The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is set to be one to remember, with the UK hosting the event - on behalf of last year’s winners Ukraine - for the first time in 25 years.
Thirty seven countries from all over Europe (and Australia) will be competing to take home the trophy at this year’s event, but only 26 will make it through to the Grand Final on May 13.
France, Italy, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom - also known as the ‘big five’ - all automatically get a place in the final as they make the biggest financial contributions to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
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Last year’s winners Ukraine, who are unable to host this year’s event due to the ongoing Russian invasion, also get an automatic spot in the final.
The remaining 31 countries will have to perform in one of two semi-finals held on May 9 and 11. Like the final, the vote is decided by a 50/50 split from viewers and a jury of music industry professionals.
This year’s entries feature Sweden’s Loreen, who won for her home country back in 2012 with ‘Euphoria’, a neon ballroom and rap fusion from Finland’s Käärijä, a story of sisterhood from Czech folk band Vesna, and an ode to Edgar Allan Poe in the form of Austria’s Teya & Salena.
The United Kingdom will be represented by Mae Muller, who will be hoping to replicate Sam Ryder’s second place success last year with her hit ‘I Wrote a Song’, Australia will be represented by progressive metal band Voyager whilst Israel’s Noa Kirel is promising a ‘flexible’ performance.
Here is a list of the 37 countries participating in this year’s event, alongside the artists and songs representing each one:
- Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje
- Armenia: Brunette - Future Lover
- Australia: Voyager - Promise
- Austria: Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar?
- Azerbaijan: TuralTuranX - Tell Me More
- Belgium: Gustaph - Because Of You
- Croatia: Let 3 - Mama ŠČ!
- Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart
- Czechia: Vesna - My Sister's Crown
- Denmark: Reiley - Breaking My Heart
- Estonia: Alika - Bridges
- Finland: Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha
- France: La Zarra - Évidemment
- Georgia: Iru - Echo
- Germany: Lord of the Lost - Blood & Glitter
- Greece: Victor Vernicos - What They Say
- Iceland: Diljá - Power
- Ireland: Wild Youth - We Are One
- Israel: Noa Kirel - Unicorn
- Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite
- Latvia: Sudden Lights - Aijā
- Lithuania: Monika Linkytė - Stay
- 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
- Poland: Blanka - Solo
- Portugal: Mimicat - Ai Coração
- Romania: Theodor Andrei - D.G.T. (Off and On)
- San Marino: Piqued Jacks - Like An Animal
- Serbia: Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava
- Slovenia: Joker Out - Carpe Diem
- Spain: Blanca Paloma - Eaea
- Sweden: Loreen - Tattoo
- Switzerland: Remo Forrer - Watergun
- Ukraine: TVORCHI - Heart Of Steel
- United Kingdom: Mae Muller - I Wrote a Song
The two semi-finals take place on May 9 and 11, and will be screened live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm. The Grand Final takes place on Saturday, May 13 at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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