Eurovision 2023: Ireland’s First Rehearsal!

The sixth country of the day to take the stage for their first rehearsal is the queen nation of Eurovision, Ireland, (with their 7 victories), with Wild Youth and their dynamic entry “We Are One”.

Everything about Wild Youth:

Formed in Dublin in 2018, this band of 4 friends combine rock with catchy pop harmonies. Their energetic performances have led to a string of hit songs and – the aim of any pop group – number one hits.
If you haven’t seen them performing on television, you might have caught them supporting megastars on tour; they’ve warmed up crowds for the likes of Niall Horan, Lewis Capaldi, and Zara Larson.

Frontman Conor O’Donohoe serves up passionate vocals and pens most of the band’s songs; David Whelan takes to the keys; Edward Porter riffs on the guitar; and Callum McAdam beats the drums.

Wild Youth won their place to represent Ireland through the Late Late Show, fighting off fierce competition, including an entry from Public Image Ltd.

The Rehearsal

The sequinned masks from the official video are nowhere to be seen – instead it’s Conor in a glam rock gold catsuit with flares. This staging also features our first stairs of the day – a horseshoe arrangement featuring ALL the LEDs. The whole performance looks and sounds fabulous. There are also pyros in the performance, huge jets of them, around the whole stage just before the final chorus. Definitely leading the pyro charge so far.

Even on the first rehearsal, it’s easy to imagine the crowd in the Liverpool Arena singing along to this euphoric chorus.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

Corinne Cumming / EBU 

Below you can watch a small clip from Ireland’s first rehearsal from TikTok:

@eurovision Wild Youth’s first run through was as good as gold ✨🇮🇪 #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @Wild Youth ♬ original sound – Eurovision

The second rehearsal of Ireland takes place on Wednesday 3/5 and we will be able to have a better view of what Wild Youth will be presenting on stage.

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Ireland: Wild Youth performed the revamped version of “We Are One” live for the first time on the Irish TV!

The Wild Youth band performed the revamped version of “We Are One” live on the Irish television.

This year’s representatives of the Eurovision queen, Ireland, the Wild Youth band, performed for the first time the revamped version of their song “We Are One” with which they are going to participate in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2023 on 9th of May. The performance of the band took place on the RTÉ famous “The Late Late Show”, a few hours before they depart for Liverpool.

In the following video you can watch the live performance of the revamped version.

Ireland is scheduled to perform in the sixth place of the first semi-final on 9th of May, claiming one of the tickets for the grand final on Saturday 13th of May.

In the video below you can also watch the reaction of the Eurovision Fun team to the Irish entry.

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Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the updates regarding Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: First rehearsals begin today! | The first day’s rehearsal schedule!

The big moment for all Eurofans has arrived. The wait comes to an end today with the actual start of the competition, one of the most important days before the live shows. Rehearsals officially begin today for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

The rehearsals are divided into two phases; the first which will last three days, from today until Tuesday 02/05 and will include the first rehearsals of all the countries taking part in the two semi-finals of the competition and the second which will last from Wednesday 03/05 until Saturday 06/05 and includes the second rehearsals of the countries of the two semi-finals as well as the rehearsals of the countries competing directly in the Final, namely the Big 5 and last year’s winner Ukraine.

Last year’s changes in the way rehearsals are covered continue this year, as the Press Center opens on Monday after the first and second rehearsals, which means that the information we will have for the first week of the competition will come exclusively from the material to be provided by the EBU to the accredited journalists.

Program

Ten countries from the first semi-final will make their first appearance on stage at the M&S Bank Arena, which will host Eurovision 2023. These countries are:

  1. Norway 11.30-12.00
  2. Malta 12.10-12.40
  3. Serbia 12.50-13.20
  4. Latvia 13.30-14.00
  5. Portugal 15.10-15.40
  6. Ireland 15.50-16.20
  7. Croatia 16.30-17.00
  8. Switzerland 17.10-17.40
  9. Moldova 17.50-18.20
  10. Sweden 18.30-19.00

*times in cet

From Monday 8/5, the press center opens normally for accredited journalists, who will have the opportunity to watch the general rehearsals before the live shows as was the case in previous years.

Eurovisionfun will of course be there to inform you about everything that happens at the M&S Bank Arena!

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

OGAE Poll 2023: The results of Belgium, Ireland and Lithuania!

After the votes of 32 OGAE International Network clubs, it is the turn of Belgium, Ireland and Lithuania to submit their votes.

In detail, the 226 members of OGAE Belgium voted as follows:

  • 12 points to Sweden
  • 10 points to Finland
  • 8 points to France
  • 7 points to Norway
  • 6 points to Austria
  • 5 points to Italy
  • 4 points to United Kingdom
  • 3 points to Israel
  • 2 points to Czechia
  • 1 point to Slovenia

Also, the 216 members of OGAE Ireland voted as follows:

  • 12 points to Finland
  • 10 points to Sweden
  • 8 points to France
  • 7 points to Austria
  • 6 points to Norway
  • 5 points to United Kingdom
  • 4 points to Italy
  • 3 points to Spain
  • 2 points to Czechia
  • 1 point to Israel

Finally, the 23 members of OGAE Lithuania voted as follows:

  • 12 points to Sweden
  • 10 points to Finland
  • 8 points to Italy
  • 7 points to Austria
  • 6 points to Norway
  • 5 points to Slovenia
  • 4 points to France
  • 3 points to Serbia
  • 2 points to Spain
  • 1 point to Armenia

The added up results after the votes of the two fan clubs are as follows:

Finland remains in 1st place and maintains its lead against Sweden who comes 2nd with a distance of 9 points. The top five is completed by France with 254 pointsNorway with 209 points and Austria with 196 points.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all OGAE Poll 2023 scores and all the Eurovision news!

Source: OGAE International

Ireland: Wild Youth cut ties with their creative director over ‘transphobic’ tweets!

With just two weeks to go until Eurovision Ireland’s act Wild Youth have decided to stop working with their creative director.

The termination of the relationship between Wild Youth and Ian Banham came after screen grabs, said to have been taken from his account, began circulating on Twitter with what could be considered offensive messaging. The tweets allegedly referred to transgender women as men.

In a statement posted on Twitter the band wrote: ‘Wild Youth is a band that stands for unity and kindness. Our song represents our beliefs as a band. We have cut all ties with Ian Banham and will not have him on or near our team or Eurovision journey. We are so sorry for anyone offended by his comments.

Ian Banham

This comes after Eurovision Discord, who usually remain anonymous and share news from the music competition, publicly condemned the appointment.

According to Ian’s website he has worked with Lily Allen, Kylie Minogue, Katya Jones, Cheryl and Westlife. He also works as a choreographer and creative on Dancing With The Stars in Ireland.

Ireland will perform at the first semi-final on May 9.

Source: Metro

London Eurovision Party 2023: Watch all the live performances!

Yesterday, 16th of April, London held the last pre-party for this year’s Eurovision season.

London Eurovision Party 2023 was held in Here at Outernet and presented by Nicki French(UK 2000) and Paddy O’ Connell(former Eurovision commentator for the BBC).

22 Eurovision participants sang in London and you can watch their live performances below:

  • Australia – Voyager

There is a big difference between the studio version and their live performance. It’s a rock performance and it shows that band songs are meant for live performances. It is indeed difficult to make any predictions, but I wouldn’t be surprised in case it does well with the televoting, even if Australia is usually a jury favorite.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCNeHC4NvAI

  • Austria – Teya & Salena

A much loved entry by Eurovision fans and it is worth it. The vocals are good, the chemistry between the duo is splendid, the weird dancing is present and the crowd is loving it. Austria has managed to beat the odds so far, contrary to those who thought that Who the Hell is Edgar was going to be a fan-flop, similarly to last year’s Halo. Now, we will only have to see how it works in Liverpool stage!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlf8Sb5RaUQ

  • Azerbaijan – TuralXTuran

A beautiful song for sure and regardless the final result, I’m really glad that Azerbaijan finally sent a song that was written by Azerbaijani people. Although, that doesn’t seem to be enough and their performances do not have a large appeal. Probably we will not see them perform in the Grand Final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLvPB2-2LAc

  • Croatia – Let 3

The most controversial entry of Eurovision 2023. Controversial is also the whole career of Let 3. Although, everyone thought that they wouldn’t make it to the Final, their live performances prove the opposite. The crowd is having fun and singing with them and their eccentricity will sure be noticed. It looks like Croatia made the right choice!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHnz8Y4SmHI

  • Czechia – Vesna

A fan favorite to win at first, but at the moment it does not give winning vibes. It was a better performance than usual but it will be a long way for Czechia in order to achieve their result. Their vocals were better but staging still looks messy and chaotic and it does not put across the message of the song. There is still time!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZdTtoA6IcI

  • Denmark – Reiley

A much better performance than usual but it remains a song that has small potential when live performed. Reiley being famous on TikTok might be helpful for his entry, so I can’t exclude any possibility.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ng571hW6Ro

  • Estonia – Alika

A beautiful song and impressive vocals. That’s it! It’s another cliché Eurovision ballad, not good enough for Alika’s vocal abilities.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWma2X8tnxA

  • Finland – Käärijä

We can all understand the hype. Exactly like any of his performances, he gives once more the 100% of his personality and energy. The crowd goes crazy and here we have if not the winner, a top 3 contender.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeBDb3QoKss

  • Iceland – Diljá

Strong vocals and stage presence as Diljá is an energetic performer. Although, the song doesn’t seem enough for Diljá either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5GrD6IRMfc

  • Ireland – Wild Youth

A good band performance, full of energy. On the other hand, the song does not stand out for their qualification. It’s not anything new, it’s something done before but it’s not done well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7c03adZUY3I

  • Lithuania – Monika Linkytė

Monika brought the London Community Gospel Choir for her performance in London Eurovision Party. A vocal powerhouse. The song slowly receives more support and it’s all because of Monika herself. Stay is going to be loved by the juries and we can’t exclude the possibility of the public voting for her. She has a personality and you can’t skip over it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FplK-xqYZ90

  • Malta – The Busker

Good vocals and great energy on stage. Looks like they are having fun. Frontman’s moves resemble exactly what the song is all about, feeling socially anxious in parties. I really like this entry, but unfortunately it doesn’t stand out and it’s not enough for Malta’s ticket to the Final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZF3ucUwzok

  • Moldova – Pasha Parfeni

A really energetic performance of Pasha. The crowd is enjoying it and is probably sending him straight to the Final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVM4HO6991Q

  • Norway – Alessandra

Vocally speaking she gets better and better each time. Personally, I don’t mind any voice cracks of Alessandra. She has a really strong entry, her presence is imposing and her view of pre-parties like actual parties, is actually obvious when performing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPRsTpDEV3A

  • Portugal – Mimicat

Although I’m not a big fan of this year’s Portuguese entry and looks weird to me, Mimicat is vocally flawless and I’m waiting for a better performance on Liverpool to disprove me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COErIMq3AFo

  • Romania – Theodor Andrei

You will either like it or not. I don’t like it. Vocally he’s good but none of his performances, although far better than the one in Romania’s NF, seems convincing, just messy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwR26PjTJI8

  • San Marino – Piqued Jacks

In any means, not a bad song. The lead singer is vocally on point. The whole package, although, is not enough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nep9c326_x4

  • Serbia – Luke Black

I still don’t get the song. It’s not my favorite entry but it is quirky, eccentric and special. He still looks awkward to me when referring to his stage presence. I’m waiting for his performance in Liverpool!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXy8vNlVIDA

  • Slovenia – Joker Out

I love that song! Although, the studio version was not that promising at first, the charisma of every single one of the band’s members is to die for. They are stylish, humorous and committed to what they do. I hope to see that energy in Liverpool and Slovenia finally getting awarded with a good result.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwZIzxI7who

  • Sweden – Loreen

The real queen of this year’s Eurovision. She teaches every Eurovision winner about when and how to return back. Vocally flawless and she seems to be connected with the crowd. Although, the led platform is missing, her strong personality is here and elevates the song. Personally, I want to see her crowned as a winner again!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCYrO5vspeM

  • Spain – Blanca Paloma

Whether you like her entry or not, one thing is for sure. No one can deny Blanca’s flawless vocals and how expressive she is. Although, I can’t fully understand the song, because it has many references to Spanish culture, every time I watch her performances, her emotions really touch me. RTVE is here to win, although I don’t think it will be come true. A great entry, one of my favorites, and it is a good example on what should follow the next year after a great Eurovision result.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep2fuj9-FBc

  • United Kingdom – Mae Muller

MAE I LOVE U!!!I can’t be completely honest with her. Vocally wise, her best performance. What it is indeed challenging is not exactly her vocals but how it will be staged. It needs some dancing, but mostly sass and attitude. These are Mae’s weapons, indeed. She seems to enjoy it and no matter the comments, crowd loves her. It’s the most mainstream pop song of this year’s Eurovision, there’s no way it will not be placed high!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJYqmM3g5qk

Which were your favorite performances? Write in the comments!

Stay tuned on EurovisionFun for more news about Eurovision 2023!

Ireland: Wild Youth has filmed their postcard for Eurovision 2023!

Wild Youth, the Irish representative for Eurovision who won the right to represent their country in February 2023 have filmed their Postcard.

The BBC Twitter official account for Eurovision has published a video with the band during the filming process of their postcard.  During the video we can see part of the filming including some scenes showing Wild Youth in the backstage.  We can also see the members of the band having fun during the making of the postcard.

In the postcard we will see the band going on a road trip.  The boys from Wild Youth are having a journey with a car named “The Morgan”.  We can also see them later drinking beer and making a toast.

Wild Youth continue their preparations to represent their country in Liverpool.  The Irish representatives are set to perform during the First Semi-Final in sixth place on the 11th of May.

You can watch the Eurovisionfun team reacting to Wild Youth’s performance of “We Are One” in the video embedded below:

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more news about Ireland in Eurovision 2023!

 

Eurovision 2023: Watch tonight our poll results for the two semi-finals!

Today is the first station of our Poll, since after the your voting, the results follow, which will be announced tonight through a live premiere on the Douze Points YouTube channel.

More than 8,200 individual votes were submitted in the two semi-finals and now it’s time to announce the 20 countries that will advance to the grand final. For about 10 days you voted for your top ten countries in each semi-final. As in Eurovision, also in our simulation 100% of the result was determined based on your own vote, since now only the public votes count in the semi-finals.

Tonight at 20:00 CET, you will be able to watch through the video below the ten countries that will qualify from the first semi-final.

Immediately afterwards, at 20:05 CET, you will be able to see the results of the second semi-final in the video below.

The recap and the start of the voting for the Grand Final follows, where 50% of the result will be determined based on your own voting and the rest 50% by the authors of Eurovisionfun.
Until then you can recall the entries vying for qualification below:

Which countries do you think will qualify?

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all Eurovision 2023 news!

Barcelona Eurovision Party 2023: Watch all the live performances!

Tonight, the first Eurovision pre-party of this season, Barcelona Eurovision Party 2023, takes place in Barcelona, Spain. Tonight’s event is hosted by Sharonne, winner of Drag Race España and Benidorm Fest 2023 contestant and Giuseppe Di Bella, who accompanied Edurne in Eurovision 2015.

13 contestants of this year’s Eurovision will perform their songs live along with many other former Eurovision contestants.

This is the lineup of today’s event and their live performances(refreshing…):

  • Lithuania – Monika Linkytė

  • Ukraine – Tvorchi

  • Slovenia – Joker Out

  • Georgia – Iru Kechanovi

  • Ireland – Wild Youth

  • Latvia – Sudden Lights

  • Moldova – Pasha Parfeni

  • Belgium – Gustaph

  • Portugal – Mimicat

  • Iceland – Dilja

  • Spain – Blanca Paloma

  • United Kingdom – Mae Muller

  • San Marino – Piqued Jacks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbN3ilUIBWI

Austria’s representatives, Teya and Salena, were supposed to perform tonight, but they had to cancel their performance for health reasons concerning one of them.

 

What was your favorite performance of tonight’s event? Write in the comments below!

Stay tuned on EurovisionFun for more news about Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023: The running order of the semifinals has been revealed!

With a month and a half left for the first semifinal of Eurovision 2023 on May 9, the EBU today announced the order of appearance of the songs in the semifinals.

The running order was determined by the EBU in collaboration with the British organizers, taking into account where each country was drawn to appear (first or second half), but also in such a way that the show is more interesting.

So, through the official Eurovision channel on YouTube, the official running order of the songs in the semifinals of this year’s contest was announced a few minutes ago.

Running Order

First Semifinal – May 9

  1. Norway
  2. Malta
  3. Serbia
  4. Latvia
  5. Portugal
  6. Ireland
  7. Croatia
  8. Switzerland
  9. Israel
  10. Moldova
  11. Sweden
  12. Azerbaijan
  13. Czechia
  14. Netherlands
  15. Finland

Second Semifinal – May 11

  1. Denmark
  2. Armenia
  3. Romania
  4. Estonia
  5. Belgium
  6. Cyprus
  7. Iceland
  8. Greece
  9. Poland
  10. Slovenia
  11. Georgia
  12. San Marino
  13. Austria
  14. Albania
  15. Lithuania
  16. Australia

The analyzes of the fans and not only for a few minutes have been on fire, since the theories based on the prehistory of the countries in the contest, are a first picture of how passable is the qualification to the final or not. In other words, it’s time to make our predictions about who will advance to the final and who are the favorites to say goodbye to Liverpool early…

Turin will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest from May 9th to 13th at the Liverpool Arena. The motto of this year’s event, as chosen by the organizers is “The Sound of Beauty”.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the developments related to Eurovision 2023!