Again in 2012, in Azerbaijan’s Baku, Loreen received the Eurovision Track Contest together with her “Euphoria.” Now it’s trying like she may do the double and triumph once more greater than a decade later with “Tattoo” to turn into solely the second particular person within the contest’s historical past to win twice, however she has some fierce competitors because the 67th Eurovision Track Contest reaches its climax on Saturday with a grand remaining broadcast dwell from Liverpool. There might be catchy choruses within the grand remaining, a kaleidoscope of costumes and tributes to the spirit of Ukraine in a contest that for seven many years has captured the altering zeitgeist of a continent.
Here is what to anticipate as acts from throughout Europe – and past – vie for the continent’s pop crown.
Who’s competing?
This yr, 37 nations despatched an act to Eurovision, chosen by nationwide competitions or inner choices by broadcasters. The host nation is normally the winner of the earlier yr’s occasion, however 2022 runner-up Britain is internet hosting this time round on behalf of the winner, Ukraine.
In complete 26 nations will compete in Saturday’s remaining on the Liverpool Area, beside the River Mersey within the port metropolis that gave delivery to The Beatles. Six nations routinely qualify: final yr’s winner and the “Huge 5” who pay essentially the most to the competition – France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.Ok.
Teya & Salena of Austria performs through the second semifinal on the Eurovision Track Contest in Liverpool, England, Could 11, 2023. (AP Photograph)
The opposite 20 finalists, chosen by public votes in two semifinals on Tuesday and Thursday, are: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.
Sure, Australia… Eurovision is about spirit, not simply geography. Eurovision is massively fashionable in Australia, and the nation was allowed to hitch the competitors in 2015. Different entrants from exterior Europe’s borders embody Israel and Azerbaijan.
The favorites
It is arduous to foretell victors in a contest whose previous winners have ranged from ABBA to Finnish cartoon metallic band Lordi, however bookmakers say Swedish diva Loreen, who received Eurovision in 2012, is the favourite to attain a double together with her energy ballad “Tattoo.”
Finland’s Kaarija was a crowd-pleaser within the semifinals along with his pop-metal get together tune “Cha Cha Cha,” and Canadian singer La Zarra, competing for France, can be extremely ranked for her Edith Piaf-esque chanson “Evidemment.”
And by no means underestimate left-field entries like Croatia’s Let 3, whose music “Mama SC!” is pure Eurovision camp: an antiwar rock opera that performs like Monty Python meets “Dr. Strangelove.”
Piqued Jacks of San Marino performs through the second semifinal on the Eurovision Track Contest in Liverpool, England, Could 11, 2023. (AP Photograph)
The ultimate
Round 6,000 followers will attend the ultimate, hosted by long-time BBC Eurovision presenter Graham Norton, “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham, British singer Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina.
Every competing act should sing dwell and follow a three-minute restrict, however in any other case is free to create its personal staging – the flashier the pyrotechnics and extra elaborate the choreography, the higher.
Russia’s conflict in Ukraine will lend a solemn observe to a contest famed for celebrating tacky pop. The present will open with a efficiency by final yr’s winner, Ukrainian folk-rap band Kalush Orchestra. Ukrainian singer Jamala, who received the competition in 2016, will carry out a tribute to her Crimean Tatar tradition.
One one who will not be showing is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He requested to handle the ultimate by video — however the organizer the European Broadcasting Union stated “regrettably,” that might breach “the nonpolitical nature of the occasion.”
Let 3 of Croatia carry out through the first semifinal on the Eurovision Track Contest in Liverpool, England, Could 9, 2023. (AP Photograph)
How is it determined?
After all of the acts have carried out, viewers in taking part nations can vote by cellphone, textual content message or app – although they cannot vote for their very own nation. This yr for the primary time, viewers in nonparticipating nations may also vote on-line, with the mixed “remainder of the world” votes being given the burden of 1 particular person nation.
Nationwide juries of music business professionals additionally allocate between one and 12 factors to their favourite songs, with an announcer from every nation popping as much as declare which has been granted the coveted “douze factors” (12 factors).
Public and jury votes are mixed to provide every nation a single rating. Ending up with “nul factors” (zero factors) is taken into account a nationwide embarrassment. It is a destiny the U.Ok. has suffered a number of instances.