By Nick Dent
Brisbane is good at playing down its successes: for every Olympics booster or Bluey fan you’ll find 100 locals who are utterly indifferent.
So this simple fact bears repeating: Dami Im came second in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Second. At Eurovision.
Dami Im is part of the line-up for Eurovision on Tour, a live celebration of the 68-year-old institution.Credit: Eurodrama Entertainment Group
Logan-raised Im’s almost-triumph in Sweden with anthemic banger Sound of Silence, which went on to be a top 40 smash in six countries, is now eight years in the past. But it’s in no way forgotten by Eurovision fans, and will get another airing this month when Im joins Eurovision on Tour in Europe and Australia.
“It’s really exciting to be in the same concert as so many other Eurovision artists and Eurovision legends,” the X Factor winner told this masthead.
“We all competed in different years, so I’ve never met anyone in person, but I know them from TV and YouTube. So I’m just really excited that we get to watch each other perform – and perform together.
Known as the “Freaky Queen”, Italian-Eritrean pop star Senhit is a Eurovision fan favourite, representing San Marino in 2011, 2020 and 2021. Credit: Eurodrama Entertainment Group
“It’s gonna be really exciting chaos.”
The concert is the first touring show for Eurovision in its 68-year history.
Eighteen former contestants will perform their competition songs, alongside the greatest hits from 68 years of the song contest. There will be a dedicated fan zone featuring stage props and famous outfits, including those satin and suede ensembles and knee-high silver platform boots made famous by ABBA in their fateful 1974 performance of Waterloo.
Joining Im will be three Eurovision winners: Carola (Sweden, 1991); Emmelie de Forest (Denmark, 2013), and Linda Martin (Ireland, 1992).
The glam get-ups worn by Abba during their 1974 Eurovision triumph will be on display, along with other props and famous outfits, at Eurovision on Tour.Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Others include 17-year-old Sydneysider Silia Kapsis, who represented Cypress this year; tour star and spokesperson Senhit (San Marino); Efendi (Azerbaijan); Esther Hart (Netherlands); Jalisse (Italy); Nicki French (United Kingdom); and Sunstroke Project (Moldova).
Im said she was looking forward to seeing Destiny from Malta, who won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2015 with Not My Soul. “She was such a powerhouse. I remember just vibing to her song and really rooting for her.”
According to local fan group Aussievision, Australians are among the world’s most dedicated Eurovision aficionados, ranking 7th out of 92 countries who buy tickets to the competition’s events (frequent champions Sweden rank first).
Im said Eurovision fans were the best kind to have.
“I feel so supported by the Eurovision community around the world, and in Australia. Every time I release music or do a tour, they always spread the news, they get excited. They’re really a great bunch of people.”
Im said she recalled her Eurovision experience – Australia’s best-ever showing at the competition – as “the most intense thing I’ve ever been a part of”.
“Glitz and glamour, but also intense tension and nerves. I knew I had to give it my all. I’m pretty stoked about it still.”
Eurovision on Tour plays the Tivoli on Wednesday, November 13.
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