Welcome to our series of posts – “The Looker” where we will share our wish list of artists participating in Eurovision.
This is the 3rd year in a row that we are running the project.
But before we start, let us remark that our recommendations will not necessarily come true (as for example some countries select their artists by reality shows)
This is the 1st post in the series and it will concentrate on 3 countries: Belgium, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands.
Previous wishes: IBE, Charlotte Forest, Alice On The Roof, Camille Dhont, Mathias Vergels
#1. Angèle
Angèle Van Laeken is a 27 year-old Belgian singer.
She is the daughter of singer Serge Van Laeken (Marka) and of actress Laurence Bibot.
Her brother is the rapper Roméo Elvis.
Angèle learned playing the piano at an early age. She started her career in 2017, performing at cafés around Brussels.
She uploaded some covers to her social media channels, and got noticed by others.
Her first single, “La Loi de Murphy“, was released in late 2017 and received millions of views on YouTube. Her second single, “Je veux tes yeux” was released in 2018.
In October 2018, she released her first album “Brol”. The album peaked at number 1st in Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia) and France, while peaked 7th in Switzerland.
In December, she released her 2nd album “Nonante-Cinq” (Eng: 95).
The album peaked at number 1st in Belgium (Wallonia), 3rd in Belgium (Flanders), 2nd in France and 6th in Switzerland
Let’s listen to 3 of her songs
In 2019, she released the song “Balance Ton Quoi” (Eng: Balnace Your What):
In 2022, she released the song “Libre” (Eng: Free):
In March 2023, she released the song “Le temps fera les choses” (Eng: Time will do):
Angèle is one of the most promising names in the Belgian music industry.
She has achieved hundreds of millions of views on YouTube.
Her distinctive voice combines well in plenty of genres.
Don’t you think it is about time for Belgium to send a song in one of its national languages?
#2.Oscar and the Wolf
Oscar and the Wolf is the staging name of the 32 year-old Belgian singer Max Colombie.
He started his music career in 2010.
The singer released 2 EPs, one in 2010 (“Imagine Mountains”) and one in 2012 (“Summer Skin”).
In 2014, he released his debut album “Entity”. The album earned 2 platinums and 1 gold.
The album peaked at number 1st in Belgium (Flanders), 11th in Belgium (Flanders) and 8th in The Netherlands.
The second album “Infinity” was released in 2017. The album peaked at number 1st in Belgium (Flanders), 4th in Belgium (Flanders) and 6th in The Netherlands.
The third album “The Shimmer” was released in 2021. The album peaked at number 1st in Belgium (Flanders), 8th in Belgium (Flanders) and 23rd in The Netherlands.
The last to date EP, “Afterglow“, was released in 2022.
Listen to 3 of his songs:
In 2017, he released the song “Breathing“:
In 2021, he released the song “James“:
In 2022, he released the single “Warrior“:
Max has continiously released electro dream pop songs that conquered the audience all over the world. Watching his video clips and live performances, you can’t ignore his charisma.
I am sure he has the ability to bring a song that will stand out among others.
#1.Gezza
Gezza (real name: Sophie Rolandi) is a 23-year-old Luxembourgish-Italian singer.
At the beginning of her career, she collaborated with Luxembourg-based producer NΛVΛJO after he discovered her on YouTube.
In 2017, she released the song “Fall In Love”:
In 2018, she released the song “Shoes Off”:
Gezza brings fresh air to pop music with a warm voice and a bold attitude.
I believe she can represent Luxembourg with a modern song that will stand out.
#2. The Tame and the Wild
The Tame and the Wild is a nostalgic indie folk band, based in Luxembourg.
The band consists of 6 members:
- Seja Katharina Rockel (lead vocalist and guitarist)
- Flëpp Wenger (bass, guitar, backing vocalist)
- Tom Goedert (keyboards, backing vocalist)
- Alain Kremer (guitar)
- Maurizio Di Stasi (guitar, backing vocalist)
- Pete Mertens (drums)
The band members started releasing songs in 2016.
However, establishing the band began with the duo, Seja Katharina Rockel and Flëpp Wenger.
In 2019, they released the song
In 2021, they released the song “This is The Beginning“
In May 2023, they released the song “From The Rabbit Hole”
The Tame and the Wild’s music is driven by singing about human emotions surrounding nature.
It’s about staying young and growing old, about resilience and love, about boldness and resignation. About honesty and memories
Previous wishes: Pleun Bierbooms, Dotan, Laura Jansen, Eefje de Visser, Davina Michelle
#1.Froukje
Froukje Veenstra (better known as Froukje) is a 21 year-old Dutch singer-songwriter.
In 2019, she enrolled at the Rotterdam Conservatory of Music. Her studies were disrupted due to the Covid 19 pandemic.
Her first single, “Groter Dan Ik” (Eng: Bigger Than Me), was released in early 2020. This is a protest song about the climate crisis.
Later this year, she released hre 2nd song, “Ik wil dansen” (Eng: I want to dance). She entered The Dutch Single Top 100.
Her debut EP, “Licht en donker” (Eng: light and drak), was released in 2021.
The EP peaked at number 2nd in the Dutch chart, and 61st in Belgium (Flanders).
In 2022, she released her 2nd EP “Uitzinnig” (Eng: Delirious).
The EP peaked at number 5th in the Dutch chart, and 24thin Belgium (Flanders).”
Let’s listen to 3 of her songs:
In 2020, she released the single “Groter Dan Ik” (Eng: Bigger Than Me):
In 2022, she collaborated with S10 on the song “Zonder Gezicht” (Eng: Without face)
In 2023, she released the song “Als Ik God Was” (Eng: IF I were god):
Froukje is considered one of the rising stars in The Netherlands.
She brings a brave synth-pop sound, combined with meaningful texts.
Above all, it looks like she is faithful to herself, and it is a very important attribute for an artist that goes to Eurovision.
#2. Merol
Merel Baldé (better known as Meorl) is a 32 year-old Dutch singer and actress.
The name ‘Merol’ came about when Baldé as a girl who wanted to make a necklace of her name but only had one ‘e’.Baldé wants to turn Merol into a real pop star, as she feels such a role is lacking in the down-to-earth Dutch music scene.
In 2014, she graduated from the Amsterdam Academy of Theatre and Dance. After graduating she was featured in various Dutch theatre plays, television shows, and the feature film “All You Need Is Love”.
She released her first EP, “Boter” (Eng: butter). Her debut single from this EP was “Ik wil een kind van jou” (I want a child from you).
In 2018, she released the single “Lekker met de meiden” (Eng: Fun with the girls). The single became a hit. The single mocks stereotypes of young (mainly Amsterdam) women, to whom Baldé incidentally includes herself.
In 2019, she released her 2nd EP, “Superlatief” (Eng” Superlative).
In 20222, she released her first album “Troostprijs” (Eng: Consolation prize). The single “Vol” (Eng” full) was a hit in the Flemish charts due to her appearance in the Flemish program De Slimste Mens ter Wereld“.
Over the years, she has participated in 12 films.
Let’s listen to 3 of her songs:
In 2018, she released the single “Lekker met de meiden” (Eng: Fun with the girls):
In 2019, she released the song “Hou je bek en bef me” (Eng: Shut Up and Eat Me)
In 2021, she released the single “foefsafari” (Eng: Safari):
In 2023, she released the song “Applaus” (Eng: Applause). According to the singer, the song was submitted to the Dutch internal selection for Eurovision 2023:
Merol represents the Dutch sound, she doesn’t bring any flattering texts.
She combines very sharp messages with electro pop sound.
In addition, we all know how eager she is to participate at Eurovision and that’s why it can work perfectly.
What do you think about the recommendations we gave?
Who would you like to see representing Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands in the future?
Get back to us next time, where we will discuss additional countries.
