TaP Music share Eurovision search update - shortlist finalised 25 Jan 2022
INDUSTRY GREATS INC. LANA DEL REY, ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER, NILE RODGERS, LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK AND MANY MORE BACK CAMPAIGN - ENCOURAGING UK TO GET BEHIND EUROVISION ACT
TaP Music the global music management and publishing company behind some of the world’s most successful pop artists, such as Dua Lipa, Lana Del Rey, Ellie Goulding, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Dermot Kennedy today share an update on their Eurovision campaign. Back in October TaP, who are acting as consultants on the project, called on the music industry to share experienced live performers for their consideration. Today TaP can share an update that finalising their shortlist is now underway, with an incredible mixture of both established, emerging and brand new talent. The deadline for entrants to be announced is March 10th.
Speaking of the shortlisting process, Ben Mawson says: “We’re getting really close to making our final decision, we have lots of options and have been pleasantly surprised by how many wonderful artists, both new and more established want to be part of this process with us. Like us, they recognise that Eurovision is the biggest music TV opportunity in the world. It’s a tough decision with so many strong contenders, many with existing European fanbases, which is exciting. When we decide on the act, we will put an incredible team around the chosen act and look forward to sharing news shortly.”
Ed Millett says: “The challenge has been finding a talent that has both an incredible voice - because live vocals to 200 million people is no easy feat - as well as having incredible stage presence and an unforgettable song - it is the Song Contest after all. The reason we want to do this, whether our act tops the leader board or not, is to do something special on stage that the UK can be proud of.”
Continuing, Ben Mawson said: “It's been fantastic to work so closely with the BBC on this project so far, in particular Radio1 and Scott Mills - who’s offered incredible insight and has been a major part of the team. Radio 1 - the voice of youth culture - is vital to the Eurovision audience which as we know is skewing younger every year. It’s really important to us that this year’s Eurovision has the feel good factor, we want everyone to get behind the act, enjoy the show and hopefully celebrate a great U.K. performance on the night ‘
At the beginning of the campaign, TaP Music’s approach was to speak to as many people in the British music industry in an attempt to garner support to take steps in the right direction to change what has been an almost consistent failure for many years. Previous supporters include Dua Lipa, Sir Elton John and Spice Girl Melanie C. Today, lending their support includes Lana Del Rey, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nile Rodgers and Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
Lana Del Rey says: “Ben and Ed have always liked a challenge, proud of them for taking this on…and I’ll be wishing them and the U.K. the best of luck on the night. The U.K. was my home in the early days of meeting Ben and Ed so have a special affinity”
Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber says: “The Eurovision Song Contest was originally meant to be a celebration of songs and song writers. I’m glad TaP have the desire to follow in this path and I really hope this year the British entry rediscovers those basics, and we find a great British song delivered by a Great British singer.”
Nile Rodgers says: “Merck and I are both excited that our friends at TaP are getting serious about a real Eurovision effort for the UK. Eurovision is a massive global institution that means so much to so many people around the world and there’s no reason not to have a good UK entry that’s as soon as the pop dominance it delivers to the world daily. It was wonderful to see Maneskin win last year and become a global success story and it’s now time for the UK to once again make its best effort by bringing the very best song possible to the globe.”
Leigh-Anne Pinnock says: “I love the fact that my managers are involved in finding this year’s act to represent the U.K., I know they will choose an act that will make the U.K. proud. European fans have always given Little Mix so much love, so I’m calling on all mixers to get behind the UK at Eurovision this year!”
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THE HEADLINES
Did things really get better in 2025 for the UK's music business? (see Comment)
BRIT Awards 2026: Nominations and reactions (see News)
Music Venue Trust annual report highlights ongoing issues, and optimism (see News)
Do Spotify’s AI Playlists change how algorithmic discovery actually works? (see Features)
A&R 2026: We lost "R" (see Opinion)
Do most artists peak with their first album? (see Analysis)
Court battle over unpaid royalties could have implications for the industry in the streaming era (see News)
Luminate released its 2025 year-end music report (see Reports)
Impala sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector (see Comment)
Spotify’s new co-CEOs highlight what’s ahead for the company (see Digital)
Music publishers sued by X in growing licensing battle (see News)
Call on EU to clamp down on unauthorised ticket reselling (see News)