Eurovision To Make History By Showcasing Indigenous Language For The First Time

SBS has shared two massive announcements regarding Australia’s involvement with Eurovision this year.

Today, the television station and publication revealed that Courtney Act will join Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey as SBS’s backstage correspondent, while electronic pop duo Electric Fields—the musical act representing Australia at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest—are set to make history.

How, exactly? Electric Fields will be the first act to perform at Eurovision to showcase Yankunytjatjara, an Aboriginal language of the Anangu peoples, on the biggest stage in the world. The song features the Yidaki instrument, with Zaachariaha Fielding incorporating English and Yankunytjatjara languages against Michael Ross’s instrumentation.

You can watch the music video for Electric Fields’ Eurovision song One Milkali (One Blood) below.

Electric Fields have been favourites to take the Eurovision stage since coming second to Kate Miller-Heidke in the 2019 Australia Decides competition. Australia’s host broadcaster for Eurovision, SBS, decided on Electric Fields via internal selection, as they did with Voyager last year.

Electric Fields told the ABC about representing Australia at Eurovision in a joint statement: “We are buzzed with euphoria at our chance to share this music with the world. Our music comes from the deepest place in both of us, and Eurovision is the most exciting opportunity to bring together our cultures and share the joy of our global connection.”

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter

The 68th Eurovision Song Contest begins on Tuesday, 7 May and runs until Saturday, 11 May (CEST) in Malmö, Sweden, and will broadcast in Australia at the dates and times listed below: