Following the disappointing result of Ireland in Istanbul this year, RTE looked at how they needed to change their whole process in relation to the contest. The You're a star live shows start on 9th January 2005 and end with a final on Sunday 6th March. On 17th March 2005, the songs in the running for representing Ireland at the 2005 Eurovision Song Contest will be performed by the winning You're a star act.

RTE analysed the Eurovision Song Contest…
“Istanbul was an eye opener in more ways than one,” admits RTE. “Ireland, along with most Western European countries, had not been dealing adequately with what was an uncomfortable fact, that the contest had changed and was being won by countries to the East and the South, most of whom brought elaborate and exciting stage shows. The trend away from the ballad and the solo performer is now complete – for the forseeable future, it would seem.”

RTE does not believe in conspiracy at the Eurovision Song Contest. “Contrary to popular opinion, there was no conspiracy by the Balkans or by the old Eastern bloc to win. Neighbours often voted for each other, but that has always happened in Eurovision. The truth was more straightforward : Last year EVERY country voted for the winner Ruslana, from The Ukraine, including Ireland. And our own 'neighbour's ' vote saved us from last place.”

According to the Irish broadcaster, the 'new' countries in the contest have embraced the changed style of the show more than the older countries have. For example, they use the six people that are allowed on stage to create exciting visual acts. Most western countries were still sending a solo singer and static backing vocals.

The other big factor RTE had to deal with was that a slow song hasn't won the contest since televoting began in the late 1990's. So RTE looked at the relatively diverse range of acts in the first 10 in Istanbul and realised that it included pop, dance, rock as well as a more traditional Euro pop.

The new approach…
“We clearly needed a new approach,” RTE continues. “We needed to 'shake the tree' all over Ireland and look for the type of acts that hadn't entered You're a star previously. Having found them, we had to ensure as far as possible that they would be fit for the pressure that Eurovision places on performers.”

In the Killarney workshops, the basis of the shows 4, 5 and 6, the Producers put the acts through their paces. They were coached by a variety of recognised experts in the business, in order to improve the standard of performance when The Helix shows begin. These live shows, beginning on 9th January 2005, will have an emphasis on contestants' ability to be versatile, perform up tempo material and 'sell' the songs on stage.

The song selection process has been looked at again. RTE has kept with the idea of a public competition. But the song for 2005 must reflect the changed nature of the contest. “We decided to begin the song selection earlier, so that we would have the option, depending on the standard and before the You're a star final weeks, of commissioning a suitable song from an established songwriter, with a particular singer – or act – in mind.”

The final change from previous years is that the songs, augmented by additional performers if necessary, will be presented by the You're a star winning act in a separate show, ten days after the final, on 17th March.