"Prog is perfect for Eurovision!"

Can Aussie rockers Voyager win Europe's favourite song contest like Lordi and Måneskin before them? "It's a dream," says guitarist Simone Dow

- By Ellie Rogers

Historically, the Eurovision Song Contest might not always have made for essential viewing for those of a guitary persuasion. But this year, it’ll be worth tuning into the grand finale on

May 13, if only to catch Simone Dow, of prog-metal quintet Voyager, tearing it up for Australia on what is surely the first 7-string guitar to have ever graced the competition.

Honorary Europeans for the occasion, Voyager will be bringing the fretboard heat to the Liverpool event with their genre-busting track Promise. Stuffed with chewy dual-guitar riffs, eighties pop synths, earwormy hooks, melodic soloing and – last but not least – a keytar, the adventurous tune packs everything you could possibly hope for into three minutes of pure Eurovision excess. “We just can’t wait to showcase what Voyager is all about in a very large, flamboyant and over-the-top fashion,” Simone says from her home in Perth.

The band has been vying for the opportunity to represent their country since Australia was first invited to take part in Eurovision in 2015, and now that their time has finally come, spirits in the Voyager camp are understandably sky high. “Who doesn’t want to play on what’s quite possibly the greatest stage and greatest music experience in the world?” Simone smiles. “I’m just thrilled and we all are. You dream of playing on a massive stage where you can actually go all out and have all the bells and whistles at your disposal.”