Posts

Eurovision 2023: Guest artists of the Grand Final revealed!

/0 Comments/in , /by

Today the BBC has confirmed the line-up of the guest stars in the Grand Final. Last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra, runner up Sam Ryder, and established Eurovision icons – joining the 26 acts competing in the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on May 13.

The Grand Final for this year’s Contest will open with last year’s winners Kalush Orchestra and a powerful performance titled ‘Voices of a New Generation’. Kalush Orchestra captured the hearts of Eurovision viewers around the world last year – they’re back to kick off the 2023 Grand Final with a performance that’s sure to be unforgettable including their smash hit winning song Stefania.

During the Eurovision Flag Parade of all 26 Grand Finalists, viewers will be treated to a unique performance by some iconic past Ukrainian Eurovision contestants. GO_A, Jamala, Tina Karol, and Verka Serduchka take to the stage and remind us their Eurovision entries.

For the first interval performance, during which voting across Europe and the world takes place, the UK’s very own spaceman Sam Ryder will make his triumphant return to the Eurovision stage after leading the UK’s biggest success in last year’s Contest for over two decades.

The final interval act “The Liverpool Songbook”, is a celebration of the host city’s incredible contribution to the world of pop music. The BBC have brought together six iconic past Eurovision acts – Italy’s Mahmood, Israel’s Netta, Iceland’s Daði Freyr, Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs, Duncan Laurence from the Netherlands – plus Liverpool’s very own Sonia, celebrating 30 years since she came second at Eurovision in 1993.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, says: “What a way to bring in the winner of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. These live performances, with their twists on iconic Eurovision moments and countless creative collaborations, will ensure that we’re in for an utterly unforgettable Grand Final!”

Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra say: “We’ve been looking forward to performing in Liverpool ever since it was announced as host last year. The city has a world-renowned musical heritage and we’re delighted to finally be able to announce what an honour it will be for us to be there.

“While we’re sad that we couldn’t bring the Eurovision Song Contest back to our home country, we’re really grateful to the UK for hosting this party on our behalf. We will perform for everyone in Ukraine to remind us that better days and our country’s victory is ahead, as well as to show the world what Ukraine is fighting for.”

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: BBC

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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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