🇧🇪 Gustaph: “We have to give the people what they want”

Following his first rehearsal yesterday, our Rory got a chance to catch up with Gustaph to discuss his Liverpool experience so far.

Watch our interview with Gustaph right here:

During their interview, Rory and Gustaph talked about how his first rehearsal went, as well as the inspiration behind his outfit. They also discuss the incorporation of queer duckwalking and the inclusion of iconic ballroom dancer PussCee. They also discuss the advice that Gustaph received from previous Eurovision entrants Hooverphonic and Sennek.

Gustaph’s Eurovision journey so far

Gustaph was one of seven acts announced to compete in Belgium’s national final Eurosong 2023. Like the other contestants, he initially presented two entries, “The Nail” and “Because of You”, and chose the latter song to compete in the live final on 14th January 2023.

In the final, Gustaph placed third with the professional jury and second with the public televote to win Eurosong 2023 – and Belgium’s ticket to Eurovision – by a singular point.

In the lead-up to Eurovision 2023, Gustaph performed several times during the Eurovision pre-party season, including at Barcelona Eurovision Party, Pre-Party ES and Eurovision in Concert.

On Monday, Gustaph performed on the Eurovision stage for his first rehearsal. You can find out more about their first rehearsal, and our thoughts on that here.

Who is Gustaph?

Gustaph is the stage name of Belgian singer, musician, and producer Stef Caers. He also has released music under the pseudonym Steffen, including hit single “Gonna Lose You”, released in 2000. Gustaph has some Eurovision experience under his belt already. He was the backing singer for Belgium in 2018 and 2021, the latter of which qualified to the final. Besides working in front of and behind the microphone, Gustaph also teaches music at University College Gent and University College PXL.Gustaph’s song “Because Of You” was written by Gustaph himself alongside Jaouad Alloul.

Belgium’s Eurovision journey

Belgium was one of the debutant countries at the beginning of the Eurovision Song Contest back in 1956. Back in 1956, countries could submit two songs, and for Belgium that year, ‘Messieurs les noyes de la Seine’ by Fud Leclerc and ‘Le plus beau jour de ma vie’ by Mony Marc represented the nation. To this day we do not know the final results of Eurovision 1956.

Belgium have taken part in every Eurovision Song Contest since 1956; however they have only ever won once; in 1986 with Sandra Kim singing the song ‘J’amie la vie’, scoring 176 points. In 2022, Belgium was represented by Jérémie Makiese with the song “Miss You”. Makiese came 19th scoring 64 points in the Grand Final.

What do you think of our interview with Gustaph? Do you think they will qualify for the final this year? Where would you like Belgium to finish this year? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we cover the rehearsals of Eurovision 2023!

News Source: That Eurovision Site

Photo Credit: Corinne Cumming / EBU