Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 explained

Year:2014
Country:Belgium
Preselection:Eurosong 2014
Preselection Date:Casting
2 February 2014
9 February 2014
Call Back
16 February 2014
Semi-finals
23 February 2014
2 March 2014
9 March 2014
Final
16 March 2014
Entrant:Axel Hirsoux
Song:Mother
Sf Result:Failed to qualify (14th)

Belgium participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with the song "Mother" written by Ashley Hicklin and Rafael Artesero. The song was performed by Axel Hirsoux. The Belgian entry for the 2014 contest in Copenhagen, Denmark was selected through the national final Eurosong 2014, organised by the Flemish broadcaster Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT). The competition featured thirty competing acts and consisted of seven shows. In the final on 16 March 2014, "Mother" performed by Axel Hirsoux was selected as the winner via the votes of seven international jury groups and a public televote.

Belgium was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 6 May 2014. Performing during the show in position 10, "Mother" was not announced among the top 10 entries of the first semi-final and therefore did not qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Belgium placed fourteenth out of the 16 participating countries in the semi-final with 28 points.

Background

See main article: Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest. Prior to the 2014 contest, Belgium had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest fifty-five times since its debut as one of seven countries to take part in .[1] Since then, the country has won the contest on one occasion in with the song "J'aime la vie" performed by Sandra Kim. Following the introduction of semi-finals for, Belgium had been featured in only three finals. In 2013, Roberto Bellarosa represented the country with the song "Love Kills", qualifying to the final and placing twelfth.

The Belgian broadcaster for the 2014 contest, who broadcasts the event in Belgium and organises the selection process for its entry, was Vlaamse Radio- en Televisieomroeporganisatie (VRT). The Belgian participation in the contest alternates between two broadcasters: the Flemish VRT and the Walloon Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté Française (RTBF). Both broadcasters have selected the Belgian entry using national finals and internal selections in the past. In 2012 and 2013, both VRT and RTBF internally selected an artist to represent Belgium and organised a national final in order to select the song. On 3 June 2013, VRT confirmed Belgium's participation in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest and announced that the Eurosong national final would be held to select their entry. This marked the return of a multi-artist Eurosong for the first time since 2008.[2]

Before Eurovision

Eurosong 2014

Eurosong 2014 was the national final that selected Belgium's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014. The competition consisted of seven shows that commenced on 2 February 2014 and concluded with a final on 16 March 2014 where the winning song and artist were selected. All shows were hosted by Eva Daeleman and Peter Van de Veire and broadcast on Eén as well as online at the broadcaster's Eurosong website eurosong.een.be.[3] The final was also broadcast online at the official Eurovision Song Contest website eurovision.tv.[4]

Format

Thirty artists were selected to compete in Eurosong. Two casting shows aired on 2 and 9 February 2014 with each show featuring fifteen of the artists auditioning in front of a panel of experts by performing a cover version of a past Eurovision Song Contest song. The top four as determined by the expert panel directly qualified to the semi-finals, while the fifth to eighth placed acts advanced to the Call Back round.[5] The Call Back round took place on 16 February 2014 where an additional four artists as determined by the expert panel and public televoting qualified to the semi-finals. Three semi-finals took place on 23 February 2014, 3 March 2014 and 9 March 2014 where each artist presented their candidate Eurovision song. Each show featured four artists and the top two as determined by the expert panel and public televoting qualified to the final. The final took place on 16 March 2014 where the winner was chosen by seven international jury groups and public televoting.

During each of the seven shows, the expert panel provided commentary and feedback to the artists as well as selected entries to advance in the competition. The experts were:[6]

Competing entries

On 1 October 2013, VRT opened two separate submission forms: one for artists to submit a video recording of them performing a cover version of a past Eurovision Song Contest song and another for songwriters to submit their songs. The submission deadline for the two applications concluded on 14 October 2013 and 28 October 2013, respectively.[7] The names of the thirty acts selected for the competition were announced on 24 January 2014.[8] Among the competing artists were former Eurovision Song Contest participants Veronica Codesal (member of Aelia), who represented Belgium in 2003 as part of the group Urban Trad, and Kate Ryan (lead singer of Day One), who represented Belgium in 2006.[9] [10] Sixteen songs were selected by VRT from those received during the submission period and matched with the artists that advanced from the casting shows.[11] The four artists that failed to advance from the Call Back round to the semi-finals (Jessy, Joyce, Mr. Jones and White Bird) were also matched with a candidate Eurovision song but did not perform them during the competition.[12]

ArtistSongSongwriter(s)
2 Fabiola feat. Loredana"She's After My Piano"Ovidiu Jacobsen, Phillip Halloun, Simen Eriksrud, Cecilie Harboe
Axeela"Chasing Rainbows"Bernd Klimpel, Dimitri Ehrlich, Lauren Amaris
Axel Hirsoux"Mother"Ashley Hicklin, Rafael Artesero
Bandits"One"Tony Adams Rosa
Day One"Whoever You Are"Yves Gaillard
Eva Jacobs"Nothing Is Impossible"Mick Lee, Pernille Georgi, Chris 'Ruff Diamond' Robinson
Jessy"Beautiful"Jessy De Smet, Yves Gaillard, Tim Burkes
Joyce"I Think I"Joyce Lemmens, Robbe Tom Balis, Wouter Vander Veken
Mr. Jones"Still Believe"Patrick Hamilton, Vincent Pierins, Tom Eeckhout
Nelson"Wild Side"Nelson Moraïs, Yves Gaillard
Petra"Killer Touch"Georgie Dennis, Christopher Wortley, Paul Drew, Greig Watts, Pete Barringer
Sil"What's the Time in Tokyo?"Marcella Detroit, Marcus Winther-John, Paul Drew, Greig Watts, Pete Barringer
Tisha Cyrus"Kitty Cat"Big John Snr, Yves Gaillard
Udo"Hero (In Flanders Fields)"Pokka Jr., Nadge, Udo Mechels
White Bird"Fire and Ice"Tom Helsen, Yannick Fonderie
Yass"Need You Tonight"Yass Smaali, Yves Gaillard, Ashley Hicklin, Leon Paul Palmen, Rupert Blackman

Casting shows

The two casting shows aired on 2 and 9 February 2014 and took place at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp. Both shows were filmed earlier on 3 December 2013.[13] [14] Jury member Ruslana was unable to attend the casting shows due to her involvement in the pro-European Union protests in Ukraine.[15] In each show fifteen artists performed a cover version of a past Eurovision Song Contest song and the expert panel determined four acts that qualified to the semi-finals and an additional four acts that advanced to the Call Back round.

Show 1 – 2 February 2014! Draw! Artist! Song! ! ! ! Average! Place!Result
1Joyce"Mister" 887879825Call Back
2The Exclusive Strings"Hard Rock Hallelujah" 7264686815Eliminated
3White Bird"Fly on the Wings of Love" 847977808Call Back
4Eva Jacobs"In Your Eyes" 868586863Semi-final
5The Fuckuleles"Waterloo" 7680737610Eliminated
6Jessy"Euphoria" 868275817Call Back
7Gracious Wild"In Love for a While" 7676657212Eliminated
8Violet Sky"Door de wind" 7673697311Eliminated
9Axel Hirsoux"Tu te reconnaîtras" 868283844Semi-final
103M8S"Only Teardrops" 7575627114Eliminated
11Nelson"Glorious" 908980862Semi-final
12Elvya Dulcimer"Sweet People" 7670697212Eliminated
132 Fabiola feat. Loredana"My Number One" 848179816Call Back
14Di Stephano"L'amour ça fait chanter la vie" 807975789Eliminated
15Udo"Ne partez pas sans moi" 969589931Semi-final
Show 2 – 9 February 2014! Draw! Artist! Song ! ! ! ! Average! Place!Result
1Soulbrothers"Puppet on a String" 7466656813Eliminated
2Mr. Jones"Standing Still" 848274808Call Back
3Sil"Where Are You?" 868580846Call Back
4Aelia"Poupée de cire, poupée de son" 7466656814Eliminated
5Tisha Cyrus"Düm Tek Tek" 908681863Semi-final
6Yass"L'oiseau et l'enfant" 928985892Semi-final
7Day One"Satellite" 918975855Call Back
8Dina Rodrigues"Ne partez pas sans moi" 7272707112Eliminated
9Andrei Lugovski"In a Moment Like This" 7675747510Eliminated
10Bastien"Fly on the Wings of Love" 827876799Eliminated
11Maureen"Ding-a-dong" 7775697411Eliminated
12Manuel Palomo"Eres tú" 6660626315Eliminated
13Axeela"Believe" 888483854Semi-final
14Bandits"Geef het op" 888180837Call Back
15Petra"All Kinds of Everything" 949289921Semi-final

Call Back

The Call Back round took place on 9 February 2014 at the Videohouse in Vilvoorde. The eight artists that placed fifth to eighth in the preceding two casting shows each performed a cover version of a past Eurovision Song Contest song and the combination of results from the expert panel and a public televote determined the top four that qualified to the semi-finals.[16]

Draw! rowspan="2"
ArtistSongJury VotesPlace
AveragePlace
1White Bird"Love Shine a Light" 888475808245
2Jessy"Je t'adore" 788060607066
3Mr. Jones"My Star" 726550505987
4BanditsEurovision Medley958780868731
5Joyce"Save Your Kisses for Me" 787055706878
6Day One"Nocturne" 959880909113
7Sil"J'aime la vie" 939281908922
82 Fabiola feat. Loredana"Euphoria" 908065657554

Semi-finals

The three semi-finals took place on 23 February, 2 March and 9 March 2014 at the Videohouse in Vilvoorde. In each show four artists performed their candidate songs for the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest and the combination of results from the expert panel and a public televote determined the top two that qualified to the final.

Draw! rowspan="2"
ArtistSongJury VotesPlace
AveragePlace
1Day One"Whoever You Are"969880859023
2Eva Jacobs"Nothing Is Impossible"959090909111
3Udo"Hero (In Flanders Fields)"857069757532
4Petra"Killer Touch"867568707544
Draw! rowspan="2"
ArtistSongJury VotesPlace
AveragePlace
1Axeela"Chasing Rainbows"887872858144
2Yass"Need You Tonight"959080928922
32 Fabiola feat. Loredana"She's After My Piano"908075908433
4Sil"What's the Time in Tokyo?"969587959311
Draw! rowspan="2"
ArtistSongJury VotesPlace
AveragePlace
1Nelson"Wild Side"928472858333
2Axel Hirsoux"Mother"98100991009911
3Tisha Cyrus"Kitty Cat"886050756844
4Bandits"One"978878959022

Final

The final took place on 16 March 2014 at the Sportpaleis in Antwerp where the six entries that qualified from the preceding three semi-finals competed. The winner, "Mother" performed by Axel Hirsoux, was selected by the combination of results from seven international jury groups and a public televote.[17] [18] The public and the jury each had a total of 280 points to award. Each of the jury groups awarded points in the following manner: 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 points, while the televote awarded points based on the percentage of votes each song achieved. For example, if a song gained 10% of the viewer vote, then that entry would be awarded 10% of 280 points rounded to the nearest integer: 28 points.[19] The expert panel participated in the final solely in an advisory role.[20]

Final – 16 March 2014
DrawArtistSongJuryTelevoteTotalPlace
1Yass"Need You Tonight"5819774
2Sil"What's the Time in Tokyo?"326385
3Udo"Hero (In Flanders Fields)"2210326
4Bandits"One"4248902
5Eva Jacobs"Nothing Is Impossible"5237893
6Axel Hirsoux"Mother"741602341
! Draw! Song! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! Total
1"Need You Tonight"12121088858
2"What's the Time in Tokyo?"44666632
3"Hero (In Flanders Fields)"644822
4"One"6841010442
5"Nothing Is Impossible"101061241052
6"Mother"88121012121274

Ratings

Show! rowspan="2"
DateViewing figures
NominalShare
Casting show 12 February 20141,193,66245.82%[21]
Casting show 29 February 20141,287,52747.42%[22]
Call Back16 February 20141,264,90149.22%[23]
Semi-final 123 February 20141,272,96147.20%[24]
Semi-final 22 March 20141,262,31746.71%[25]
Semi-final 39 March 20141,206,12647.06%[26]
Final16 March 20141,383,04551.92%[27]

Promotion

On 14 April, Axel Hirsoux filmed the music video for "Mother" at the Vaudeville Theater in Brussels together with 200 mothers that VRT sought through an application period.[28] [29] The video was released to the public on 25 April.[30] Axel Hirsoux specifically promoted "Mother" as the Belgian Eurovision entry on 31 March 2014 by performing during the Eurovision in Concert event which was held at the Melkweg venue in Amsterdam, Netherlands and hosted by Cornald Maas and Sandra Reemer.[31]

At Eurovision

According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Five" (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top ten countries from each semi-final progress to the final. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 20 January 2014, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in. Belgium was placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 6 May 2014, and was scheduled to perform in the second half of the show.[32]

Once all the competing songs for the 2014 contest had been released, the running order for the semi-finals was decided by the shows' producers rather than through another draw, so that similar songs were not placed next to each other. Belgium was set to perform in position 10, following the entry from Ukraine and before the entry from Moldova.[33]

The two semi-finals and the final was broadcast in Belgium by both the Flemish and Walloon broadcasters. VRT broadcast the shows on één and Radio 2 with commentary in Dutch by Peter Van de Veire and Eva Daeleman.[34] RTBF televised the shows on La Une with commentary in French by Jean-Louis Lahaye and Maureen Louys.[35] The final was also broadcast by RTBF on VivaCité with commentary in French by Olivier Gilain.[36] The Belgian spokesperson, who announced the Belgian votes during the final, was Angelique Vlieghe.[37]

Semi-final

Axel Hirsoux took part in technical rehearsals on 29 April and 2 May, followed by dress rehearsals on 5 and 6 May. This included the jury show on 5 May where the professional juries of each country watched and voted on the competing entries.[38]

The Belgian performance featured Axel Hirsoux dressed in a black suit and bow tie and joined by a female dancer in a long black dress who performed gentle choreography that symbolised the mother's love of a child. The stage colour was purple and the LED screens displayed flowery sketches. The performance also featured moving spotlights and the use of a wind machine. The dancer that joined Axel Hirsoux during the performance was Isabelle Beernaert, who also choreographed the Belgian performance.[39] [40]

At the end of the show, Belgium was not announced among the top 10 entries in the first semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. It was later revealed that Belgium placed fourteenth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 28 points.[41]

Voting

Voting during the three shows consisted of 50 percent public televoting and 50 percent from a jury deliberation. The jury consisted of five music industry professionals who were citizens of the country they represent, with their names published before the contest to ensure transparency. This jury was asked to judge each contestant based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act. In addition, no member of a national jury could be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently. The individual rankings of each jury member were released shortly after the grand final.

Following the release of the full split voting by the EBU after the conclusion of the competition, it was revealed that Belgium had placed eleventh with both the public televote and fourteenth with the jury vote in the first semi-final. In the public vote, Belgium scored 41 points, while with the jury vote, Belgium scored 24 points.

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Belgium and awarded by Belgium in the first semi-final and grand final of the contest, and the breakdown of the jury voting and televoting conducted during the two shows:

Detailed voting results

The following members comprised the Belgian jury:[44]

+
DrawCountryJury RankTelevote RankCombined RankPoints
01131514141515183
0251411959665
03681013681311
04119232538
05151223151074
064985147992
07851249612101
0811613108111414
09344673747
10
1114117712121515
1210136151314812
131275111010456
149238242210
15710151211131113
162311413112
+
DrawCountryJury RankTelevote RankCombined RankPoints
0111175651374
02191726917172322
03181622118162624
042612665111613
051618201720181014
068717181613565
07212625241925111
082019181522192425
09252524252626416
10242015222523717
117617133112
121715131910152019
1332102216210
14232423209212123
15914141215121512
162221192121221821
171413121018142520
185883341483
191339141210992
201123162323201218
21293172847
221252161191915
2361048461156
24104513138238
251522212624242226
264111414717101

Notes and references

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Belgium Country Profile. EBU. 3 November 2014.
  2. Web site: Sahiti . Gafurr . 3 June 2013 . Belgium: VRT brings 'Eurosong' back . 6 October 2013 . ESCToday.com.
  3. Web site: 25 November 2013 . Eva Daeleman en Peter Van de Veire presenteren 'Eurosong' . 25 November 2013 . . nl.
  4. Web site: Méndez . Fernando . 16 March 2014 . Watch now: Belgium decides for Copenhagen . 5 October 2022 . Esctoday.
  5. Web site: Van Bedts . Raf . 28 January 2014 . Eurosong 2014, de Countdown (2): De eerste vijftien kandidaten . 28 January 2014 . Eurosong.be . nl.
  6. Web site: Vandeputte . Bram . 3 December 2013 . Finale 'Eurosong 2014' in het Sportpaleis . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131224114027/http://www.cuttingedge.be/telex/finale-eurosong-2014-het-sportpaleis . 24 December 2013 . 3 December 2013 . Cutting Edge . nl.
  7. Web site: Storvik-Green . Simon . 1 October 2013 . Belgium: More details about Eurosong 2014 released . 6 October 2013 . Eurovision.tv.
  8. Web site: Ko . Anthony . 24 January 2014 . Belgium: VRT confirms participants for Eurosong 2014 . 5 October 2022 . Wiwibloggs.
  9. Web site: BELGIAN CASTING SHOWS 2014 .
  10. Web site: BELGIAN SEMI-FINALS 2014 .
  11. Web site: 4 December 2013 . VRT zoekt jonge, kneedbare artiest voor Eurosong . 5 October 2022 . Het Laatste Nieuws . nl.
  12. Web site: Van Bedts . Raf . 11 February 2014 . Liedjes van Eurosong verschijnen op compilatie-cd . 11 February 2014 . Eurosong.be . nl.
  13. Web site: Van Bedts . Raf . 2 February 2014 . Eva, Axel, Nelson en Udo naar de halve finale! . 2 February 2014 . Eurosong.be . nl.
  14. Web site: Van Bedts . Raf . 4 February 2014 . Dit zijn de vijftien kandidaten voor zondag . 4 February 2014 . Eurosong.be . nl.
  15. Book: Vermeulen, André . Van Canzonissima tot Eurosong. 65 jaar Belgische preselecties voor het Eurovisiesongfestival. . 2021 . Kritak . 978-94-014-7609-6 . Leuven . 1240241113.
  16. Web site: Storvik-Green . Simon . 9 March 2014 . Line-up complete in Belgium . 9 March 2014 . Eurovision.tv.
  17. Web site: Storvik-Green . Simon . 16 March 2014 . Axel Hirsoux wins the Belgian ticket to Copenhagen! . 16 March 2014 . Eurovision.tv.
  18. Web site: Granger . Anthony . 16 March 2014 . Belgium: Axel Hirsoux Has Won! . 16 March 2014 . Eurovoix.com.
  19. Web site: Van Bedts . Raf . 11 March 2014 . Zo werkt de puntentelling tijdens de Eurosongfinale . 11 March 2014 . Eurosong.be . nl.
  20. Web site: Cardoen . Sandra . 16 March 2014 . Axel Hirsoux vertegenwoordigt België op het Songfestival . 5 October 2022 . vrt.be . nl.
  21. Web site: Kijkcijfers zondag 2 februari 2014 . 5 October 2022 . showbizzsite.be . nl.
  22. Web site: Kijkcijfers: 7, 8 en 9 februari 2014 . 2023-08-18 . TVvisie . nl.
  23. Web site: 17 February 2014 . Kijkcijfers zondag 16 februari . 5 October 2022 . showbizzsite.be . nl.
  24. Web site: 24 February 2014 . Kijkcijfers zondag 23 februari 2014 . 5 October 2022 . showbizzsite.be . nl.
  25. Web site: 3 March 2014 . Kijkcijfers zondag 2 maart 2014 . 5 October 2022 . showbizzsite.be . nl.
  26. Web site: 10 March 2014 . Kijkcijfers zondag 9 maart 2014 . 5 October 2022 . showbizzsite.be . nl.
  27. Web site: 17 March 2014 . Kijkcijfers zondag 16 maart . 5 October 2022 . showbizzsite.be . nl.
  28. Web site: Dee . Daphne . 12 April 2014 . Belgium: Axel Hirsoux is after your mother for his official video! . 5 October 2022 . Wiwibloggs.
  29. Web site: 29 April 2014 . BELGIQUE 2014 : Vidéo clip de Mother d'Axel Hirsoux . 5 October 2022 . eurovision-fr.net . fr.
  30. Web site: Dee . Daphne . 25 April 2014 . Axel Hirsoux unveils official studio version and music video for Mother . 5 October 2022 . Wiwibloggs.
  31. Web site: Coolen . Emma . Review: Eurovision in Concert 2014 . 12 July 2021 . ESC Bubble.
  32. Web site: Escudero . Victor M. . 20 January 2014 . Allocation Draw results: Who's in which Semi-Final? . 20 January 2014 . Eurovision.tv.
  33. Web site: Siim . Jarmo . 24 March 2014 . Running order for Eurovision Semi-Finals decided . 26 March 2014 . Eurovision.tv.
  34. Web site: Saerens . Zico . 8 April 2014 . Peter Van de Veire en Eva Daeleman verslaan Songfestival . 8 April 2014 . deredactie.be.
  35. Web site: Bertinchamps . Pierre . 18 March 2014 . L'#Eurovision bouscule " The Voice Belgique " ! . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013806/http://www.tuner.be/2014/03/l%E2%80%99eurovision-bouscule-the-voice-belgique/ . 22 March 2014 . 21 March 2014 . tuner.be.
  36. Web site: 5 May 2014 . RTBF – Vivacite, Nos émissions – Eurovision . RTBF – Vivacite, Our programmes – Eurovision . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20140512215542/http://www.rtbf.be/vivacite/emissions_eurovision?emissionId=5322 . 12 May 2014 . 6 May 2014 . fr.
  37. Web site: Roxburgh . Gordon . 10 May 2014 . "Good evening Copenhagen" - Voting order revealed . 10 May 2014 . Eurovision.tv.
  38. Web site: Lewis . Pete . 4 April 2014 . Eurovision 2014: rehearsal schedules released . 9 July 2022 . Esctoday.
  39. Web site: Storvik-Green . Simon . 28 April 2014 . Belgium: Axel's ode to his mother . 29 April 2014 . Eurovision.tv.
  40. Web site: 2 May 2014 . An emotional plea from Axel Hirsoux . 5 October 2022 . eurovision.tv.
  41. Web site: First Semi-Final of Copenhagen 2014 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210504122707/https://eurovision.tv/event/copenhagen-2014/first-semi-final . 4 May 2021 . 4 May 2021 . European Broadcasting Union.
  42. Web site: Results of the First Semi-Final of Copenhagen 2014 . European Broadcasting Union . 8 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210508094248/https://eurovision.tv/event/copenhagen-2014/first-semi-final/results/belgium . 8 May 2021 . live.
  43. Web site: Results of the Grand Final of Copenhagen 2014 . European Broadcasting Union . 8 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210508094255/https://eurovision.tv/event/copenhagen-2014/grand-final/results/belgium . 8 May 2021 . live.
  44. Web site: Brey. Marco. Who will be in the expert juries?. 1 May 2014. 1 May 2014. Eurovision.tv.