If you think Eurovision is the gayest night of the year, you might not have heard of our very own version: the COC Songfestival. For 30 years, this has been the night where local LGBTQ+ organisations from across the Netherlands battle it out for musical glory, and this weekend's edition in IJmuiden was no exception.
After a night of nine diverse acts, it was COC Regio Nijmegen that snatched the crown. Their entry, "Color Me Free" by Davide & The Rainbow Fairies, won over both the professional and regional juries, racking up 95 points. The group, fronted by singer Davide La Cara with performers Hanne Aussems, Kim Brouwer, and Christian Paul, delivered a catchy, upbeat anthem about freedom and connection that clearly hit the right note.
It was a well-deserved victory, marking the fourth time Nijmegen has taken home the prize. They were followed by strong entries from COC Rotterdam in second place and COC Leiden in third.
A Night of Stars and Queer History
The evening wasn't just about the competition. Hosted by the legendary Dolly Bellefleur, the show had a jury panel that could give the main event in Malmö a run for its money. Think Mr. Eurovision himself, Cornald Maas, alongside singer Leona Philippo, comedian Gavin Reijnders, Brigitte Kaandorp, and COC chair Myrtille Danse. A solid panel to impress.
One of the most poignant moments of the night came from Dolly Bellefleur herself. She performed "Sorry dat ik besta" ("Sorry That I Exist"), a song from Annie M.G. Schmidt's musical Foxtrot. It's a track that speaks to a time when queer love stories were invisible in music. In a perfect full-circle moment, this was also the winning song at the very first COC Songfestival back in 1995 (when covers were still allowed), reminding us all why a platform for our own stories and songs is still so important.
Get Ready, Nijmegen!
As is tradition, the winning region gets to host the festival the following year. That means the party is heading to Nijmegen in 2027! Patrick Huisman, the incoming chair of COC Regio Nijmegen, is ready for the challenge. "We hope that in Nijmegen, we can channel the energy that was in the winning song from Davide & The Rainbow Fairies tonight!" he said after the win.
So, get ready for a trip to the oldest city in the Netherlands next year for what's sure to be another fantastic celebration of queer music and community.
Missed The Show? Watch It Here
If you couldn't tune in live, don't worry. The entire livestream is available to re-watch, so you can catch all the performances, the judging, and the winning moment. Grab some snacks and enjoy the show!
