In an event marked by celebration and unity, the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, held in Liverpool, has set a new viewership record, making it the most-watched in the history of the competition. The city, chosen on behalf of the previous year’s champion, Ukraine, found itself in the limelight, invigorating the local LGBTQ+ community.
The Liverpool Effect
Liverpool, a city with a vibrant and thriving queer scene, found itself at the center of the world’s stage due to Ukraine’s inability to host the event amidst ongoing conflict. The Eurovision Song Contest breathed new life into the city’s LGBTQ+ scene, sparking renewed enthusiasm and engagement. The UK witnessed a peak of 11 million viewers during the show, surpassing the previous record of 9.5 million viewers set during the 2011 grand final.
Uniting through Music
The significance of Eurovision has never been more apparent. The BBC’s director of unscripted, Kate Phillips, expressed the sentiment aptly, stating that the millions of viewers reflected how influential Eurovision has become, uniting people under this year’s theme, “United by Music.” The hope was that the event did Ukraine, the intended host, proud.
Loreen: The Eurovision Queen
The competition was swept away by the bookies’ favourite, Loreen, who became the first woman, and only the second person, to ever win Eurovision twice. The Swedish singer’s power ballad “Tattoo” secured her victory, marking a triumphant return after her 2012 win with the hit track “Euphoria.”
UK’s Performance
Contrastingly, the UK’s performance was less triumphant. Following up on Sam Ryder’s impressive second-place finish last year with “Space Man”, this year’s entry, Mae Muller, came second to last with her track “I Wrote A Song.” Regardless of the result, she expressed her pride and gratitude on Twitter, celebrating the journey she had embarked on.
The Lasting Impact
Liverpool’s mayor Steve Rotheram and director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan, praised the city’s role in hosting the event, highlighting the unity and passion it brought. As the sequins and disco balls get packed away, they reflect on the power of investing in culture, hoping the event has made a lasting impact on Liverpool’s LGBTQ+ scene and beyond.