Once again MARIO VAN TONGEREN from the Netherlands look at the grand jury final of Eurovision song contest 2023 on behalf of ESC Covers and report for us.
The Semi-Finals of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool are now behind us, and we can look forward to the Grand Final on Saturday night. Tonight, the participants will have one important hurdle to take before tomorrow night’s show: they need to perform before the national juries, who hold 50% of the final result. I will be watching the Jury Final for you, will tell you about what you can expect of the show, and of course, will give my final prediction in terms of what who will likely be winning the show, in the end.
As can be expected, we kick off the show with an opening act by last year’s winners, Kalush Orchestra. They bring us two songs, their winning song “Stefania” (the first part of this was filmed in Kyiv and shown on video, then we go into the arena) and a new song, “Changes”. After that, we move into the flag parade that we have every year at the beginning of the Final, with all the artists walking onto the stage one by one. During the flag parade, several Ukrainian artists make an appearance, they are Go_A, Jamala, Tina Karol and Verka Serduchka. Then the hosts appear to do their intro of the night, with all the information about the voting. Remember that even if you are located outside the participating countries, you can still vote, and for that, you just need to go to www.esc.vote. It’s time to begin with the participating entries!
01. Austria
Last night’s Semi-Final saw this lovely female duo qualify for the Final comfortably with their very fun entry that has lyrics that don’t make sense. Which is also exactly their message: many songs nowadays have lyrics that make no sense or hardly have any meaning. According to the bookmakers and many fans before the Semi-Final, they would have a good chance of winning the show on Thursday night, however, the fact that they have been placed to perform first tonight by the EBU would normally suggest otherwise. Still, I do expect this entry to have a reasonably good result tonight, as their performance is once again quite strong, including the vocals. But a winner, it is definitely not.
02. Portugal
From a very fun start, we move to another entry that oozes fun. Mimicat is back with her traditional Portuguese cabaret-like performance, all in red. Her vocals are once again very solid, as they were during the first Semi-Final on Tuesday. The EBU has given this slot number 02 in the running order, which is widely known among Eurovision fans as the “cursed spot”, as nobody has ever won from it. In recent years, we have seen the EBU often give this spot to an entry that qualified as 9th or 10th in their Semi-Final, and it’s very likely this happened to Portugal as well. However, let us not forget that unlike on Tuesday, there are juries voting tonight, and they might quite like this, I do think.
03. Switzerland
Now it’s time for the first ballad of the night, and it’s Remo from Switzerland who will be bringing it. He qualified from the first Semi-Final on Tuesday, as was expected, and he has become known for his very beautiful voice, of which we hear great things once again tonight. Another very solid performance, and I think especially the juries will enjoy this very much. The fact that he is so early on in the running does suggest he didn’t do great in the televoting-only show on Tuesday, though, which may mean a very mixed overall result tonight.
04. Poland
Not much to anyone’s surprise, Blanka from Poland qualified for the Final from the second Semi-Final, after facing many hardships during this Eurovision season, following a very dubious Polish national final, where the result was contested by many people, and her vocal issues that we have heard throughout the season. Her vocals have not necessarily improved, but as previously mentioned during the Semi-Final, this is well staged and the vocal mix made with the backings makes it sound acceptable. Juries are not falling for this, though, and I actually expect them to rank it among the bottom five entries. However, it could get a decent number of points from the televoting and still climb up the scoreboard a little bit, but not too much.
05. Serbia
Although there were some question marks on whether this would qualify on Tuesday, Luke managed to do so, which means his rather strange song and performance was understood by the televoters. So there is again, on his lily (it’s a lily, I heard!), bringing us the darkness from his soul once again. The performance is of a similar level we saw on Tuesday, very artistic and lively. Vocally, it is fine. I’m not sure the juries will understand what is going on here and it may well have a low score. I’m also not sure if the televoting will be favourable for this entry here in this very large Final.
06. France
Now is the time we get to see La Zarra in full glory for the first time. She has come to the stage in a huge black glittery dress that reaches far below her feet, all the way to the stage, as she stands on a high platform. She is also wearing a matching ornament on her head. This is gorgeous to see, her mimics are amazing, as is her vocal performance. Everything about this oozes class. Near the end of the song, as she sings of her nation’s grandness, the colours of the French flag appear on the backdrop. The pyros at the end are also very effective. This is considered to be a dark horse to win. I’m not sure if I’m going that far, despite loving it totally, but I do think she will be in the top five.
We quickly go to host Alesha, who announced a video where we see the highlights of the Eurovision week so far. It has been a most fabulous week, for which we thank the EBU and host broadcaster BBC very much. Let’s get back to business, though, as we have 20 songs left to be performed.
07. Cyprus
Andrew Lambrou qualified from the second Semi-Final with his quite spectacular performance, and he has come to do it again. This entry is a great international collaboration, as the song has come from Sweden, the artist has come from Australia and the colours of Cyprus are being flown. This once again sounds very good with the vocal mix, as there are strong backings involved, as one can clearly hear. The nice placing in the running order suggests he did quite well in the Semi-Final two and I think this should be midtable with both juries and televoting, which would give it a nice midtable result overall as well.
08. Spain
The second direct finalist has come to the stage, and it’s Blanca Paloma from Spain with a Flamenco entry. We see an enclosed space on stage, with a round red curtain-like thing where Blanca starts of her performance, with her dancers around her. She is wearing a dark red top and white trousers. Half way through the performance, she walks out of the enclosed space onto the empty stage and continues her routine here. There are a lot of flashes and light effects in this. While her vocal performance is strong, it is also very intense and gets a bit much to handle, for me personally, I find it a bit of a screamfest. After a while, you really want the noise to just stop. This might do well with the juries, possibly top ten there for being very cultured and authentic and all, but in the televoting? I don’t think so.
Then it’s time for the first proper break of the night. We get to see a video about the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, and the last winner there, Lisandro from France, welcomes us to the beautiful city of Nice, where the 2023 Junior Eurovision Song Contest will be held. I always wanted to visit Nice. I might just book a flight for this, why the hell not. But let’s continue with the Final here, shall we.
09. Sweden
Loreen has been attributed slot number 09, after the break, which is due to the fact that her staging takes a while to install. She delivers another majestic performance of “Tattoo”, as we saw it on Tuesday as well. Her vocal performance is spotless. Now the big question is, will this win the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest? In my opinion, it is one of the two serious options we have. I think she will definitely win the jury vote, and she may well win the televoting as well, but I’m not entirely sure of that. Still, I think she will be at least second in the televoting.
A short moment with the hosts we get once more here, as Loreen’s box is carried off the stage, but then we’re all clear to continue.
10. Albania
The Kelmendi family, headed by Albina, somewhat surprisingly qualified from the second Semi-Final, but on the other hand, it is a very logical qualification as well. Because this is real, this is touching, this is authentic, this is incredibly well sung. Of course televoters were always going to reward that with a place in the Final. Once again, they give a great performance, but I’m not sure what I should expect from this in the results. I don’t think the juries will go for this much, because the song is a bit dated, but they might get a decent number of points from the televoting, especially on the Eastern parts of our continent.
11. Italy
It’s Marco Mengoni, at Eurovision for the second time. He is wearing a very beautiful silver coloured, shiny top, and black leather pants. In the backdrop, we see two dancers jumping up and down a staircase, in an artistic manner. Marco’s vocal performance is one of the best of the night, he is a terrific vocalist. This is a beautiful, very Italian song that won San Remo this year, however, for Eurovision, I’m afraid it’s a bit of difficult bet, because it’s a bit flat and not very memorable. I think the juries will like it to some extent, and the televoters who are fans of Italian music will appreciate it as well. I think this can end lower top 10 at best, but may also just fall outside it.
12. Estonia
Alika from Estonia qualified from the second Semi-Final, despite remaining outside my prediction that I shared with you two nights ago. It turns out just neighbour and diaspora votes which I expected for Greece, still don’t get you anywhere if you perform your entry decently. So Estonia is back with us, as it should be. Alika once again gives a very beautiful vocal performance, she is on the same list of best vocalists of the night as Marco Mengoni. But she too does not have the most memorable song, and I fear this will get a bit lost tonight, but with the juries and in the televoting, and will end up in the lower regions of the scoreboard.
13. Finland
Here’s the other favourite of the night. Käärijä from Finland of course qualified from the first Semi-Final on Tuesday, with his strange, but fun performance of this very fast paced song, about what happens to a person with some social anxiety after consuming a Pina Colada (or two). The party gets started as the artist breaks out of his wooden box and the dancers in pink appear on stage. He gives a very energetic and well sung performance. The placing on slot number 13, the last one of the first half, suggests that Finland won the televoting on Tuesday, and they may well do so again tonight. The question is, how high will this end up with the juries? It will be top five there most likely, but if it’s third, fourth or fifth rather than first or second, it may not be sufficient to defeat Loreen from Sweden. Only time will tell.
14. Czechia
The girls from Czechia are back after a great performance in the first Semi-Final on Tuesday, from which they qualified easily, as expected. This well staged entry is once again performed very well, both vocally and through the energy put on display on stage by the artists. I’m inclined to think this will have an audience both among juries and televoters, but for the latter, my concern is the place in the running order. Would the EBU really place something very well on Tuesday right after Finland? I have my doubts. A good jury result may be essential here to be somewhat successful tonight.
We get a short moment with host Alesha here, most probably because the next entry take a bit of time to set up, but the moment passes quickly, and we’re ready to head Down Under.
15. Australia
Thursday night, we saw the band Voyager qualify for the Final from the second Semi-Final, and I mentioned that I believed them to be the most likely winners of that show. I still believe they most probably were, because this is a very good, artistic alternative rock entry, that is performance very well. Especially the lead singer has a certain charisma that catches the eye and stays in the memory of the viewer. This performance is once again quite spectacular and the song is very well sung. This will be adored by the juries tonight, and I see no reason why the televoters won’t vote for it in large numbers as well. Australia is sailing into the top ten. In the most perfect scenario for them, possibly even into the top five.
16. Belgium
Next we have Gustaph from Belgium once again, who qualified from the second Semi-Final. This entry is so well staged, it’s so much fun, and that persuaded the televoters Thursday night, which was nice to see. Gustaph’s vocal performance is once again on point tonight. There may be an even bigger audience found for the message of diversity and tolerance of the queer community in this Final, which might push this into the top ten of the televoting. If sufficient juries like it as well, it may even be top ten overall as well, but that would be most ideal scenario for this.
It’s time for the second proper break. The hosts speak to us about the voting and we check-in on Graham Norton, who is found in his commentator booth watching his private collection of Eurovision DVDs. Let’s continue, as we have ten entries left to perform.
17. Armenia
Ah, it’s Brunette from Armenia, who qualified from the 02 slot in the second Semi-Final, with her very beautiful performance, with the many colours on stage that are very pleasant to the eye. Be good, do good, look good is what she decides to do and she does it all fabulously. Her vocal performance during this Jury Final is once again very good, too. I see this somewhere midtable, tonight. A bit higher with the juries, a bit lower in the televote, perhaps. Yeah, midtable.
18. Moldova
Pasha Parfeni is here for his fourth appearance in a Eurovision show. He sang in the Semi-Final and Final during his first participation, and he once again gets to do both. We get the same traditional performance. The drums are present, the short guy with the flute is present, and Pasha’s vocal performance is once again very competent. I suspect this entry only just qualified from the first Semi-Final and therefor may find some struggles in the televoting tonight. However, the juries may like its authenticity and reward it. Still, I expect this in the bottom half of the scoreboard.
We get another short moment with Alesha, who has the role of talking us through moments where a staging needs to be prepared a little longer. Go on, then!
19. Ukraine
Last year’s winning country, Ukraine, has come with a very interesting entry this year. We see the main singing standing before four small screens, wearing a black suit with very shiny golden elements, with the dancers blending with the screens during the performance. The singers themselves blend with one of the screens as well at some point. It’s very tastefully made, this performance. It is also very well sung. The juries will likely rank this in the lower top ten or just outside the top ten, but then the question is how big the showing is going to be Ukraine in the televoting. They may get a lot of points, even if they are not as many as last year. It would be a mistake if this were to accidentally win because of that support, in my opinion.
20. Norway
Alessandra from Norway opened the first Semi-Final very strongly and subsequently qualified for tonight’s Final. She once again delivers a very convincing performance before the juries tonight. Vocally, it is slightly weaker than on Tuesday, but still very well. In this not very strong second half of the Final, this stands out very nice and she may shoot into the top ten of both juries and televoters. The slot she received from the EBU tonight also suggests she did very well on Tuesday. Watch this one.
Once again, we head to Alesha very quickly, as the next act carefully cooks up some Blood and Glitter for us.
21. Germany
For many years, the German nation has struggled deeply to find a decent Eurovision entry, and for many years, they have finished either last or close to last. No more, said the Germans. This year, we get a great of metal from a popular German band, Lord of the Lord. We see the drums on a carefully built platform, and the singer, with a very special outfit with feathers sticking out, at the front, as he moves around. The background featured a blood red colour and many flashes. Pyros are added to this as well, for additional spectacle. The vocal performance of this is amazing. This should definitely take Germany out of the bottom regions of the scoreboard. I’m not sure how far up, but it will be their best result in years.
22. Lithuania
Didn’t I tell you voters would be “choo-to-too-toing” this all the way out of the second Semi-Final, and they did. Monika may once again begin her performance in an orange dress, to make sure her catchy chorus is heard far and wide in the world. Her vocal performance is once again very strong. Let’s be honest, though, beyond a catchy chorus and a strong voice, what are we looking at? To me personally, this doesn’t do much and I’m not sure where its audience is most likely to be found tonight. This shouldn’t trouble the scoreboard too much.
23. Israel
The queen of dance moves, Noa Kirel, qualified easily from the first Semi-Final and is back to do her fabulous routine on stage for us tonight. The slot this entry got in the running order is absolutely outstanding. It is the only entry in the second that stands out sufficiently to actually be a proper dark horse at the top. Noa’s vocal performance is better than it was on Tuesday, still a tiny bit shaky, but this time, it doesn’t draw any attention. This is very well performed tonight. Her dance moves are once again impeccable as well. This is going to be top five, dear people. If the stars align, and Sweden and Finland both don’t win both the jury and the televoting, and this is second in both, for instance, it could even win. Not a very likely scenario, I’m just dropping it as… a plausible scenario.
24. Slovenia
Ah, the innocence of youth. That is what this entry entails, isn’t it, the innocence of youth. Happy young people in the prime of their lives, wearing bright colours and making soft rock music to impress the girls or boys of their dreams. Right, that’s enough dreamy talk for tonight. This qualified comfortably from the second Semi-Final, as predicted, and still does exactly nothing to me. It is very well performed, very well sung, I’m sure a lot of people appreciate it very much (my own mum does, she said), so who am I to judge? Enjoy it, vote for it if you like, but for the love of God, don’t make me hear it again later tonight.
25. Croatia
There’s the Croatian cabaret performance again, qualified from the first Semi-Final. An anti-war statement that informs us about the idiocy of going to war and calls out a certain psychopath. I honestly don’t know what to say about this more, other than the expectation that it will once again receive its fair share of televotes, but will be ranked very low by the juries. Where it’ll end up? The lower half of the scoreboard, I do think.
This time, it’s Hannah talking up the time requires to set up the next, and last, staging of the night.
26. United Kingdom
The host country has chosen an up-tempo song this year, performed by Mae Muller. We see a very busy staging, with Mae’s face everywhere as well as hands, eyes, more Maes splitting to pieces, mirrors, flashes, legs, the works. It’s too busy and over the top, for me, and very distracting. But perhaps we need some distraction from Mae’s vocal performance, which is a bit shaky, but not as bad tonight as we’re heard it earlier. Ok, at the end she goes off-key entirely. Please leave those long notes out. The fact that it is performed last might help it a little bit in the televoting, but there’s no saving this before the juries. The bookmakers suggest this may be in the top ten, in my view it is more likely to end up close to where the United Kingdom frequently ended before 2022.
That’s it, all is performed, and it’s time for the world to get voting. The hosts explain how the voting procedure works and we’re ready for the first recap. Lovely to see them all in one go like that.
We will see two interval acts during the Final. After the first recap, it’s time for Sam Ryder, who came second last year for the United Kingdom. He will perform his new song “Mountain”. Then we get the second recap. The second interval acts is also a very interesting one, as it features six former Eurovision entrants who will each perform a song that originates from Liverpool, which is why this interval act is also called the Liverpool Songbook. It features Mahmood, Netta, Dadi Freyr, Cornelia Jakobs, Duncan Laurence and Sonia.
A final recap is upon and then, the voting closes. With no further ado, the hosts lead us to find out how the juries voted in this Final. Followed by the televote. And that’s it. A whole Eurovision season, over in the blink of an eye, once again.
My final prediction is that either Sweden or Finland will win the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. If I do the math of what I expect, Sweden winning the jury vote, Finland possibly winning the televoting, then I expect Sweden to do better overall, as Finland has the potential to end a bit a lower with the juries than Sweden has to end with the televoting. Dark horses? Israel. Keep a close eye on Israel.
Enjoy the show, everyone, I hope you enjoyed my reports throughout this Eurovision edition, it was an absolute pleasure to write them for you. Wishing you a good night from Amsterdam.