Main stage line-up for the Liverpool Eurovision Village is revealed and among the 100 acts are Jake Shears, The Lightning Seeds, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and former Ukrainian Eurovision winner Jamala – see the full list here. Tony McDonough reports
Around 100 acts will perform on the main stage at the Eurovision Village in Liverpool across nine days.
Located at the Pier Head on the waterfront, the Eurovision Village will open on Friday, May 5, and continue until the day of the Eurovision Song Contest itself on Saturday, May 13. That will take place at the M&S Bank Arena close by.
There is a wide variety of acts appearing on the main stage at the village. They include pop royalty to future stars, community groups to children’s favourites and a line up of DJs. The village and fan zone will be free and non-ticketed from May 5 to May 12.
Opening night on 5 May is all about the Uniting Power of Music, and will see Kalush Orchestra perform before the Welcome to Eurotopia supergroup.
On May 6, the Royalty Ball will follow onto stage after a set from Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears. Sunday is billed as one for families with kids favourites Bluey, Hey Duggee, Andy and the Odd Socks, Blue Peter and UK Junior Eurovision entry Freya Skye.
Bank Holiday Monday (May 8) sees the best of Ukraine – Antytila, Go_A, alyona alyona and Jerry Heil perform. The English National Opera does Eurovision will be on the stage on Tuesday, May 9.
Wednesday, May 10 will see The Lightning Seeds, Girls Don’t Sync, Miles Kane and Michael Aldag perform as part of the United by Music Tour takeover.
And on Thursday, May 11 former Ukrainian Eurovision winner Jamala will perform her new album Qirim in a world premiere with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra.
Friday, May 12, will see Fleur East join the all-female line up of Sophie Ellis Bextor and Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon.
Alongside these acts, the main stage will also welcome 20 of the performers who will be competing in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 across the week. There will also be a line up of DJ’s curated by Melodic Distraction.
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The Grand Final Party on the Pier Head on 13 May has already sold out, and lucky ticket holders will enjoy the build up to the main show, with Claire Richards (from Steps), Jedward’s Epic Eurovision Singalong,
The Venga Boys, Katrina from Katrina and the Waves, Brooke and Eurovision Super Fan and ‘darling of the dancefloor’ Motsi Mabuse who will compere the evening.
Full listings can be found at the Visit Liverpool website and stage timings will be published the day before each show.
Apart from the sold out Grand Final screening on May 13, the Eurovision Village fan zone is free and non-ticketed. Should the village reach capacity we will operate a one-in-one-out system.
Jake Shears said: “I can’t wait to perform at the official Eurovision Village. An audience in Liverpool is always amazing but with the added Eurovision sparkle, it’s going to be an unforgettable experience.”
Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan, added: “This is a Eurovision Host City Village like no other.
“At previous cities this area has very much been a location to screen the shows and give a platform for Eurovision talent – but in typical Liverpool style we have supersized that.
“The full programme is worthy of a standalone festival in itself and it’s cliched but there really is something for everyone.”
Full line-up for the nine days is as follows:
Friday, May 5 – Welcome to Eurotopia
Doors open 5.30pm
Welcome to Eurotopia featuring;
Stealing Sheep
Natalie McCool
Alex from The Lathums
Andy McCluskey (OMD)
Red Rum Club
Kalush Orchestra
Gemma Cairney DJ set
IAmKyami
Niix, Maund and Binary
Saturday May 6 – A Royally Good Party
Doors open 10.30am
Royalty Ball by House of Suarez
Jake Shears
Voyager – Australia’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Lambrou – Cyprus’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
The Busker – Malta’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Remo Forrer – Switzerland’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Mimicat – Portugal’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Laura Jackson
DJ Sweet Spot
Will Tramp (Homoelectric)
Stage Host – Ngunan Adamu (host of the official BBC podcast EurovisionCast)
The Village will be open from 10.30am to screen the coronation of King Charles III
Sunday May 7 – Firstival
Doors open midday
House Gospel Choir
Hey Duggee Live Show
Bluey Live Show
Andy and The Odd Socks
Blue Peter
Freya Skye
EuroBrass
LIMF Academy presents;
Ni Maxine
Tee
Mic Lowry
Chris E and Laura Weaver
Matica
Stage Host – Lizzie Acker
Monday May 8 – This is Ukraine
Doors open midday
Antytila
Go_A
Tvorchi
Jerry Heil
alyona alyona
BBC Introducing presents;
ZUZU
KOF & Friends
Hushtones
The Crawlers
SISU
Raw Silk
Stage Host – Masha Vynogradova
Tuesday May 9 – Night At The Opera
Doors open midday
English National Opera does Eurovision feat Ruslana, Sonia and Russell Watson
Melovin
Gustaph – Belgium’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Victor Vernicos – Greece’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Joker Out – Solvenia’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Hope Street Musical Choir
Natasha Kitty Kat
DJ Fairhurst
Josh Aitman and Snoodman Deejay
Stage Host – Jay Hynd
First Semi Final screening
Wednesday May 10 – United By Music
Doors open midday
The National Lottery United by Music Tour presents;
Girls Don’t Sync
The Lightning Seeds
Miles Kane
Michael Aldag
Marco Mengoni – Italy’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Kaarija – Finland’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Allesandra – Norway’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
TuranturalX ft Eldar Gasimov – Azerbaijan’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
100 Voice United Choir
Liverpool Unity Choir
Mix-stress
Piping Hot Disco
Stage Host – Dave Monks (BBC Introducing)
Thursday May 11 – Jamala Presents Qirim
Doors open midday
Jamala presents QIRIM with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
KrutB
Luke Black – Serbia’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Let 3 – Croatia’s Eurovision Song Contest 2023 entry
Hope SEN Project
Neurodiversity Choir
Hope Uni Big Band
Yvonne (Dig Vinyl)
Backyard Balearic
Dharma Collective
Semi Final 2 screening
Friday May 12 – EuroEve
Doors open midday
Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon
Sophie Ellis Bextor
Fleur East
Tik Tok Take Over
Sonic Yootha
Shen
Alien Izz
Danny Beard
LIMF Academy presents
Superlate
AmiqueLazy Girl
Spiltmilk Society
Jade Burns (DJ)
Saturday May 13 – Grand Final Party on the Pier Head – ticketed.
Doors open 2pm
Claire Richards (Steps)
Vengaboys
Katrina of Katrina and the Waves
Jedward’s Epic Eurovision Singalong
Brooke
Dross
Danielle Moore
Stage Host – Motsi Mabuse