The countdown is on for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, set to take place in Liverpool on May 13th. In addition to the 26 competing entries, the Grand Final will feature a star-studded lineup of guest performers, including past Eurovision artists and LGBTQ performers.
Last year’s Ukrainian winners, Kalush Orchestra, will open the event with their winning single “Stefania” followed by a performance titled “Voices of a New Generation”. The group will also dedicate their performance to their home country, which is unable to host this year’s contest due to Putin’s ongoing invasion.
Fans can also look forward to performances by the UK’s 2022 runner-up Sam Ryder and a medley celebrating Liverpool’s musical heritage featuring iconic past Eurovision artists such as Italy’s Mahmood, Israel’s Netta, Iceland’s Daði Freyr, Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs, the Netherlands’ Duncan Laurence and the UK’s Sonia.
Moreover, viewers can expect an unforgettable performance by Ukrainian entrants past and present, including the legendary Verka Serduchka and pop artist Tina Karol, as they unite to perform their original Eurovision hits.
The Eurovision Song Contest has always been a platform for LGBTQ performers and this year is no exception. The event will be hosted by Graham Norton, Alesha Dixon, and Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham. Meanwhile, the UK’s representative, Mae Muller, will perform “I Wrote a Song”.
As the world’s largest entertainment show, the Eurovision Song Contest has been an important platform for LGBTQ visibility and representation, with a long history of supporting LGBTQ rights. The inclusion of LGBTQ performers in the guest lineup only adds to the celebration of diversity and acceptance that the contest represents.
So get ready to tune in on May 13th at 8pm BST on BBC One in the UK for an unforgettable night of music and celebration, featuring some of the most iconic Eurovision artists and LGBTQ performers on the planet.