The United Kingdom is taking a radically different approach to this year's contest by choosing Sam Battle, the eccentric mind behind the popular YouTube channel 'Look Mum No Computer'.
Known for transforming vintage junk into bizarre musical machines, this Kent-based inventor is ready to swap his workshop for the big stage in Vienna. With his unique blend of analogue synths and DIY energy, he represents a fresh and daring hope for the nation's musical future.
TheBBChas confirmed that Sam Battle, the experimental musician known online as 'Look Mum No Computer', will fly the flag for the UK in Vienna this May. A long-time enthusiast of the competition, the performer began his journey on YouTube back in 2016. Since then, he has grown a substantial audience, attracting over 1.4 million followers and 85 million views across his social media platforms.
Battle expressed his excitement, stating: 'I find it completely bonkers to be jumping on this wonderful and wild journey. I have always been a massiveEurovisionfan, and I love the magical joy it brings to millions of people every year, so getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour that I am taking very seriously.'
'I've been working a long time creating, writing and producing my own visions from scratch, and documenting my process. I will be bringing every ounce of my creativity to my performances, and I can't wait for everyone to hear and see what we've created. I hopeEurovisionis ready to get synthesised.'
The BBC's head of entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, expressed her excitement, saying: 'We are absolutely thrilled to have Look Mum No Computer representing the UK atEurovisionin Vienna in 2026. His bold vision, unique sound and electric performance style make him a truly unforgettable artist.'
'Look Mum No Computer embodies everything the UK wants to celebrate on the Eurovision stage – creativity, ambition and a distinctly British wit. I am sure he will make us all proud on the international stage in May.'
While the specific track on which he is set to debut in Austria has not yet been announced, expectations are high for what the inventor will bring to the competition. While his song remains a mystery, the story of how Sam Battle evolved into 'Look Mum No Computer' is every bit as colourful as the instruments he builds.
Living in Kent and fueled by a diet of beans on toast, Battle launched his project in April 2016, according to hisofficial site. Originally, the name was intended for a zine dedicated to his inevitable and slightly eccentric creative impulses. However, the concept shifted in an entirely new direction when he picked up a video camera and began filming his work.
'I've been a musician all my life, in various bands, ZIBRA being the most recent one,' Battle explains. 'Now i mainly build musical machines and make music with them! I tour quite a lot, check my homepage for tour dates, i take my synths along for the ride.'
Source: International Business Times UK
