Eurovision Song Contest on SBS – Overnight in Malmö, Sweden, South Australia’s powerful duo Electric Fields sadly did not qualify for the Grand Final at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
But for Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross, they’ve already won. Their song One Milkali (One Blood) made Eurovision history as the first song to showcase Yankunytjatjara; an Aboriginal language of the Anangu peoples (one of the oldest living cultures on earth) on the biggest stage in the world for the very first time.
After coming a close second to Kate Miller-Heidke at SBS’ 2019 national selection show, Eurovision – Australia Decides (E-AD) with 2000 And Whatever, the duo and fans alike had long been waiting for Electric Fields to share their magic with the world.
Written at the same time as their 2019 contender, One Mikali (One Blood) felt like the right song at the right time for the pair who hoped the track would remind people that we are all more similar than we are different.
Joined on stage by a dream ensemble of esteemed talent comprised of vocalists Brendan Maclean, Alyson Joyce, and Simi Vuata, with Fred Leone on the Yidaki, Electric Fields brought the song grounds of Mimili to Malmö. Their staging also featured Zaachariaha’s own artwork – a painting titled ‘Paraulpi’ – capturing a profound glimpse into the cultural heritage of the Central Australian Anangu Peoples.
Now, Electric Fields will begin working on their debut album, along with various other creative projects.
An accomplished and celebrated multi-disciplinary artist, Zaachariaha was today announced as a finalist for the prestigious Hadley’s Art Prize alongside his father, acclaimed contemporary artist Robert Fielding.
Electric Fields will be heading to the States next month to perform at an Embassy Pride Event in Washington on 13 June. They have also been invited to perform at the Lincoln Centre for ‘Summer for the City’ on 22 June.
Electric Fields said:
“We’re still buzzing. We feel like we did a killer performance and we felt like rock stars. And that audience, I tell you, it was just absolutely giving. It’s going to be a memory that will be embedded with us for the rest of our lives. Now we can write about these things. We’re creative people. So we’re going to create songs out of it because that’s what you do.”
Australian Head of Delegation, and SBS Head of Entertainment, Emily Griggs, said:
“SBS are so proud of Electric Fields. It has been powerful watching them take an Indigenous language of Australia and the Yidaki to the world stage. Electric Fields authentically showcased themselves through song and their message of unity, but also through their own visual art and fashion design. A whole new audience will have found them through this friendly song contest, which is super exciting.”
Director of Blink TV and Australia’s Creative Director for Malmö Paul Clarke said:
“It’s important to reflect on what has been achieved by Electric Fields at the Eurovision Song Contest. They won a lot of hearts, they made a statement of unity with lyrics in a language that predates the idea of Europe. All those countries singing our oldest language – what a beautiful moment. We are very proud of them.”
Only 10 artists from the 15 countries performing in Semi Final 1 proceed to the Grand Final. The 10 countries voted through are:Croatia, Finland, Ireland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Lithuania, Luxembourg (who are back in the contest for the first time in 31 years) and Cyprus, represented by Australian Silia Kapsis with her song Liar.
A reminder Australians need to tune into the below broadcasts to cast their vote at the same time as European audiences.
Don’t miss Semi Final 2 on Friday 10 May LIVE at 5:00am AEST where favourites such as Switzerland’s Nemo with The Code and Netherlands’ Joost Klein with Europapa will compete for their place in the Grand Final and for the title of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 winner.
The Grand Final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is held on Sunday 12 May CEST and is broadcast in Australia LIVE from 5:00am AEST.
Don’t miss all the action in SBS’s exclusive prime time event from Friday 10 – Sunday 12 May on SBS and SBS On Demand where our esteemed commentary team, acclaimed TV and radio personalities, music buff Myf Warhurst & comedian Joel Creasey, and backstage correspondent, global superstar Courtney Act, bring all the behind-the-scenes action from the world’s largest music event at Malmö Arena.
Make sure you join in the conversation during the prime time broadcast using the hashtag #SBSEurovision,
LIVE early morning broadcast on SBS and SBS On Demand
Semi Final 2 – Friday 10 May at 5:00am AEST
Grand Final – Sunday 12 May at 5:00am AEST
Prime time broadcast on SBS and SBS On Demand
Semi Final 2 – Saturday 11 May at 7:30pm AEST
Grand Final – Sunday 12 May at 7:30pm AEST
The Eurovision Song Contest is the world’s biggest live music event and in 2023 it attracted 162 million viewers worldwide.
Stay tuned to the SBS Eurovision website for updates: sbs.com.au/Eurovision
#Eurovision2024
Follow Electric Fields on social media: @electricfields_music (Instagram), and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/electricfieldsofficial/
RelatedPosts
One Milkali (One Blood) is available here via Wonderlick Recording Company and Sony Music Entertainment Australia.
For more information on Electric Fields, follow this link
Eurovision Song Contest on SBS
Eurovision Song Contest on SBS and SBS on Demand – From Tuesday 7 May
TV Central SBS content HERE
Eurovision Song Contest on SBS
Eurovision Song Contest on SBS
Eurovision Song Contest on SBS
