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Eurovision 2023: Glasgow or Liverpool? Tomorrow the announcement!

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Finally, the time of announcement of the hosting city for Eurovision 2023 has come! Graham Norton earlier in the day through The Chris Evans Breakfast Show with Sky, confirms the recent rumours, about which we have already informed you through our article, that wanted the reveal of the hosting city to be made tomorrow at Friday, October 7th. The announcement will be made by Graham Norton through BBC One Show, which airs from 21:00 to 21:30 EEST. A talk with Sam Ryder about the matter will follow.

Which city do you prefer to host Eurovision 2023? Write in the comments below!

Source: wiwibloggs

Eurovision 2023: First details of Liverpool’s organisation!

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And while we are mere days away from the announcement of the Eurovision 2023 host city, the first details about the proposed scheduled events came to light. In particular, Liverpoolecho reveals exclusive details of how Liverpool intends to organise the Competition, should it be selected.

Eurovision 2023: Glasgow or Liverpool will host the upcoming contest!

 

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Eurovision 2023: Graham Norton confirms he won’t host Eurovision 2023!

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Next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will not be hosted by Graham Norton. The author and presenter appeared to rule himself out from hosting duties during an interview on This Morning on Wednesday 28th September.

Norton, who has been the show’s commentator since 2009, surprised This Morning hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield when he asked them if they had “thrown [their] hats into the ring to host”.

While Schofield said he wasn’t “allowed” due to the contest being broadcast by the BBC, Willoughby pointed that it surely must be Norton’s job.

I don’t want to give up the commentating, If I stop the commentating, someone else will do it and they might be better than me and then I’ll lose that job. Well, I might wander on and wave, and then run back to my rabbit hutch and put my ear things on.

Willoughby then suggested Rylan Clark-Neal for the job, though Norton didn’t reveal whether there had been any conversations on who might host the programme in his place. Other popular contenders, however, include Love Island winner Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu and Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills.

The competition will be hosted in the UK, despite Sam Ryder coming in second place. Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra were crowned the winners, but the country couldn’t take on hosting duties due to the ongoing Russian invasion. Liverpool and Glasgow are the two UK cities currently in the mix for holding the competition, with Glasgow as the odds’ favorite to win!

“Both of them are beautiful cities,” Norton said. “They’ll look great on camera, they both have a big musical tradition, so you know either one. May the best city win.”

Who do you think will be the hosts of Eurovision 2023?Tell us in the comments below!

Source: radiotimes

Eurovision 2023: The bookmakers declare Glasgow as the favourite!

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We are at the final homestretch of the selection process for the city that is going to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Despite announcing yesterday that only Glasgow and Liverpool remain at the course of claiming, it seems that for the bookmakers there is an absolute favourite!

According to the bookmakers, Glasgow has 64% chance to host the contest, while Liverpool concentrates the remaining 36%.

It should also be pointed out that the variability of the odds was recorded mostly the last days, before BBC’s announcement regarding the predominant cities.

Specifically, as shown at the panel above (screenshot that was taken yesterday), while Glasgow remained for long as the absolute favourite for the bookmakers, Liverpool managed to make an outstading leap in odds. However, this dynamic was not preserved after the BBC announcement, with Glasgow retaking it’s edge overnight.

Will the bookmakers be proven right or Liverpool is going to make a surprise? Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the details!

United Kingdom: Birmingham explains why it was not chosen as a host city

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Birmingham was eliminated from the host city selection procces and now the Mayor of West Midlands has revealed the reason that lead to this decision.

Andy Street, the Mayor of the West Midlands, explained on his personal Twitter account the reason behind Birmingham’s not advancing  to the final two of the host city race for Eurovision 2023. Mr. Street explained that the Resorts World Arena also known as the NEC did not meet the technical requirements for the roof of a venue to host the Eurovision Song Contest.

Glasgow and Liverpool are the two cities that remain in the selection procces and one of them will be the winner city to host Eurovision Song Contest 2023. The EBU and the BBC announced earlier today the two cities that move to the final phase and the five that were eliminated. The cities which were not selected were:

  • Birmingham
  • Leeds
  • Manchester
  • Newcastle
  • Sheffield

Eurovision 2023 will be hosted in the United Kingdom after Kalush Orchestra won with the song “Stefania” on behalf of Ukraine.

Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will be the first contest since 1979 in which the winning nation was unable to host the following contest. It is the sixth occasion overall on which a different country has hosted after the original host nation was unable to host. The 2023 contest will also extend the United Kingdom’s record of hosting Eurovision to nine times.

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

Eurovision 2023: Glasgow or Liverpool will host the upcoming contest!

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Either Glasgow or Liverpool will host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, after the shortlist of cities in contention was cut from seven to two.

The announcement means Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield have missed out on the chance to stage the competition next May.

The BBC said the two remaining cities, which both have riverside arena venues, had “the strongest overall offer”.

A final decision will be made “within weeks”, the broadcaster said.

 

The UK was chosen to host the 2023 contest after organisers decided it could not be staged by this year’s winner, Ukraine, because of the ongoing war. The UK’s singer Sam Ryder was the runner-up this May.

A hotly-contested selection process saw 20 UK cities express an interest in hosting this year’s show before that was narrowed down to seven, and now a final two.

Crowds outside Glasgow's OVO Hydro arenaJEFF HOLMES

Glasgow’s OVO Hydro arena doubled as the venue in Will Ferrell’s Eurovision movie

The winning location will attract thousands of visitors and the attention of around 160 million TV viewers around the world.

The original seven shortlisted cities were scored on a set of criteria including:

  • “Having a suitable venue and sufficient space to deliver the requirements of the Song Contest
  • “The commitment that can be made by a city or region to hosting the event, including the financial contribution
  • “The strength of the cultural offer which includes off screen local and regional activity as well as showcasing Ukrainian culture and music
  • “And alignment with the BBC’s strategic priorities as a public service broadcaster, such as providing value to all audiences and supporting the creative economy in the UK.”

Glasgow calling?

LuluGETTY IMAGES

Lulu won Eurovision in 1969

Glasgow was a bookies’ favourite from the off, with its OVO Hydro venue having a capacity of 14,300.

The arena would be a fitting setting in some ways after being filmed for the exterior of the venue in Will Ferrell’s 2020 Netflix movie Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

And of course, Glasgow lass Lulu won the 1969 Contest with Boom Bang-a-Bang. She says it’s “the perfect place… and it’s about time”.

Fellow Glaswegian Scott Fitzgerald came second in 1988 when he was beaten to the top spot by none other than Celine Dion.

Leader of Glasgow City Council Susan Aitken has said the city “has all the right ingredients to deliver a Eurovision the world will remember”.

The city centre venue is also next to exhibition centres that could be useful for facilities like a press centre, and has a nearby station and hotels. It has previously hosted BBC Sports Personality of the Year and events during the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Or douze points to Liverpool?

SoniaGETTY IMAGES

Sonia is keen for the contest to come to her home city

The home of The Beatles has a rich musical history that attracts thousands of international visitors every year. Its past major events have included the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2008.

Sonia came second in the contest back in 1993 with Better the Devil You Know. The city has also been represented by Jemini, who sadly got nul points in 2003.

Eurovision would be staged at the 11,000-capacity dockside M&S Bank Arena, which is next to a conference centre and near the city centre’s hotels and rail links.

Speaking earlier this year, Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool City Region, said: “It’s safe to say that Liverpool wouldn’t be Liverpool without music – and music wouldn’t be music without Liverpool.

“No region in the UK has had more number one hits – and nowhere can throw a party quite like us. I can think of nowhere more qualified, more experienced or more fitting to host the Eurovision.”

Short presentational grey line

Eurovision organisers say a host venue should accommodate about 10,000 spectators, be within easy reach of an international airport and have enough hotel accommodation for at least 2,000 delegates, journalists and ticket-buyers.

The venue will be needed for preparations for six to eight weeks ahead of the song contest, meaning the host city will need to move concerts and events that are already in their schedules.

Aerial shot of Liverpool's waterfront including the M&S Bank Arena and adjoining exhibition centreANT CLAUSEN

Liverpool’s arena and exhibition centre are on the banks of the River Mersey

That could include the likes of Sir Elton John, who has concerts in Liverpool on 22 and 23 April, and the Magic Mike arena tour, which is booked for both cities in late April.

The UK has hosted Eurovision eight times – four times in London, and in Edinburgh, Brighton, Harrogate and Birmingham.

The former UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said when the shortlist was revealed that the country was “determined to deliver a competition which reflects Ukraine’s rich culture and creativity”. Congratulating the shortlisted cities, she said “no matter which one is chosen it will be a fantastic event to make both the UK and Ukraine proud”.

The BBC’s director of unscripted content Kate Phillips said: “We are committed to delivering a truly unique Song Contest that celebrates wonderful Ukraine and champions British music and creativity in all its diversity.”

The final decission will be made in the next weeks! Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun!

Source: BBC

UK: Liverpool backed to host by Eurovision 1993 runner up Sonia!

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POP icon Sonia’s voice will be instantly recognisable to music fans of a certain age, thanks to her hits throughout the 80s and 90s. Decades on, you might not instantly recognise her at first glance – though she looks far younger than her 51 years. After Immani who was also a Eurovision runner up and supports Birmingham for hosting the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, now Sonia another runner up of the contest, reveals her wish for the host city of Eurovision 2023, which is Liverpool!

Pop legend Sonia was interviewed 29 years after her Eurovision success
Pop legend Sonia was interviewed 29 years after her Eurovision success
The singer found global fame when she came runner-up in 1993
The singer found global fame when she came runner-up in 1993

The star recently appeared on BBC Breakfast to campaign for Liverpool to bag the job of hosting Eurovision. It comes just shy of three decades after her own storming run in the competition. The singer – whose full name is Sonia Evans – shot to fame in 1989 with No1 hit You’ll Never Stop Me Loving You. She also came second at Eurovision in 1993 with Better the Devil You Know and was the first female artist to achieve five Top 20 singles from one album.

Sonia also appeared with Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Bananarama and Cliff Richard in the Band Aid II version of charity single Do They Know It’s Christmas? These days she still performs, taking to the stage at several retro festivals, and makes personalised messages for fans on CelebVM. She can also be seen on TV, appearing on BBC Breakfast last month live from Liverpool.

Sonia insisted her home city should be the location for Eurovision 2023 after the UK took on hosting duties from war-torn Ukraine. Sonia said: “I’m absolutely over the moon, it’s going to be fab. We tick all the boxes don’t we? You’ve got to come and see our beautiful, beautiful city. We’ve got the arena. We’ve got all the criteria – the atmosphere, the buzz. It’ll be one big massive party, it would be absolutely brilliant.”

Sonia was second at Eurovision 1993 only behind the irish entry.

Source: The Sun

Eurovision 2023: New Information revealed about the Host City bid race!

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We have already reported that the decision about the Host City Eurovision 2023 will be announced in the Fall. What we didn’t know is how lengthy and elaborative BBC’s process really is. A recent discussion, however, between Liverpool Echo and Cllr Harry Doyle (a Liverpool city official) has shed some light into the procedure and give us a full picture of the BBC’s roadmap.

According to Liverpool Echo, the seven shortlisted cities must now provide BBC with their complete bids until September the 8th.

After an initial examination of the submitted bids, BBC will pay a visit to all the aspirant host cities (during September), in order to inspect the arenas and cities’ infrastructure.

Following the local inspection, BBC will once again deliberate, together with EBU, having this time all the necessary information to make the best choice. As a Liverpool city official maintains the final decision concerning the Eurovision 2023 Host City will be made public in late September or early October.

Stay tuned for all the updates regarding Eurovision 2023 and the Host City bid race!

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?