After the cancellation of the 2020 edition of Eurovision Song Contest all the countries are asked to participate with a new number in 2021 as we informed you here and it’s up to broadcasters to choose if they will keep the same artist. Belgium is one of the countries to join the list of the ones which are keeping the artist for the next year and Hooverphonic will be their representative at Eurovision 2021.

From the beginning of Eurovision Belgian representative is choosen by an alternation between VRT and RTBF. The two Belgian broadcasters are switching each year. So far this tradition has been changed three times. First in the 1990s and in 2001 when Belgium had to withdrew after having bad results at Eurovision. Since 2002, VRT has been doing all even years while all odd years were done by RTBF. The cancellation of Eurovision 2020 led them to the fourth change as VRT remains in charge for the Belgian entry in 2021.

After consultation between the VRT, the French-speaking public broadcaster RTBF and Hooverphonic, the VRT is happy to announce that the band will represent Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest next year. RTBF considers it a logical decision to offer Hooverphonic and the VRT this opportunity and postpones their participation for a year until 2022.

The cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest was a blow to everyone, but it was also an understandable and correct decision. It only shows what exceptional and difficult times we are experiencing. We are very grateful to our colleagues at RTBF for being willing to continue the VRT submission next year. Hooverphonic will, therefore, go to the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 for VRT! As planned, but a year later. Alex, Raymond and Luka are very enthusiastic and we are very proud that we can send an absolute top group to Rotterdam in better times.   

Olivier Goris, netmanager VRT

Hooverphonic made a following statement:

It is great that we have so fast confirmation that we can go to the Eurovision Song Contest next year. We are still very much looking forward to that. We are now going to take the time to see how we are preparing for May next year

Hooverphonic

Hooverphonic should’ve represented Belgium with the song “Release Me” which you can listen below!

What do you think of the Belgian decision to have Hooverphonic as their representative next year? Let us know in the comments below and at our social media links!