We’re almost at the top 10, and we turn now to a country that has only had limited success at Eurovision, especially in recent years. Slovenia intermittently qualify for the grand final and haven’t been in the top 10 since 2001. Last year sadly the band LPS finished last in their semi-final (rather harsh result in my view) but they are sticking with a band this year, the self-described “shagedelic softboi rock n’ roll” of Joker Out. Can they seize the day and get Slovenia a good result in Liverpool?
Normally Slovenia has a public national final/selection, but it seems this year, as soon as they received the submission from Joker Out during the call for entries, the broadcaster cancelled the final and internally selected the boys. I respect them for taking that decision and in the shape of Joker Out, they’ve got a much more grown up and established band with live performance experience (having been round since 2016 and are in their early to mid 20s while LPS were still at school!). The song is a sparky pop rock number, all in Slovenian (thumbs up to that). The band have self-released a couple of albums and several singles, but they’ve made a mark in Slovenia, winning some music awards, as well as appearing at a lot of festivals. They’re very much a band on a rise.
This is a quality song, a really good indie pop/rock track, and the guys have bags of charisma and are great live performers (as seen at all the pre-parties, LEP included). Just a shame they aren’t allowed to play their instruments live! I think singing in their native language works really well and all round I thoroughly enjoy this. They have that certain spark about them – and they’re also fun and engaging on social media too – calling out (with good humour) a BBC music journalist who didn’t rate their chances and prompted BBC Eurovision to have a (faux) Twitter fight with BBC News!
While that so-called reviewer may not have rated their chances, the fandom and general consensus says otherwise. While not being touted as a winner, there’s a confidence that Joker Out will get a good result for Slovenia. Looking at the semi-final they are in, I think we’ll be getting Slovenia in the final. I’d hope the juries would respect this song, and I can see a good televote too – a combination of the genre which will have its supporters plus their live performance and charisma. Whatever happens, they may have some exciting times coming up – they’ve just released a duet with Elvis Costello of all people! Carpe Diem indeed…
Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest
First entered: 1993
Appearances (excluding this year): 27
Best result: 7th in 1995 and 2001
Last year’s result: 17th and last in semi-final (did not qualify)
