The countdown is on for the world’s most beloved music contest.
A series of epic singing performances, bright lights and flashy or simply outlandish costumes are set to hit the Eurovision 2023 stage from 5:00am AEST Sunday 14 May*.
The 67th Grand Final is hosted at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena as war-hit Ukraine, last year’s winner, could not stage the event. This year’s contest bears the theme ‘United by Music’ honouring the partnership between the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Host City Liverpool.
It also marks the first time that non-competing countries will have a say in the results with viewers from across the globe contributing a ‘Rest of the World’ vote.
Australian audiences, are expected to tune in in millions again this year, many of them showing their support for the country’s entrant, Perth band Voyager with the song ‘Promise’.
But Australia will – technically – be represented by a second artist in the contest, Sydney-born Greek Cypriot expat Andrew Lambrou competing for Cyprus.
Lambrou, 22, who rose to fame in 2013 through YouTube covers, had attempted to represent Australia last year reaching the final of the Eurovision Australia Decides 2022 with his song ‘Electrify’.
This year around competing for his heritage country he secured a spot in the final through his emotional performance of Break A Broken Heart, a song about coming out of a hurtful relationship and fighting adversity in life.
While not listed among the favourites to win the competition, he is one of the acts to look out for, especially for Hellenes in Greece, Australia and elsewhere, given that Greece was eliminated from the final after 16-year-old Victor Vernikos and his song ‘What They Say’ failed to make it past the semi-final.
Sweden with previous winner from 2012 Loreen and Finland with rapper of quirky appearance Käärijä remain the overwhelming favourites to win the 2023 Eurovision.
Meanwhile, if you’re interested in checking out another artist of Greek Cypriot heritage on the big night, keep an eye out for Nicola Lambrianos.
The Essex-born singer, hailing from Liopetri, Cyprus, is known as an Adele impersonator and will be singing backing locals for Lithuania’s Monika Linkyė.
The Eurovision 2023 Grand Final running order
1. Austria | Teya & Salena – Who The Hell Is Edgar?
2. Portugal | Mimicat – Ai Coração
3. Switzerland | Remo Forrer – Watergun
4. Poland | Blanka – Solo
5. Serbia | Luke Black – Samo Mi Se Spava
6. France: La Zarra – Évidemment
7. Cyprus | Andrew Lambrou – Break A Broken Heart
8. Spain: Blanca Paloma – Eaea
9. Sweden | Loreen – Tattoo
10. Albania | Albina & Familja Kelmendi – Duje
11. Italy: Marco Mengoni – Due Vite
12. Estonia | Alika – Bridges
13. Finland | Käärijä – Cha Cha Cha
14. Czechia | Vesna – My Sister’s Crown
15. Australia | Voyager – Promise
16. Belgium | Gustaph – Because Of You
17. Armenia | Brunette – Future Lover
18. Moldova | Pasha Parfeni – Soarele şi Luna
19. Ukraine: TVORCHI – Heart of Steel
20. Norway | Alessandra – Queen of Kings
21. Germany: Lord of the Lost – Blood & Glitter
22. Lithuania | Monika Linkytė – Stay
23. Israel | Noa Kirel – Unicorn
24. Slovenia | Joker Out – Carpe Diem
25. Croatia | Let 3 – Mama ŠČ!
26. United Kingdom: Mae Muller – I Wrote A Song
*How to watch the Eurovision Grand Final:
Choose between the live broadcast on SBS and SBS On Demand (Sunday 14 May at 5:00am AEST) or keep yourself away from spoilers and wait for the prime time broadcast (Sunday 14 May at 7:30pm AEST).