The Roo Brothers are ready. Tonight is the day and they will defend Drenthe at the Regional Song Contest in Arnhem. There, representatives from thirteen broadcasters, located in twelve provinces, compete for the win.
Last night the tension was not too bad, but Alfred and Jaap Roo expect it to increase today in the run-up to their performance at the Regional Song Festival. “We’re both like, bring it on now.” The duo has been busy rehearsing recently. “We are really ready and ready for it.”
The Roo Brothers perform with the Lower Saxon song Olde Jetta. In Arnhem they compete with the representatives of the twelve other regional broadcasters.
The song Olde Jetta by the brothers is an ode to their childhood memories, summer car rides in their parents’ Volkswagen and the warm moments that shaped them.
The men are well aware of the competition. “During the kick-off in Hilversum we met all the artists and already heard the acts. So that will be great fun.”
And although it is not mandatory, the brothers would like to see others perform their songs in the regional language. “We think it’s great that people actually sing in the regional language. But that’s everyone’s own choice.”
They see performing as the fourth artist as the ‘perfect place’. “Not first, but not that you have to wait very long either. Nice fourth.” Before they perform, the men and their band have a fixed ritual. “Before we go on stage we often do something like a high five, to boost each other up.”
The Drenthe delegates arrive early in Arnhem and are especially looking forward to playing in the Arnhem Musis & Stadstheater. “We are really looking forward to seeing that, because we really enjoy playing in the theater. And that theater seems to be very cool anyway. And it would be very cool if we could perform the song well in our opinion.”
The Regional Song Contest can be followed live tonight from 8 p.m. via TV Drenthe. The broadcast can also be followed online.