The United Kingdom has made its boldest move in years for the Eurovision Song Contest, announcing on February 17, 2026, that the avant-garde electronic artist and YouTuber known as Look Mum No Computer will represent the nation at the competition in Vienna this May. The news broke live on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, stirring excitement and curiosity across the country and beyond.
Behind the moniker Look Mum No Computer stands Sam Battle, a Kent-based musician, inventor, and self-described “quirky boffin” whose career has been anything but ordinary. Since first emerging on the scene in 2014 as the frontman of the indie rock band ZIBRA, Battle has carved out a unique niche at the intersection of music, engineering, and internet culture. ZIBRA’s performance at Glastonbury in 2015 for BBC Introducing marked the start of Battle’s public journey, but it was his transition to solo work—and a fascination with homemade electronic instruments—that truly set him apart.
Battle’s approach to music is as hands-on as it gets. He is famed for building and performing with a dazzling array of unconventional instruments: organs cobbled together from Furby toys and Game Boys, synthesizer bicycles, flame-throwing keyboards, and even an orchestra of Star Wars droids. According to BBC News, he’s “an inventor of unique musical machines,” and fans have watched his creations come to life on his popular YouTube channel, which boasts over 1.4 million combined subscribers and followers and more than 85 million views.
Look Mum No Computer’s rise has been fueled by viral online demonstrations and energetic live shows across the UK and Europe. His reputation as a maker and performer has led to a TEDx Talk, a Guinness World Record for the world’s largest drone synthesizer, and the founding of a museum dedicated to electronic music history and experimentation. As Hayley Bessell reported for Aussievision, Battle’s “artistic identity is strongly tied to ‘maker culture’ and the revival of analogue sound design.”
Battle’s selection for Eurovision was the result of an extensive internal process at the BBC, led by Eurovision Project Director David May and Executive Producer Andrew Cartmell. Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC, described the decision as a celebration of British ingenuity: “His bold vision, unique sound and electric performance style make him a truly unforgettable artist,” she said. “Look Mum No Computer embodies everything the UK wants to celebrate on the Eurovision stage—creativity, ambition, and a distinctly British wit. I am sure he will make us all proud on the international stage in May.”
Suzy Lamb, Managing Director of BBC Studios Entertainment, echoed this sentiment: “He is a genuinely original artist whose creativity and enormous love for Eurovision perfectly capture the spirit of the competition. Our team at BBC Studios worked to find something very different musically and Look Mum No Computer really stood out. From his innovative approach to music-making to the strong connection he has built with audiences online, he brings a unique energy to his performances that we can’t wait for Eurovision fans around the world to experience in May.”
Look Mum No Computer himself seems both thrilled and a little in awe of the opportunity. In a statement to the BBC and The Guardian, he said, “I find it completely bonkers to be jumping on this wonderful and wild journey. 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 honor that I am taking very seriously.” He added, “I’ve been working a long time creating, writing, and producing my own visions from scratch, and documenting my process. I will be bringing every ounce of my creativity to my performances, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear and see what we’ve created. I hope Eurovision is ready to get synthesized!”
The United Kingdom’s history at Eurovision is storied but checkered in recent years. Since first participating in 1957, the UK has competed 67 times, winning five times—most recently in 1997 with Katrina and The Waves’ “Love Shine A Light”—and finishing second a remarkable 16 times. However, the nation has also finished last five times since 2003, prompting calls for a more adventurous approach. As Scott Mills, BBC Radio 2 DJ and Eurovision commentator, candidly put it, “The UK often gets criticised at Eurovision, or it has in some years. ‘We’re always really safe, we always keep it really middle of the road.’ So we are going to try something different this year. Why not? Let’s try something different, and it is different.”
While the specific song Battle will perform in Vienna remains under wraps, Mills offered a tantalizing preview: “From just one listen, I want you to imagine a bit of Basshunter’s ‘Now You’re Gone’ and then put a bit of ‘Parklife’ by Blur in there, and maybe you would add in a bit of ‘West End Girls’ by Pet Shop Boys, maybe the synths of The Human League. Sprinkle a bit of Verka Serduchka in there. Maybe just a tiny bit of Sex Pistols. Stick all that in a blender and create a big anthem to take on Eurovision, one that I can imagine they will be singing in that arena.” The song is slated for its first radio play—alongside Battle’s first exclusive interview—in the coming weeks on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show.
Eurovision 2026, the 70th edition of the contest, will take place in Vienna following Austrian singer JJ’s victory in Switzerland last year. The grand final is scheduled for May 16, 2026. The run-up to this year’s event has already been marked by controversy, with five countries withdrawing after Israel’s participation was confirmed. Still, the UK’s Eurovision community remains undaunted, with hopes high that Battle’s “distinctly British wit” and inventive spirit can reverse the nation’s recent fortunes. After Sam Ryder’s celebrated second place in 2022, the UK slipped in subsequent years—Mae Muller finished second to last in 2023, Olly Alexander landed 18th in 2024, and Remember Monday managed 19th in 2025.
Eurovision is more than just a contest in the UK—it’s an annual institution, complete with viewing parties and famously snarky commentary from Graham Norton. Battle’s appointment has already generated a buzz among fans eager to see how his experimental sound and showmanship will translate to one of the world’s most watched stages. As SonicState noted, “Sam says he will be documenting the process the whole way and will no doubt win a whole new layer of fans of his quirky boffin approach to music, electronics and engineering.”
With his background in both indie rock and electronic experimentation, and a loyal online following, Look Mum No Computer stands poised to bring something truly original to Vienna. Whether this risk will pay off remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Eurovision 2026 just got a lot more interesting for the United Kingdom.