What, wait, did we miss the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam... No, you did miss it, it was cancelled due to COVID-19.
After Duncan Laurence’s victory in Tel Aviv in 2019, the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest was due to take place in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, however, the event was cancelled in March 2020 due to the emerging COVID-19 crisis. Almost immediately preparations began to ensure that a 2021 Contest would go ahead. Every possible scenario was explored to ensure that a 2021 event would take place, and as May crept closer, organiser plans began to crystallise with the Dutch government confirming in April 2021 that the Contest could proceed with a limited audience.
All 39 participating countries were asked to provide a pre-recorded ‘Live-on-Tape’ performance that could be used should an act be unable to make it to the stage at the Rotterdam Ahoy. In the end, Australia were the only delegation unable to travel to the Dutch city, meaning that Montaigne’s ‘Live-on-Tape’ performance of her entry Technicolour was the only one used.
Unfortunately, in the lead up to their participation in the second Semi-Final, a member of Icelandic group Gagnamagnið tested positive for COVID-19. This meant that Iceland’s rehearsal footage was used for both their Semi-Final and Grand Final appearance. The band went on to finish in 4th place with 378 points. After months of successful protocols and preparations by the host broadcasters to ensure a Contest whatever the global situation, the eventual winner of the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest was Måneskin, with their self-penned track Zitti E Buoni (English translation: ‘Shut Up and Behave’)