Eurovision 2023: Edinburgh in the race to host the contest!

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Just hours before the announcement of the final shortlist of cities to host Eurovision 2023, the city of Edinburgh has confirmed that it has submitted a bid to host the upcoming Song Contest.

Edinburgh

The Scottish capital is the fourteenth UK city to confirm its bid to host the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

Cammy Day, leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, told the Edinburgh News:

It is, of course, regrettable that this year’s winners, Ukraine, cannot host the 2023 competition in their country, but it would be an honor to host the competition, together with Kyiv, as it is a sister city to us and Edinburgh has become home to many thousands of Ukrainians in recent months. Our capital became the first city outside London to host the event in 1972 and more recently, fictionally, in the Netflix movie “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga!”. But hosting Europe for 2023 is an opportunity to welcome our friends from participating countries to the most iconic song contest, showcasing Edinburgh’s culture, heritage and history.

However, the Scottish capital seems unlikely to be chosen as the host city of Eurovision 2023, as at the moment at least, it does not have a suitable indoor venue to hold the competition’s three shows.

Eurovision have been held in the city twice before, in 1972 when it hosted the Eurovision Song Contest, and in 2018 it hosted Eurovision Young Musicians.

The first phase of selection has been completed

Eleven cities have publicly announced their bid to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest next May. Tomorrow  , Friday, August 12,  we will officially know  the cities that pass to the second and final selection phase  and will definitely claim to host  Eurovision 2023.

The announcement will be made through the morning radio show of the BBC’s second program entitled ” BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show “.

Following the first round of nominations, the  BBC  and the EBU  have now identified the nominations that meet the requirements and have the ability to host Europe’s biggest televised event and will announce them to the general public tomorrow.

The decision on where the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held is expected to be made  in the autumn. According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted  beforehand, but it will be BBC  and the EBU who decide the host city.

The following cities have confirmed that they have already submitted their proposals:

  • Aberdeen
  • Edinburgh
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
  • Belfast
  • Sheffield
  • Leeds
  • Darlington

While the following cities have already indicated their intention to submit their own proposals, but have not yet formally done so:

  • Brighton
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Wolverhampton

In which city would you like Eurovision 2023 to take place?

Source: Edinburgh News

Eurovision 2023: the shortlist of host cities will be announced tomorrow at 9:30

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After days of speculation, it is now confirmed that the shortlist of candidate cities competing to host the Eurovision Song Contest will be announced on Friday, August 12 at 9:30 CET.  The contenders will be announced on  the morning show of BBC Radio 2, BBC Breakfast.

The first phase of selection has been completed

So far, ten cities have publicly announced their bid to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.   Tomorrow, Friday, August 12, we will officially know the cities that pass to the second and final selection phase.

BBC Radio 2 will make this announcement on their morning show “BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show”.

During the first phase, the BBC and the EBU have identified which candidates meet the requirements and have the ability to host Europe’s biggest televised event and will announce the shortlist tomorrow.

It is expected that the final decision on the host city will be decided by autumn.  According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted.  However, the final decision will ultimately be made by the BBC and the EBU.

The following cities have confirmed that they have already submitted their proposals:

  • Aberdeen
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
  • Belfast
  • Sheffield
  • Leeds
  • Darlington

Additionally, the following cities have expressed interest to submit their own proposals, but have not yet formally done so:

  • Brighton
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Wolverhampton

Darlington submitted its candidacy

Darlington became the most recent city that has put its name to the candidate list to host Eurovision 2023.  According to the local authorities of the small city, they understand that they have little chances of winning the selection process. Nevertheless, Darlington wanted to submit their application to strengthen their ties with the people of Ukraine, as well as gain important experiences for the future.

Darlington has a 25,000-seat stadium , but it has no roof. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the city of 100,000 inhabitants in the North East of England ends up hosting the competition, it will have to build a roof for stadium.  A similar case happened in 2001 with the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

Glasgow favorite according to the betting odds

Glasgow is currently the bookies favorite to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.  Previously, the city of Birmingham was on top of the betting odds for a short period.  However, Glasgow which was the original favorite is back on top.  According to the betting odds Glasgow’s chance to host are getting close to 50%

Birmingham is now second  place.  Manchester, which has not yet officially announced its candidacy is in third place by a wide margin.

The Eurovision Song Contest  2023 will be held in the United Kingdom following the victory of the Kalush Orchestra with the song Stefania.  Although Ukraine won this year’s contest, the EBU decided that the next contest will take place in the United Kingdom, which ended in second place.  The EBU deemed that the ongoing war in Ukraine since the Russian invasion, made impossible for Eurovision to take place in Ukraine.  This marks the first time since 1980 that the previous winning country is unable to host the following contest.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs&ab_channel=EurovisionSongContest

Eurovision 2023: Schedule conflict will force UK host cities to cancel other events to make way for ESC!

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One problem that the EBU and the BBC will be asked to manage in view of the choice of Host City for Eurovision 2023 is that of the already scheduled events for next spring.

As is known, in order to make all the necessary preparations for the Eurovision Song Contest, it takes a little more than six weeks. This means that the contest venue should be free for this period of time.

Nevertheless, the announcement during the summer of Eurovision 2023 on British soil is going to overturn the planning of all indoor arenas that have scheduled events for this period.

Artists and shows such as Magic Mike, André Rieu and Elton John have scheduled events in the candidate cities and candidate indoor arenas that want to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

In fact, the producers of the Magic Mike Tour confirmed in a BBC News report that no one has asked them to reschedule their shows in Newcastle and Manchester. Tickets for the shows are already on sale, as the final decision on the host city won’t be made until the fall. We remind you that both cities are in the running to host Eurovision 2023.

Despite the planning for that period so far, the executives of many of the indoor arenas told BBC News that if they are selected to hold the next competition, they will immediately proceed to discussions with the producers of the planned events in order to reschedule them.

Scheduled Events

The scheduled events for the period April – May 2023 in the candidate cities for Eurovision 2023 are:

Aberdeen P&J Live

10 – 11 April – Jurassic Live

20 April – Magic Mike

25 May – André Rieu

Belfast SSE

31 March – Elton John

1 April – Belfast Giants vs Guildford Flame

20 April – André Rieu

22 April – Magic Mike

29 April – Biggest 90s Disco

20 May – Anything For Love

Birmingham Utilita

26 – 27 March – Celine Dion

28 April – Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe

1 May – Magic Mike

Birmingham Resorts World

15 April – André Rieu

19 April – Elton John

Glasgow OVO Hydro

2 – 3 April – Celine Dion

18 April – Sabaton

25 April – Magic Mike

27 April – André Rieu

Leeds First Direct Arena

1 April – Europe’s Strongest Man

14 April – Sabaton

22 April – Michael Starring Ben

29 April – Magic Mike

11 May – André Rieu

Liverpool M&S Bank Arena

22 – 23 April – Elton John

24 April – Magic Mike

29 April – Reminisce in Concert

30 April – Michael Starring Ben

12 May – André Rieu

London O2 Arena

2 – 9 April – Elton John

10 – 11 April – Celine Dion

12 – 13 & 16 – 17 April – Elton John

21 April – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe

30 April – Tokio Hotel

8 May – Måneskin

14 May – British Basketball Play-Off Finals

London OVO Wembley Arena

14 April – André Rieu

15 April – Sabaton

23 April – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe

4 May – Stromae

Manchester AO Arena

5 – 6 April – Celine Dion

14 April – Rob Beckett & Josh Widdicombe

2 May – Magic Mike

Newcastle Utilita Arena

27 April – Magic Mike

Sheffield Utilita Arena

1 April – Steelers v Glagsow Clan

26 April – Magic Mike

13 May – André Rieu

Selection Process

In two days, on Friday, August 12, we will officially know the cities that will definitively claim to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, as reported by the British media.

Shortly after Newcastle‘s bid for Eurovision 2023 was made official, the Chronicle, Tyneside’s largest news site, reports that the BBC will reveal on Friday the shortlisted host cities that wish to host the next Eurovision.

The announcement, according to the Chronicle’s publication, will be made through the morning radio broadcast of the BBC’s second program entitled “BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show“. However, the British public broadcaster has so far neither confirmed nor denied the report.

As it became known a few days ago, the selection process will take place in two rounds. After the first round of nominations, the BBC and the EBU will select the nominations that meet the requirements and have the capacity to host Europe’s biggest televised event.

A decision on where the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held is expected to be made in the autumn. According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted beforehand, but it will be the BBC and the EBU who decide the host city.

The following cities have confirmed that work has begun on their bids:

  • Aberdeen
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
  • Belfast
  • Sheffield
  • Leeds

While the following cities have already indicated their intention to submit their own bids:

  • Brighton
  • Derry
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Sunderland
  • Wolverhampton

Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song “Stefania“. It was Ukraine‘s third win in the contest’s history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs

Source: BBC

Israel: “Politics is involved in Eurovision and everything does not depend on me”!

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In the press conference held by Israel’s public television KAN and in which Noa Kirel‘s representation of the country at Eurovision 2023 was formalized, the popular artist referred to the risk she takes by accepting the offer to participate in the contest, since as she pointed out everything does not depend on herself, as politics is actively involved in Eurovision! But why did she say yes to Eurovision despite the possibility of failure?

A woman on a mission

“I am very excited and I feel like we are starting a mission. I was suddenly informed some time ago that I will represent Israel at Eurovision”, the singer initially said at the press conference she gave at the Carlton Hotel in Tel Aviv.

It started with a shock, it hasn’t stopped since. They stop me on the street, at concerts and tell me about it! Lately I’ve also learned about the risks, and that it’s not all about art and live performance there. I’m already imagining myself on the crazy Eurovision stage. With a decision from the heart, I put everything aside and go with complete faith. I always felt proud to represent my country, even today I feel very honored. I want to thank the committee that chose me, it was not a given. I’m already starting work today and as you know I’m working hard. So wish me luck.

Accepting KAN’s proposal

Tal Freifeld, executive of KAN, emphasized the changes in the way of selecting this year’s participation of Israel, while emphasizing on the fact that Noa Kirel is the No. 1 in the country.

This year we decided to change the rules of the game and instead of choosing a representative from this or that reality show, we simply chose the number 1 artist to represent us at Eurovision. We waited for Noa to decide and it took her some time, but we promised full cooperation with her team. Noa will put on a great performance and we will give her all the tools to represent the country with honor.

Noa then commented on the time it took her to make up her mind:

I needed time to myself. It’s a crazy show and on a huge stage. I got backlash from people each giving their opinion on whether I should go or not. There were people who said I would win and there were those who said I would be upset if I didn’t do well. In the end I decided what my heart said. Of course there are worries, I’m human and I get scared sometimes. It is an honorable place and on an honorable stage. Politics is involved and things are not up to me, I might fail naturally. But I’ve always taken risks, they usually work out, it’s part of the career and who I am today. I wanted to represent my country and take that risk.

 

Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.

 

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Noa Kirel (@noakirel)

Who is Noa Kirel?

Her birth-name was Noya, but after she was diagnosed with a severe kidney disease when she was three months old, a rabbi suggested her parents to change her name to Noa, so she could heal and walk. The rabbi also predicted that she would become a dancer.

In March 2020, she enlisted in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and served in a military band. In February 2022, Kirel completed her service in the IDF.

She is Israel’s biggest pop star of recent years, dominating the country’s charts since the release of her #1 hit ‘Killer’ when she was just 14 years old. He was a judge on the X Factor for years, while she stars in dozens of commercials, series and movies, making her one of the most popular celebrities in the country. Noa belongs to Atlantic Records and has released 41 singles.

Listen to her biggest hit below:

Source:Ynet

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all developments regarding Israel’s participation in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: Sheffield, Bristol and Leeds submitted their bids for the contest!

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Three more cities are being added to the long list of cities keen to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place next May in the UK.

Sheffield

Sheffield City Council has announced that they have submitted the city’s bid for Eurovision 2023. The proposed venue is the 13,600 capacity Utilita Sheffield Arena, built in 1991.

Sheffield is honoured to be bidding to be the Host City for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023. While Sheffield will be the Host City, we have come together in solidarity as a region to support our bid, drawing on the assets and strengths of our communities across South Yorkshire…

We are working in partnership with Sheffield City Trust, SYMCA, Doncaster, Barnsley and Rotherham councils to deliver the bid application requirements and continue to demonstrate our capability and aspiration to deliver this international event on behalf of the Ukrainian people.

Bristol

The mayor of Bristol announced on social networks the official submission of a proposal to host Eurovision 2023. With the slogan that they have put the Ukrainians at the heart of their candidacy, Bristol hopes to be the one to win the event.

https://twitter.com/MarvinJRees/status/1557071716731346947?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1557071716731346947%7Ctwgr%5Ec6e7b996eaad7869327e4849f7b40b5d41bd94bc%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Feurovisionfun.com%2F2022%2F08%2Feurovision-2023-CF83CEADCF86CEB9CEBBCEBDCF84-CEBCCF80CF81CEAFCF83CF84CEBFCEBB-CEBACEB1CEB9-CEBBCEB9CEBDCF84CF82-CF85CF80CEADCEB2CEB1CEBB%2F

As a venue, Bristol proposes the YTL Arena which is under construction and which will be completed a few months before Eurovision 2023, next May.

Leeds

The city council of Leeds has announced the submission of their own city’s proposal to host Eurovision 2023. As a venue they propose the First Direct Arena, built in 2013 and with a capacity of approximately 13,000 people.

Selection Process

In two days, on Friday, August 12, it is likely that we will officially know the cities that will definitively claim to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, as reported by the British media.

Shortly after Newcastle‘s bid for Eurovision 2023 was made official, the Chronicle, Tyneside’s largest news site, reports in a report today that the BBC will reveal the shortlisted host cities that wish to host the next Eurovision.

The announcement, according to the Chronicle’s publication, will be made through the morning radio broadcast of the BBC’s second program entitled “BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show“. However, the British public broadcaster has so far neither confirmed nor denied the report.

As it became known a few days ago, the selection process will take place in two rounds. After the first round of nominations, the BBC and the EBU will select the nominations that meet the requirements and have the capacity to host Europe’s biggest televised event.

A decision on where the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be held is expected to be made in the autumn. According to the BBC, the UK government may be consulted beforehand, but it will be the BBC and the EBU who decide the host city.

The following cities have confirmed that work has begun on their bids:

  • Aberdeen
  • Birmingham
  • Bristol
  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Newcastle
  • Belfast
  • Sheffield
  • Leeds

While the following cities have already indicated their intention to submit their own bids:

  • Brighton
  • Derry
  • London
  • Manchester
  • Nottingham
  • Sunderland
  • Wolverhampton

Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 with the song “Stefania“. It was Ukraine‘s third win in the contest’s history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1fl60ypdLs

Liechtenstein: 1 FL TV rejects applying for EBU membership!

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1 FL TV, Liechtenstein-based broadcaster,  has confirmed that it is no longer aiming to apply for membership of the European Broadcasting Union.

Managing Director of the Liechtenstein’s broadcaster Sandra Woldt has confirmed that they are no longer have joining the European Broadcasting Union and so competing in Eurovision, as one of their aims. Sandra Woldt said in a statement that:

“We are no longer pursuing this goal, we are concentrating on our reporting in and for Liechtenstein.”

Liechtenstein, along with the Vatican and Kosovo, remain the only internationally recognised states within Europe to have never taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country’s first attempt dates back to 1976  when Biggi Bachman tried to represent her country with the song “Little Cowboy”, but she could not perform due to lack of a broadcaster.

Since 1FLTV’s formation back in 2008, Eurovision has been a long-term aim for the broadcaster. In 2009 the broadcaster announced it was working towards a debut in the 2010 contest, but was unable to secure the funding needed for an EBU membership.

In 2017 1FLTV stated that they have applied for EBU membership and were currently in the process of complying with all requirements in order for their membership to be granted. The broadcaster had proposed a selection method to select their debut entry, if EBU membership was granted. Their debut was originally expected to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the formation of the principality by the Holy Roman Emperor in 2019. Sadly however due to the death of TV channel founder Peter Kölbel, the project was scrapped.

Source: eurovoix.com

Israel: Noa Kirel will most likely confirm her Eurovision participation on a press conference on Wednesday!

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She’s already added layers to the Eurovision 2023 iceberg of intrigue by saying her Eurovision 2023 participation was only a “maybe” – despite KAN (Israel’s national broadcaster) revealing she was at the top of its wishlist.

But now Israeli media are reporting that Noa Kirel will confirm her Eurovision participation at a press conference on Wednesday.

KAN’s Eurovision committee drew up a list of 78 artists who have performed well on the charts in recent years and then debated among themselves to create a ranked list of artists for ESC 2023. Noa, definitely Israel’s most popular star, came out on top.

However, that didn’t mean that Noa and her management were willing to accept her placement on top and to submit to any and all demands from KAN.

In mid-July the 21-year-old star told on an Israeli newspaper that she needs more time to “brainstorm” a potential Eurovision run.

“It’s a competition that relies on politics, but on the other hand it is also a big stage and that offers a lot exposure,” she said. “Fear has never stopped me from trying things and life is about taking risks and getting up. Is this the thing that will expose me to the world? Or could it be the other way around? That’s why I need to brainstorm and understand how I approach this.”

On Monday, Noa revealed in an interview that she’s made specific demands regarding her participation that include being involved in the writing and choosing of the song and directing the eventual stage show. KAN had planned to have Noa perform three or four songs on a TV show, similar to what Eden Alene did ahead of Rotterdam, and have a jury and the public decide her entry.

It’s thought that KAN and Noa will give some sense of how the song will be chosen during the press conference on Wednesday.

Eran Suissa, the entertainment correspondent for Israel Hayom, previously reported that “Toy” songwriter Doron Medalie was contacted by Noa Kirel’s team about joining the Israel team, most likely as a songwriter.

Medalie previously worked as Noa’s artistic director, giving her hits like “If You Are a Man” and “Tikitas”. He also turned Israel’s fortunes around at Eurovision with songs like “Golden Boy” and “Made of Stars”.

Howeveer, he told that he wants to see some big changes within Israel’s Eurovision team and that such changes will be essential for Kirel to climb the scoreboard. He suggested strongly that there are messy scenes behind the curtain at broadcaster KAN.

“We need to devote enormous resources to Noa and a professional team made up of the best talents and professionals we have. To produce such a system will require a real revolution in attitude. We create the illusion that it is so simple but the truth is that it is the most complex undertaking.”

 Listen to one of Noa Kirel’s most popular songs “Thought About That”:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Israeli participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023!

Source: wiwibloggs.com

Eurovision 2023: Liverpool and Belfast enter the Host City bid race!

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We have previously highlighted the great interest shown by cities across UK to host the ESC. And while we await BBC’s announcement of the shortlist, on August 12, we still have two cities that enter the Host City bid race, Liverpool and Belfast. Liverpool  submitted an official bid to host ESC, and the city of Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland, seems to be planning to submit an official bid soon. 

Liverpool

Liverpool City Council announced today that it has submitted its bid to host the ESC 2023, ahead of the BBC’s share of the shortlist this Friday. Liverpool was among the first cities to express interest in hosting the event, when it was first announced that the EBU and the BBC were discussing the scenario of hosting Eurovision in the UK.

The city is world famous as the birthplace of the Beatles, as well as for its international music events such as “Africa Oyé”, “Liverpool International Music Festival” and “Sound City”. The city has a population of around half a million, and it is known for its iconic music venues and cultural events. It is also well connected to the world with its international airport (Liverpool John Lennon Airport).

Assistant Mayor and Councilor for Culture and Economy, Harry Doyle, said (translated):

We are excited to have submitted a bid for Liverpool to host Eurovision 2023.

Making a major event like this possible in such a short timeframe is complicated and is going to need some careful and creative planning, but we think Liverpool would be the perfect stage to celebrate this unique Eurovision.

We look forward to finding out if we have been successful in getting through to the next stage of the process.

Belfast

We have already reported the interest in organizing the Competition in the capital of N. Ireland, and the support of this initiative by previous Eurovision winners. Belfast City Council has confirmed that the city is indeed interested in hosting the event, with the final decision expected to be made tomorrow, August 10.

The announcement of the Municipal Council is as follows:

An initial expression of interest for Belfast to host the Eurovision event has been submitted and is now being considered by event organisers.

If shortlisted, the next step would be to submit a full event proposal, outlining how Belfast would meet the detailed requirements to become a host city.

This will be a decision for elected members and will be considered by the council’s City Growth and Regeneration Committee at its next meeting on Wednesday 10 August.

What’s your take on the Host City bid race? Could Liverpool or Belfast host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest? 

Andrew Lambrou: With which country is the singer in discussions for Eurovision 2023?

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We promised you last night, through our social media, some really interesting news! And we aspire to always deliver! So, here it is: Andrew Lambrou, an Australian singer of Cypriot origin, is in discussions with a country for Eurovision 2023.

“Until we know what’s happening with Eurovision”

Due to the summer idleness and lack of news, we decided to get in touch with artists who were candidates for this year’s national finals, to see where they are now, what they are up to or if they would be interested in participating again in ESC.

One of the artists we interviewed was Andrew Lambrou, who attempted to represent Australia at Eurovision 2022, taking part in the national final Australia Decides with the song Electrify – eventually coming seventh out of eleven candidates.

So, we contacted him and he agreed to do the interview, referring us to his manager to arrange the details of the interview. After having agreed on day and time with his manager, Timothy Youngson, we were waiting for the final “ok”.

However, on Sunday evening, we received an e-mail in which it was essentially confirmed that the artist is in discussions for Eurovision 2023, and that his team decided to wait for the final outcome of these discussions, before giving an interview!

Which country is Andrew Lambrou in discussions with?

Of course, the question that arises now is which country is Andrew Lambrou in discussions with. There are, we believe, two possible scenarios.

Australia

The first possible scenario is that the young expatriate artist is discussing a return to Australia Decides, the country’s national final for the ESC.

He might not have managed to get the ticket for the Competition this year, but Andrew Lambrou left a positive impression upon the eurofans, and not a few of them would like to see him try again.

Cyprus

The second possible scenario is of course Cyprus. CYBC very recently signed a new agreement with PANIK, according to which their cooperation in Eurovision is extended for at least two more years. In fact, it was announced that for 2023 they will once again select the artist internally, while for 2024 they will hold ,together with Nikos Kokloni’s production company, “All Together Now”, for the selection of the country’s representative.

So, it would not come as a surprise if the Cypriot delegation and PANIK are already in discussion with the artist’s team, in order for the latter to represent the country in the next competition. Andrew Lambrou may not be part of PANIK’s team (after all he lives and works in Australia), but this is not a problem since something similar happened back in 2020, with PANIK records taking over Sandro merely for the Eurovision project.

Who is Andrew Lambrou

Andrew Lambrou is 24 years old, who lives and works in Sydney. He performs and writes his own songs since the age of five.

At the age of just 17, he impressed all four X Factor judges, who easily got him through to the next stage. Having received great feedback from the four big names sitting in the judges’ seats  (Danii Minogue, James Blunt, Chris Isaak, Guy Sebastian). Andrew got through the first round with four ‘YES’, performing his rendition of Nick Jonas’ song “Chains”.

In the second phase, the 5 seat challenge, the coach of the Boys under 25 team, Chris Isaak, was asked to choose only five out of the boys to go through. Andrew sang “Ain’t nobody” by Chaka Khan and achieved a Top 5 spot.

It is worth noting that Andrew Lambrou became known well before his participation on X-Factor, due to his YouTube Channel, where he uploads various covers of popular (mostly pop) songs.

Unfortunately, Andrew was not as lucky in the next phase, the Super Home Visits phase, as he did not manage to make it to the top 3 and enter the live shows. This is attributed mostly to his musical inexperience at the time. However, experts in the field, like Simon Cowell, remarked upon Andrew’s promising career in the industry.

It now remains to be seen if Andrew Lambrou will try again for the Australian national final despite his recent disappointing results or whether CYBC, after this year’s non-qualification, will follow on the ERT’s footsteps and send an expatriate artist to the ESC.

Check out his performance at Australia Decides 2022 below:

Would you like to see Andrew Lambrou at Eurovision 2023 with Australia or with Cyprus? Stay tuned for all the updates on the matter!

Eurovision 2023: Newcastle is “in” and Derry is “out” of Host City bid race!

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We have already reported the flurry of excitement across UK, and among cities willing to host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest. And while we await the announcement of the shortlist on August 12, the developments on this front are still coming through, with Newcastle confirming the submission of an official bid, and Derry clarifying that it is no longer interested in hosting the event.

Withdrawal of interest by Derry (N. Ireland)

According to a recent article, Derry, the second most populous city in N. Ireland, appears to have changed its mind and will not proceed with an official bid to host the Competition in the city, despite its initial interest. A spokesperson for Derry City Council said:

Following the resolution at June’s Council meeting “that Council Officers investigate the feasibility of submitting a bid to host the 2023 Eurovision Final”, Council has advised its elected members that the hosting criteria has been reviewed.

The Council area is unable to fulfill a number of the essential minimum criteria in relation to the provision of a suitable venue and supporting accommodation infrastructure. On that basis, it was recommended that a Stage 1 bid is not submitted.

Official bid by Newcastle (NE England)

The formal bid was submitted by the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative (NGI) on behalf of Newcastle City Council. Confirming the Council’s plans, NGI Director, Ian Thomas, said:

This is a once in a generation opportunity to welcome a huge number of international visitors, performers and media to the North East of England and to showcase our world- class culture, rich heritage and vibrant region to the world.

Our bid is a region-wide effort with support from our local authorities, and public and private sector partners from across the North East as we recognise the enormity of this opportunity.

The potential impact of Newcastle hosting Eurovision 2023 is phenomenal. Eurovision will play a significant role in rejuvenating and sustaining our visitor economy, supporting our businesses and creating an even better place for our residents.

Addressing the city’s success at hosting other large scale events, he added:

We’ve seen other large events such as the European Professional Rugby Club finals attract 95,000 fans to the region which contributed £24m to our visitor economy in 2019, and World Transplant Games also in 2019 brought in attendees from over 50 countries which pushed hotel occupancy rates up by 13%, supporting the hospitality supply chain and helping to sustain jobs within the industry.

Eurovision will be on an even bigger scale, and we welcome this fantastic opportunity to bring this to the region.

Councillor Alex Hay of the Newcastle City Council, said:

“We are delighted to be bidding to host Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine and stand in solidarity with its people. We are collaborating with partners across the region to help make this a reality for Newcastle, to do Ukraine proud and to embody everything that Eurovision stands for.

We’re committed to making Newcastle a better place for our residents and visitors, and hosting Eurovision will be a crucial tool in achieving that.

It will not only showcase the city and its incredible people on a global stage, but it will have a tangible social and economic impact in bringing financial investment into the city, helping change perceptions of the North East, and build a lasting legacy for our city.

We are a certified City of Sanctuary, which strengthens our message that everyone is welcome here. Music is a big part of our heritage and it’s time for us to write a new verse in that history.

We are Newcastle, we are a safe city, famous for our Geordie welcome, we stand united with Ukraine – and we are the perfect host for Eurovision 2023.

Would Newcastle be a good host for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest? Stay tuned for any updates!