Hannah Waddingham learns Ukrainian on Eurovision
The Eurovision Song Contest is finally upon us, with the annual celebration of European music heading into its grand final in Liverpool this weekend.
On Saturday (13 May), the UK will stage its first Eurovision final in 25 years, hosting on behalf of 2022 winners Ukraine.
Earlier this week, 31 acts performed for the first time across two semi-finals, competing for 20 spots in the grand final.
The 20 selected acts will join Eurovision’s Big Five (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom) and Ukraine, all of whom automatically progress to the final.
You can see all the acts who made it through to Saturday night’s final here.
The UK will this year be represented by Mae Muller, a 25-year-old singer from north London, with her track “I Wrote A Song”.
While Muller might not quite reach the same heights as the UK’s 2022 entry Sam Ryder, who finished in second place, the bookies still pin her among the frontrunners. You can read the latest odds here.
The competition is expected to be dominated by former champion Loreen, from Sweden, with her song “Tattoo”. Loreen’s 2012 track “Euphoria” is one of the most successful Eurovision songs of all time.
Key points
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Who is Eurovision favourite Alessandra?
The Independent’s Meg Warren-Lister has taken a look at Norway’s entry to the Eurovision Song Contest this year: Alessandra.
Alessandra rose to fame in her home country only last year after appearing on Norway’s version of The Voice.
Speaking about the inspiration behind “Queen of Kings”, she said the song is about the power of women as well as her experiences as a bisexual woman.
Tom Murray13 May 2023 00:37
Video: Graham Norton jokes EBU rules with ‘iron fist’ after Zelensky’s request blocked
Eurovision: Graham Norton jokes EBU rules with ‘iron fist’ after Zelensky’s request blocked
Tom Murray12 May 2023 23:39
How Eurovision voting works – and the massive rule change for the 2023 final
Eurovision’s voting system is always complex and always changing. This year, a new rule has been brought in allowing viewers from countries not competing in Eurovision to vote for the first time.
Want the lowdown? Read below…
Isobel Lewis12 May 2023 21:45
Who are Vesna, the all-female folk group from Czechia representing ‘underdogs’?
Bringing girl power to Liverpool (even more than the city usually has), Vesna are representing Czechia this year with their feminist anthem “My Sister’s Crown”.
Ahead of the final, Meg Warren Lister spoke to the band about competing in Eurovision 2023.
Isobel Lewis12 May 2023 21:00
Remembering Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
It’s Eurovision eve, so why not spend the evening watching Netflix’s Eurovision film, The Story of Fire Saga?
Released in 2020 and starring Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams, the musical comedy follows a pair of Icelandic musicians who dream of representing their country at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Ellie Muir breaks out all the real-life Eurovision references in the film:
Isobel Lewis12 May 2023 20:15
Meet Lord of the Lost, the head-banging, throat-ripping chart-toppers representing Germany in Eurovision
Next up in our interview series, we spoke to “Blood and Glitter” band Lord of the Lost to find out how seriously they’re taking Eurovision.
Isobel Lewis12 May 2023 19:30
Every Eurovision winner ranked from worst to best
Since Eurovision first began in 1956, there have been 69 winners (due to an infamous four-way tie in 1969).
Those contestants have ranged from the good (Conchita Wurst) to the bad (most of the early 2000s), to the downright ugly (Lordi), and we’ve ranked them all for you.
Who will take home the number one spot? Read on to find out…
Every Eurovision winner ranked
Sixty-nine songs have claimed the top prize since the competition began in 1956 – and some are a lot better than others
Isobel Lewis12 May 2023 18:45
The winner takes it all: How Abba’s douze-points energy at Eurovision started a pop revolution
Abba are undeniably the biggest act to ever come out of Eurovision, having won the competition in 1974 with a little track called “Waterloo”.
Here, Mark Beaumont looks back at the band’s musical past, following their journey from Sweden to Abba-tar stardom.
Isobel Lewis12 May 2023 18:00
The 26 countries competing in Eurovision 2023 final
On Saturday, 26 countries will be competing for a chance to take home the Eurovision trophy.
They are the 20 acts who made it through this week’s semi-finals (10 from each), the Big Five countries who automatically qualify every year (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom), and 2022 champions Ukraine.
See who will be taking part here.
Isobel Lewis12 May 2023 17:15
Missed out on last night’s semi-final? Here’s the whole thing, summed up in 60 seconds.
Isobel Lewis12 May 2023 16:50