Who will Germany send to Eurovision?
February 25, 2016
On Thursday (25.02.2016), Germany selects its contestant for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Stockholm with the finale on May 14.
Germany hasn't had much luck selecting its Eurovision candidates in recent years. In November 2015, broadcaster NDR appointed influential pop soul singer Xavier Naidoo to represent Germany at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm this May. But he was given the boot just days later following a public outcry over his politics, with critics citing ties to right-wing groups.
Last year, Germany had held a preliminary TV casting show to choose its candidate, but the overwhelming winner - Andreas Kümmert - withdrew immediately on live television, handing the opportunity over to runner-up Ann Sophie. She earned a total of zero points at the finale, tying with Austria for last place.
Now, after the Xavier Naidoo debacle, German broadcasters have decided to try go for a casting show again and rounded up 10 promising musicians to take part on Thursday.
From metal to folk-pop
Among the nominees is Alex Diehl, a singer-songwriter from Bavaria who came into the limelight in the fall after his tribute to the victims of the November 13 Paris terror attacks went viral. He gave an exclusive performance of his song, "Nur ein Lied," in DW's television studios.
Jamie-Lee Kriewitz, the 17-year-old most recent winner of the casting show "The Voice of Germany" will compete with her new single, "Ghost." Successful pop-rock group Luxuslärm (pictured above), which has been nominated for an Echo, Germany's top music award, is also on board.
Another promising contestant is the heavy metal project Avantasia, fronted by Tobias Sammet. Metal frequently turns up at the otherwise pop-heavy song contest, with Lordi from Finland winning in 2006.
Some 150 suggestions were submitted to NDR from radio broadcasters, producers, record labels and artists. The final 10 were chosen by NDR, two youth radio shows, music labels, and the TV production company Brainpool. For the complete list of entrants, click through the picture gallery above.
Germany's most recent victory at the Eurovision Song Contest came in 2010 with Lena Meyer-Landrut, who has since launched a successful singing career.
kbm/rb (dpa, epd)