Eurovision 2022 🎤🎶🏆

[lewys-gp]

The international song contest, Eurovision, kicks off today from Turin, Italy. The competition is the world’s most-watched annual music event and features songwriters from 40 countries. More than 183 million viewers across 36 markets tuned into the 2021 competition.

Two semi-finals will be held to determine the final lineup. Contestants from the Big Five—Spain, the UK, Italy, Germany, and France—are automatically advanced. Both industry experts and viewers decide the winners of the contest, known for its over-the-top costumes.

Ukraine is this year’s favourite to win, represented by Kalush Orchestra. The group blends hip-hop with traditional Ukrainian music in their track “Stefania,” a song written for the writer’s mother, which has taken on new meaning for the war-torn country. Russia has been removed from the contest.

An American version, American Song Contest, wrapped up last night. K-pop singer AleXa, representing Oklahoma, took home the top prize.

The first of the semi-final shows will kick off tonight, with 17 countries competing for one of the 10 places in Saturday's Grand Final.

The countries performing are Albania, Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Netherlands, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine, Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Portugal and Armenia.

Rylan Clark and Scott Mills will be commentating.

The second semi-final will take place on Thursday 12th May and will see performances from Australia, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Finland, Georgia, Malta, San Marino, Serbia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Estonia, Ireland, Israel, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania and Sweden.

• The first semi-final will air tonight on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer at 8 pm
• The second semi-final will air Thursday 12th May on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer at 8 pm
• The Eurovision Grand Final will be broadcast on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds from 8 pm on Saturday 14th May

Will any members be watching? Any artists we should keep an eye out for? Let us know below ⤵️.

Tagging members that I think have shown an interest in this event before @Cleoriff @Mi-Amigo @liggerz87 @jonsie @MI5 @TallTrees @pgn and anyone else I may have missed 😄!

[Cleoriff]

The DJ at the venue announced this last night! I think we all expected Ukraine to win but how the hell did we become so popular? Lol. I know Ukraine gave us top marks but the rest is a bit of a shock. It's taken us 20 years to get back into Eurovision favour. Good grief!

[J9el]

@lewys-gp Only started watching Eurovision in recent years, before that I was oblivious to it. I thought the Swedish entry was the best song, but well done UK, maybe we may win it one day. We probably got more points last night than the previous 20 years put together! 

Well done and Congrats to Ukraine though!

[lewys-gp]

I think it took us all by surprise how well the UK did 🤣. That Sam Ryder is a national hero now.

Pleasant surprise and of course, great for Ukraine too 😊.

[Cleoriff]

Funny to think had there been NO public vote we would have won. We were top of the list after the judges votes! Lol

[sheepdog]

Think Eurovision intentionally went past me again this year. Anyway, if you haven't seen "The Story of Fire Saga" on Netflix yet, you should 😆