Eurovision Song Contest 2023 - 13th May - Liverpool

[flopho]

We have our first song, TVORCHI will represent Ukraine with 'Heart of Steel'



This is definitely not something one would expect from Ukraine, I personally like it and it sounds like something I would listen to outside of Eurovision but not sure if it's suitable for the general ESC audience tbh.

I haven't heard the other songs but I read a few times that the general sentiment was that Ukrainians themselves were a bit tired of sad war songs so they wanted to with something else.




Also, can I just say, the fact that this took place in this metro station and trains were passing by during the show and yet it still had a higher production value than several other preselections and even some actual ESCs is insane

[SholasBoy]

Updated some of the artists.

[westhammer]

Ukraine is surprisingly dull - it goes nowhere, is very forgettable and lacks a catchy hook. It would be a NQ if it were in the Semis

[flopho]

^it's getting a revamp apparently

[greek_boy]

It's a cute performance but the song is bland and forgettable. I was expecting a song in Ukrainian (or at least half Ukrainian) to win, I was surprised that Heart of Steel won the public vote.

I am sure it's not going to do as well as expected.

[nympho]

All the entries for Benidorm Fest 2023. The winner will represent Spain in ESC.

I'll wait till I see the live performances to judge... but, so far, based on songs alone, my Top 5:

Mi Familia - Fusa Nocta
Nochentera - Vicco
Quiero arder - Agoney
Tracción - Rakky Ripper
Uff! - E'Femme

[Thriller]

Plenty of hotties to choose from there!

[jordi_89]

Also, can I just say, the fact that this took place in this metro station and trains were passing by during the show and yet it still had a higher production value than several other preselections and even some actual ESCs is insane

No way lol
It looked really good indeed.

[Mainshow]

ALBANIA

[westhammer]

Albania is terrible. And the performance felt so odd!

[SholasBoy]

I get Albanian mafia boss funeral with family members turning up to the Will reading.

[greek_boy]

The Benidorm songs this year are not as good as last year's songs but let's see...the live performances might elevate the songs.

I get Albanian mafia boss funeral with family members turning up to the Will reading.

same i can't believe it won the televoting...

[Mainshow]

I´m actually glad that "Duje" won the televoting since I think it´s an absolutely incredible Eurovision entry.

Albina is a great vocals and is able to hit every note - she´s been accompnied by her own family. The entry´s lyrics are about a family dealing with issues such as splitting up due to misguided words. The parents split - the child (the lyrical I) can´t understand what´s been going on but they get assured that they will "still love each other as before"... it´s kinda cheesy but it also feels very authentic and genuine (since the artists represent the content of the song perfectly).

Let us not forget that Albania is no Sweden - their national final is filled with songs which got written by one or two composers (not a huge team of internationally successful songwriters) and they just recorded their songs without being overlooked by record labels, etc.
That´s why we always get a polished version of the entry in May and Albania´s delegation puts a lot of effort to revamp their entires (e.g. sending winners to London to re-record their material).

I love the chaotic, messy and dramatic entry - "Duje" feels like a throwback to Eurovision 15-10 years ago but after seeing the 2022 televoting, ethno-influenced entries (even the messy, trashy, chaotic ones) perform very well.

[Mainshow]

When it comes to Spain, I have to admit that I´m really disappointed about the selection of songs.
Last season, Benidorm was one of the best national finals. I still listen to "Ay Mama" and Rayden and "Terra" was a ride (distinctive, genuinely interesting) and could have beena phenomenal Eurovision entry. "Slo Mo" had a slow start wasn´t really loved by fans and Spanish televoters alike but Chanel killed and nailed it on stage - she had one of the most memorable performances of the night (and the song was quite catchy).

After that great selection last season, I was really curious about 2023 since Benidorm even got expanded... but quality =/= quantity and honestly, I can´t even find 3 songs like "Ay Mama", "Terra" or "Calle de la llorería" in this bunch of generic, messy and overproduced tracks - I even think that a few are sheer ridiculous, e.g. the wannabe football anthems or the chanceless ballads which scream 0 points in the televoting in May.

Personally, I think that "Flamenco" could be a competitive entry (since it sounds quite similar to "Senorita")- especially accompanied by a great dance routine.. and Megara (but it also sounds like a weaker album filler taken from "Born This Way").

I was quite shocked about the Benidorm songs - Maybe I´m wrong (and the songs are simply not my cup of tea) but I expected something more competitive from Spain after Chanel´s incredible #3 rank in Turin.

[jordi_89]

The Albanian mafia family performance was... interesting. Wouldn't it be better with just the lead singer + some dancers / performers in the background? Hopefully next year Dua Lipa will represent them because what a mess.

The song itself was ok.

[Mainshow]

The Albanian mafia family performance was... interesting. Wouldn't it be better with just the lead singer + some dancers / performers in the background?

No because the song is about family issues and the singer is accompanied by her real family on stage.
It adds authenticity to the entry.

Albania´s national final is quite "old-fashioned". They usually get massive revamps (e.g. re-recording the entry somehwere in Europe like London, hiring stage directors, changing costumes, e.t.c).

[Mainshow]

MALTA just released snippets of their 40(!) entries:

Here´s a recap:

It´s Malta, they always come up with a massive national final of dated songs BUT - I´m quite surprised because I think that there are 7-8 songs which could be quite entertaining or even suitable for Eurovision:

Kirstie (in this video #21)
Mikhail ( #20)
Ryan Hili (#19)
Clintess (#9)
Eliana Blanco (#5) = it´s got "a fantastic and joyful performance written all over it"
Brooke (#4) = I dislike it but it´s a Swedish reject.. juries would be falling for it
Aidan (in this video #2)
The Busker (#3) = groovy, another iconic sax moment?

[Nost]

It's okay it's Aidan's year now!

[jordi_89]

MALTA just released snippets of their 40(!) entries:

Here´s a recap:

It´s Malta, they always come up with a massive national final of dated songs BUT - I´m quite surprised because I think that there are 7-8 songs which could be quite entertaining or even suitable for Eurovision:

Kirstie (in this video #21)
Mikhail ( #20)
Ryan Hili (#19)
Clintess (#9)
Eliana Blanco (#5) = it´s got "a fantastic and joyful performance written all over it"
Brooke (#4) = I dislike it but it´s a Swedish reject.. juries would be falling for it
Aidan (in this video #2)
The Busker (#3) = groovy, another iconic sax moment?

I like #21 and #14.

[flopho]

Melodi Grand Prix artists revealed, JOWST, Ulrikke and Elsie are back!

Semifinal One:

• Ulrikke — Honestly
• Erik Næss — Wave
• Kate Gulbrandsen — Tårer I Paradis
• Rasmus Thall — TRESKO
• Alessandra Mele — Queen of Kings
• Jowst & Byron Williams Jr — Freaky for the Weekend
• Umami Tsunami — Geronimo

Semifinal Two:

• Sandra Lyng — Drøm D Bort
• Jone — Ekke Inni Meg
• Swing’it — Prohibition
• Ella — Waist
• Alejandro Fuentes — Fuego
• Bjørn Olav — Turn Off My Heart
• Elsie Bay — Love You In A Dream

Semifinal Three:

• Skrellex — Love Again
• Tiril — Break It
• Akuvi — Triumph
• Atle Pettersen — Masterpiece
• Eline Thorp — Not Meant to Be
• Maria Celin — Freya
• Stig van Eijk — Someday

[greek_boy]

Happy to see Ulrikke back! Attention was my favourite ballad in 2020 and would've smashed so hard.

I loved Elsie's song in 2022 national final but the live performance was disappointing.

[Blondini]

Possibly the most unexpected ESC news ever:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertain...ign_type=owned

Eurovision 2023: John Lydon's Public Image Ltd could represent Ireland

• Published
  5 hours ago

Image caption,
John Lydon - whose parents were from Ireland - is also sometimes known as Johnny Rotten
By Daniel Rosney
Entertainment reporter

Public Image Ltd - the band John Lydon formed after the Sex Pistols split in 1978 - is in the running to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest.

The song, called Hawaii, is described as "a love letter to Lydon's wife of nearly five decades who is living with Alzheimer's."

Irish broadcaster RTÉ has announced the band will compete with five other acts for the title in a TV show next month.

This year's Eurovision is taking place in Liverpool in May.

Hawaiii "is dedicated to everyone going through tough times on the journey of life," Lydon said. "It's also a message of hope that ultimately love conquers all."

Public Image Ltd's current line-up is John Lydon, Lu Edmonds, Scott Firth and Bruce Smith.

Public Image Ltd performing in 2012IMAGE SOURCE,PRIME PR
PiL, who formed 45 years ago, have scored five top 20 singles and five top 20 albums in the UK
As well as the band, who formed 45 years ago, Adgy, Connolly, Wild Youth, Leila Jane and K Muni & ND will all perform on a special edition of the Late Late Show on 3 February.

The decision will be split between a national jury - made up of music experts, an international jury and a public vote.

Ireland has won Eurovision seven times, more than any other country, but it has failed to qualify for the grand final since 2018.

Italy, France, Spain, Germany and the UK automatically get a place in the final because of how much they pay to enter with the remaining acts participating in two semi-finals first.
IMAGE SOURCE,ANASTASIIA MANTACH / SUSPILNE UKRAINEI
Tvorchi will represent Ukraine in Liverpool and will also automatically get a place in the grand final
Like Ireland, lots of countries choose their Eurovision act via TV competitions, and it is a format the United Kingdom has used in the past to decide its act.

This year's UK act will be chosen behind-the-scenes, like Sam Ryder was last year, with the BBC hoping to achieve similar success to his second-place position.

The 37 countries taking part have until the end of March to confirm their songs and artists for the competition.

Eurovision grand final will take place on 13 May in Liverpool.

[KEY9481]

I've read that there will be no televised / national selection for France, and the French committee will pick on their own like in 2020.
To be confirmed.

[Blondini]

Here's that Public Image song

it's pleasant, (yes, really) - hardly the type of thing that would get through but it's a grower

[westhammer]

Here's that Public Image song

it's pleasant, (yes, really) - hardly the type of thing that would get through but it's a grower

It wouldn’t have a hope but none of the Irish potential entrants this year will qualify