The grand finale of the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) 2023 was opened by the band “Kalush Orchestra” with a spectacular live show.
The Ukrainian hip-hop group won the ESC last year with their song “Stefania”. At the start of this year’s finale, the stage was not only used by the five-piece band, which in mop costumes started.
A whole entourage of dancers performed either in folk costumes or sometimes as well in steel helmet costumes. This year’s ESC commentator Jan Böhmermann could not help but comment on this.
Experts trust “Lord Of The Lost” to be in the middle of the field
At the ESC 2023, experts believe Germany can take a place in the middle for the first time in years. The German ESC candidate from 2018, Michael Schulte, told the dpa: “I think Lord Of The Lost will have better chances than our acts in recent years. I think you have to stand out.”
Schulte had reached fourth place five years ago with the song “You Let Me Walk Alone”. Since then, Germany had always finished last or penultimate.
ARD commentator Peter Urban said in a “Gala” interview: “My placement tip for Lord Of The Lost is number 8.” Urban speaks the comments for the last time.
The ESC goes into the final on Saturday (9 p.m.) in Liverpool, England. The Hamburg dark rock group Lord Of The Lost will represent Germany with the song “Blood & Glitter”.
“We are very relaxed, are really looking forward to the show and can’t wait,” said singer Chris Harms of the German Press Agency. The motto of the ESC this year is “United by Music”.
According to ESC tradition, the Ukrainians would normally have held this competition as last year’s winners. Great Britain, as the second-placed country last year, takes on this task because Ukraine is not a safe place because of the Russian war of aggression.
The ESC is the world’s most acclaimed music competition. It is taking place for the 67th time this year. Strict rules apply: among other things, the songs may not be longer than three minutes, texts, speeches and gestures of a political nature are prohibited, as is advertising.
The juries of each of the 37 participating countries and the audience of the participating countries each contribute half of the total number of points. Only ten countries get points. Moderator Elton will announce the points for Germany. Like the guys from Lord of the Lost, he comes from St. Pauli. (with agencies)
