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Eurovision 2023: United Kingdom’s second rehearsal!

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The last of the Big 6 to rehearse today is the host country, the United Kingdom, with Mae Muller and “I wrote a song“.

Who is Mae Muller?

Holly Mae Muller is an English pop singer and songwriter. She became known by uploading demos of her songs online while she increased her fanbase by being the opening act of Little Mix. In 2021 her song “Better Days” charted in both the UK and the United States, having today more than 397 million streams on Spotify. She was internally selected to represent the United Kingdom in this year’s contest, managing to be the first UK act in more than a decade to debut in the  Top 40 UK Singles Chart.

The rehearsal

Unfortunately this year, accredited journalists don’t get the chance to watch the first and second rehearsals, so we only get the information and content that the organizers officially release to the public through eurovision.tv and the official social media accounts of the contest.

Mae is on stage with four dancers dressed in red and black while she is dressed in a total black outfit. For the first part of the song, they are all standing in an elevated platform which has led screen in front, with pop art style graphics appearing on the led screens, including Mae’s face being cut in two, giving the illusion that they are performing inside her head. For the last part, they all move to the front of the stage performing the choreography. No major changes done for the second rehearsal.

Chloe Hashemi / EBU

United Kingdom is allocated to perform last at this years contest and this will definitely be quite a closing act! After 20 years of bad luck in the contest, last year Sam Ryder brought a second place finish back home. It seems that Mae will also do well and be on the left side of the scoreboard, a far cry from the days when UK was struggling to get points.

Chloe Hashemi/ EBU

Tonight, after the completion of all the second rehearsals of the Big 6, a recap video will be released with 30-second snippets of the performances, giving us a glimpse of how the acts will look on stage.

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Source:Eurovision.tv

United Kingdom: The creative team behind Mae Muller’s performance!

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The team this year’s UK representative is working with for her stage performance has been revealed! What Mae Muller will present in Liverpool will be the result of Black Skull Creative as well as Marvin Dietmann!

https://youtu.be/tJ21grjN6wU

 

Black Skull Creative consists of Dan Shipton, Ross Nicholson, Jay Revell and Paul Gardener. Shipton, however, will not be part of the team this year, as he has been taken over by the BBC as Creative Director for the entire contest as a whole.

Marvin Dietmann, originally from Austria, does not need special introductions since he is well known among eurofans. In recent years, he has taken over the directorship of a number of participations such as those of Cyprus for the years 2021 and 2022, Croatia in 2021, Austria in 2018 (3rd place), last year’s entry of the United Kingdom (2nd place) while he was also the one who had directed Conchita‘s winning performance in 2014.

Source: Eurovoix

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Eurovision 2023: Guest artists of the Grand Final revealed!

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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: BBC asks Mae Muller to focus on her singing and leave politics!

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The BBC people are asking this year’s representative for the country in the contest, Mae Muller, to focus in the next month until Eurovision 2023 only on the song and leave any political comments.

The BBC asks to avoid political comments

British public television bosses have issued guidelines to Mae Muller on what’s allowed and what’s not, ahead of next month’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool.

Mae Muller who took the media by storm a few days ago with what I had posted on her Twitter account about former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Deputies of the ruling party, as well as conservative media, criticized the 25-year-old singer for what she had posted on her social networks.

In one of her tweets, which many readers criticized as unacceptable, the singer said she “doesn’t feel sorry for Boris Johnson” and that she “has no sympathy for him”. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized at the time due to Covid.

Mae Muller against JK Rowling this time

Commenting on a photo of Harry Potter author JK Rowling holding a sign that read: “Get your hands off my f****** rights”, the young singer said:

Not transphobic talking about rights, what’s going on here.

Mae Muller

Earlier Mae Muller had described JK Rowling a defender of women’s rights and against the trans movement, as annoying.

People from Mae Muller’s record company confirmed to the press that the BBC asked the artist to only deal with the song and her participation in the upcoming contest and not with politics.

Both the BBC and her managers are acutely aware of the need for her not to be known for her controversial statements, rather than for good music.

Mae Muller has not hidden her political beliefs, since in the last election she publicly expressed her support for the Labor Party.

It should be noted that the United Kingdom’s Eurovision song is not political in nature. Also, the political statements and activism that artists make outside of the competition do not affect the non-political character of Eurovision.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: dailymail

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: 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

UK: Birmingham backed to host by Imaani!

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Imaani who nearly won the Eurovision Song Contest says she is “backing Birmingham” to host the 2023 event.

Imaani finished as runner-up to Dana International when the competition was last held in the city in 1998.

The winning city is expected to be announced by the BBC and Eurovision organisers in the next few weeks.

Imaani finished seven points behind the Israeli winner 24 years ago, the year after Katrina and the Waves won with their UK entry Love Shine A Light. Until Sam Ryder’s stellar performance at this year’s contest in Turin, Italy, she was the UK’s most recent runner-up.

A woman sitting in a street

Imaani remembers her “absolute terror” preparing for the 1998 contest in Birmingham

She remembers feeling “absolute terror” during the dress rehearsal for her song Where Are You?, at the city’s National Indoor Arena.

“My management team drew lots over who was going to come down and tell me off for crying,” she told the BBC. “I was just so scared.”

Despite this, the singer has fond memories of the atmosphere in Birmingham during the live show.

“It was massive. Amazing band and the crowd was incredible. Such a huge building, it was amazing, a phenomenal experience,” she said.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that Birmingham could do it again. And a thousand times better than they did it before – and they did a pretty damn good job when I was there. I’m backing Birmingham.”

If it wins, Birmingham will host the event at the 15,685-capacity Resorts World Arena.

Cllr Ian Ward in front of Birmingham City Council House

Cllr Ian Ward said the 1998 contest was a turning point for public perception of the city

Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield are also hoping to stage the event, in May.

Birmingham City Council leader Ian Ward said the summer’s Commonwealth Games proved the city’s ability to be the host.

“We saw during the Commonwealth Games people here in Birmingham rediscovering their pride and their confidence in their city and realising that Birmingham can do these major international events as well as any other city anywhere in the world,” he said.

Two men holding European flags in front of a flag backdropBRYAN AND KEVIN MANLEY-GREEN

Kevin and Bryan Manley-Green said they were confident the competition they “absolutely loved “would return to Birmingham

Eurovision super-fan Bryan Manley-Green, from Birmingham, said the city “blossomed” during Eurovision 1998.

“The city just came to life, it came to life for the whole month because we had the G8 just afterwards… so it was just a wonderful month,” he said.

“He likes Eurovision more than me,” joked partner Kevin.

Source: BBC

Eurovision 2023: Sam Ryder predicts the city that will host the contest!

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Sam Ryder, the famous TikToker who managed to bring the UK to second place in this year’s competition, winning the jury’s vote, recently gave a radio interview on the occasion of the release of his new song. Among other things, he gave his prediction for the city that will be finally chosen by the BBC and the EBU, in order to host Eurovision 2023.

Between Manchester and Glasgow, Sam Ryder thinks the choice will be made for the city that will host the 67th Eurovision Song Contest.

Cardiff is out of the games right, and Birmingham have just had… (the Commonwealth Games).

I mean I’d be happy with it anywhere, but Manchester seems like a good bet, or Glasgow. They’re the ones that I think it could go to.

Sam Ryder was also asked if we will see him live at the next contest, with him not knowing anything yet, but being available for any role in Eurovision 2023 he is given, even selling tickets!

I have no idea…I hope so, I’m not going to be coy about it. Please let me do something! I’ll sweep, I’ll give the tickets out. I just want to see it, it’s just going to be so amazing, what an incredible experience for like a Eurovision fan!

Among the seven cities below, the city that will host Eurovision 2023 will be chosen:

  • Glasgow
  • Liverpool
  • Leeds
  • Manchester
  • Birmingham
  • Newcastle
  • Sheffield

The final announcement will be made in the fall.

Listen to Sam Ryder’s new song, released on August 19:

Stay tuned for Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: planetradio