In a strategic move to elevate Belgium’s prospects at the Eurovision Song Contest, the Flemish-speaking national broadcaster VRT has announced a significant overhaul of its selection process for the 2025 entry.
The revamped approach involves a targeted selection of artists through professional channels, abandoning the traditional open call and multi-stage competition format.
Gerrit Kerremans, General Music Coordinator at VRT, detailed the changes in a recent interview with Belgian media platform HLN, emphasizing a focus on professionalism and live performance prowess.
Abandoning the Traditional ‘Eurosong’ Format
For many years, the ‘Eurosong’ competition served as the platform through which Belgium selected its Eurovision entries.
This format, characterized by preliminary rounds, semi-finals, and a grand final, provided extensive exposure, especially for emerging artists.
However, VRT has identified significant drawbacks to this method, particularly its tendency to deter established artists wary of potential public failure.
“We have abandoned the elimination race that is ‘Eurosong‘,” Kerremans explained. “It was especially interesting for novice artists who could use any exposure, but it deters many established artists because of the possible loss of face.”
By eliminating the multi-stage public competition, VRT hopes to attract more seasoned performers who possess the experience and confidence necessary for Eurovision’s high-pressure environment.
This shift aims to ensure that Belgium’s representative can deliver a compelling live performance on the international stage.
Professional Invitation Only
Another major change in the selection process is the decision to forego an open call for submissions. In previous years, VRT invited the public to submit songs, resulting in thousands of entries.
While this approach democratized the selection process, it also overwhelmed the selection committee and led to a surplus of submissions that did not meet the required standards.
“We have also abandoned the formula whereby absolutely anyone can submit a song,“ Kerremans said. “In the past, we received thousands of submissions, and that put too many songwriters to work unnecessarily.”
Instead, VRT has taken a more curated approach by directly reaching out to record companies, professional managers, and producers to propose artists.
This targeted method leverages the industry expertise of these professionals to identify candidates with the necessary talent and stage experience.
Focus on Live Performance and Professional Support
One of the key criteria for the new selection process is the ability to perform strongly live. Kerremans emphasized that the bar for Eurovision is exceptionally high, and only artists who can deliver compelling live performances will be considered.
“In addition to singing talent, the artists must also have a lot of stage experience,“ he noted. “In addition, we opt for a total package, and we are looking for an artist who is well-surrounded. Those who receive professional guidance also perform better.”
This holistic approach means that VRT is not only looking for individual talent but also considering the support network around each artist.
Professional guidance from managers and producers is seen as crucial for ensuring that the artist can thrive under the intense scrutiny of the Eurovision spotlight.
The Selection Process
After receiving proposals from industry professionals, VRT has shortlisted a number of artists who have been commissioned to produce two new songs by September.
This timeline allows for a thorough review of both the artists and their musical submissions. The next phase will involve listening to these songs and further shortlisting the candidates.
“We are now on to the next step: the remaining artists have been commissioned to compose two new songs by September,“ Kerremans said.
“We will then listen to them, and then we will make the decision, which artists will be left with which songs, and which will go to the competition on TV.“
To maintain the integrity and surprise element of the competition, all participating artists have been asked to keep their involvement confidential.
This ensures that the focus remains on the quality of the performances rather than pre-competition hype.
A Streamlined Path to Eurovision
The changes to the selection process represent a streamlined path to Eurovision, one that VRT hopes will yield better results for Belgium. By reducing the number of participants early on and focusing on professional submissions, the broadcaster aims to ensure that only the most capable and well-supported artists make it to the national final.
Kerremans acknowledged that some artists might still choose to withdraw if they are unable to produce a suitable song, and the A&R team will make further selections to finalize the lineup for the national final.
“Everyone was asked not to make their candidacy or information about the competition public,“ Kerremans added. “In September, some artists can still decide to withdraw, for example, if they have not found a suitable song. Our A&R team (Artist & Repertoire) will then also make a selection so that some artists will be eliminated, and we will be left with the intended number.”
Reflecting on Past Successes and Future Ambitions
Belgium has a storied history at Eurovision, with notable successes and memorable performances. In 2024, Mustii represented Belgium in Malmรถ with his entry “Before The Party’s Over,“ leaving a lasting impression on audiences and critics alike. VRT hopes that the new selection process will build on this legacy by ensuring that Belgium’s entry is not only musically strong but also capable of standing out in the highly competitive Eurovision landscape.
Conclusion
The 2025 Belgian Eurovision selection process marks a significant departure from tradition, with VRT opting for a more professional and curated approach. By inviting record companies, managers, and producers to propose artists and focusing on live performance ability and professional support, VRT aims to elevate Belgium’s Eurovision prospects. As the process unfolds, the selected artists will be tasked with producing new songs, and the final lineup will be determined based on both talent and readiness to compete on the international stage.
With these strategic changes, VRT is setting high expectations for Belgium’s Eurovision journey, aiming to bring a winning combination of talent, professionalism, and stage presence to the 2025 contest.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
