BANGKOK: Eurovision followers sporting flags and brilliant outfits gathered on Saturday (Nov 14) in Bangkok for its first Asia version, that includes Bangladeshi beatboxing, Vietnamese pop and a love tune by a Mongolian economist.
Performers from 11 nations additionally together with Laos, the Philippines and South Korea are battling it out for the primary Asia crown of a contest famed in Europe for its lavish outfits, hovering vocals and generally tough geopolitics.
“I am more than happy it is come to Asia. We have been ready so lengthy!” stated Malaysian mega-fan Fauzan, 37, one of many first within the queue to enter the live performance corridor within the Thai capital.
He was sporting a blue corset over a white trouser swimsuit in honour of his nation’s entry Aina Abdul, who’s sporting related colors to carry out her tune “Bluest Sky”.
Eurovision is the world’s largest televised stay music occasion, drawing 131 million viewers in 2026, and over the previous 70 years has helped to launch the careers of artists reminiscent of ABBA and Celine Dion.
It’s a cultural phenomenon in Europe, however the huge query is whether or not it takes off in Asia, the world’s most populous area with greater than sufficient music exhibits of its personal.
Fauzan, who declined to present his household title for privateness causes, cited Eurovision’s advocacy of LGBTQ rights as one cause he loves it, saying the 2014 victory of Austrian bearded drag queen Conchita Wurst was a turning level.
“It was one thing new within the acceptance of LGBTQ. It was an eye-opener,” he stated.
The contestants are largely stars in their very own nations, from Malaysia’s Aina to Vietnamese pop star Toc Tien, however some have a much less typical background.
Mongolian singer Beck has a day job as an economist who advises the deputy prime minister.
“It is essential for me to indicate up, to indicate respect to our ancestors on this huge stage,” he advised AFP this week, sporting an orange-and-gold conventional outfit he described as a “swimsuit of a warrior”.
Carmelle, from the Philippines, will sing about feminine empowerment, Bryan Adams fan Pratik Himal Rai will carry out a rock tune with masked dancers for Nepal, and South Korea and Thailand have despatched pop stars.
“MORE INNOCENT THAN EUROPEAN VERSION”
Votes are gathered by collaborating nation – half from a jury and half from viewers – and no nation can vote for itself, that means ballots are sometimes forged primarily based on nationwide relationships.
In Europe, this generally displays diplomatic tensions, though there may be little signal of that thus far in Asia, with govt producer Assaf Blecher saying the version was “just a little bit extra harmless”.
The growth comes as Eurovision marks its seventieth birthday beneath a cloud, with 2026 viewing figures down 35 million on-year after a boycott by 5 nations over Israel’s participation.
Organisers brush off any hyperlink between this controversy and the Asia present, noting the competition has been attempting to increase for years. There was a US model in 2022, but it surely fell flat.
India, Japan and China are notable by their absence in Saturday’s contest, whereas Bangkok appeared underwhelmed, with tickets nonetheless out there simply hours earlier than showtime.
However Martin Inexperienced, director of the European Broadcasting Union, which organises Eurovision, stated it may take “two, three, 5 years” to determine the model.
“Eurovision primary was mainly with seven singers doing two songs every with a pot plant and a microphone,” he advised reporters, saying Saturday’s present was “profoundly not the case”.
The present will likely be broadcast on business tv within the collaborating nations and on YouTube, starting at 1.30pm GMT with outcomes due round 4pm GMT.
