Flemish radio station Radio 2 broadcast its annual summer hit award show Zomerhit tonight. The most popular Flemish artists, including many former Eurosong participants, competed for the Zomerhit 2004 trophy on the seafront in Middelkerke. Belle Perez (Eurosong 1999) won for the third consecutive year with her summer hit Light of my life.
Three former Belgian Eurovision Song Contest participants were on stage tonight: Liliane Saint-Pierre (1987 – Soldiers of love), Clouseau (1991 – Geef het op) and Xandee (2004 – 1 Life).
From this year's Eurosong 2004 pre-selection there was Astrid, Elsie Moraïs, Yanah, Spring and Natalia. Previous years' Eurosong entrants included Belle Perez (Eurosong 1999), K3 (Eurosong 1999), Mama's Jasje (Eurosong 1996) and Bart Herman (Eurosong 1993). International guests tonight were Matt Bianco, Treble, T-Rio and O-Zone.
In between the performances in front of 24.000 people on the seafront in Middelkerke, several Zomerhit trophies were awarded in several categories. Astrid (Eurosong 2004 – Don't stop the music) was awarded the Break-Through Award, Spring (Eurosong 2004 – Jan zonder vrees) received the Public's Favourite Award.
The apotheosis of the show however was the presentation of the Zomerhit 2004 award. The award went for the third consecutive year to Belle Perez for her summer hit Light of my life. She defeated Xandee (Ay que calor) and Natalia (I want you back), the Eurosong 2004 winner and runner-up. In 2002 Belle Perez won in duet with Dutch singer Jody Bernal with the song Me and you and last year she coloured the Flemish summer with Enamorada.
Belle Perez broke through after her participation at Eurosong 1999 with Hello Word. The Flemish singer with Spanish blood can nowadays be considered as one of the most successful singers in Flanders.
Eurosong participants have always done well at Zomerhit. Belle Perez equals the result of K3 who also won three consecutive times with Heyah Mama (1999), Alle kleuren (2000) and Télé Romeo (2001).
