The rules of Eurovision 2023 are released: Pre-recorded backing vocals permitted again

EBU has released through the official Eurovision website the rules of the 2023 contest.

They are established by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and are approved by the contest’s governing body, the Reference Group.

While the majority of the rules remain the same over the years, in 2021 EBU decided to allow the use of pre-recorded backing vocals in order to be able to bring less people in the contest given the Covid restrictions at the time, as well as allow compositions to be presented “as close as possible to their original composition”.

This change of rules remained for the 2022 contest and it will remain again for the 2023, according to the published set of rules. Excerpt 2.2.3 mentions:

“The lead singer(s) of the selected song (the “Lead Vocal(s)”) shall perform live on stage only.

• Eventual vocal support(s) for the Lead Vocal(s) (the “Lead Dub(s)”) shall perform live, on stage or off stage, only.
• All other backing vocal(s) performing vocal harmonies (the “Backing Vocals”) may perform either live on stage or off stage and/or on a Backing track compliant to the requirements under par (iii) hereafter.

No on-stage Contestant (whether Lead Vocals, Lead Dubs or Backing Vocals or dancers) shall be allowed to lip-sync (playback) in such a way as to make it appear that they are singing all or most of the song when they actually are not.”

What do you think about pre-recorded backing vocals being allowed for 2023 contest? Tell us in the comments!