Irish broadcaster RTÉ has opened a call for submissions for songs for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. The broadcaster is inviting accomplished songwriters and performers with a proven track record of success in the music industry to submit a song to be considered to represent Ireland in Lisbon next May.
Ireland has had mixed fortunes in the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years. Whilst the country has still won the competition more times than any other, seven in total, it has failed to qualify since 2013. Hoping to change this, RTÉ held a Eurovision forum last month inviting music industry professionals and Eurovision fans to discuss current trends in the competition as well as hearing from international experts.
Looking towards the music industry
Executive Producer and Head of Irish delegation Michael Kealy said: "Following our Eurovision forum in August, which was attended by both music Industry professionals and Eurovision fans, we are now reaching out to the professional music industry in Ireland to get involved in the biggest professional music event in the world."
Ireland has experimented with various different selection procedures over the years including holding national finals and opting for internal selections. This year RTÉ are looking to those in the music industry. "As well as publicly inviting submissions, we are actively engaging with professionals in the music industry to ensure that we find the best entry to represent us this year. Only songs that have been released or publicly performed after 1st September 2017 are eligible to be entered," he added.
Brendan Murray represented Ireland with the song Dying To Try in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. The closing date for submissions for 2018 is 18:00 CET on Monday 6th of November 2017. Visit the website of RTÉ for more information.
