ESC Preliminary Decision 2026: These Acts Want to Compete for Austria

The dozen is complete: Since Monday, it is official which acts will enter the ring on February 20th at the ORF casting show "Vienna Calling" to secure the ticket for the red-white-red entry at the home ESC in May 2026. Two bands and ten solo artists were selected from over 500 applications received, the ORF announced on Monday. This sets the stage for the first national preliminary decision since 2016, which will be hosted by Alice Tumler and Cesár Sampson.

Who will go to the home ESC in Vienna? ORF announces candidates for "Vienna Calling"

"It takes a great deal of courage to step onto this international stage after a winning year. The candidates for the final selection are exactly that: courageous, colorful, and full of diversity," praised ORF Program Director Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, highlighting the multifaceted group while also making it clear that representing the host country is not an easy task.

The twelve lucky ones have already come a long way. After the formal applications, the potential ESC acts had to face a casting in front of the ORF editorial team and some scene scouts at the end of November. From this process emerged the candidates whose styles range from Austropop, Latin, ballad to rock. The victory trophy will then be awarded by the audience with their votes on February 20th.

Of Superhumans and Self-Portraits

Among them is 25-year-old Anna-Sophie from Styria, who will compete with the English pop song "Superhuman," which she wrote herself. One year younger, Bamlak Werner attempts the same with "We Are Not Just One Thing," while 19-year-old Cosmó from Vienna tries in German and hopes for a free pass to the ESC final with "Tanzschein."

The 23-year-old Carinthian Julia Steen has logically applied with the song "Julia," which she will also perform in German. Despite the tarry name Nikotin, the corresponding solo singer announces "Immortal" during his performance, while the casting-experienced Philip Piller takes a more philosophical approach and proclaims "Life is Art."

Burning, Painting and Snow

Not surprisingly, "I brenn" will also be sung in German or rather in dialect - namely by the 31-year-old Tyrolean Kayla Krystin. That it can also be done in English with a Tyrolean background is what Lena Schaur wants to prove, who, as a 22-year-old, hopes for the audience's favor with "Painted Reality." In contrast, David Kurt from Vienna relies on English-language balladry with "Pockets Full of Snow." And in two languages - namely Spanish and German - Tamara Flores sings. The 28-year-old Viennese relies on Latin pop under the title "Chingona."

The two chosen bands also both come from the federal capital. The five-member formation Frevd may present the audience with a puzzle with the rocky "Riddle," as they want to musically engage with Freud's world of thought. The quartet Reverend Stomp, on the other hand, hopes for a final ticket with "Mescalero Ranger."

Everything about the Song Contest in Vienna 2026

(APA/Red)

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