PRESS RELEASE
During the first edition of the Eurovision Prompt Festival at Neushoorn in Leeuwarden, Ellen van Ellende performed the song “Ellen van Ellende” . The audience award went to Falco Cane. The event focused not only on AI-generated music and performance, but above all on the question of what artificial intelligence means for the future of the creative industry.
Last night at Neushoorn, the battle began between drag performers using AI-generated songs. The evening offered a mix of spectacle, experimentation, and reflection on the changing role of technology in music, entertainment, and creativity. Chagall kicked off the event, surprising the audience with her innovative MiMU Gloves and a fusion of technology and live performance. Host and drag performer Jezze Jezzebel said of the evening: “The combination of live music, drag, dance, lip-sync, and AI: cool, thought-provoking, and impactful. It wasn’t just a celebration; it was a moment of genuine reflection.”
For the expert jury—comprising Willem de Vries (Omrop Fryslân), Floris de Jonge (NHL Stenden), and Rowan Veltman (influencing artist)—it was about more than just technology. It was precisely through personal details and lyrically rich songs that a connection with the audience was forged. “The human aspect remains essential: we give meaning by associating and interpreting. AI can’t do that for us,” said Floris de Jonge. AI expert and audience member Bert Hofstede emphasized the power of the crowd favorite: “Falco Cane’s first song (Dare to Play) was so strong. The emotion, choreography, and empathy were impressive.” Whether AI-generated music can still be distinguished from ‘real’ music proved to be a topic of discussion. “The voices and songs sound real,” visitors noted, though some qualified this by saying that a trained ear can still hear differences.
The evening was made possible through close collaboration between educational institutions, young talent, and the creative industry. More than 50 students from nine creative programs at Firda (vocational education) and NHL Stenden (higher professional education) contributed to the music, visuals, technical aspects, and organization. Firda students from the Music Artist program, who formed the live band, were critical of AI music after their hands-on experience: “It sounds perfect, but also flat and less real.” They see potential as a source of inspiration, but they feel the creative process takes a back seat.
The idea for the Eurovision Prompt Festival came from Didier Kick, director of MICA: “Generative AI is going to have a major impact on our field as media professionals and creatives. We need to prepare for that. The question isn’t whether we want to work with it, but more importantly, how we want to work with it.”
All songs are available to listen to on the MICA's YouTube channel. The event was made possible in part by Netwerk Mediawijsheid Nederland and the Leeuwarder Digitale Agenda (LDA).
For more information, visual materials, interview requests, or access to WAV-quality versions of the songs, please contact Didier Kick didier@mica.nu 06 11 959 127.
Photos by: Femke Elzinga
