Just over a week before the Eurovision Song Contest a spectacular ‘Eurovision Village’ will open on Liverpool waterfront and details of what it will offer have been revealed. Tony McDonough reports
Stars from the world of pop, gospel and opera will headline the Liverpool ‘Eurovision Village’ on Liverpool waterfront.
Opening on Friday, May 5, just over a week before the Eurovision final itself takes place on Saturday, May 13, the village at the Pier Head will offer a nine-day programme of “fun, food and fantastic music”.
Ukraine’s current and former Eurovision champions will be a feature of the temporary venue. A unique area – Discover Ukraine – will be dedicated to celebrating Ukrainian creatives.
There will also be a whole range of European food and drink on offer across the site. And there will be a mix of one-off shows, live performances, DJ sets and special guest appearances.
The first eight days of the Eurovision Village will be free and non-ticketed, with the Grand Final Party on the Pier Head on Saturday, May 13, priced at £15 a ticket. The Eurovision Song Contest itself takes place inside the M&S Bank Arena.
On Friday, April 14, the first wave of tickets for the Grand Final Party will go on sale at midday from the Ticket Quarter website.
Although full line-ups will be announced on the Visit Liverpool website in the coming days, the themes for each day and the headline performers have been announced:
Friday May 5, 5pm to 11pm – Welcome to Eurotopia
The village will open with a performance from current Eurovision Champions Kalush Orchestra.
They will then be followed by Welcome to Eurotopia – an extraordinary musical odyssey created in collaboration between a supergroup of Liverpool and Ukrainian artists: Natalie McCool, Stealing Sheep, Helleroid, Krapka;KOMA and Iryna Muha.
Saturday, May 6, 10.30am to 11pm – A Royally Good Party
The village will open in the morning to show the BBC’s live coverage of the King’s Coronation, before a range of Eurovision acts are welcomed to the stage.
Saturday in the village is all about The Royalty Ball, an extravaganza of costume, choreographed dance and the best of the North West’s vogue scene, will spring into action via a large runway at the heart of the Village.
Hosted by Liverpool’s House of Suarez, the event will be an unmissable invitation for all audiences as thousands of fans convene to celebrate the run-up to Eurovision.
Sunday, May 7, midday to TBC – Firstival
Enjoy Bank Holiday Sunday with a day-long kids’ festival. Live performances, great music and lots of fun from some of your favourites from CBBC and Cbeebies, including a special set from Andy and the Odd Socks.
Fans will also get to enjoy emerging local artists presented by LIMF Academy including neo-jazz singer Ni Maxine and vocal harmony band Mic Lowry before welcoming the amazing House Gospel Choir.
Monday, May 8, midday to 11pm – This is Ukraine
The afternoon will be a celebration of the best of new music with BBC Introducing programming the stage, as well as proudly presenting a line up of Ukrainian music. Antytila, Go_A, alyona alyona and Jerry Heil will be bringing the best of modern Ukrainian music to Liverpool.
Tuesday, May 9, midday to 11pm – Night at the Opera
Before screening the first semi-final live, the perfect warm up will be the English National Opera does Eurovision.
This one-off performance is going to be iconic as audiences experience Eurovision like never before.
The world-renowned ENO Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Bell, are joined by former Eurovision contestants and international opera stars to perform classical arrangements of some of Eurovision’s greatest hits.
Wednesday, May 10, midday to 11pm – United by Music
The National Lottery presents United by Music, will see The National Lottery and Music Venues Trust programme an evening of breakout stars and music icons.
Thursday, May 11, midday to 11pm – Jamala presents QIRIM
Before screening the second semi-final live, former Eurovision winner Jamala will wow audiences with the World Premiere of her brand new album QIRIM, inspired by the folk songs of her native Crimea.
Performed alongside the BBC Philharmonic this will be an extraordinary musical moment.
Friday, May 12, midday to midnight – EuroEve
As the excitement levels reach fever pitch ahead of the big day, Tik Tok’s Eurovision Legends will take over the stage before making way for an epic, all-female party to get everyone in the mood for Saturday.
EuroEve will feature live performances from Sophie Ellis Bextor alongside other pop powerhouses, and for this very special occasion, Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon will be performing their very last show. This promises to be huge.
Saturday, May 13, 2pm to late – The Main Event, £15 per ticket
The Grand Final Party on the Pier Head will see a mega lineup of pop acts and special performances build up to the main event and the biggest and best viewing party in Liverpool.
With a very special main stage host, we are excited to welcome acts including Katrina, formerly of Katrina and the Waves, and a set from pop royalty The Vengaboys.
After that build up, the village will transform into the “biggest and best Eurovision viewing party on the planet”.
Director of Culture Liverpool, Claire McColgan, said: “From talking to previous host cities we know the official Eurovision Village is a key part of the Eurovision experience.
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“And, as with our whole host city offer, we wanted Liverpool’s programme to go above and beyond what you would normally expect in a fan zone.
“Across nine days, there will be a true celebration of music and unity, with household names, international acts and up-and-coming talent taking to the stage and performing – all against the stunning backdrop of our waterfront.
“Ukraine is of course the thread which runs through everything, and as well as acts on the stage it is really important for us to dedicate areas that are focused on all aspects of Ukrainian culture.”