Tuesday 09-05-2023 - 10:00

The United Kingdom… Nil Point!
 
This is a statement every UK Eurovision fan dreads hearing when the biggest TV event of the year comes around in May. However, the man with the most amazing hair in the world, superstar Sam Ryder, finally provided us with that tiny bit of hope which everyone had been waiting for, that the rest of Europe doesn’t actually hate us!
 
Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine pipped us to the post in the end though, and I will hold my hands up and admit, it just felt correct. “Stefania” was a song speaking to the narrator’s own mother and the trials and tribulations she had gone through in her life, but it quickly took on a much broader message, one which it most probably was not initially intended for. Many people rushed to point out that it now symbolised Mother Ukraine and a wartime track to provide hope to all Ukrainian people, no matter where they were situated in these heart-breaking times.
 
However, due to the war in Ukraine, it was decided that they would not be in a place to be able to host the contest in 2023, and therefore, the responsibility was given to the UK!! Now I will be honest, after the dreadful run of form we had in recent times before 2022, I was worried I would never see the day where the UK would host the contest. Don’t even get me started on my reaction to Liverpool being announced as the host city! Right on my doorstep!!! I genuinely cannot describe how I felt in that moment where Graham Norton showed the whole world the host city on his card before he had even announced the result. I must have broken the sound barrier…

It is safe to say, I was absolutely gutted when I was not able to secure tickets for myself to actually attend the contest in person. However… guess who managed to get tickets for the eurovillage grand final screening at Pier Head in Liverpool! Partying away all day on Saturday 13th May, listening to some classic hits performed by Katrina (formerly of Katrina & The Waves) and The Vengaboys (I know, I can’t believe it either!). It is surely going to be a day, no actually, a week to remember in Liverpool. This is really going to do wonders for the city and being able to celebrate and highlight the people and culture of Ukraine will truly be the highest of honours.
 
I think it is important that we take a moment to remember why Eurovision is also so important, not just to me, but to millions of people around the globe. There is obviously a reason why over 100 million people tune in every year to watch the next host country crowned! Eurovision has also been commended for putting a spotlight on LGBTQ+ issues and raising awareness in countries where it would otherwise not be the norm or even outlawed altogether. This only highlights the importance of starting these conversations, especially on the biggest TV platform there is. Making the continent of Europe a place where all nations come together and celebrate diversity in front of 100 million pairs of eyes can only be a good thing right?
 
Now there have been some iconic performances throughout the history of Eurovision. Many of these have etched themselves into my mind, never to escape. The one which I go to straight away is of course, the fantastic, iconic, ABBA. ‘Waterloo’ set a precedent. It showed that Eurovision can be a platform for ultimate greatness and to move on to bigger and better things. ABBA became way more than just Eurovision. Not to forget Sandie Shaw with ‘Puppet on a String’. She was the UK’s first ever winner all the way back in 1967. She started what eventually grew to include Lulu, Brotherhood of Man, Bucks Fizz and Katrina & The Waves. Who could forget the iconic whip of the skirts in Making your mind up or Katrina shining a light upon that stage in Dublin in 1997. Yes you heard it right! The last time we won the contest was 26 years ago, way back in 1997.
 
In more recent times, Eurovision has entered the world of TikTok and this social media platform has helped catapult some of these songs into the stratosphere. Just look at Duncan Laurence’s 2019 winning song ‘Arcade’. It currently sits at over 900 million streams on Spotify, with Rosa Linn’s ‘Snap’ from 2022 already being at over 550 million less than 12 months after the last contest!!
 
I suppose what I am trying to say is with Eurovision, there is something for everyone. Whether that be someone singing in a coffin which is also a piano, or whether you’re looking for a group of singing grannies? Trust me, Eurovision has got it.
 
What we really need to do now is make sure 2023 is an amazing year for the contest and ensure Ukraine is truly at the heart from the very beginning, all the way through to the end. First and foremost, this contest is for them, not for us. 

Eurovision is a bonkers world. Once you’re in, you’re in for life, and trust me, the journey is worth it!