SUPPORTING THECREA T I EV YTINUMMOC

LEWIS CAPALDI

Last month marked something of a rekindling of affection between the UK and Eurovision. Long before the name Sam Ryder entered the public’s conscience, the gulf between the two felt ever widening, with the UK often winding up in the lower reaches of the contest, occasionally achieving the dreaded nul points. In turn, the UK adopted an aloof attitude, almost in anticipation of its inevitable lowly score. But in 2022, something changed.

Ryder rocketed the UK into second place at Eurovision 2022 in Turin, Italy, finishing behind Ukraine’s Kalush. Not only was this an unprecedented finish for the UK given its Eurovision history, it also meant that the UK would be hosting Eurovision 2023 at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena on behalf of Ukraine. As a result, the event took on a social and cultural significance beyond almost any other Eurovision in recent memory. In addition to being arguably the biggest platform for new music and artists on the planet, the pressure was on to deliver a production that first and foremost honoured Ukraine, but also showcased the UK’s infrastructure for holding such a spectacle.

And what a spectacle it was. Watched by over 160 million music fans across the world, it was an extravaganza that more than lived up to its billing.

Like any production of this stature, the scale of events taking place on stage is dwarfed by those taking place behind the scenes. From staging and lighting to the audio and the highly sophisticated networks that invisibly stitch each of these elements together, it’s an undertaking that requires the best in the business to come together, push boundaries, and set new standards.

We were granted a unique and insightful look behind the scenes at the M&S Bank Arena for a full breakdown of the efforts that go into hosting Eurovision. Indeed, we were fortunate enough to hear from some of the key players involved about what it takes to produce one of the world’s biggest and most challenging events.

Plus, we tracked down 2023 winner Loreen, Icelandic performer Daði Freyr, and UK Music CEO Jamie Njoku-Goodwin for their personal insights on the power of Eurovision.