look mum no computer eurovision song: UK selects experimental electronic artist for Vienna
The UK has picked electronic musician and creator Look Mum No Computer to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. The Kent-based artist, who builds bespoke instruments and runs a museum of experimental technology, will take the stage for the UK in May 2026.
From indie frontman to synth inventor
Look Mum No Computer is the performing name of Sam Battle, a solo artist, songwriter and YouTuber who first arrived on the scene in 2014 as the frontman of the indie band Zibra. The group performed at Glastonbury in 2015 and Battle subsequently focused on solo work that fuses electronic composition, inventive instrument-building and performance art.
Battle has attracted a devoted online audience, with a combined following of roughly 1. 4 million across his social channels. He is best known for making unusual electronic instruments: organs assembled from Furby toys, synths built into Game Boys, a synthesiser bicycle and even flame-throwing keyboards. He also holds a Guinness World Record for creating the world's largest drone synthesizer and runs a small museum in Ramsgate dedicated to experimental and obsolete musical and scientific technology.
"I find it completely bonkers to be jumping on this wonderful and wild journey, " he said on being chosen. "I have always been a massive Eurovision fan, and I love the magical joy it brings to millions of people every year, so getting to join that legacy and fly the flag for the UK is an absolute honour that I am taking very seriously. "
What the selection signals about the UK's strategy
The selection was made through the broadcaster's internal process with input from industry experts. The choice marks a clear push toward experimentation: organisers highlighted his "bold vision, unique sound and electric performance style, " and said those qualities align with what they want the UK to bring to the Eurovision stage.
For a country that has struggled for top finishes in recent years, the decision reads as calculated risk-taking. The UK finished 19th with "Remember Monday" in 2025 and has managed a top-10 placing only once in the last decade. Commentators note that Eurovision's roster this year includes acts leaning into theatricality and novelty, and the UK appears to have embraced that mood by sending an artist known for theatrical, gadget-driven performances rather than a conventional pop act.
Song, staging and expectations for Vienna
The song Look Mum No Computer will perform has not yet been released. A national radio presenter said they had heard the entry and described it as consistent with Battle's trademark blend of electronic textures and inventive sound design. Battle himself promises to bring "every ounce of my creativity" to the live show and has teased that his Eurovision act will feature the handmade instruments and visual flair fans expect.
Critics and fans alike will be watching how those inventions translate to the contest's large-scale production environment. Eurovision's stages reward memorable moments and unusual visuals, and an entry that combines bespoke machines, striking staging and a clear performance identity stands a chance of cutting through despite stiff competition. The contest in Vienna will take place in May 2026, and broadcasters will schedule live coverage in the evening for UK audiences on the usual Eurovision nights, with broadcast times announced closer to the contest.
Whether Look Mum No Computer can deliver points across Europe remains an open question. The artist brings a dedicated following and a reputation for showmanship; on the other hand, Eurovision voting patterns and geopolitics remain unpredictable. For now, the UK is banking on originality and spectacle — and on the hope that a homemade synth odyssey can become an unforgettable Eurovision moment.
