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Vienna Calling! Austria is one the countries who won the contest over the years. In 2015, Österreich hosted the Eurovision Song Contest after Conchita Wurst won the edition hosted by Denmark in 2014. Austria offered the Eurovision audience remarkable performances such as: Zoe, Cesar Sampson, Lumix and Pia Maria, Teya and Salena or Kaleen.

Over the years, ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster organised both national finals (2015, 2016) and internal selections (2014, 2017-2024). Austria confirmed its participation for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. We are ready to see what will bring ORF to the ESC stage in Switzerland, who will wave the Austrian flag in the neighbor country.

But what was actually good and bad when it comes to Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest?

As we know, Vienna hosted the 60th edition of the contest. In 2015, the Wiener Stadthalle was the venue where fans from all over the world gathered to embrace the Austrian culture. Mirjam Weichselbraun, Arabella Kiesbauer and Conchita hosted the contest. The Makemakes represented the host country, but unfortunately obtained 0 points.

Austria participated in 2016 in Stockholm, when Zoe represented the country. She was just brilliant, she carried a cute and colorful show. In the end, Zoe broke the short-period of bad luck and obtained an honorable placement in top 15. In Kiev, Nathan Trent was the Austrian representative. He qualified the country in the final but, unfortunately, received nil points during the televote sequence.

After 2017, Austria obtained an remarkable placement in top 3, being close to win the contest once again. Cesar Sampson finished the contest in the third position. Therefore, the country decided to opt again for an internal selection in the year of 2019, when the competition was hosted by Israel. Austria failed to qualify for the first time since 2013. Paenda’s Limits did not make through the Grand Final. In my opinion, Austria’s song was not a bad song, but it wouldn’t have been deserved to go through the final. It was also impossible, because the second semifinal was quite harsh.

Since 2020, when the contest was cancelled, Austria failed to qualify in the Grand Final two times (2021, 2022). Vincent Bueno represented the country in 2021, when Amen didn’t make through the final. It was forgettable, had a simple stagging. But, I consider that Austria deserved to qualify in 2022. Pia Maria wasn’t the best to sing such a hard song, but it sounded quite okay. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a great and memorable performance.

Last year, in 2023, Austria was back in the Grand Final for the first time since 2018. Teya and Salena delivered an amazing and unique show. The whole arena were shouting Poe, Poe, Poe. But who the hell is Edgar tho? We still didn’t find out. The girls had an amazing show, they were underrated in my opinion. This year, Austria managed to send a banger once again. Kaleen, who was already familiar with the Eurovision stage, qualified for the final and delivered a spectacular performance. Unfortunately, the quality of her voice was not the best. Austria finished the contest in the 24th place.

What can be improved?

ORF can organise a songwriting camp for the 2025 edition. The internal selection can also have a national final like Romania did in 2020. I am sure that the broadcaster has the resources to organize such a selection and be more careful when it comes to the live performances of some artists (Pia Maria, Kaleen). I am sure that Austria can win again if they send a remarkable performer like Conchita.