Confidence and Eurovision
There is a well-known saying that confidence is not about believing you will win, but about being comfortable with the possibility of losing. If this holds true, then Sam Battle, performing as Look Mum No Computer, exemplifies confidence at this year's Eurovision Song Contest.
The 37-year-old musician appears remarkably unconcerned about the scores that may come his way on Saturday night, representing the UK.
"It could go well or completely wrong - I'm just here for the ride,"
"It's a really good t-shirt - 'Look mum, no points'."
With bookmakers placing him as a 150/1 outsider to win, Eurovision is not a pivotal moment for Sam. Prior to the contest, he had already established a cult following for his music, which features home-made synthesisers and an energetic electro-pop style.
His YouTube channel, with 700,000 rs, showcases his work modifying vintage cars and restoring old church organs, delivered with the manic energy and distinctive electro-shock hairstyle reminiscent of Back to Future's Doc Brown.
Additionally, he runs a museum in Ramsgate, Kent, dedicated to revived audio technology. Notably, four weeks ago, he became a father for the first time.
"He's a healthy baby boy called Max and I love him very much,"
Sam has a full life beyond Eurovision, making the contest a unique addition to his diverse career.
Unexpected Journey to Eurovision
Sam recounts that his participation in Eurovision was somewhat accidental.
"I was at the pub with my friend Johnny, and we were saying, 'Wouldn't it be funny to try and do Eurovision?'"
Following this, his manager contacted the BBC to inquire about the application process.
"And the BBC said, 'Oh, he seems interesting. Why not email us a song?'"
Impressed by his submission, the BBC invited Sam to a writing camp. He agreed on the condition that he could bring Kosmo, his custom-made synthesiser and drum machine, which travels in six separate flight cases.
Kosmo inspired his Eurovision entry, a playful 1980s-style pop anthem titled Eins, Zwei, Drei.
"I was actually moving a sofa to make room for my synth, and as we prepared to lift it I said, 'Eins, Zwei, Drei'.
Everyone was like, 'That's the name of the song!'
"Twelve hours later, we're done. We had a lot of fun. But we were all thinking, it's never gonna get picked."
The following morning, the BBC contacted him, expressing enthusiasm for the song's energetic and Euro-friendly lyrics about leaving an office job for a mini-break in Germany.
Sam was then asked to attend one final audition to demonstrate his ability to perform under pressure, after which he was officially chosen to represent the UK.
Rehearsal and Passion for Vintage Instruments
We met Sam during rehearsal week at Vienna's Museum of Science and Technology, where the second floor houses early mechanical instruments and historic synthesisers.
Known for his hyperactivity, Sam explored the exhibition with the enthusiasm of a child discovering a secret candy room.
He impressed the staff with his extensive knowledge of obscure machines, pointing out details such as the bellows powering a church organ and the pneumatic mechanisms of a piano roll player.
"That's the sound you hear on Strawberry Fields Forever,"
He indicated a Mellotron organ, an early sampler using tape loops to create orchestral sounds.
"And if you flick this 'rumba' button,"
he said, demonstrating a Roland CR-78 drum machine,
"you'll get the start to Blondie's Heart of Glass."
The museum's curator remarked:
"He'd be a great tour guide. He almost knows more than we do!"
Sam immediately offered to provide his CV, joking:
"I don't have a CV. But I'll write one."
Despite the excitement, Sam acknowledged the challenge of focusing on the interview.
"Sorry! I'm forgetting I have a job to do,"
He then spotted a Eurovision karaoke booth and proceeded to perform a falsetto version of Abba's Waterloo, followed by Tommy Cash's 2025 entry Espresso Macchiato, complete with choreography.
Performance and Staging
This led to a discussion about his own Eurovision performance.
"I'm literally not a dancer,"
he admitted with a grin.
"I'm awful. I've got two left feet and there are parts where I need to use my right foot. But I'm all up for an experience and a challenge. It's fun."
His performance at Thursday's semi-final showcased his energetic style. The staging begins with him trapped in a monotonous office job, then breaking free as the music starts, transforming the setting into a vibrant electronic fairground with dancers wearing fur-lined television sets on their heads.
Sam constructed most of the set himself, including oversized synthesiser panels and custom electronics.
"Many holes were drilled,"
he laughed.
"I drilled so many holes that my nipples chafed.
"I had the idea of using a car as well, but because the floor [of the stage] is an LED screen made of glass, there's a solid weight limit of 500kg for all the props, so we had to abandon that."
Despite his enthusiasm, Sam is aware of the UK's historical challenges at Eurovision.
Aside from Sam Ryder's second-place finish in 2022, the UK has not placed in the top 10 for over 15 years. In the past two years, the UK received zero points from the public vote.
BBC Preparation and Expectations
Sam revealed that the BBC prepared him for the scrutiny and criticism that often accompany Eurovision participation.
"They gave me a stress test [to see] whether I could deal under pressure,"
He glanced nervously toward his press handler before continuing.
"It's nothing, really, just making sure that you don't get too nervous and things like that."
Currently, his nerves are manageable. His main concern is the possibility of falling and embarrassing himself on stage.
Still, he admits there is some hope for success.
"Watching the semi-finals yesterday I thought, maybe we've got something a bit different,"
"What we're doing is Marmite – you either love it or hate it - but I think there's a slot open for our sort of thing."
For a brief moment, he considered the possibility of winning before returning to realism.
"I always say to expect nothing,"
"Because if you expect nothing, you lose nothing.
"And anyway, after Saturday night's over, I'm getting straight on the plane and going back to nappy changing duties."
