Eurovision 2016: Ireland.

All Irish stereotypes in one picture.

Ireland hasdone something that they've needed to do for years--they've scrapped their national final and tried something different.

Instead of doing a national final with a bunch of unknowns, Ireland has internally selected an established performer.

Nicky Byrne became famous as part of the Irish boy band Westlife and parlayed that into a career as a presenter on Irish radio and television and has been a part of the last three Eurovisions as the Irish spokesperson, presenting the Irish votes.

So it was a natural choice that Byrne would represent the country.

Nicky Byrne   "Sunlight"

I have to say that it's a step in the right direction, this is a piece of pop without any of the Celtic influences that have popped up in a lot of recent entries.

But I can't say that I see this as a song that will win the Eurovision Song Contest.

First of all, the song sounds dated.   Instead of feeling modern, this song sounds like it's from the early 2000s, the heyday of Byrne's former band Westlife.   It's not surprising that this would be the sound Byrne would have gone for--that sound has made him a decent living.  I just wonder how this will hold up against songs that have a more modern musical feel.

I also have to say in the two live performances I've seen, Byrne has underwhelmed.   Westlife was one of the most commercially successful Irish pop acts ever, but it was a manufactured group/  These live performances make me think that Byrne was a part of Westlife less for his musical ability than for his good looks.   "Sunlight" is more spoken than sung and Byrne has battled with staying on pitch during those live performances.  Still he does look good in those leather jackets.

This is no winner.   But it is a step in the right direction for a country who has seemed to be stuck in the 1990s when it comes to Eurovision.