Bangkok hosted the inaugural Eurovision Asia Song Contest on Saturday, attracting a diverse audience of fans from around the world. Attendees included Europeans residing in Asia, Americans, and dedicated Eurovision enthusiasts keen to witness the event’s first Asian edition.
Simon Robinson, a 63-year-old fan from Melbourne, Australia, shared his long-standing connection to the competition that began when he watched it for the first time in Yorkshire, England, at age eight. He recalled that the 1970 contest saw British entry Mary Hopkin finish second. “I really liked the concept of bringing Europe together after the war,” Robinson said, highlighting the contest’s role in fostering a European identity.
Lee Hudson, an American television executive living in Kuala Lumpur, expressed his emotional connection to Eurovision, which he has closely followed since 2012. “The only reason I know any music from European countries is because I heard them on Eurovision,” he noted, adding that the concept of Eurovision Asia fits well with the distinct musical cultures of the region.
For Drew Andrea, attending Eurovision Asia marked a significant milestone; he began watching the competition in 2013 and has since made it a point to attend every final. He mentioned that traveling to Bangkok was more affordable compared to past events in Europe. “Asia understands the brief — the kitschy costumes, the dance music,” he stated, praising the performances from the Philippines and Vietnam.
Luca Cian, a professor of marketing at the University of Virginia, pointed out that Eurovision unites viewers through a shared cultural experience, creating community rituals that bring families together for watch parties. This communal spirit was echoed by British accountant Carmen Chung, who altered her family’s vacation plans to attend the contest with her brother Garry. Relying on their shared childhood experiences of Eurovision, the siblings rooted for the beatboxing group Beatmosphere from Bangladesh, which performed an a cappella love song.
Martin Green, the director of the Eurovision Song Contest, revealed that nearly half of the tickets for the final were bought by dedicated fans from outside Asia. The inaugural show featured 11 participating countries and took place in a 5,000-seat venue, maintaining a modest scale for this first event. Despite its limited scope, attendees like Andrea expressed hopes for its growth in the future. “I’m O.K. with humble beginnings as long as it keeps growing every year,” he said.
