Perth-based prog and alternative metal band Voyager are heading to the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.
The five-piece, who took part in the second round of the Eurovision semi-finals on Thursday (May 11), were the last to perform last night and put on a stunning rendition of their track ‘Promise’.
For the performance – which you can watch in full above – frontman Danny Estrin arrived on stage in a car, while the rest of his band built up the anticipation with metal instruments.
Voyager’s ‘Promise’ performance was done complete with anthemic choruses, sequined attire, guttural vocals and a thunderous breakdown.
The band said via a press release: “We are absolutely ecstatic to be representing our beautiful country Australia as we progress to the Grand Final. The goodwill from home and the love from our fans around the world really helped us deliver the performance of our lives in evening, and now we are even more energized to smash it in the grand final.”
Meanwhile, Australian creative director of Eurovision and director of Blink TV, Paul Clarke, said: “The sound of the Liverpool arena going wild for Voyager really touches your heart. They’ve worked so hard and the whole city has fallen in love in them. Good to see that all of Europe loves them too. They really are one of our best Eurovision artists ever. Now for the grand final – let’s see how far we can take it!”
Voyager is set to compete in the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on Saturday 13 May BST – Sunday 14 May at 5am AEST or 7.30pm AEST on SBS – against the likes of Great Britain, Sweden, Spain, Ukraine, Germany and more.
Talking to NME‘s Ellie Robinson late last month Voyager guitarist Scott Kay said that as well as representing Australia at Eurovision, the opportunity would give the country’s heavy music culture a big boost: “It’s not just about Voyager’s identity as a band, it’s about about taking what we do and making it bigger than ourselves. Because a lot of bands coming out of Australia – especially heavy bands – have to carve out their own path and really hit it out on the tour circuit just to get noticed.”
“But Eurovision is the kind of thing you can do and come away with a whole new fanbase – and the people who tune in, if they’re into more obscure types of music, hopefully they’ll see us and then check everything out. it other amazing talent we have in Australia.”