Joost Klein will represent the Netherlands during the Eurovision Song Contest next year. The selection committee chose his song from more than six hundred entries.
“There were many entries from all kinds of genres, but in our opinion his entry has the greatest hit potential,” says Twan van de Nieuwenhuijzen, chairman of the selection committee.
“You hear his well-known combination of party and nostalgia in the song. We think that Joost will put on a great act with his creativity and positively surprise the Netherlands and Europe.” The song with which Klein will go to the Eurovision Song Contest will be announced at a later date.
The selection committee did not unanimously go for Klein. Nevertheless, everyone supports the choice, says Van de Nieuwenhuijzen. “Choosing between the last five potential entries was extremely difficult. But Joost has a song that we really think has the potential to do well throughout Europe. That was the deciding factor. And he is also someone who very nice and good in a very infectious way.”
Klein sees a dream come true with his participation: “I used to watch it every year with my parents, glued to the TV. It is an honor that I can represent the Netherlands and I will do everything I can to achieve the best result.”
The 26-year-old Klein, who releases his music under his first name Joost, makes a mixture of pop, happy hardcore and pop punk. He is best known for his song Friesenjung, which has been listened to more than 100 million times on Spotify. This song also caught on in countries such as Belgium, Germany and Austria.
Last summer Klein performed on the main stage of Lowlands, among others. He also performed at Pinkpop and gave two sold-out concerts at AFAS Live.
A total of about six hundred songs were submitted, broadcaster AVROTROS reports. A special selection committee listened to this. Krezip singer Jacqueline Govaert, Eurovision Song Contest expert Cornald Maas and radio DJ Sander Lantinga, among others, helped decide on the artist and the song.
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Sweden in 2024, because Swedish singer Loreen has won the music festival for the second time this year. In Liverpool she won with her song Tattoo. Eleven years earlier she was allowed to take the trophy home thanks to the song Euphoria.
The Netherlands is competing against 36 other countries, it was announced earlier this month. Ukraine, the United Kingdom and Italy, among others, are participating in the 68th edition.
The final of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place on May 11, 2024. The Netherlands must first qualify for this during one of the semi-finals. These will take place on Tuesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 9.
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