Bag of Chips

Joost Klein is a creative artist and used to having a free hand in his performances. But the Eurovision Song Contest has a lot of rules and that is quite difficult for him.

“It has often been said to me from high up, especially to Gover (Meit, creative director, ed.): ‘Please, don’t let Joost change anything,'” Klein told nu.nl on Saturday from Malmö.

Last week the artist had two days of rehearsals to fine-tune his Europapa for the Eurovision Song Contest stage. While Klein is normally used to having control over everything that happens, he now has to rely much more on others.

“It’s a crazy process, where I really learn the hard way that if you let go of all control, you get control back. It’s very difficult,” says the artist.

“It takes a lot of getting used to. I’m not going to lie to you, it’s not the easiest thing. And I understand that for the outside world it may only be a three-minute show. But all of us, with a team from this point, almost a hundred people have been working on this for a year.”

The European Broadcasting Union has a lot of rules for a performance at the Eurovision Song Contest. Now that he has had his first two rehearsals, Klein is not allowed to change any major things.

“I believe 100 percent in the concept. In the art that we have created and will create. But I have to admit that so many rules also take a mental toll on myself. There is a lot involved that the audience does not know.”

Klein continues: “You shouldn’t know that. But I’m getting to know it now. And that makes it difficult. I expected some kind of cake, but now it’s just a kind of bag of chips.”

He finds it quite complicated that after seeing the photos of the rehearsals there are also negative reactions and Klein drops at the bookmakers.

“I’m not allowed to use my phone anymore. It’s just very strange. I try to remain myself. So far I don’t really care about it, but I would be lying if I said I don’t care about it. But I am here with the best intentions, also for the Netherlands and not just for myself.”

“I dare say: we make art. And we are now putting it in the Eurovision gallery. Whether it all fits in there, we will see on the ninth and eleventh. And I just hope that the country still has some love left somewhere. for me. And if not, then don’t watch. I’m not the TV boss.” Source: nu.nl