creativity.
Your recent single “A New Era” is a big, powerful song! How did it come about?
I was approached by Paul Hodge who had created this song for a new musical and it was a really big and interesting song. A bit James Bond-esque. I loved recording it in the studio and just experimenting and pushing myself further and further.
Is “A New Era” a good indication of the sound you want to explore more in your upcoming releases? Can we expect a new EP or album soon?
In a way yes, but it will have more of a pop-jazz flavour. I have dabbled in jazz for years now and [love] the beautiful expressive chords and texture, and this year I’ve been working on a full EP of songs that belong in that world.
