The Liverpool line-up is complete (sort of)...
Georgia and Armenia join the ESC Party!
Two young artists became #36 and #37 of the original line-up for Eurovision 2023 just after the Head Of Delegation meeting mid month. One is a relative newcomer to those outside her nation, the other a well known face and name to those who have followed JESC alongside ESC. The 'veteran' first...
Iru Khechanovi is already a Contest winner, being part of Candy who won JESC 2011 with 'Candy Music' as part of the Georgian powerhouse at the Junior level. Can she bring success to her nation at Eurovision with "Echo" at the age of 22? And not just at JESC, although her songwriting skills also helped them to third in 2022 with "I Believe" by Mariam Bigvava, but in Liverpool? If the official video is anything to go by, Georgia have at least a better than average chance of getting to the Eurovision Final for the first time since 2016:
As this article is being published later than normal, we have now seen IRU sing this live at the Barcelona Eurovision Party and as far as the technical side is concerned, Georgia have absolutely no worries. Her vocals are flawless, IRU has on stage charisma and she can ad lib at will - she will be a popular part of the promos and if the staging is anything like the video, we could have Georgia's best finish since Nina Sublatti on our hands. This lady knows the Eurovision bubble, can work a tv studio and arena environment, plus has a connectivity that is confident and even flirty at times. 100% televote should see her through to the Final and then the Jury love will flood in - minimum of a mid table finish in the Final with one or two maximums are on the cards. As for the other young artist announced, I'm in two minds as too how she will fair - BRUNETTE from Armenia...
The problem with seeing an artist's back catalogue when they are announced as the singer before you see their actual entry is that you get ideas of what you think will appear. "Future Lover" is NOT what I was expecting to be honest - 150 seconds of delicate ballad and 30 seconds of urban rap is an unusual combination. Perhaps the live vocals and staging will raise this one up but I am not as confident of Armenia making it out of their SF as I might have been before. She is a delight to watch on the video and having an orchestra behind gives this a different feel, but it was slightly underwhelming - that was part of the reason for having IRU open this week's show rather than BRUNETTE, despite Armenia being revealed before...
And the playlist for the show:
"Echo" - IRU
"Future Lover" - BRUNETTE
"Cha Cha Cha" - Käärijä
"Queen Of Kings" - Alessandra
"Breaking My Heart" - Reiley
"Carpe Diem" - Joker Out
"Mary Ann" - Black Lace
"Falling" - TVORCHI
"Vivo Cantando" - Salomé
"Walk With Me" - Måns Zelmerlöw & Dotter
"Arcadia (Versión extendida)" - Megara
"Inviernos en Marte" - José Otero
"UFF!" - E'FEMME
"Que esclati tot" - Siderland
"La Lola" - Famous
"All Of My Love" (radio edit) - Destiny
"Lakehoney" - Soluna Samay
"Evviva!" - Gianni Morandi ft Jovanotti
"Qaradan Qara" - AYS
"Satisfaction" - Darin
"Thank You" - Daði Freyr
So we have had all artists reveal their songs but there is a proviso. San Marino's Piqued Jacks are revamping "Like An Animal" that will be release on Wednesday 5th April, whilst Marco Mengoni has published the lyrics for his three minute version of "Due Vite" but we have yet to hear the Eurovision edit of his song. The date above is when the download/streaming version of all entries are available so chances are that is when we get Italy's entry finalised. When those are both available, you will hear them on the show. The other information to post her in the article are those links to the vlogs running for various ESC 2023 artists...
They are all very different and personally I'd say that the Joker Out series is the most entertaining to watch so far, despite having to use subtitles for that one. The other links were for a big event going on in Liverpool and also for the Radio 2 UK Entry poll:
I'd be surprised if it is anyone other than 1997 or 2022 but have fun voting for your 1/2/3/4 or 5 favourites!
The big advantage of publishing this article late is that I can set up the next edition with a wonderful picture! Show 242 is going to be all about the lady above - Dotter was the special guest at Eurofest, singing after the Eurovision Preview Show, on Friday. I was obviously there, not far away from her during her set...
And also not far away from her during her sound check or just after it!
Join me chatting with Dotter on Show 242!
It is an interview that you won't want to miss...