The BBC has turned to the world of experimental electronics for its next Eurovision entry, naming Kent musician and inventor Sam Battle as the UK’s representative for 2026.
Known to his millions of online followers as “Look Mum No Computer,” Battle will take his unique brand of homemade synthesisers to the 70th anniversary of the contest in Vienna this May. The announcement was made by Scott Mills on Tuesday’s edition of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, signaling a deliberate shift away from the “safe” pop ballads of previous years.
A “wonderful and wild” journey
Reacting to his selection for Eurovision 2026, the 36-year-old artist admitted that the news felt “completely bonkers.” A lifelong devotee of the competition, Battle spoke warmly of the “magical joy” the show brings to global audiences every year.
“Getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour that I am taking very seriously,” he said. He later joked on social media that he hoped Europe was finally ready to “get synthesised.”
The decision came after an internal search led by the BBC’s Eurovision team, including Project Director David May and Andrew Cartmell of BBC Studios North. They were reportedly looking for an act that broke the traditional Eurovision mould.
Mixing Britpop with 80s Synths
While fans are still waiting to hear the official track, Scott Mills has already had a sneak preview. He described it as a “big anthem” that feels rooted in British musical history.
According to Mills, the song sounds like a high-energy cocktail of influences. He compared the vibe to the Britpop energy of Blur’s Parklife mixed with the sleek electronic sounds of the Pet Shop Boys and The Human League. There is even, he suggested, a “tiny bit” of the Sex Pistols thrown in for good measure.
“Stick all that in a blender and you have a big anthem,” Mills told his listeners. “I can already imagine them singing along to this in the arena.”
The Man Behind the Machines
Battle is not your typical pop star. He first appeared on the music scene in 2014 as the frontman for the indie band Zibra, appearing at Glastonbury via the BBC Introducing stage. However, it is his solo work as a “maker” that has truly defined his career.
From his base in Ramsgate, Battle has built a massive digital following by constructing bizarre, functional musical instruments out of salvaged technology. His YouTube channel currently has over 1.4 million subscribers who tune in to see his latest inventions.
From Furbies to Flame-throwers
Among his most famous creations is an organ built entirely from Furbies and a “Synthesiser Bike” that generates music as he pedals. He is also the founder of “This Museum Is (Not) Obsolete” in Kent, a space dedicated to preserving and showcasing vintage analogue gear.
His reputation as a “mad professor” of the synth world is exactly what the BBC is hoping will catch the eye of the European voting public.
A Fresh Strategy for the UK
The BBC’s Head of Entertainment, Kalpna Patel-Knight, praised Battle’s “bold vision” and his “distinctly British wit.” She noted that the artist embodies the creativity and ambition the UK wants to celebrate on the world stage.
The UK is eager to climb back up the leaderboard following a string of mixed results. After Sam Ryder’s historic second-place finish in 2022, recent years have seen the UK struggle to break into the top ten.
The 2026 Grand Final is set for Saturday, 16 May. As part of the “Big Five,” the UK will skip the semi-finals and head straight to the main event. Battle has already confirmed that he is working on a stage show that will bring “every ounce” of his inventive spirit to Vienna.
