You may have just recovered from the King's coronation celebration or simply just the bank holiday, but the fun isn't over yet as this coming weekend, the nation will be watching and waiting with bated breath to find out whether or not the UK has matched or exceeded last year's high ranking spot of number two at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Taking place in Liverpool at the M&S Bank Arena on Saturday, May 13, the musical competition will see nations across the globe battle it out to be crowned winner of the Eurovision Song Contest. It is being held in the UK, who placed second last year, on behalf of the 2022 champions, Ukraine.
Hosting and commentating the grand event, which will be broadcast on BBC One, will be a plethora of familiar faces, who promise to make it a memorable evening - names include Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, Ukrainian singer and frontwoman of The Hardkiss Julia Sanina, comedian and presenter Mel Giedroyc and Graham Norton. Scott Mills, Claire Sweeney, Sam Quek, Ukrainian presenter Timur Miroshnychenko and Rylan.
Read more: Eurovision Song Contest: Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker’s warning to this year’s UK entry Mae Muller
But before that happens, acts must compete against each other in the semi-finals, which will be held on two days in the week leading up to the final. The musical criteria that all acts in the contest must follow is: songs must be original and no more than three minutes; lead vocals must be performed live; no more than six performers can be on stage during the song.
But when are the two semi-finals taking place? Who is presenting the semi-finals? And which acts will be performing and when?
Here's everything we know so far.
When are the semi-finals?
The Eurovision semi-finals will be taking place on Tuesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 11. They will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer as well as the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel from 8pm.
There will be 15 performances on the first night of the semi-finals and 16 on the second.
There will be special performances on the night from musical stars across the globe - on the first semi-final, ticketholders, and viewers will watch as Rita Ora, Ukrainian singer Alyosha and Rebecca Ferguson perform. On the second night, Ukrainian Eurovision 2014 participant Mariya Yaremchuk, rapper OTOY and 14-year-old Ukrainian Junior Eurovision representative Zlata Dziunka will also perform.
How can I watch the semi-finals?
The semi-finals and the grand final of the competition will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on the night. You can also tune in via the Eurovision Song Contest's official YouTube channel.
Who is performing on the first semi-final?
The acts and countries performing on Tuesday, May 9, are as follows:
- Azerbaijan: TuralTuranX- Tell Me More
- Croatia: Let 3 - Mama ŠČ!
- Czechia: Vesna - My Sister's Crown
- Finland: Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha
- Ireland: Wild Youth - We Are One
- Israel: Noa Kirel - Unicorn
- Latvia: Sudden Lights - Aijā
- Malta: The Busker - Dance (Our Own Party)
- Moldova: Pasha Parfeni - Soarele şi Luna
- Netherlands: Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper - Burning Daylight
- Norway: Alessandra - Queen of Kings
- Portugal: Mimicat - Ai Coração
- Serbia: Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava
- Sweden: Loreen - Tattoo
- Switzerland: Remo Forrer - Watergun
Who is performing on the second semi-final?
The acts and countries performing on Thursday, May 11, are as follows:
- Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje
- Armenia: Brunette - Future Lover
- Australia: Voyager - Promise
- Austria: Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar?
- Belgium: Gustaph - Because Of You
- Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart
- Denmark: Reiley - Breaking My Heart
- Estonia: Alika - Bridges
- Georgia: Iru - Echo
- Greece: Victor Vernicos - What They Say
- Iceland: Diljá - Power
- Lithuania: Monika Linkytė - Stay
- Poland: Blanka - Solo
- Romania: Theodor Andrei - D.G.T. (Off and On)
- San Marino: Piqued Jacks - Like An Animal
- Slovenia: Joker Out - Carpe Diem
Who is presenting the semi-finals?
Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina will host the first semi-final live from Liverpool, while BBC Radio 2's Scott Mills and former It Takes Two host and The X Factor star Rylan Clark will commentate.
Speaking about his excitement for joining the star-studded line commentating on the show, Scott said: "I’m so excited for this year’s Eurovision semi-finals on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. I can’t wait to spend all week with Rylan and the team in Liverpool – the perfect city to host the biggest music event in the world."
Rylan added: "From being part of the UK delegation since 2018, Eurovision has become such a big part of my life and I think the scale of it this year is going to be like nothing we’ve seen before.
"I’m so excited to be back in the commentators box to celebrate the United Kingdom hosting Ukraine’s party. It’s going to be an amazing year for Eurovision. I genuinely can’t wait."
Why isn't the UK in the semi-finals?
The UK, alongside being the host of the contest this year, is one of Eurovision's "big five" nations. These nations include France, Germany, Italy and Spain - as well as the UK - and are given this title because this group of countries, via their broadcasters like BBC, make "the biggest financial contribution towards the organisation of the Contest", states the contest's website.
Who is the UK's entry?
Mae Muller is this year's Eurovision entry with her track 'I Wrote A Song', following in the footsteps of Spaceman's Sam Ryder
The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday, May 9 and Thursday, May 11, at 8pm. The Grand Final will take place at 8pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, May 13.
READ NEXT:
- Eurorvision 2023: Welsh Dancing On Ice star joins big welcome party line up
- Eurovision 2023: Final performances announced as the countdown to the Song Contest starts
- Charlotte Church excites fans with 'one more show' in epic Eurovision announcement
- Cardiff to host official Eurovision finals event
- Mae Muller: Who is the Eurovision 2023 UK entry and what is her song?
