Post by @benavison@mastodonapp.uk

2026-04-18 09:47 UTC

So what does that mean about the annual #Eurovision album? Since Fairytale really piqued my interest in 2009, I’ve bought every album, and honestly, becoming familiar with the songs in advance has really elevated my appreciation of the contest. Instead of trying to make sense of a cacophony of unfamiliar songs in different styles all in one go, I’m freed up to appreciate the staging and how well the performers do under pressure versus the studio versions. For those unaware, the digital version of the 2026 album came out yesterday, with the CD on 24 April and vinyl on 22 May. So should we still be buying the album? I’d say yes. The artists will get royalties from that, unlike the televotes where all the money goes to the EBU and the broadcasters. For many of the (mostly) young artists, especially from smaller countries, this is probably the biggest break they will get in their lives. 2/n

Replies (1)

@benavison@mastodonapp.uk 2026-04-18 10:05

I’m not going to add to the pressure on them by criticising them personally, I don’t think that’s fair. While I absolutely applaud the principles of those artists who refuse to participate in #Eurovision in the circumstances (like 13 of the 16 acts in Portugal’s national final, Festival da Canção) I also can’t blame someone for going ahead if it could make or break their whole career. It could be argued that it’s maybe different if you’re already an established artist (looking at you Delta Goodrem or Boy George) but where do you draw the line at how established you have to be before it’s not OK? I have to suspect that many artists have or are planning other ways to make a point though. For example, in a year in which Spain is one of the most notable absentees, does anyone find it interesting that three of the other entries are partially in Spanish (with Lithuania’s “Solo Quiero Más” even titled in Spanish)? 3/3

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