UK Eurovision entrant Look Mum No Computer, the musician and YouTuber born Sam Battle, remains undeterred by the long odds and calls for a boycott ahead of this year's final. The bookmakers have placed him at 80/1 to win, but the 37-year-old artist says he is "happy to be an underdog" in the annual song contest.
Underdog Mentality
Speaking from a hotel room in Vienna, Battle expressed his focus and determination. "I'm 100 per cent on the job – I'm focusing on it completely," he said. "I'm practising every day, exercising so I've got the stamina." He added, "I'm used to being an underdog. There's all different ways of looking at it, but it's not bothering me, because nobody's actually seen the full [performance]. There's a lot more going on than meets the eye – I'm hoping it's going to surprise people."
Battle faces the challenge of securing the UK's first win since 1997, when Katrina and the Waves triumphed with "Love Shine a Light." The nation has rarely come close since, with Sam Ryder's second-place finish in 2022 being a notable exception.
Mixed Reactions to the Song
Reactions to "Eins, Zwei, Drei," a zany electronic-pop track featuring heavy synth use, have been mixed. In a three-star review, critic Adam White described it as "very English in a way that's both horrendously embarrassing and oddly charming." He noted its resemblance to Kaiser Chiefs or The Ting Tings, calling it a "very heterosexual Eurovision entry, devoid of camp."
Eccentric Staging
Battle's staging, created by creative director Fredrik Rydman, is arguably the most eccentric of the year. It features office-themed props built by Battle himself, custom synths, and dancers in boiler suits with furry computer heads. The UK, as one of the "Big Four" financial contributors to Eurovision, is guaranteed a spot in the final, but Battle will perform live in the second semi-final on 14 May.
Response to Boycott Calls
Over 1,000 artists, including Paul Weller and Brian Eno, signed an open letter calling for a boycott over Israel's inclusion. Five countries—Spain, Ireland, Slovenia, Iceland, and the Netherlands—have boycotted the event. Battle responded by stating that the BBC decides UK participation, and he is going "as the artist … being creative and focusing on the music – and trying to focus on what it's about, which is keeping Europe together, keeping Europe happy."
"People need to bloomin' smile once in a while, it's about creativity and music," he said. "The tension might happen [at the contest], there might be a change of mood – that's understandable. The mood may be completely different, and I have no idea what to expect. I'm going to hunker down, focus on the job at hand and try my hardest."
British Spirit
Battle's staging was inspired by the British cultural ethos of making the most of what you have. "It's the person in their shed in the middle of England… that mindset has fuelled inventions not just for the UK, but for the world," he said. "I'm trying to maintain that kind of aspect of Britishness: it might not be perfect, but we just got to, you know, keep calm and carry on, basically. The main thing I want to take away from this is just knowing I tried my hardest."
Watch Look Mum No Computer perform in the Eurovision semi-final on Thursday 14 May from 8pm on BBC One, and in the grand final on Saturday 16 May from 8pm.
