GOLD Eurovision Song Contest 2023 – teaser -

ISSUU – Teaser edition

Participants of the ESC 2023 in Liverpool

Notes on this interactive table of contents :

- A click on the country name takes you to the relevant information and content of the participant.

- Right after the country names you'll see the starting points of the contribution in the first semifinal (green) , second semifinal (blue) and the already known finalists (yellow): Last year winner Ukraine and the big 5: France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.

- General Wikipedia information about the participating countries will be displayed by clicking on the flag-symbols.

- A click on the heart symbol will provide you with information on the history of the country as an ESC participant.

- A click on the home symbol on the participants pages will take you back to this page / the table of content.

- In the content of the middle section (page 38 – 63) you will find video and audio links that are colour-coded just like Goeiemorgen, morgen .

On with the show... in the times of crisis and war!

Once a year, half of Europe and a large part of the rest of the world sit together in front of the television - namely in May, for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) Up to 200 million viewers are present worldwide This year it will be even more because the contest is now viewable live on networks like OMNI Television in Canada, streaming services like Peacock in the U S , and Hunan Television/Mango TV streaming in China. Last year, TikTok’s Eurovision livestreams attracted 5.8 million viewers, so it will be hoping to go bigger and better this time round. Where and when else does a country or an artist get a better chance to promote their message in front of such a big audience? Therefore it‘s no wonder that last year Kalush Orchestra from Ukraine won the contest Some may consider this an important political sign and solidarity - others regret, understandably, that the music is no longer in the foreground, but the message, the show... a development that the Rolling Stones had already recognized in 1964 in their song "It's The Singer, Not The Song“... We would like to keep out of political discussions regarding the ESC and this year's participants and hope that we can all dedicate ourselves only to the music and the positive sides of the contest. We are sure, that the 2023 slogan of the ESC “United by Music” is more important now than ever before. Let’s hope that this slogan will not remain some sort of pious hope, and that ALL fans will remember this, no matter for which act their heart beats and from which country they are watching

But now let’s take a look on some interesting numbers regarding this year’s ESC:

The EBU announced that 37 countries would participate in the 2023 contest – the lowest number of participating countries in a single edition since 2014 – with Bulgaria, Montenegro and North Macedonia opting not to participate for financial reasons On 10 February 2023, it was announced that the Czech Republic would take part for the first time under its shorter English name of Czechia. Four representatives who previously performed as lead vocalists for the same country, including a winner (something that hadn't happened since 2018) Two of them competed in 2012: Loreen won that year's contest representing Sweden, while Pasha Parfeni represented Moldova that year and later provided backing vocals for Aliona Moon in 2013. Also returning as lead artists are Marco Mengoni, who represented Italy in 2013, and Monika Linkytė, who represented Lithuania in 2015 alongside Vaidas Baumila In addition, Belgium's Gustaph previously provided backing vocals for Sennek in 2018 and Hooverphonic in 2021 Georgia's Iru won the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011 as a member of Candy. A record-breaking 14 duos or groups will perform at this edition There will be 23 soloists, 13 women and 10 men Malta will send a band for the first time in 9 years, same span as they had with female soloists; Azerbaijan will send a duo for the first time ever in 12 editions, while Australia will ship a band for the very first time. Lithuania will bring a singer named Monika for the second year in a row and San Marino a multi-member band for the first time since their debut in 2008

Just like every year, you'll be able to find other interesting information on all participants of the two semi-final rounds and the finals (the "Big Five" consisting of Germany, France, last year winner Ukraine, Spain and the United Kingdom are already set) with lyrics of their songs, a brief biography with pictures, links to their social media pages and to their official video Additionally you’ll find a unique feature celebrating the 1973's ESC winner Anne-Marie David and “Alan's Corner“ with DJ Alan T 's stories about Eurovision songs, ESC trivia facts and his retrospective view on the ESC years long gone by. Finally, we wish all of you a good read and a happy and peaceful Eurovision!

Gold Publishing official Webpage

§ Please note: This is NOT an official program from the EBU or any sponsors This GOLD ESC Edition is published without any commercial background or interest. It does not include paid advertising and is intended only as a practical guide for ESC aficionados and fans who want a quick overview If content or presentation of this webzine violates the rights of third parties or legal regulations, we ask for notification without issuing a debit note Justifiably criticized content will be removed immediately, so that the involvement of a lawyer is not necessary If you still initiate costs without prior contact, we completely reject and may submit a counter-claim for breach of the rules in this paragraph

The Eurovision Song Contest has ist own official channel on ► . Click on the icon to open the channel. For those on Facebook, the official Eurovision Song Contest Page provides a great place for discussion and entertainment. Please check out ► Facebook.com/EurovisionSongContest

Reinhard Schnitzer , Alan Tubery and the GP Team

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DJ Alan Tubery on Facebook

Reinhard Schnitzer Publisher & Author

Alan Tubery Author

08 SWITZERLAND

Songwriter

Argyle Singh, Ashley Hicklin

Mikolaj Trybulec

Watergun

When we were boys

We played pretend

Army tanks and army men

Hide and seek

Grow to be the kings we dream

Where did we go?

We're standin' on the frontline

Where did we go, we go?

I don't wanna be a soldier, soldier

I don't wanna have to play with real blood

We ain't playin' now

Can't turn and run

No water guns

No, no, I don't wanna be a soldier, soldier

I don't wanna have to play with real blood

'Cause we ain't playin' now

Can't turn and run

No water guns

Just body bags that we've bеcome

Adolescencе, breaking rules

Nothin' hurts when you‘re bulletproof

I remember, yes, I do, I do

Where did we go?

We're standin' on the frontline

Where did we go, we go?

I don't wanna be a soldier, soldier

I don't wanna have to play with real blood

We ain't playin' now

Can't turn and run

No water guns

No, no, I don't wanna be a soldier, soldier

I don't wanna have to play with real blood

'Cause we ain't playin' now

Can't turn and run

No water guns

Just body bags that we've become

What we've become

What we've become

What we've become

Playing with waterguns

Not playing with waterguns

Song Watergun Participant

Remo Forrer

Remo Forrer lives in Hemberg SG, and has been involved with music since he was a child: he started with flute lessons before devoting himself to playing the accordion. After that, he started playing the piano and singing. He taught himself to play the piano and learned it purely by ear. He did an apprenticeship as a retail specialist in a sports shop.

In 2020, he won the third season of "The Voice of Switzerland" with his coach Noah Veraguth. On 17 April 2020, he released his winning single Home, which was written by Veraguth. After releasing more singles in the meantime, he appeared on the RTL television program "Zeig uns Deine Stimme!", in which he was featured as an estate agent.

On 20 February 2023, it was announced that Remo Forrer would represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool. He will perform the song Watergun there.

Photo: SRF / Lukas Maeder

11 SWEDEN

Songwriter

Jimmy Jansson, Loreen , Thomas G:son

Jimmy "Joker" Thörnfeldt

Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker

Peter Boström

Tattoo

I don't wanna go

Loreen Song Tattoo Participant

Loreen (real name: Lorine Zineb Noka Talhaoui) is a Swedish pop singer and music producer, of Moroccan-Berber descent. She became famous after taking part in the Swedish Idol 2004 competing as Lorén Talhaoui. In 2005 she released a single, The Snake, with the group Rob’n'Raz. Later in 2005 she became a television presenter with the Swedish station TV400 for a year.

a day

When we will find our way

Violins playing and the angels crying

When the stars align then I’ll be there

No, I don't care about them all

Cause all I want is to be loved

And all I care about is you

You stuck on me like a tattoo

No, I don't care about the pain

I’ll walk through fire and through rain

Just to get closer to you

You stuck on me like a tattoo

I'm letting my hair down I'm taking it cool

You got my heart in your hand

Don't lose it my friend, it's all that I got

And now violins playing and the angels crying

When the stars align then I’ll be there

No, I don't care about them all

Cause all I want is to be loved

And all I care about is you

You stuck on me like a tattoo

No, I don't care about the pain

I’ll walk through fire and through rain

Just to get closer to you

You stuck on me like a tattoo

Oh, I don't care about them all

Cause all I want is to be loved

And all I care about is you

You stuck on me like a tattoo

I don't care about the pain

I’ll walk through fire and through rain

Just to get closer to you

You stuck on me like a tattoo

All I care about is love Oh oh oh

All I care about is love

You stuck on me like a tattoo

Supported by the singer Måns Zelmerlöw Loreen appeared in 2011 on "Melodifestivalen", the Swedish Eurovision Finals. Her song My Heart Is Refusing Me was written by her, and Bjorn Djupström Denebi Moh. In the second semi-final on 12 February 2011 she placed fourth, but qualified for the "Andra Chansen", a second-chance round in which she was eliminated. My Heart Is Refusing Me placed ninth in the Swedish charts.

2012 Loreen returned to Melodifestivalen, this time with Euphoria, a song writen by Thomas G: son and Peter Boström. One could say "the rest is history": Representing Sweden, she won the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 and topped the charts in numerous European countries.

After an unsuccessful attempt at the Melodifestivalen 2017 with her song Statements it was announced on 30 November 2022, that Loreen would compete in Melodifestivalen for a fourth time with the song Tattoo. She won the fourth heat of the competition, allowing her to progress to the final on 11 March 2023. She later won the competition with 177 points, thus becoming the Swedish representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool.

Tattoo

Photo: Alma Bengtsson

16 AUSTRALIA

Songwriter

Scott

Kay, Ashley Doodkorte

Daniel Estrin, Alex Canion

Simone Dow

Promise

Have you ever done anything like this before?

Have you ever done anything like this before?

If you’ve never done anything like this before, then you haven’t been alive

Have you ever shut all the open doors

Have you ever just walked on out on your own

Have you ever just lost your mind when you try to unwind or are you coming right back for more?

I’m here tonight

Promise me you’ll hold me till I die

I’m by your side

Promise me it’s gonna, promise me it’s gonna be alright

Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh-oh-oh

Promise me it’s gonna be alright.

Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh-oh-oh

Promise me it’s gonna be alright.

Have you ever been alone too much

Have you ever prayed for human touch

Have you ever just lost a little part of you to find a little something new?

Cross my heart

Till the sky turns red in the sunrise

Since you told me everything's alright.

Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh-oh-oh

Since you told me everything's alright.

Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh-oh-oh

Promise me it’s gonna be alright.

I’m here tonight

Promise me you’ll hold me till I die

I’m by your side

Promise me it’s gonna, promise me it's gonna, promise me it’s gonna be alright

Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh-oh-oh

Ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh, ah-oh-oh-oh

Alright!

Cross my heart

Till the sky turns red in the sunrise

Promise me it’s gonna be alright

Be alright! Alright!

Participant Voyager

Song Promise

Voyager is a progressive metal band from Perth, Western Australia, formed in 1999. The band has released seven full-length albums. Their seventh full-length studio album, Colours in the Sun, was released worldwide on 1 November 2019 on the French American metal record label “Season of Mist”.

The band has gone through several line-up changes since its beginning. Current members are: Daniel Estrin (vocals, keys), Simone Dow (guitars), Scott Kay (guitars), Ashley Doodkorte (drums) and Alex Canion (bass, vocals).

Voyager were shortlisted to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with Runaway, but were ultimately not chosen as one of the ten acts to compete in the final of the selection. Two years later the band were selected to take part in the Australian national selection for Eurovision 2022, "EurovisionAustralia Decides". They placed second with their song Dreamer. Following its performance on Eurovision - Australia Decides, the song debuted at number 6 on the Australian Independent Label Singles chart.

On 21 February 2023, it was announced that Voyager were internally selected to represent Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 with the song Promise.

Photo: Tourism Western Australia

F FRANCE

Songwriter

Banx & Ranx , Benny Adam

La Zarra

Évidemment

Mon cœur, mes mains, mes yeux, mes reins

Plus rien ne m’appartient

J’me fais du mal pour faire du bien

J’oublie comme si c'n’était rien

Dans mon jardin d’enfer poussent des fleurs

Que j’arrose de mes rêves de mes pleurs

On a beau être sur le toit du monde

On ne peut toucher le ciel du doigt

Évidemment

Toutes ces belles promesses que j’entends

C’n’est que du vent

Evidemment

Car après l’beau temps vient la pluie

C’est c'qu’on oublie

C’est toujours trop beau pour être vrai

Mais c’n’est jamais trop laid pour être faux

Évidemment

Elle ne s'ra plus jamais la même

Cette fille d’avant

Je vends demain, j’rachète hier le temps est assassin

Je cherche l’amour je n'trouve rien

Comme dans mon sac à main

Dans ma tête c’nest pas tant évident

Je recherche la vérité tout en l’évitant

On a beau être sur le toit du monde

On ne peut toucher le ciel du doigt

Évidemment

Toutes ces belles promesses que j’entends

C’n’est que du vent Évidemment

Elle ne s’ra plus jamais la même

Cette fille d’avant

Car moi je chante

Ma vie la vôtre

Et un peu de romance

Je suis nue devant vous

Donnez-moi donc une chance

De vous à moi

De moi à vous

Ai-je réussi à chanter

A chanter la Grande France

C’est toujours trop beau pour être vrai mais

C’n’est jamais trop laid pour être faux Évidemment elle ne s’ra plus jamais la même

Cette fille d’avant Évidemment

Participant

La Zarra Song Évidemment

La Zarra (real name: Fatima Zahra Hafdi) was born in Montreal, Canada, to French Canadian parents of Moroccan descent. During her childhood, she lived between Montreal and Longueuil, where her family finally settled. She rose to prominence in 2016, when she released her debut single Printemps blanc, in collaboration with French rapper Niro.

In 2021, she increased her fame with the single Tu t'en iras, which was regularly broadcast on radio and televisions. The single was certified platinum by Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP). In the same year, La Zarra was nominated for the NRJ Music Awards, the leading French music awards, as Francophone revelation of the year, boosted in part by the success of her debut album Traîtrise.

On 12 January 2023, she was chosen by France Télévisions to represent France at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, becoming the second Canadian singer to represent the country after Natasha St-Pier in 2001. In Liverpool La Zarra will perform the song Évidemment .

Évidemment

Photo: SLAM

ESC 2020 – Rotterdam cancelled ESC 2021 – Rotterdam ESC 2022 – Turin

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