Eurovision 2023: King Charles and the Queen Consort revealed the stage of the contest!

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In Liverpool -the host city of Eurovision 2023- , today the royal couple of the United Kingdom attend to events that are related to the Eurovision Song Contest. One of them was the unveiling of the stage, which is ready to welcome in a few days the 37 participants of this year’s contest for the first technical rehearsals.

The stage of Eurovision 2023 has already taken shape, while these days the stand-in rehearsals are also taking place, so that everything is ready for the technical rehearsals and according to the plans that the organizers have already received from the missions of 37 countries competing this year.

The royal couple will also tour the M&S Arena. They will meet the creative team, the presenters of the contest and this year’s British contestant, Mae Muller.

The BBC has revealed via Twitter the moment that the royal couple flip the switch and the Eurovision stage comes to life oficially for the first time. The stage is flooded with light and glitter.

https://twitter.com/bbcmerseyside/status/1651206498955976705?s=20

It’s the first time we’ve seen this year’s stage in action, giving us a small taste of what it’s capable of, which we will be looking at in more detail in the next days.

The royal family are heavily involved in Eurovision 2023, as the contest come to British soil for the first time after 25 years with the last time taking place in 1998 in Birmingham.

Now, Eurovision 2023 takes place in Liverpool following Sam Ryder’s 2nd place in Eurovision 2022. The winner was Ukraine but due to the war, Ukraine wasn’t able to host.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news regarding Eurovision 2023!

 

 

BBC Radio 2’s listeners voted Sam Ryder’s “Space Man” as their favourite ever Eurovision UK entry!

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Radio 2 today reveals that Space Man by Sam Ryder from 2022’s Eurovision Song Contest is Your Ultimate UK Eurovision Song following a listener vote to discover the nation’s favourite ever Eurovision UK entry.

Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz (1981) is in second place, Ooh Aah…Just a Little Bit by Gina G (1996) is in third place, Love Shine a Light by Katrina and the Waves (1997) in fourth, and Save Your Kisses for Me by Brotherhood of Man (1976) rounded off the top five.

The full Top 40 countdown hosted by Steve Wright is available on BBC Sounds from Monday 24 April and broadcast on Radio 2 on Saturday 13 May, 1-3pm.

From Tuesday 21 March, listeners were asked to vote for up to five of their favourite songs of all the UK entrants that have competed in the Eurovision final since our first entry back in 1957 (with the exception of the cancelled 2020 contest and the 2023 entry). Voting closed on Tuesday 11 April, with the results compiled for this special show, Your Ultimate Eurovision Song.

Space Man represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, after being internally selected through TaP Music and the BBC, the British broadcaster for the Eurovision Song Contest. It was co-written by Ryder alongside Amy Wadge and Max Wolfgang in London. At the contest in Turin, Ryder finished in second place with 466 points, becoming the highest scoring UK Eurovision entrant, winning the jury vote with 283 points, and scoring the third highest jury votes by a contestant. He scored the best UK their best result since 1998 and its first top three result since 2002. Space Man peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the highest-charting UK Eurovision entry since Gina G’s Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit in 1996.

Sam Ryder says: “This is just bonkers! We went into that competition as fans and we thought it may be that we come absolutely dead last. But what we can achieve is holding ourselves with a certain grace and respect for being there in the first place, and gratitude first and foremost. When we were sat there on the night and those scores started coming in, we were looking at each other bursting out laughing because we didn’t have a clue that would happen. And now this result! I’m just so grateful. Thanks to all of the listeners who voted and everyone at Radio 2 who supported the song from day one – I really honestly appreciate it.”

Steve Wright says: “Sam Ryder’s Space Man has really taken off with Radio 2 listeners! I can’t wait to count down the rest of the chart and see who else has been blasting off into the hearts of Radio 2 listeners as we all look forward to this year’s Grand Final.”

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “We’re thrilled to see that Sam Ryder’s Space Man continues to resonate so strongly with our listeners. It’s testament to Sam’s exceptional talent as a songwriter and performer. I can’t wait for everyone to hear all the other stellar Eurovision specials which we have in store on Radio 2 and on BBC Sounds, from Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s Eurovision Kitchen Disco to OJ’s Eurovision After Party, not to mention our live coverage of the semi finals for the first time with Paddy O’Connell and the Grand Final commentary hosted by our own Scott Mills and Rylan.”

The Top 40, as voted by Radio 2 listeners:

1. Sam Ryder – Space Man (2022)

2. Bucks Fizz – Making Your Mind Up (1981)

3. Gina G – Ooh Aah… Just a Little Bit (1996)

4. Katrina and the Waves – Love Shine a Light (1997)

5. Brotherhood of Man – Save Your Kisses for Me (1976)

6. Sandie Shaw – Puppet on a String (1967)

7. Cliff Richard – Congratulations (1968)

8. The New Seekers – Beg, Steal or Borrow (1972)

9. Lulu – Boom Bang-a-Bang (1969)

10. Michael Ball – One Step Out of Time (1992)

11. Sonia – Better the Devil You Know (1993)

12. Bardo – One Step Further (1982)

13. Scooch – Flying the Flag (For You) (2007)

14. Mary Hopkin – Knock, Knock Who’s There? (1970)

15. Imaani – Where Are You? (1998)

16. Olivia Newton-John – Long Live Love (1974)

17. Daz Sampson – Teenage Life (2006)

18. Cliff Richard – Power to All Our Friends (1973)

19. Lucie Jones – Never Give Up on You (2017)

20. Lynsey de Paul & Mike Moran – Rock Bottom (1977)

21. Love City Groove – Love City Groove (1995)

22. Blue – I Can (2011)

23. The Shadows – Let Me Be the One (1975)

24. Clodagh Rodgers – Jack in the Box (1971)

25. SuRie – Storm (2018)

26. Frances Ruffelle – Lonely Symphony (We Will Be Free) (1994)

27. The Allisons – Are You Sure? (1961)

28. Molly – Children of the Universe (2014)

29. Jade Ewen – It’s My Time (2009)

30. Jessica Garlick – Come Back (2002)

31. Precious – Say It Again (1999)

32. James Newman – Embers (2021)

33. Sweet Dreams – I’m Never Giving Up (1983)

34. Co-Co – The Bad Old Days (1978)

35. Belle and the Devotions – Love Games (1984)

36. Scott Fitzgerald – Go (1988)

37. Samantha Janus – A Message to Your Heart (1991)

38. Jemini – Cry Baby (2003)

39. Electro Velvet – Still in Love with You (2015)

40. Bonnie Tyler – Believe in Me (2013)

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: BBC

Eurovision 2023: A battle for two for the win – The odds just days before the rehearsals start!

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The favourite column of many of you is back, as the betting analysis for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest is back again.

With two weeks to go until the first Eurovision 2023 semi-final, we take a look at the betting companies’ odds regarding each country’s chances of winning this year’s contest.

In any case, these odds reflect trends and are based on what we know so far in relation to each country’s participation.

Top 5

“Unchanged” remains the situation at the top, with Loreen continuing to sweep the betting tables, being – far from second – the heavy favourite to win the 67th Eurovision Song Contest. The Swedish win has been consistently trending downwards in recent weeks, being below the double betting threshold. In fact, Sweden’s win is being played at odds between 1.61 and 1.80.

Finland remains second, with Käärijä and “Cha Cha Cha” having made a big impression at the parties and receiving a “vote of confidence” from bookers who believe that the possibility of the Scandinavian country’s second win since 2006 is far from unlikely. The Finnish victory is being played daily at increasingly lower odds, currently being played between 3.75 and 5.5.

Ukraine is firmly in third place, but in recent weeks it has lost ground compared to Sweden and Finland, who are leading the way. TVORCHII‘s win in Liverpool returns some operators up to 11 times the stake, at odds that are particularly attractive for those who believe Ukraine will make a back-to-back.

In fourth place we meet Norway, whose gap to the leading three has increased over the last few weeks. Alessandra and the “Queen of Kings” has been loved by fans, but bookers no longer believe as much ΄- as they did in the past – in the Norwegian victory, which they offer at odds between 6.5 and 19.

The top five is completed by Spain, which is one of the big party gainers. Bianca Paloma‘s “Eaea” has impressed fans and bookmakers alike, with her win returning up to 20 times the stake.

Top 10

In sixth place is Israel, with Noa Kirel and “Unicorn” seen as highly likely to put Israel back in the top 10 for the first time since their 2018 win. An Israel victory is being played on bookmakers at odds between 15 and 34, a particularly tempting odds for those who believe in the explosive temperament of the Israeli representative.

Austria‘s “ascension rally” continues, which has been the big winner of the last month and a half after the release of the Austrian entry, now being in seventh place. Teya & Salina‘s eccentric “Who The Hell Is Edgar?” is offered at odds between 15 and 41.

In eighth place we find France, whose position in this table is fictitious. The reality for La Zarra and “Évidemment” is completely different, as if you look closely at the table the only reason why France is in eighth place is because of its 41 odds on a company. In all the others, the French win is played between 7.5 and 17, which would normally place them in fourth place.

Italy and Marco Mengoni are back in the top ten, with an entry that had been underestimated in the previous period by bookers placing it outside the top 10. A potential win for Italy is now being offered at odds that return up to 61 times the stake.

Completing the top 10 is the UK, which will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in a few weeks’ time. Mae Muller‘s mediocre performance at the parties has further affected the already non-positive response of bookers to the release of the British entry. The British win can now be played at odds that return up to 67 times the stake.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3vJfR81xO0

Do you think Loreen can make history in Liverpool in May, giving Sweden victory for the second time and equaling the historic record of the contest’s multiple winner, Ireland?

Eurovision 2023: Liverpool mayor presentes Eurovision trains and buses!

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Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram has unveiled the trains and buses that will be hitting the Liverpool City Region’s roads and rails during the two weeks of Eurovision Song Contest.

The contest coming to Liverpool has been made possible with the help of £2m of funding from Mayor Rotheram and the Combined Authority. As the eyes of the world turn their attention to the city region, the mayor has commissioned a new look for the region’s public transport to mark the occasion.

One of the region’s new publicly owned £500m trains has also been wrapped in Eurovision livery and will appear on the Merseyrail network from today.

New zero-emission hydrogen buses will also start appearing from today (Monday 24 April) draped in Eurovision’s colours. They will initially be used for driver training before entering passenger service in the coming days on the 10A route between St Helens and Liverpool.

Eurovision artwork will also appear at train and bus stations, bus stops, ferry terminals and tunnel entrances with the region set to welcome an estimated 100,000 extra visitors, while the contest itself is expected to attract around 160 million TV viewers.

Rotheram said: “The chance to host a global spectacle like the Eurovision Song Contest is an opportunity that doesn’t come around very often – especially for a city in the UK – that’s why so many cities bid for the accolade.

“I’m enormously proud of the investments we’ve made to deliver a publicly-owned, public transport network run in the interests of the public. We’ve commissioned these new liveries to celebrate this global spectacular coming to our region – it really is once in a lifetime.”

Eurovision is predicted to be directly worth around £25m to the city region economy when it takes over Liverpool next May and, looking at the impact on previous host cities, it could also increase tourism to the city by up to five per cent a year – which equates to over £250m extra revenue by 2026.

OGAE Poll 2023: The results of the United Kingdom and Ukraine

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The next OGAE clubs that revealed their votes are OGAE United Kingdom and Ukraine.

The 948 members of  OGAE United Kingdom voted as per below

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

The 29 members of OGAE Ukraine voted as per below

  • 12 points to Finland
  • 10 points to Sweden
  • 8 points to Norway
  • 7 points to Austria
  • 6 points to Spain
  • 5 points to Lithuania
  • 4 points to Moldova
  • 3 points to the United Kingdom
  • 2 points to Israel
  • 1 point to Georgia

After the votes of the 23 fan clubs the overall results are as per below

Sweden is still in the lead with only 6 points away from Finland in the second place.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the latest news about Eurovision!

Source:Ogae International

Eurovision 2023: Final wave of tickets to go on sale tomorrow!

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The BBC has announced that the final wave of tickets for Eurovision 2023 will go on sale from midday tomorrow. Tickets can only be purchased through Ticketmaster and only for one show at a time.

Tickets will cost:

  • Between £90 and £290 for the Semi-Finals
  • Between £160 and £380 for the Grand Final
  • Between £30 and £280 for General Rehearsals

https://twitter.com/bbceurovision/status/1649352322584047617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Despite the official announcement of the organizers that the sale of tickets takes place only on Ticketmaster, attempts to deceive fans who are anxiously trying to secure a ticket for the live shows of the contest take place every year.

Furthermore, complaints were also made by hotel customers who made online reservations. The well-known company Booking.com confirmed to the BBC that some of its partners received phishing emails, but denied that there was a leak of personal data. The company also advised the public to communicate only and directly with the hotels in which they intend to stay and not to respond to suspicious messages.

The 67th Eurovision Song Contest will be taking place on the 9th, 11th and 13th of May at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all news regarding our favorite contest!

Source: BBC

United Kingdom: Mae Muller wins Third German Eurovision Preview Show

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UK representative Mae Muller won the third preview show of ESC-Songcheck 2023, the German preview show for Eurovision.

During each episode of ESC-Songcheck 2023, each song receives the votes from a jury panel as well as the public via online voting.  For the third show Mae Muller got the most points with her song “I Wrote A Song”.  The UK representative won both the jury and the online vote.

Here are the results of the third night of the German Preview Show:

Jury Online vote
United Kingdom  6.5  6.9  13.4 points
Denmark  7.3 5.2 12.5 points
Ukraine  6.0 6.2 12.2 points
Belgium  6.0 6.0 12 points
Estonia  4.9 6.6 11.5 points
Armenia  4.8 6.2 11 points
Iceland  4.6 5.3 9.9 points
Cyprus  4.3 5.2 9.5 points
Greece  4.7 4.6 9.3 points
Romania  2.6 3.2 5.8 points

Finland is still in the lead

There is still one more show to go before the German Preview show ends.  However, up until now Finland is still in the lead:

Jury Online vote
Finland  11.5  9.9   21.4 points
    Norway  8.6    8.3   16.9 points
    Sweden  8.5  8.0   16.5 points
    Czechia  7.1  7.9   15.0 points
    France  6.4   8.1    14.5 points
    Italy  8.1   6.3  14.4 points
    Croatia  8.5   5.4   13.9 points
    United Kingdom  6.5 6.9 13.4 points
    Latvia  6.8   6.2   13 points
    Moldova  5.6  7.1   12.7 points
    Malta  6.8   5.8   12.6 points
    Denmark  7.3   5.2   12.5 points
    Serbia  6.0   6.4   12.4 points
    Ukraine  6.0   6.2   12.2 points
    Belgium  6.0   6.0   12 points
    Israel  5.7  5.9   11.6 points
    Estonia  4.9   6.6   11.5 points
    Spain  5.5  5.8   11.3 points
    Armenia  4.8  6.2   11 points
    Netherlands  5.0  5.8 10.8 points
    Portugal  4.6  5.9   10.5 points
    Azerbaijan  5.7  4.4   10.1 points
    Switzerland  3.6  6.4   10.0 points
    Iceland  4.6   5.3   9.9 points
    Cyprus  4.3   5.2   9.5 points
    Greece  4.7   4.6   9.3 points
    Ireland  3.8   4.0   7.8 points
    Romania  2.6   3.2   5.8 points

The German jury panel is composed by Constantin “Consi” Zöller, Douze Points and Benny from ESC Kompakt, Vanity Trash, Nilz Bokelberg, Suzie, Cesár Sampson (Austria 2018), Thomas Mohr, Dr. Eurovision, Alisa and Levent Geiger, El Hotzo, Marcel Stober, Broder Breese, Lea Mirzanli, Freshtorge, Martin Tietjen and Kayla Shyx.

There is still one last German preview show to go.  Meanwhile you can watch our reaction to I Wrote A Song by the Eurovisionfun team:

Source: Eurovision.de

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

UK: Mae Muller releases “I Wrote A Song” Remix

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This morning the remix version of I Wrote A Song was released. For the remix version of her Eurovision song Mae Muller collaborates with Swiss singer Vendredi sur Mer, who sings the second verse of the song in French.

The remix version of I Wrote A Song is also available on Spotify:

I Wrote A Song has received a positive reception just a month and a half after its release.  It has made over 5 million streams on Spotify.  It also entered the UK charts in the first days after its release.  This has not happened for a Eurovision song in the UK since 2011.

Mae Muller is representing the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.  As a Big 5 member and host country she will perform I Wrote A Song in the Grand Final.  Mae Muller will perform in 26th place during the final.

You can also watch our reaction by the Eurovisionfun team for the UK entry in the video embedded below:

 

Do you like I Wrote A Song’s remix? Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more news about the UK in Eurovision 2023!

Eurovision 2023 UK:Mel C is set to introduce the hosts during the televised shows!

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British singer and songwriter Melanie C,former member of the 1990s pop girl band Spice Girls,is bound to introduce the hosts of the three live shows of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool.

The 49-year old singer,who has released eight solo album so far,is going lend her voice to introduce the hosts of this year’s song contest in Liverpool.That being said,she joins the line-up of other world-wide acclaimed artists that are set to appear in the Eurovision Song Contest,such as Rita Ora and Luke Evans.

Stay tuned for all the latest news about Eurovision!

source:eurovoix

Eurovision 2023: King Charles and Queen consort to reveal Eurovision stage!

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Their majesties King Charles and the Queen consort will be in Liverpool on April 26.  During their stay they will visit the M&S Arena facilities, where the Eurovision Song Contest will be held.  During their special visit, the king and the queen will unveil the stage, which will be ready by then.

Marking the first Eurovision contest to be held in the United Kingdom in twenty-five years, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom will be in Liverpool on April 26th to attend events related to the contest.  According to the official statement:

Their majesties will reveal this year’s stage and tour the M&S Arena, meeting the creative team, presenters and this year’s UK contestant Mae Muller.

After a visit to the arena, they will also visit Liverpool Central Library to mark the twinning of the library with the Regional Science Library in Odessa, Ukraine.  King Charles will unveil a twinning monument with the city of Odessa, in a live broadcast between the two cities.

This is not the first time that the royal family of a host country has attended the Eurovision Song Contest. As fans may remember, members of the Danish royal family, Prince Frederik and Princess Mary attended the 2014 Eurovision final in Copenhagen.  Also in 2010, Princess Mette-Marit and Marius Borg Høiby of the Norwegian royal family were present in Oslo.  In 2021 King Willem visited the stadium where the competition would take place to oversee the preparations.  In fact we can go back as far as 1986, when Crown Prince Harald, Crown Princess Sonja, Princess Märtha Louise and Prince Haakon Magnus attended the Eurovision Song Contest 1986 in Bergen, Norway.

As you can see, the Eurovision Song Contest has a significant importance in many countries apart from being a music festival.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for more updates about Eurovision 2023!