Eurovision 2023 is officially kicking off with the National Lottery’s Welcome Party and all the stops are being pulled out.
The sold-out event, happening at St George’s Hall Plateau on Sunday, May 7, will see cameos from famous faces and high-profile figures as well as a reunion for pop band, Frankie Goes To Hollywood - for the first time in 36 years.
The legendary band, which formed in Liverpool as part of the city’s thriving Post Punk scene in 1980, isn’t the only group reuniting for a performance as attendees are being treated to musical numbers by Atomic Kitten.
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The 90-minute outdoor spectacle will be presented by AJ Odudu and will see Liverpool’s much-loved Grade I listed building and the surrounding area turned into a massive party for music fans from all over the globe. Audience members will be treated to a high-energy show and there will be a variety of musical performances, dancers, aerial performers and “never seen before and state-of-the-art digital” mapping onto the 14,000 sq foot frontage of St. George's Hall as well as many other surprises on the night.
Welcoming the largest crowd for any single Eurovision 2023 event in the UK, the show will include Eurovision royalty Conchita Wurst and Jamala. The pair will take to the stage in front of a 30,000-strong crowd alongside Liverpool’s Lightning Seeds, The Real Thing and Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson.
Comedian Joel Dommett will co-hosting the event. In addition, cameos and contributions from TV favourites Shirley Ballas, Ricky Tomlinson and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner The Vivienne are amongst those contributing on the night.
Joel Dommett said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be hosting The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome alongside AJ Odudu. I’m a big Eurovision fan and getting to host this huge event in the heart of Liverpool will be so exciting. We’re going to put on an incredible show with amazing performances from Liverpool’s finest and more.”
Guests have been advised to make sure they are a National Lottery player before attending the event. You will be required to bring a National Lottery product, whether purchased in-store, on the website or via the app as you may be asked to show it on arrival.
It has also been encouraged to “dress for whatever the Great British weather throws at us”. As the event has no seats, the company has advised you to “leave the stilettos at home”.
Food and drink will be available within the event space but it is limited and cashless payments only. Music fans attending the are being offered a free park-and-ride service.
Liverpool City Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have joined forces to give free access to a minimum of 1,000 vehicles at the Stanley Park car park, next to Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium. The surface-level car park, which will be accessed from Priory Road, opposite Anfield cemetery, will open at 12 noon with buses taking concertgoers on a 15-minute journey from Arkles Lane, to Queen Square bus station.
Drivers will need to show their concert tickets to gain access. Once the show ends at 10 pm, buses will begin departing from Queen Square bus station. The Anfield car park will remain open and accessible until midnight.
On Sunday, May 7, between 00.01hrs to 06.00hrs on Monday, May 8, there will be no access to Lime Street via Islington, London Road, Lord Nelson Street, Skelhorne Street, St Johns Lane and Elliot Street. There will be no access to William Brown Street during these times too.
Host AJ Odudu said: “I’m so excited to be hosting The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome. It is going to be an incredible show with some amazing performances and all of the wonder that Eurovision has to offer. I can't wait to get the Eurovision party started in one of my favourite cities.”
Highlights of The National Lottery’s Big Eurovision Welcome will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Monday, May 8, as part of a special programme, Eurovision Welcomes The World.
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