Eurovision 2023

Cor blimey or something.

https://wiwibloggs.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Eurovision-2023-Logo-Liverpool.jpg

Much to come as various national finals happen but I already know my 'we are an arch art outfit and we know what we're doing' Hatari/Konstrakta entry for the year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isZ_4AnCTnA

For the first time ever, I really like the Danish song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04C8E7PUMQo

He wasn't great on stage, so I don't think he'll win it, but that is legitimately a good song, no?

It's definitely closer to a typical Swedish entry than a Danish one.

The Norwegian entry this year is a big dumb goofy song, with emphasis on 'dumb', but in a very weak year I struggled to find an alternative to root for.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYWhh-E_VPo

(His hat is insured)

I thought from the clip that Croatian entry might be too wacky for me, but it's great. Wild but actually musically good, too. Eastern European countries have really been testing the 'no politics at Eurovision' rule over the last... decade?

I didn't mean the clip, I meant the preview image. You know, that thing.

If that Belgium song doesn't have "I have gone off the internet..." then, well..

Okay Finland's choice is currently my fave easy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wmSjw6enq8

Has anyone tried (and maybe even succeeded) to buy tickets before? I'm considering trying to get some today as a gift for someone, but get the sense it may be all but impossible. Also, any tips on which events might be good to aim my sights at if I do try?

https://eurovision.tv/tickets

do european visitors need a visum?

As suspected I had no joy on securing tickets. Ah, well.

All of my Eurovision friends failed too! A couple got to the end but there were only hospitality packages available for £300-£400, way too expensive. Apparently the site kept crashing people out of the queues and there's a lot of bad feeling going around.

I gave up on the idea of going earlier in the year, I don't have the mental or physical capabilities of withstanding huge crowds. Far too much anxiety + fatigue. Unfortunately everyone else has decided to go party in Liverpool even without tickets to the shows, so I won't even have my normal group chat available this year. Bah.

no joy with our group either

This year is shaping up to be real good. Austria's banging ode to being haunted by Edgar Allan Poe:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMmLeV47Au4

Eurovision 2023: Mae Muller announced as UK act for song contest

'I Wrote A Song'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ21grjN6wU
I heard a song. Then forgot what it sounded like 5 minutes later, apart from a vague memory of an Eastern European banger that people like but gets lost amoungst the other entries when it comes to the voting.

loreen heavy favourite to win mello
obvs not as good as euphoria but i like it

Don't hate the UK song but it has strong "eliminated in Andra Chansen" energy

Albania always a favourite of mine, but this year it looked like they botched it with a mess of a song - but lo and behold, they dusted it off and remixed it, and now it sounds awesome, love the drill bass (!) that's in there at some points, just a fabulous melange of modern and traditional sounds and instruments:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp8OG4ApocI
Albina & Familja Kelmendi • Duje

another big favourite this year:

Latvia's Sudden Lights with "Aijā": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRV2-jPqaUw

*personal* favourite obv, both of them, neither of these will make it to the final unfortunately.

the Spanish and Czech entries, sister acts in a way, will do much better:

Blanca Paloma • Eaea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxuO0qZITko

Vesna • My Sister's Crown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-y78qgDlzAM

I also love our Dutch entry. it goes (pretty shamelessly) for a Duncan Lawrence x Common Linnets hybrid, but it actually works imvho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOf-oKDlO6A
Mia Nicolai & Dion Cooper • Burning Daylight

would never give this type of stuff the time of day outside of Euro season, but I'm glad to have this yearly opportunity to indulge in it

Loreen winning again would be the boringest thing ever btw. the song is okay, but it offers nothing new, it's a retreat. please remain a Eurovision icon, don't become a mascot. one Johnny Logan is plenty, thank you.

Agreed that Czechia is pretty choice. And agreed on Loreen so here's hoping not, I'm still giving it to their neighbors across the Gulf of Bothnia.

Full playlist of all 37 choices is now up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ21grjN6wU

But if you just need a summary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LC9LgRDtRU

Anyway made my annual Eurowhat appearance -- and among other things I got to talk about Finland so I win.

https://fireside.fm/episode/HEjpsK8z+fzttA7ls