The family show of the Eurovision 2023 First Semi Final has just started and the the Liverpool Arena is filled with eurofans! Like every year, the evening before each live show, a more financially convenient show for families, identical to the live one, takes place. EurovisionFun will be watching all the shows live both at the on-site press centre in Liverpool and at the online press centre and will be commenting on the full performances of the 15 participating countries, as well as Germany, France and Italy.
This article gets updated in real-time, all you need to do is hit the refresh button on your browser!
So stay tuned to this article as we update it with all details, preparing you for what you will see in the Semi-Final today May 9th, at 21:00 CEST.
The Show
The show opens with a video of a young Liverpudlian boy traveling across the city telling his family, friends, neighbours (and some special guests!) that Eurovision is in Liverpool. The young boy dances yogether with a young girl on the Eurovision stage.
Julia Sanina performs “Mayak” by The Hardkiss. Translating from the Ukrainian for Lighthouse, the performance: “symbolises in many ways how the UK is United by Music with Ukraine through the hosting the 2023 Contest on behalf of the 2022 winners.”
Spice Girl Mel C‘ voice introduces to the stage the hosts of the contest to viewers across the globe. The hosts of the show are the female trio of superstars Julia Sanina of The Hardkiss, Hannah Waddingham, and Alesha Dixon.
The Competing Countries – LIVE COMMENTARY
Norway: Alessandra – Queen of Kings
Alessandra Mele is the chosen one that starts the show of the First Semi-Final, with a very energetic show. It has a quite dark energy, while there are not many changes from the MGP. She was vocally good but not perfect, though she is certain to finish in the top 5 of the Semi-Final.
Malta: The Busker – Dance (Our Own Party)
The Busker, performing in the unlucky 2nd position, give us a slightly updated version of their MESC performance, with almost identical camera cuts and transitions. A fun and colorful number that will probably struggle to make it to the Final.
Serbia: Luke Black – Samo Mi Se Spava
Luke is initially laying on a white flower at the intro of the song. Definitely a dark performance, while his vocal capabilities are amazing and it shows. The dystopian-alternate reality-trapped in a video game show of Luke is definitely going to be appreciated in the Grand Final too.
Latvia: Sudden Lights – Aijā
A flawless performance from Sudden Lights once again. The staging that the Latvian delegation created, is absolutely beautiful and fitting for the song. It’s atmospheric and warm. It’s such a shame if the incredible musicianship and the sweet song of the Latvian rockers won’t be appreciated.
First Break
Alesha Dixon chats with young local children and raps a small improvised song about Eurovision.
Portugal: Mimicat – Ai Coração
Mimicat serves us a bourlesque performance with flawless vocals and undeniable charisma. She and her dancers are all clothed in red, the color of passion and love. The performance is definitely energetic, but this is not a guaranteed qualifier in the Grand Final.
Ireland: Wild Youth – We Are One
The performance is bathed in a golden light, but unfortunately it is not going to change Wild Youth’s fate reagrding qualification in the Grand Final. Vocally, the singer is really weak, avoids to sing parts of the song and looks uncomfortable at times. I can’t imagine Ireland qualifying this year.
Croatia: Let 3 – Mama ŠČ!
The wildest performance yet! It is full of weird sounds, psychedelic leds and clever “SC” on screen graphics that definetely stands out. The fact that the results of the Semi Final are 100% televote should help Let 3 make it to the Grand Final.
Switzerland: Remo Forrer – Watergun
Here we have another dark act, this time by Switzerland. Remo Forrer is a great performer with broad vocal capabilites, while he is being accompanied by some dancers. The performance is beautiful and atmospheric, “Watergun” has definitely have some chances for qualification in the final.
Israel: Noa Kirel – Unicorn
Noa starts her performance inside her rectangular prop and is then joined by her dancers. She is vocally good, but not perfect of anything. Her camera angles are nice but could support the song a little better. Without a doubt, Israel is qualifying and is finishing in the top 5 or maybe in the top 3 of the Semi-Final.
Moldova: Pasha Parfeni – Soarele şi Luna
Pasha is telling his folk tale about marriage under the moon in the most tribalistic way possible. Vocally he is great and is serving an energetic performance bathed in warm red light. Moldova is easily qualifying in the Grand Final once again.
Second Break
Sweden: Loreen – Tattoo
Eurovision 2023’is big favourite proves itself once again. Loreen is a vocal powerhouse and the staging is stunning, while not better than Melodifestivalen. It’s not a question that Sweden is flying in the Grand Final, and Loreen is most probably making the second double win in the history of the contest. Do you believe that Sweden is getting it’s seventh win?
Azerbaijan: TuralTuranX – Tell Me More
The twin brothers from Azerbaijan are inspired by The Beatles and it shows. We have a sweet performance that starts in black and white, then gets back in color. Unfortunately there is no chance of qualifying for Azerbaijan this year, because this act is not strong enough to get voted compared to others.
Czechia: Vesna – My Sister’s Crown
Vesna have worked hard compared to their pre-party performances. They are dressed in pink and are vocally great, that’s why they won’t only fly in the final, but have very serious chances for finishing in the top 5 or the top 3 of the Semi-Final as well.
Break, about dancing
Netherlands: Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper – Burning Daylight
A very atmospheric and quite performance from Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper. They are a vocally great, while they stand out due to their beautiful simplicity as well as because of the fact that they are only duet. The Netherlands have some serious chances of qualifying, while it’s not guaranteed.
Finland: Käärijä – Cha Cha Cha
And here we have the craziest closure possible for the First Semi-Final! We most probably have the Televote winner of not only the First Semi-Final but of the entire contest as well. Käärijä is nowhere near a vocal powerhouse, in fact he is very weak vocally, but the performance is not intended to be vocally-dependent anyway. It’s meant to be crazy, energetic and colorful!
Song recap
Interval Act
Wordwide superstar Rita Ora performs a medley of her hits, as well as a world premiere of ‘Praising You’. Alyosha (Ukraine 2010) and Rebecca Fergusson perform together a cover of “Ordinary World”.
Certain Qualifiers
Sweden
Finland
Norway
Israel
Moldova
Serbia
Czechia
Borderline Qualifiers
Netherlands
Switzerland
Portugal
Croatia
Non Qualifiers
Malta
Latvia
Azerbaijan
Ireland
BIG 5 Performances
France: La Zarra – Évidemment
La Zarra stands on a huge platform that is covered by a sparkling dress. The dress falls and revelas that the top of the platform looks like a discoball, sending light everywhere in the arena. The performance has great camera cuts and vocals. Near the end, the French flag appears in the background lights and a huge curtain of fireworks falls from the ceiling.
Germany: Lord of The Lost – Blood & Glitter
Lord of the Lost deliver a professional show full of energy, very similar to their performance in the national final. The singer is vocally amazing and the song finishes with lots of pyro. Germany should avoid the last places in the Grand Final.
Italy: Marco Mengoni – Due Vite
Marco wears a sparkly shirt and leather pants. Two dancers are behind him on a staircase, falling on a trampoline, in front of the eclipsed moon. However throughout the performance the focus remains on him and his impreccable vocals. A very touching entry that could do better than expected.
The Results
Martin Osterdahl executive producer of Eurovision Song Contest 2022, declares that he is happy to see that we now have a valid result!
Here we have a big change, as the 15 competing acts stand on stage, without their delegations, waiting for the result. The camera shows them one by one, as the presenters announce the qualifiers. After the first 5 qualifiers are announced, Alesha interviews them backstage and then we learn the 5 remaining qualifiers.
The ten countries that (virtually) qualify to the finals for the purposes of the rehearsal were the following:
Croatia, Moldova, Portugal, Serbia, The Netherlands, Norway, Latvia, Finland, Switzerland, Czechia
Closing the televised show, we will get to watch a recap of the ten finalist songs.
You can watch our live reaction from the Family Show of the First Semi-Final at our YouTube channel:
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