Jogy Thomas Wolfmeyer – Thoughts on the ESC
It is always difficult to find an introduction that is not kitschy or too idealized.
The ESC 2026 is currently particularly under criticism because of Israel’s participation, which is why I have also decided not to attend this Song Contest even though it is taking place in my current place of residence Vienna. Because the war crimes and violations of international law in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank are currently so visible, many ESC fans also do not understand the EBU’s decision. Better we ignore this aspect for the exchange of thoughts now, as this would lead to a Kantian discussion „Kritik an der Vernunft“.
 |
I had the pleasure of spending part of my youth in Graz, where I not only received my education but also made my first contacts with the music scene in my free time. A good friend who unfortunately has since passed away was Toni Gruber from the group Fezzz (Willst du eine Banane) and he introduced me to band management and music. Through this I met many musicians who later became successful or found their future as music producers.
Fezzz – Do you want a Banana
On weekends I hung out in Sonja’s „Skarabäus“ (Jazzkeller in Graz in the 80s) and thus already had access to Austrian bands that suddenly became successful Austropoppers after my time in Graz. Whether it was Thomas Spitzer, Klaus Eberhartinger, STS or other musicians to whom I brought beer back then because I earned some extra money waitering, I would never have thought that I would later hear them in the charts.
Styria was then known as the cradle of Austrian pop music.
Whether Wilfried, Jazz Gitti and others, whom I later got to know as an organizer, were also connected to Styria. A goulash and a beer was the fee for the musicians back then, who enthralled large crowds in jazz cellars that experienced a revolution especially in the 80s/90s.
Klaus Prünster – Wonderworld
My time afterwards in Salzburg was characterized by alternative, grunge and classical music, which also shaped Austrian music history. For me Salzburg was not only the direct connection to the Vienna Opera, but an ecstasy for the eye. The city is the absolute jewel of our country, a Mönchsberg, the Kapuzinerberg, Hohen Salzburg, Hallein, the Schlenken (Berg beim Bergdorf Krispl) the ski areas in Lungau and Pongau, …! I love Salzburg and will always remember the beautiful time in the Mozart city.
The extreme west and the east of Austria had one thing in common, where you could hear punk, rock and blues in different variations. I also worked as a waiter in a jazz club in Vorarlberg and constantly had music and other arts around me. As an organizer and booking agency it then also extended to Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, where the differences in musical preferences were always clearly visible.
Exactly these differences in culture, landscape and personalities are part of the identity of our country, but show the diversity of our interpretations and different musical developments.
As an organizer I not only had this personal access to music to experience the differences, but there were also serious differences in humor, which now brings me to my childhood in Australia, because I understood the Australian contribution „Milkshake Man“ better than the rest of the Austrians. In Austria the milkman does not bring the milk to the door as in Australia, but you buy it in the shop. Only in the countryside, where you still went to the farmer with the milk can to get the milk, would it be comparable, but it does not show the special connection to the milkman. In Austria the joke would rather work with the postman, who not only brings the letters but also performs some special services. It is important to consider that the climate differs significantly from ours and from Australia’s, because at plus 14°C the Australians already freeze, turn on the heating and call it winter.
Ludwig Hirsch – Spit out the pacifier
We always have to understand music with its origin, which is why our contribution by JJ with „Wasted Love“ only succeeded because classical music is our best-known export.
That is also the reason why I got so annoyed about the expert voting at the last ESC, because people did not deal with the deeper history of each musical contribution. Big tits are not a feature of the quality of a contribution, but at the ESC they stood very „markant“ in the foreground. Of course the eye eats with, but it must not become a feature of the ESC that you only reach the final with a striking physique in major key. The gray eminences of the jury should rather concentrate on the actual reason for a music contest with the contributions, otherwise we have to lock the jury behind a curtain like in „The Voice – Blind Audition“.
Dradiwaberl (Turn around Woman – Punk-Rock Band from the 80th) and Falco – Ganz Wien (All of Vienna)
Before Falco became famous he was Bass Guitar Player in this Punk-Rock Band
Maybe you should try when voting to first research the history and origin of the musical performance as a small example of the stereotype shows.
The greatest sins of prejudice:
Österreich:
Klassische Musik, Volksmusik
Yes it is true that Austria has a really serious history in these musical directions that goes back much further than popular music. What Austria is also known for, many may not have on their monitor. Think of Falco, who became internationally known with his Word-Rap Pop. Do you still know Klaus Prünster with his electronic performance „Wunderwelt“, which also shaped us. Our history in jazz can also be seen, think of Joe Zawinul or Klaus Dollinger with Passport. In rock we also go further with Opus or the Bluespumpm and I could go on for hours here.
Joe Zawinul – Live
Frankreich:
Chansons, Daft Punk
A clear stereotype of the French that every year a chanson is presented, but in rap and electronic music the French have also gained international fame. France would also be a country with a lot of history in classical music.
Spanien
Flamenco, Passadoble
Yes for many surely what first comes to mind about Spain. However it is a country with many sides in music, so that I cannot just pick out one musical direction here, but Spaniards offer a broad palette of music.
Italien:
Klassische Musik, Folklore, Cantare
It’s stupid that I love exactly these stereotypes about Italy so much, but a country with Italo-Pop history and all musical directions.
Pippo Pollina – Lungo il fiume dell’innocenza
Nordic Countries
Folklore, Mystic Vibes
Oh a nice idea, but the Norwegians have shown that they can also hit hard tones, or also Abba with their ballads can inspire. A diverse country from which I really expect the stereotype in a cool song. The Nordic countries are very inventive and I also love the courage to take themselves on the grain.
Eivør Pálsdóttir: Tròdlabùndin
Polen:
Polka, klassische Musik
I would like to see once a daring combination of polka, rap and pop. But the Poles also have a wide field of musical directions to offer and do not have to hide.
Ukraine:
Kosaken Lieder, Folklore
Whether hip hop, electro or pop, Ukraine has everything and shows it again and again at the ESC. Probably the Ukrainians will soon have to learn to sing the anthem of Europe.
Verka Serduchka – Dancing Lasha Tumbai
Russland:
Balalaika, Chorgesang
Russia was always an important contribution to the ESC, because unlike Israel, Russia is Europe. Wit and innovation were always present when Russia was still at the ESC. Due to the war with Ukraine an understandable decision, but we hope that we will have Russia back when the trenches have smoothed out.
other countries could still be listed here, but then the article would become much too long.
We should definitely always keep backgrounds in mind when we listen to the music of different countries and try to put ourselves into the history and mentality.
Often the internet offers the possibility through AI to interpret the message through the text, but if we do not know the peculiarity of the region, then we will not understand the message as the locals do.
We should therefore empathize more with the countries, the history, the worries, the fears, the joys, the culture, because only in this way do we really learn to understand the music.
Musical joys I wish you in this sense
Jogy Thomas Wolfmeyer
Austrian Philosopher