Well, the detractors may question Australia’s eligability for Eurovision but after Dami Im’s increadible performance they were left in no doubt about our worthiness.
The Aussie entry in to the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, Sound of Silence sung by Im (watch the video above), placed second in Saturday’s grand final. By any measure, it was a worthy runner-up to the eventual winner; Ukrain’s Jamala singing her own politically charged composition, 1944.
Second is a remarkable achievement for Dami Im and songwriting duo Anthony Egizii and David Musumeci (aka: DNA).
It’s only the second time Australia has formally participated in competition at Eurovision, following last year’s groundbreaking tilt by Guy Sebastian who finished fifth… quite the achievement itself.
What make’s Im’s performance even more remarkable than Sebastian’s, apart from her just missing out on the win, is the fact that she had to make it through the semi-final stage first, whereas Sebastian was given a direct wildcard into the final.
Australia’s invitation last year was also something of a novelty, a factor which Im could rely on less than Sebastian could.
Additionaly, Im’s run was more polished than Sebastian’s. In that stunning gown she looked more Eurovision, the song sounded more Eurovision and her uber Eurovisiony powerhouse performance was lapped up by the fans, carrying it all the way to almost-the-winner.
So what then for next year? Can Australia go one better? Will we even get an invite? With a performance like this year’s it would seem chirlish not to welcome Australia to 2017, or have we just worn out the welcome?
Watch the full Eurovision 2016 Grand Final below. Dami Im’s performance for Australia starts at 1:06:30