Following the announcement that Eurovision Asia will take place in December 2019, more details have been revealed by the Gold Coast City Council.
Council meeting to accept proposals
During a council meeting held in September, proposals for Eurovision Asia Song Contest and the upcoming Australia Decides national final were submitted. Both were presented to the Gold Coast City Council by Blink TV – the production partner of SBS. After which it was confirmed that Blink TV and SBS could develop the Eurovision Asia Song Contest concept. As well as secure a long term investment for the format until 2031.
Eurovision Asia Song Contest 2019
Further to this, more details have been revealed about the new sister show to the Eurovision Song Contest. Including potential venue locations for the contest and fan events in the city, as well as the expected timetable of events. It is expected to be an eight day event, beginning on the 30th November. With the Grand Final of the inaugural Eurovision Asia Song Contest taking place on 7th December 2019. The draft schedule is as such:
- Saturday 30th November – Delegation arrivals.
- Sunday 1st December – Red carpet event, EuroAsia Club opens.
- Monday 2nd December – First rehearsals & press meet and greet.
- Tuesday 3rd December – First rehearsals & press meet and greet.
- Wednesday 4th December – Second rehearsals & press conference.
- Thursday 5th December – Second rehearsals & press conference.
- Friday 6th December – First dress rehearsal (media) & second dress rehearsal (Jury Final & ticketed access).
- Saturday 7th December – Third dress rehearsal (ticketed access), three hour Grand Final & winner’s press conference.
The potential host venue is the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre (GCCEC). With 4000 fans expected to watch the shows and situated overlooking both the Broadbeach Waters and Coral Sea, it is seen as an ideal hot spot for attracting tourists from home and abroad. Likewise providing an additional Eurovision connection, as the venue will also be the home of Australia Decides on 9th February.
Party shore on the Gold Coast
Much like with the Eurovision Song Contest itself, there will be fan events and activities hosted throughout the city to promote the Eurovision Asia Song Contest. Over the years these have become an important feature of the Eurovision week to engage the fan community and create a party atmosphere for the host city. Additionally locations such as Euro Club and EuroVillage allow the artists more opportunities to present their songs to the public.
Therefore the council has approved plans for a EuroAsia Club and Eurovision Asia Village. Furthermore there will also be allocated fan zones and venues considered for non-official media and fan clubs. Currently it is expected that the location of the Eurovision Asia Village will be Home of The Arts (HOTA). A cultural complex with outdoor and indoor facilities on the banks of the Nerang River.
Why the Gold Coast?
Many might wonder why the EBU and Eurovision Asia would want to take the format to one of Australia’s lesser known cities. With an estimated population of 700,000, the Gold Coast ranks as the 6th largest city in Australia. However this hasn’t dampened the Gold Coast’s ambitious plans to put itself on the world stage in recent years.
After the successful hosting of the Commonwealth Games in April of this year, it seems this inspired the city to host more international projects. Thus Australia Decides and Eurovision Asia 2019 were created. In addition the Gold Coast also recently hosted the 2018 Logie Awards and had unsuccessfully tried to host this years Invictus Games.
Although it’s not a new approach to take major events of cultural and sporting significance away from the obvious larger cities. With the popularity of city awards such as the prestigious European Capital of Culture, it allows local governments to increase tourism, funding and improve infrastructure by hosting such events. This is typical in the United Kingdom too. Which has seen its national final You Decide recently go on location away from London to Brighton.
Are you looking forward to the first Eurovision Asia Song Contest? Who do you want to see take part? Let us know in the comments and on social media @ESCXTRA
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