Final for Belgium: Gustaph punches through to Song Contest final with “Because of you”

12 comments
  1. Translation:

    Final for Belgium: Gustaph punches through to Song Contest final with “Because of you”

    ‘It’s happened: Belgium is in the final of the Song Contest. Gustaph sufficiently convinced the audience in the second semi-final of the Song Contest with his “Because of you”. Belgium was called out as the fourth finalist to loud applause in Liverpool. Albania, Cyprus, Estonia, Austria, Lithuania, Poland, Australia, Armenia and Slovenia are also through to the final.

    He does it: Gustaph was the fifth act in the second semi-final and he was called out as the fourth finalist, to loud applause in the Liverpool venue. Instant tears at Gustaph and his husband Roen Lommelen, who co-directed his act. Joy among the rest of Team Belgium, and certainly among backing singers Sandrine, Chantal and Monique.

    Being at the Song Contest is all about standing out, and Belgium certainly succeeded in that in the second semi-final. After an upbeat pop song as an opener and three similar ballads, Gustaph built a real party on stage as the first act of the evening. He sang powerfully and clearly enjoyed the moment he and his team had worked towards for so long: the three minutes when everything had to fall into place.

    Gustaph had promised a dynamic act to the song about his “chosen family” (the people who support him unconditionally, ed.) and he delivered on that promise. The success elements: a grand staircase, eye-catching visuals on the screens, his three dancing backing singers Chantal, Monique and Sandrine ánd ballroom dancer PussCee West, who in the last minute of “Because of you” gives it a strong kick with impressive vogue moves.

    Conclusion: Gustaph was there on all counts, with lots of energy and a strong vocal performance, including from his backing singers who sang live even though that is no longer compulsory at the Song Contest. On Saturday he gets to give his best for a second time in Liverpool.

  2. I found his insights on Eurovision in Wttaa quite interesting. For some reason, i’ve got finland and australia’s songs stuck in my head more than gustaph’s, but it’s a solid song tbh and I kinda hope he’ll be able to solidify a touring career out of this!

  3. Let me guess, “the bookies are now setting the chances for Belgium winning way higher” and will continue to do so all the way until just before the show, whoever is voicing over the show these days will make sure to remind us of that every 5 minutes
    But then surprisingly the song ends somehow near the bottom.
    Same shit every year.

  4. He did well. The competition in this semi wasn´t great, but I still got the feeling that it will stand out in the final. Top 10 should be possible.

  5. Gave the performance a quick look on vrtnws and damn, this guy can really sing. I still am not 100% sold on the song itself, but when he can bring it live like this, he surely earns himself a spot in the final. Just this one time the visuals were great as well, and BBC filmed it nicely. Backing vocals live is a nice touch. He’ll do okay on Saturday.

  6. Now my dreams of seeing a Eurovision be hosted in Belgium are closer to being a reality. And it’s all thanks to a very fantastic song that came right after some… questionable tracks.

    And yes, I know they hosted one in Brussels. But I wasn’t alive at that point.

Leave a Reply