Europapa

Global Papa

We will never know what would have happened if Joost Klein had been allowed to participate in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, but he impressed Europe even with disqualification. The singer stormed the charts with Europapa last week.

The final of the Eurovision Song Contest attracts millions more viewers every year than the semi-finals that take place during the week. Klein missed his chance to appeal to this large audience because he was disqualified after the second semi-final. Yet this is not reflected in his chart success.

Europapa is the most listened to entry of the year on Spotify. The counter now stands at more than 83 million streams, a significant part of which have of course also been collected in the Netherlands.

He keeps the Italian Angelina Mango at bay, who has been played 72 million times with her hit la noia. Europapa peaked at 22nd place on Spotify’s global hit list a few days after the Eurovision Song Contest. That’s higher than any other entry.

Joost Klein is also doing well in the official charts in Europe. It took first place in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, and is at the top among our southern neighbors. In addition, Klein is the highest ranked Eurovision participant in Sweden, Finland and Germany. There he leaves the eventual winner, Nemo from Switzerland, behind him.

Nemo is also doing well in the charts with their winning song The Code. In many European countries they rank highly and in their home country the song is in first place. Baby Lasagna from Croatia, which received the most votes from the public and finished second, can also count on chart success. His Rim Tim Tagi Dim is the most frequently and highly rated after the songs of Joost and Nemo.

Klein’s success is not limited to Europe. The singer is also heavily played in the United States, where the Eurovision Song Contest is not very popular. Billboard reports that American users accounted for more than 7 percent of the 23 million Spotify streams. The last time a Eurovision song achieved such a large share of listeners in the US was when the Italian band Maneskin became successful worldwide.

Europapa’s figures are extra striking, because Klein largely performs the song in Dutch, Billboard reports. Europapa was listened to a total of 1.75 million times in the US last week, which is more than twice as many times as Nemo’s The Code.

Klein has not yet managed to find a place in the official American chart Billboard Hot 100. However, he is at fourteenth place in Billboard’s dance chart. Source: nu.nl.

No Participation

Joost Klein is not allowed to participate in the jury show of the Eurovision Song Contest. The investigation into the incident that emerged earlier today has not yet been completed, AVROTROS reports.

AVROTROS informs the Dutch press that the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has not given permission to participate in the show taking place in the Malmö Arena tonight. The professional jury therefore assesses the performance from the second semi-final.

The EBU is investigating an incident involving Klein. No further details have been shared. According to rumors from the Swedish broadcaster SVT, it concerns a violent incident in which the artist is involved. This has not been confirmed in any way.

The EBU speaks of “discussions” that are still ongoing with broadcaster AVROTROS. It is now unclear when anything will be decided.

Tonight would be an important moment for Klein: half of the points awarded on Saturday evening will already be determined during the jury show. On the evening before the final, professional juries submit their points.

During the rehearsal of the finale it became clear that something was going on around Klein. The artist should have been fifth on stage, but the Netherlands was skipped and rehearsals went straight to Israel. Klein did participate in the flag parade that is part of the opening ceremony.

Belarus was refused to participate in 2021 due to the political connotation of the song that the country wanted to submit. In the 68 years that the Eurovision Song Contest has been taking place, it has never happened that a country has been disqualified during the festival. Source: nu.nl

Through to the Final

The Netherlands has secured a place in the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. Joost Klein and his Europapa are through to the final on Saturday, May 11.

Klein was the third to hear that he has a place in the final. So the artist didn’t have to sit in suspense for too long. It is not yet clear which half he will be in: that will be determined by the organization at a later time.

Latvia, Norway and Austria are also through to the final on Saturday. Furthermore, Israel, Estonia and Greece managed to get a ticket for the final. In addition, Switzerland, Georgia and Latvia can also take the stage again on Saturday in the hope of winning the Eurovision Song Contest.

The Belgian singer Mustii is not through. Denmark, Malta, San Marino, the Czech Republic and Albania also do not go to the final.

Croatia, Ukraine and Ireland already managed to qualify for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday. Furthermore, Serbia, Portugal and Slovenia qualified for the final, as did Lithuania, Finland, Cyprus and Luxembourg. Australia, Poland, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Iceland then canceled.

Spain, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Sweden are automatically through to May 11. Source: nu.nl

Creative Director & Friend

Gover Meit is not only creative director of Joost Klein’s Eurovision Song Contest performance, he and the artist are also very good friends. The grand artist feels extremely responsible for the performance and Klein’s enjoyment, he tells nu.nl.

“I am there for Joost and to ensure that all his ideas can be realized,” says Meit, who previously made a name for himself as Stefano Keizers and Donny Ronny. “But Joost has about a thousand good ideas a month. That’s a lot of ideas to make come true. So I am also a filter and ensure that we come up with an act that can still be followed.”

Klein and Meit have known each other for about 8.5 years now. Meit was associated with a youth platform as a mentor for creative talents. There he met Klein. “Fate really brought us together. From the moment I met Joost there, I saw that we both have a penchant for innovation. That happened so very quickly. I feel like we have always been together.”

Because it clicks so good, Meit feels responsible not only for the act, but also for Klein’s enjoyment of the whole process. “I think I can play just about any role that is needed here. So I am the person who wipes his head with a napkin after the performance, but also the person he goes to talk to in the evening. And with whom he can spar and vent.”

“Through this process I have gained a lot more respect for my own director, Jelle Kuiper. Also because I notice how important it is to have someone by your side who fully supports you.”

Meit is used to being on stage himself, but now notices that he actually finds it even more exciting to accompany someone. “It really is like my child is playing a very important game. And I think anyone with children will know how intense it is to let go. To let him go on that stage and have that whole world wash over him.”

Even after the first photos of Europapa on the Eurovision stage, there was criticism of the performance. Klein and Meit kept talking about “a new form of a moon landing”, which meant that expectations were high. The first images did not meet those expectations for some people and Klein fell with the bookmakers.

The artist told nu.nl that he is having a hard time with it. Meit also sees a role for himself there. “I have been involved in the media world for about ten years now. I know how every time you stick your head above the parapet, you are met with a lot of criticism. So I always help him remember how many people also be helped with this.”

“If we didn’t take risks creatively, who would? I think if I hadn’t been there, it would have been a lot harder for him to keep that trust. I’m lucky to have been a step further. can stand from and always say: let’s not forget how important it is that we try to bring that innovation.”

Klein previously compared the performance at the Eurovision Song Contest to baking a cake: every element belongs in the recipe, he said in conversation with nu.nl. But now that he is in Malmö, he prefers to speak of a bag of chips, because the options are different than expected. Meit believes it is important to add nuance to this. “I would say this is the tastiest bag of chips I have ever eaten. With lots of flippos in it.” Source: nu.nl.

Genius or Madness?

The Dutch TV Guides pay attention to the Eurovision Song Contest this week. The Veronica Superguide pays attention to the Dutch act of 2024: Joost Klein, and asks on their cover: Genius or madness?

It’s ‘that time of year’ again and this time it’s Joost Klein who represents the Netherlands with the crazy Europapa at the Eurovision Song Contest, which is now being held in Sweden. Remarkable? Rather!

There are few songs that cause as much controversy as that of Joost Klein, our entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Europapa, with a pounding gabber beat full of creative rhyme schemes and wordplay, is very different from our previous entries. Many people wonder: is Europapa a brilliant move or are we going completely wrong with this? According to Alexander van Eenennaam, music journalist at the AD and Song festival expert, it is only logical that the relatively unknown Joost Klein and his song were chosen. “Since Anouk’s participation in 2013, the selection committee has only looked at the song itself and no longer at the fame of the artist. That explains why Joost was considered in the first place,” he explains. “The other songs that had a chance were more common songs, which we have often seen at the Eurovision Song Contest. Europapa may be a bit crazy, but according to the jury it was really the very best song. It may not be to your taste, personally I wouldn’t put the song on at home, but the song is excellent within its genre.”

Alexander emphasizes that there is more behind the song there is only some happy hardcore. Europapa tells the story of Joost who lost both parents at a young age. In the song, he travels through Europe as an orphan to find himself. His parents gave him a broad vision of the world in their upbringing, namely that there are no boundaries. After a long chopping session to some pounding beats, Joost immediately addresses his parents. “I miss you every day, is what I secretly whisper. See, dad, I listened to you,” sings the blonde Frisian. A surprisingly emotional end to the cheerful song. “That emotional charge is important, because it makes Europapa more than just a gimmick,” the journalist explains. It is perhaps also the biggest difference from this year’s other entries. For example, Finland has the song No Rules! from the dance duo Windows95man. It is cheerful, striking and, like Joost, harks back to the recognizable and popular music of the nineties, but still misses the point. The song revolves around a man with long curly hair, a white cap and a shirt with the Windows 95 logo on it. He also wears skin-colored briefs until he finally finds pants. The message: don’t take everything so seriously. In any case, it makes a much less impression with the bookmakers than Joost, as the act is currently at number thirteen.

In 2019, the Netherlands made history thanks to Duncan Laurence, whose emotional ballad Arcade took first place. Europapa is so much different from Duncan’s entry. The question is why we didn’t go for a quiet emotional song again? Alexander notes that the pace of Eurovision entries has increased every year. In 2024, there are almost no ballads. According to the AD journalist, this has to do with a major change in the voting procedure. Where everything used to be in the hands of the professional jury, nowadays the opinion of the viewer also plays a major role. During the semi-finals, the public decides via televoting which country will go to the final. And that can be useful for Joost, the Eurovision expert explains. “Ballads don’t do well with the viewers. They are less likely to enter your living room. Such a striking song as Europapa is more likely to attract the attention of people at home and get more votes.” This is also where the power of social media comes into play, something Joost has mastered well. “He is a born marketer and grew up with social media. He is so good at it that he can easily reach people at home.” He previously proved that he knows how to gain fans through social media with his hit Friesenjung, which ended up in countries such as Germany and Austria via TikTok videos and became a true hit there.

While writing this article, Joost is number three among the bookmakers. So it’s starting to look more and more like we can make a profit with Europapa. “Anything is possible, but it all depends on the performance itself,” says Alexander. “We don’t know yet what he will do on stage. But without knowing exactly what his act will look like, I dare to predict that he will become number one with the audience. The only question is whether he will able to touch the professional jury with his message.” But according to the music expert, that no longer matters. Europapa has been listened to millions on YouTube and dominates the radio in countries such as Belgium, Germany and France. “Actually, Joost has already won.”

*Text: Merel van Baal; Veronica Superguide*

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

Upon the Sleeve

On the eve Joost Klein has started his Eurovision Song Contest adventure and is considered one of the European favorites. Tuesday was his first rehearsal on the Malmö-Arena stage. What are his chances and why does Europapa have so much power?

When he left for Malmö in Sweden, Joost Klein could hardly disguise his annoyance about it: he was not happy that the Eurovision Song Contest rehearsals would now be somewhat visible. It ruins the surprise effect of his act – exactly what Klein’s performance always relies on. He prefers to keep everything secret. “You’re not going to film a magician during rehearsals, are you?” he asks in front of the camera at Schiphol.

These are rules that the autonomous Frisian artist will have to deal with over the next week and a half. The Eurovision Song Contest is a media circus. A ubiquitous international music festival that is widely publicized both before and during on social media, blogs and fan sites. And then the Eurovision fire will really flare up from Sunday, with the official opening of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest with 37 participating countries.

The first semi-final with fifteen countries is on Tuesday. Then Thursday is the second semi-final – Joost Klein’s. In the most favorable position of the evening, last, he plays for the Netherlands.

In the meantime, you can picture him in his bright blue suit with those exorbitant shoulder pads and white hair. Although there also appears to be a black ‘travel variant’. Last Tuesday he did his first rehearsal in the Malmö Arena. The participants are allowed to explore the large stage for half an hour, enough to go through the song three times. Some artists play around with the decor, try out their show clothes. The act can still be adjusted.

Press is not yet welcome. But fragments filtered through the official Eurovision channel on TikTok and Instagram. Klein seemed to keep his cards close to his chest with a somewhat clumsy-austere staging without controversial visuals. Of his two companions, Appie Mussa was dressed as a fluffy blue-yellow bird and the Stunt Kabouter stood behind a turntable/monitor with many wires in a starry blouse. And two dancers danced along in white sweatsuits with European Union stars on the back.

Eurovision Song Contest commentator Cornald Maas immediately confirmed on X that a few visual surprises have not yet been released. There is no doubt that Klein will conspicuously pass on his contagious, energetic dance virus. A dancing gabber army on the screens, who knows? Source: nrc.nl

Europarrot

Joost Klein had his first rehearsals in Malmö on Tuesday. The first photos that have appeared show that his good friend Appie Mussa is dressed in a blue bird suit and Klein has two dancers with him.

The first photos show Appie Mussa in a blue bird suit with a blue tie with stars, standing behind a kind of futuristic keyboard. Another photo also shows Klein’s friend Stunt Gnome behind the same keyboard. Both men had also appeared in the Europapa video clip.

The Eurovision organization describes the background of the act via its website as “a manic visual tour of the song lyrics” projected behind Klein. “It is three minutes of pure dance energy, with Joost standing on stage with two dancers in white tracksuits.”

Klein told NU.nl in advance that he does not like the fact that images of this rehearsal are already being shared. “You’re not going to film rehearsals for a magician, are you?”

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place from May 7 to 11 this year. Joost Klein will be in the second semi-final on May 9 and will be the last to perform. He then hopes to get a ticket for the final on May 11. Source: nu.nl

Douze Points

Nikkie de Jager will give the points on behalf of the Netherlands at the final of the Eurovision Song Contest on May 11. The presenter will do this during a major event in Leeuwarden, AVROTROS announced on Tuesday.

Leeuwarden is the birthplace of Joost Klein, who represents the Netherlands this year. The broadcast will be broadcast live at the Oldehoofsterkerkhof and there will be various performances. Rappers Brunzyn and Bokoedro, good friends of Joost, are among others.

The party is a joint initiative of the municipality of Leeuwarden, the province of Friesland, pop venue Neushoorn, Omrop Fryslân and presenter Sipke Jan Bousema.

It is the first time that De Jager has awarded the points on behalf of the Netherlands. In 2021 she was one of the presenters when the Eurovision Song Contest took place in Rotterdam.

Joost still has to secure a place in the final on May 9 with his song Europapa. The chance that this will not work seems small. According to bookmakers, the singer is one of the favorites for victory in Malmö, Sweden.

Joost Leaves

Joost Klein left for Malmö on Monday morning for the Eurovision Song Contest. The artist has his first rehearsals on Wednesday. “Someone is going to give twelve points anyway.”

“I slept more than I expected,” says Klein, who is preparing for a week full of rehearsals. On Thursday, May 9, he will be in the second semi-final and hopes to get a ticket for the final two days later.

The first rehearsals have already started. Klein will be on stage for the first time in Malmö on Wednesday. Some photos of the performance he will give can be seen via the official Eurovision channel.

Klein is not a fan of that. “You’re not going to film rehearsals for a magician, are you?” He prefers to keep everything secret until the semi-final. “What can we say about our show?” he asks Gover Meit, who will join us as creative director. “No, not that moon landing again,” he says, laughing when Meit whispers something to him.

From the start, Klein has used ‘Twelve points to The Netherlands’ to promote itself. By this he refers to the maximum number of twelve points that a jury can award to an entry.

How sure is he of that now? “Well, someone is going to give twelve points anyway. Come on, that’s the bare minimum. My goal was twelve points, that’s what I said from the start. No, what do you want me to say? “Yeah, I’m number one, I’m the best!’ No, I’d like some more coffee for that.”

Joost Klein participates with his song Europapa. He will try to reach the final on May 11. There he would compete against 25 other countries for the win.

Friends Along

Joost Klein takes two good friends to the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Influencers Appie Mussa and Martijn van Eijzeren will be part of the act.

“We have done crazy things in videos, but this will be really great,” says Mussa on Tuesday evening in Sophie & Jeroen. He calls it “an ultimate honor” to share the stage with Klein.

Klein’s two friends do not reveal exactly what Europapa’s act will look like, or how big their contribution will be. “We have a very childish, fun way of making things, that’s what we’re going to show,” says Van Eijzeren, also known as Stunt Gnome. In addition, the influencer says that participating in the Eurovision Song Contest feels like he can play for the Dutch national team. Mussa and Van Eijzeren can also be seen in Europapa’s video clip.

Govert Meit, also known as Stefano Keizers, also joined Sophie & Jeroen last night. He is the creative director of the act and also a good friend of Klein. He also doesn’t want to say much about the design of the performance. “We worked every day for nine months to turn that three-minute act into something that can please everyone in the world.”

Meit also says that he has been friends with Klein, Mussa and Van van Eijzeren for years. “They often call me their uncle,” he says. “They are my creative children, who are super original just like me. I believe in that very much. I believe that it is the future, reaching people with individuality and positivism.”

Europapa is currently number three among bookmakers. Klein’s semi-final in Malmö is on Thursday evening, May 9. Source: nu.nl.

‘Moon Landing’ in Malmö

Gover Meit thinks that viewers of the Eurovision Song Contest next month when it is the Netherlands’ turn will see something that has never been seen before during the event.

“It will be a new form of the moon landing. It has never been done before,” said the theater maker, who will go to Malmö as creative director, on Saturday in Shownieuws.

“People are not going to believe that this is physically possible,” he continued, without going into details about Joost Klein’s act. Gover is a good friend of the Dutch entry and can also be seen in Europapa’s video clip. He probably won’t be on stage himself. Gover Meit says he is needed “behind the scenes”. “It’s also nice for people that they don’t have to look at me all the time.”

Joost previously said that something awaits the Eurovision Song Contest that “has never happened before”. “It’s just going to be one big party,” he said. Source: Shownieuws.nl

Netherlands in Top 3

Joost Klein has risen again at the betting offices. His Eurovision Song Contest song Europapa has been in third place since Friday.

When the artist released the song on February 29, he was still somewhere around twentieth place in the list of participating countries. Now he only has to pass Croatia and Switzerland to the number one spot.

According to the betting offices, the chance that Klein will win the song festival is now 11 percent. Previously this was only 5 percent.

The increase follows after Klein posted a photo and a video with the Finnish Käärijä, one of the favorite artists of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, on Instagram on Wednesday. Source: nu.nl

Security

The Swedish city of Malmö will tighten security measures during the Eurovision Song Contest, you can read on the host city’s website. The measures follow criticism of Israel’s participation and possible protests against it.

“The city, the organizing broadcaster, the police and everyone else involved are doing everything they can to ensure that the event runs safely,” the message reads. “We are taking safety measures throughout the city, with a strong focus on the central locations of the Eurovision Song Contest.”

Police deployment will be increased in and around the city. Bags are also not allowed to be brought to the event. “We have to look out for each other and help each other. That is why it is especially important that everyone follows the instructions of the municipality of Malmö and other authorities.”

Israel’s Eurovision participation has been criticized for some time. Israeli forces have been active in the Gaza Strip since the attack by Hamas on October 7. Thousands of civilians have already been killed. According to critics, Israel therefore does not belong in the Eurovision Song Contest. Organizer European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has repeatedly emphasized that the Eurovision Song Contest is a “non-political event”. Nevertheless, Russia has not been welcome since 2022 due to the invasion of Ukraine.

The Eurovision Song Contest lasts from May 7 to 11. Israel is participating this year with the song Hurricane, sung by singer Eden Golan.

Joost Klein participates on behalf of the Netherlands with the song Europapa. He will play in the second semi-final. The artist was asked earlier this week by Nasrdin Dchar, Najib Amhali and Ramsey Nasr, among others, to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest due to Israel’s participation. “Unfortunately, it’s too big of a dilemma to pass on to a little harlequin like me,” he responded. Source: nu.nl

Fourth Place

The song Europapa from our Dutch Eurovision Song Contest entry Joost Klein remains immensely popular, also among bookmakers. The song fluctuated around 5th place and was briefly in 4th place, but is now more firmly in that position after the top three songs.

Joost Klein increases his chances of winning and rises one spot at the bookmakers. He is now in fourth place on the list, ahead of only Italy, Croatia and Switzerland. This means the song remains undeniably popular.

It was previously announced that more than three-quarters (79 percent) of the Netherlands believe that Klein will make it to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest. In December last year, only half of Dutch people thought that would work, and even at the beginning of this month that percentage was still 59 percent. Source: Hart van Nederland

Therapy

Joost Klein gave Eurovision Song Contest fans a preview of what he wants to achieve in Malmö on Saturday evening in AFAS Live in Amsterdam. “Tonight is definitely in the cookie recipe, but I’m not going to show the cake yet.”

28 of the 37 participating artists performed their songs to the audience in AFAS Live during Eurovision in Concert on Saturday evening. The sold-out pre-party of the Eurovision Song Contest attracts fans from all over the world and is seen as one of the benchmarks for bookmakers.

Joost Klein ends the evening with his Europapa. He tells nu.nl in advance that this evening should really be seen as a small foretaste. “We will taste that real cake on the ninth and eleventh.”

Just under a month before he will take the Eurovision stage for the first time, Klein is busy preparing. “Dancing, or singing, or training, or psychological conversations. It’s maintenance on all sides. It’s like MOT every day. I see myself as a car.”

It is hard work and although Klein is looking forward to the Eurovision Song Contest, he is also already thinking about what comes next. “I’m busy with the real moment. But secretly to protect myself, I also look forward a bit. I try to live in the moment, but for the person I am and the rules in my head I have to do that (looking ahead).”

Real enjoyment is not always easy for the singer, who has always been open about the mental problems he encounters. “It’s harder than I thought. But I’m so passionate about this. There’s so much passion, so much time, so much effort, and money. There are dozens of people working on this every day. Enjoyment gets through it sometimes, but is not the goal. The goal is to do the very best.”

“I actually enjoy being on stage the most. That’s where I feel at home,” says Klein, who effortlessly captivates the audience on Saturday evening. “I feel great, thank you for this therapy session.” Source: nu.nl.

No Skip

Joost Klein understands “the pain” of the people who asked him in an open letter to boycott the Eurovision Song Contest because of Israel’s participation, despite the war in Gaza.

“Unfortunately, it is too big a dilemma to pass on to a little harlequin like me,” Joost said to the press present at AFAS Live in Amsterdam prior to Eurovision in Concert. “If I were a world leader, I would have done something a long time ago, I hope.”

In any case, the singer does not plan to skip the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden next month. “No, I have already booked. I have already signed contracts. The transfer will continue.”

Actors Nasrdin Dchar, Najib Amhali and Ramsey Nasr, among others, signed the open letter to Joost. For Eurovision in Concert, the largest Eurovision pre-party, there will be a demonstration by the pro-Palestinian organizations BDS Netherlands and Rotterdam Palestine Coalition. Source: nu.nl

Withdrawal

Durch artists Najib Amhali and Nasrdin Dchar have called on Joost Klein to withdraw from his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. Over 250 people with a creative profession signed a letter calling for a boycott due to Israel’s participation.

“While preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest are in full swing, one of the participating countries, Israel, is carrying out a genocide of 2.3 million Palestinians,” the letter reads. Ramsey Nasr, Walid Benmbarek, Jerry Afriyie and Tofik Dibi also signed the letter.

The writers refer to Klein’s Eurovision song Europapa, in which he quotes his father. “It’s a world without borders,” Klein sings. “Your father’s utopia does not exist for Palestinians,” the letter writers respond. They “emphatically” ask Joost to consult himself about his participation in the event, which will take place in Sweden in May.

“The horrors in Gaza touch us deeply,” AVROTROS, the broadcaster responsible for the Dutch participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, responds to the call. “We also hope that there will be an immediate end to the suffering. But the Eurovision Song Contest is an apolitical music festival and not a competition between the governments of countries. This is therefore not the place where this deep-rooted conflict can be resolved.”

The pro-Palestinian organizations BDS Netherlands and Rotterdam Palestine Coalition are organizing a demonstration on Saturday just before Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam’s AFAS Live. During this pre-party, 30 of the 37 participating countries will perform with their entry. The Israeli delegation is not present. The organization of the demonstration consists of Dutch volunteers and is not linked to the EBU, which organizes the Eurovision Song Contest. The organization previously announced that it feared reactions to the Israeli entry Eden Golan if it came to the concert.

The demonstration will take place on Saturday from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM on the square between AFAS Live and the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam. A similar event was also demonstrated in London last week. In several European countries, artists are being called on not to participate in an event where Israel is also welcome. Source: nu.nl

Klein closes second semi-final

Joost Klein is the last to perform during the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest. The singer, who represents the Netherlands with the song Europapa, is competing with fifteen other countries for ten final spots.

The running order was presented on Tuesday evening by Eurovision Song Contest organizer EBU. Previously, it was determined by drawing lots in which semi-final the countries would participate and whether they would perform in the first or second half of that semi-final. The precise order must ensure a show that is as varied and attractive as possible.

The Netherlands will compete against Belgium, Israel and Greece in the second semi-final on Thursday, May 9. Croatia and Ukraine, who are the big favorites according to the bookmakers, will play in the first semi-final on Tuesday, May 7. Joost is currently in fifth place among the bookmakers.

Joost’s Eurovision Song Contest entry is already a big hit. Europapa has been in first place in the Dutch Spotify charts since its release. Never before has a song been streamed so much in the Netherlands in 24 hours. Europapa is also in the charts in Belgium, among others.

The Eurovision Song Contest will take place this year in the Swedish city of Malmö, due to Loreen’s victory with the song Tattoo. The singer won for the second time last year, after having already collected the most points in 2012 with Euphoria. The final of the Eurovision Song Contest is on Saturday, May 11.

Europapa, the song with which Joost Klein will compete in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, is a tribute to his father. The song also features Paul Elstak.

“It is a letter I wrote to my father,” Klein told about Europapa in a special broadcast of De Avondshow met Arjen Lubach on Thursday. Klein previously told NU.nl that he grew up with the Eurovision Song Contest. Together with his parents, he always watched it at a young age.

The song, which has clear gabber influences, ends with an ode to his parents. The song then slows down in tempo and the singer addresses his father directly. Klein’s parents both passed away when he was young.

“My papa and my mama are forever my heroes,” he sings at the end of Europapa. “Rain on the window and I stood at the window crying. Darkness far too early, it’s winter in spring. ‘I miss you every day,’ is what I secretly whisper. You see dad, I listened to you.”

“It’s a very surreal feeling. I think it’s really fat that I get to share the art I made with my friends now,” the 26-year-old Klein told us. Besides Elstak, the music video also features rapper Donnie, René Froger and S10.

“The Eurovision performance will be a full circle experience of turning sadness into euphoria,” the artist said of his performance in Malmö in May. “When people see my act, the first reaction should be: what is happening here? To then touch the viewer anyway. An invitation to dive deeper. At first glance it looks like a very happy act, but once past that, blood, sweat and tears lie.”

The title of the Song Contest song had been known for several weeks, but neither Europapa‘s lyrics nor its subject matter had been known yet. Klein announced on the talk show. Lubach and Klein have known each other for years, the presenter told at the start of the show.

Klein will be in the second semifinal of the Song Contest on Thursday 9 May. He will then compete against Belgium, Austria and Greece, among others. Ten other countries will then have already qualified for the final which is on 11 May.

This year’s Song Contest will be held in the Swedish city of Malmö, after Loreen won the event for the second time last year with Tattoo. The first semi-final will take place on Tuesday 7 May. Source: nu.nl.