Eurovision contenders prepare for national sing-off going live to air from the Gold Coast

Eurovision fever is sweeping the Gold Coast as the final artists prepare to battle it out on Australia Decides, a national selection show determining who will represent us at the Pop Olympics, filmed live right here next month.

THE final acts have been added to Australia Decides — the live to air sing-off filmed at the Gold Coast Exhibition Centre next month to determine who represents us at Eurovision — and it sounds like there’s going to be some tough competition.

Yesterday SBS announced rock chick Ella Hooper, pop star Tania Doko and The Voice winner Alfie Arcuri will join artists Sheppard, Electric Fields, Aydan, Mark Vincent, Leea Nanos, Kate Miller-Heidke and Courtney Act on February 8 to battle it out for the honour of representing Australia at the “Pop Olympics”.

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Queensland band Sheppard are among the artists set to battle it out to be win the chance to be our Eurovision representative. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

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A number of the artists selected to go head to head were at Nineteen at The Star for an exclusive media launch yesterday.

Brisbane band Sheppard said they’re concentrating on perfecting their performance before considering the daunting prospect of singing and playing to the world.

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“The fact that there’s this bonus where we could go over to Europe and compete for Australia, we’re not so much thinking about that at this present time,” singer George Sheppard said.

“To be here and to be amongst all of these talented Australian artists, that’s what’s really brought us to the competition.”

The final line-up for Australia Decides has been announced, including artists Sheppard, Electric Fields, Aydan, Leea Nanos, Ella Hooper, Tania Doko and Alfie Arcuri. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Australia Decides will be filmed live to air at Gold Coast Exhibition Centre in Broadbeach, where a panel of music experts and the audience will have a 50-50 influence on who will be our Eurovision delegate.

Each band or artist will sing one song, with viewers at home asked to text in who they think deserves to win.

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Sheppard will perform their new single I’m On My Way, described as a “euphoric anthem about passionate love”, due to be released on February 1.

Adelaide’s Electric Fields is also among the final list of artists, set to perform new single 2000 and Whatever.

The song is performed in English and vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding’s traditional indigenous language.

“This could certainly be the very first time Australia’s first nation’s language will be on the world stage,” Electric Fields producer Michael Ross said.

“It’s a message stick from traditional and modern Australia, in English and Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara language.”

Sheppard and Electric Fields will compete against artists Aydan, Leea Nanos, Ella Hooper, Tania Doko, Alfie Arcuri, Kate Miller-Heidke, Courtney Act and Mark Vincent.