Eurovision 2023 kicked off its first semi-final this Tuesday, spotlighting the duel between the two big favourites, Finn Karija and Sweden’s Loreen, as they reaffirmed their paths toward victory. Loreen returns after triumph in 2012, bringing experienced poise to the competition and raising the bar for what the night could deliver.
Several nations were left out of the lineup, including Portugal, Norway, Croatia, Moldova, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Israel, Serbia, Malta, Latvia, Azerbaijan, the Netherlands, and Ireland, a reminder of the wide field and fierce competition that defines this stage of Eurovision.
The broadcast featured the familiar energy of the show with a touch of humor and a nod to Eurovision’s broader community. Rita, an immensely popular figure, exclaimed that Eurovision was arriving in Liverpool, a city known as the cradle of pop and the birthplace of the Beatles. The festival’s 2023 staging chose Liverpool as host in a year when Ukraine acted as co-host due to the impossibility of staging the event in the winning country of 2022, a dynamic that underscored the festival’s international spirit.
The night’s presentation included a quartet of hosts: British presenter Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham, Graham Norton, and Ukrainian Julia Sanina. Their collaboration was complemented by postcards that blended imagery from both the hosting country and the participants’ countries of origin, giving audiences a visual thread that linked nations across Europe.
Fifteen acts competed in the semi-final, a process that began this Tuesday. Norway’s representative Alexandra stepped forward with the Viking-inspired ballad Queen of Kings, a track that has seen strong attention in the betting markets as testing rounds proceed. Despite a shifting trajectory, it continued to carry forward enough momentum to secure a pass to the next stage.
Malta brought The Busker to the stage, delivering dynamic staging infused with a saxophone-driven groove that complemented their upbeat Dance (Own Our Party). In contrast, Serbia offered Luke Black with a gothic electronic number, Samo mi se spava, while Croatia leaned into satire with Let 3, delivering a provocative moment that polarized viewers but drew considerable attention for its bold humor.
Latvia featured Ani Işıklar with a piece intended to speak to global conscience, blending cabaret with folk flavors and a touch of the Ai Coraçao motif that nods to Portuguese musical traditions, echoing Mimicat’s presence in the contest. Although the performance did not reach legendary grandeur on this night, it stood as a distinctive interpretation within the evolving Eurovision tapestry.
The lineup also showcased Moldova’s Pasha Parfait with Soarele çi Luna, a number built on electronic textures and an evocative chorus, while the Czech act Vesna presented My Sister’s Crown with hip hop inflections that brought a contemporary, empowering edge to the stage.
Ireland’s Wild Youth carried a U2-inspired drama with a hopeful message, even as the wardrobe shimmer bordered on theatrical excess. In contrast, Israel’s Noa Kirel offered Unicorn with a daring choreography that, while bold, sparked mixed reactions and drew comparisons to past showmanship from the competition. The night suggested a different energy level—less about soft ballads and more about assertive, memorable performances.
The evening underscored that the year would not be dominated by ballads or gentle ballad-like numbers. Rather, it highlighted strong and punchy performances, with Loreen’s Tattoo standing out as a cathartic, emotionally charged anthem that commanded attention and anchored the event with its intensity. It became a reference point for the night, a towering presence amid a field of diverse styles and moods.
Azerbaijan’s TuralTuranX offered a candid Tell Me More, and Dutch duo Nicolai & Cooper delivered Burning Daylight, both keeping the tempo high while the competition built toward its culminating moments. Then emerged Käärijä with Cha Cha Cha, a performance that fused Rammstein-like energy with catchy, party-ready choreography. The show’s visuals and energy created iconic moments that had a significant portion of the audience singing along by the finale.
As the night closed, anticipation built for Thursday’s batch of sixteen more countries as they vied for ten spots in the next round. Spectators also caught a glimpse of Spanish hopeful Blanca Paloma performing EaEa, a number currently placing well in the betting markets and generating strong chatter about its potential progression.