Florian Wieder — the man behind the Eurovision stages in Düsseldorf, Baku, Vienna and Kyiv — has today been confirmed as the designer of the Eurovision 2018 stage in Lisbon.

Building on the Eurovision slogan “All Aboard” and its accompanying series of sea-inspired logos, the stage is, in the words of the EBU, inspired by “the hull of a ship and reflects Portugal’s history and culture.”

“The rich history of the Portuguese as a maritime nation reflects, without any boundaries, all of the values that make the Eurovision Song Contest unique today,” Wieder said in the EBU statement.

“Portugal and especially Lisbon are historic melting pots enriched by the impressions of newly discovered cultures that were brought back to the home port. This is mainly due to the Portuguese sailor men, who traveled the seas with courage and outstanding skills of navigation.”

“The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest will take you on an expedition through many different cultures in Europe and around the world. A journey through the high seas of music that pursues to discover, connect and ultimately unite the nations. Portugal stands for bringing together countries and their cultures. In 2018 Portugal will unite the music of Europe. With this Eurovision Song Contest stage, Portugal will be the navigator and compass again.”

Paulo Resende, Deputy Executive Producer of Eurovision 2018, had this to say:

“The conceptual requirements aimed to breathe a Portuguese identity, to be elegant, modern and, at the same time, unique and distinctive. To ensure the difference from previous editions this stage should represent a strong statement by itself. The result was an outstanding masterpiece designed by Florian Wieder that entirely meets the concept and editorial narrative for this project.”

“It reflects a Portuguese identity in a very elegant and distinctive way, addresses a certain modernity respecting the Portuguese legacy and, moreover, the created visual ambience underlines a consistent difference. This will be the right staging for all the performers to express their songs and artistic moments and, certainly, no one shall remain unresponsive and indifferent.”

RTP’s officials have repeatedly said that they plan to stage Eurovision on a budget. But clearly they have found cost efficiencies elsewhere, as the stage — perhaps the second most important element in the competition after the artists and their songs — looks nothing short of spectacular.

RTP’s team have also laid out precisely how the stage builds on Portugal’s culture and history, explaining that it nods to navigation, the sea, ships and maps.

Navigation: “the armillary sphere becomes the visual key element in the design concept.”

Sea: “the stage shows a modern interpretation of a sweeping wave and its organic shape.”

Ships: “the structure of the stage is inspired by pieces of boatbuilding art.”

Maps: “the radial lines of a map spread out in different directions.”

* Get the Lisbon Calling shirt

Who is the Eurovision 2018 stage designer?

Wieder is well experienced with Eurovision, having previously designed the stages for Eurovision in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2017. His stages have frequently featured circular stages and undulating curves, and have always included awe-inspiring LED screens that help the acts really pop.

As well as Eurovision, Wieder has also worked on X Factor in both the United States and United Kingdom, the MTV Video Music Awards, and numerous German shows

What do you think of the new stage design? How does it compare to previous years? Tell us what your think below!

Read more Portugal Eurovision news

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Dave
Dave
6 years ago

I bet water will be used for Led screens like they did at the FINA opening at Budapest this year. Watch this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=excgowLQgZ8

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Dave

In other words, graphic images projected and/or displayed in fountains of water and plumes of mist, yes?

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

If they use mist as their graphic screen, they’d better make sure the machine that vacuums the mist (whether it goes from top to bottom or bottom to top) is fully functional. One malfunction and we’ll have the same mishap Nina Sublatti (2015) had to sing through when the smoke vacuum jammed in the middle of her Grand Final performance. And the floor behind the performers will be very wet

Daniel 2018
Daniel 2018
6 years ago

William Lee Adams :
”They are not gonna not have an LED, that would blow my mind. We are not in Oslo, they are not taking us back eight years”

Well, it seems we are eight years back. Some are happy it will look like 1997 or 2001 (@Cooky Montza)
And about the circles…they are just circles, don’t exaggerate with sea symbolism

Jayjay
Jayjay
6 years ago
Reply to  Daniel 2018

And again the D alias strikes again. Are you always like that for every edition. You must be such an unhappy human being…

Chris
Chris
6 years ago

I think the best thing about there being no LED screen – as is being confirmed, I am reading – is that we won’t see faces every second song like we seemed to do in 2017. Guess our participants will have to be creative with the stage performance ideas once again!

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

This stage looks amazing! I’m sure it will be beautiful!
I love the fact that Portugal tries to showcase their culture.
As for the LED, it doesn’t bother me at all.

Lalala
Lalala
6 years ago

? Sorry I hate the mall … just like in America ??? but loved eveything else.

happy happy joy joy
happy happy joy joy
6 years ago

What are you smoking? You are told this stage will have less features and you are happier and happier. If tomorrow you’ll be told you’ll sleep in open space, you will be in 7th heaven.

Napaw
Napaw
6 years ago

Don’t be so pessimistic. Each act will have different lightning anyway.
The concept overall looks promising enough.

Jayjay
Jayjay
6 years ago

Well I think the one smoking is you and the substance is hate and bitterness and possiblilly even racism (possibly against your own people, because I wouldn’t be surprised if you were Portuguese and I even have a guess of your former alias beginning with a D…).

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

Who U kiddin’? There’s something about this stage that reminds me of 1997. They didn’t have LCD or LED screens (which were VERY expensive back then), but considering the year and the technology that was available (–cough-cough-Windows95-cough–), they did a kick-ass job with the lights and the floor (full of picture-tube monitors).

Lisboa will do just fine with what they’ve got. 2001 was another year in which they did a very good job with the lights.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  CookyMonzta

More errata to fix.

“2001 was another year in which the stage directors (in Copenhagen) did a very good job with the lights.”

kai
kai
6 years ago

i told you…i told you
Portugal will be a great host
Im not saying it will be the best eurovision song contest ever, im just saying that will be a great ESC with an amazing host

Go Portugal

GoldenTabs
6 years ago
Napaw
Napaw
6 years ago

The staging looks absolutely stunning.

I honestly can’t wait to see what it will look like on the TV screen.

William and Deban better get ready to perform on it.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

Now that we have confirmation that there will be no LEDs but other features I got more exited about the stage to find out what those features are, I guess something innovative
PS: And if this means to cut down expenses, even better… one can be elegant and innovative on a budget.

happy happy joy joy
happy happy joy joy
6 years ago

@mad-professor
quote – ”there’s something kind of exciting about stripping things down after a number of years with increasing extravagance”

It’s amazing how you all would say anything to defend Portugal.

aya sato
aya sato
6 years ago

FANTASTIC stage! The stage design remineds me of the” nature waterfall stage from Chanel spring summer 2018 RtW show .https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmPD4BSyRUE

Kirby
Kirby
6 years ago

Stunning! Elegant and simple at the same time. Even more, it reminds me of a jellyfish.

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

The stage is looking epic…very symbolic yet very modern. Love the connecting walkway! Don’t worry about LED screens. They’ve something better in mind, I’m sure! Good job, Portugal!

12 AM
12 AM
6 years ago
Reply to  blondboybc

””They’ve something better in mind, I’m sure!””

The only thing they have in mind is low budget.

James
James
6 years ago
Reply to  12 AM

Stockholm 2016 was also under budget.

happy happy joy joy
happy happy joy joy
6 years ago
Reply to  James

Under what budget? What budget they had to begin with?

James
James
6 years ago

SVT spent at least 13 million euros for Stockholm 2016, almost the same as Malmo 2013 and cheaper than that of Vienna 2015, and cheaper than Helsinki 2007. This is not taken into account the over-all estimated budget spent that year, which by my guess would have been more or less than 20 million. RTP will provide for more than half of the budget to be used for next year, around 12 million out of the expected over-all budget of 23 million euros. Compared to Kyiv this year, the budget for 2017 reportedly ballooned beyond control, apparently spending more for… Read more »

Miguel
Miguel
6 years ago
Reply to  12 AM

Por eso la energia sera renovable y fotovoltaica ,algo mas innovador e importante que tu comentario

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago

To be honest, having had time to think about it, I’d honestly prefer if there wasn’t an LED back screen. They can still keep the LED floor, but there’s something kind of exciting about stripping things down after a number of years with increasing extravagance, and not having an LED screen was definitely not the issue with the stage in 2010 (the overwhelming darkness, on the other hand…). That said, it’s more important to compare it to the concept art for other years rather than the build; the last three years have all featured the LED screens in the concept… Read more »

mad-professor
mad-professor
6 years ago
Reply to  mad-professor

And just as I post that, there’s confirmation from the man himself XD:

comment image

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

Ok, Florian Wieder confirms on Facebook that the stage WON’T have LED screens, but says it will have “some other interesting and exciting features”.

12 AM
12 AM
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Like what? Tinfoil curtain?
Even pre-parties will look more expensive.

Miguel
Miguel
6 years ago
Reply to  12 AM

No hay nada mas caro que la mediocridad , la creatividad no es cuestion de dinero.

QOO
QOO
6 years ago
Reply to  Hada

Amazing !! Maybe the background have “transparent screen projection” like Eurovision 2014 ! LOVE IT !!!

Blaziker from SG
Blaziker from SG
6 years ago
Reply to  QOO

I love the transparent projection from Copahagen! They were a nice touch to the 2014 stage.

At the same time, I heard EBU may try out AR into the staging. Not so sure how this works out, but I’m glad Portugal are not comprising too much on the stage, considering their budget. This feels like a proper stage to me!

QOO
QOO
6 years ago

thank you ^^ ESC2014 Copahagen stage design is my favorite too .

QOO
QOO
6 years ago
Reply to  QOO

I also love ESC2014 Copahagen lighting design

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
6 years ago

that picture sort of reminds me of the staging for leonor andrade (portugal 2015) hmmm mepersonally i think it’s too dark but i love the immense amount of symbolism put into this year’s contest

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago

LEDs = videoclip behind to distract
maybe there are a ocult led (behind scenes) for some performances more interactive. Also Russia in 2016 they “bring” they own screen.
The lights are enough and make all more beautiful, less leds is better because they will save more songs/perfomances (Loreen says Hi, probably Edurne cant say the same).

keisha
keisha
6 years ago
Reply to  desfolhada

it is distracting to you, not to other people

desfolhada
desfolhada
6 years ago
Reply to  keisha

distraction that means that video/images on screen fits terrible with all stage. and everything is weirdo and too much. I wanna mean it’s to much lights everywhere. why seeing a singer face again on screen? if the cameras can do it better if they capt only the singer. I think the colours and the lights movement are enough to create the visual emotions of the song.(of course some appropriate images on screen can make everything more interesting).
Less is more 🙂
but obvious its just my opinion

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
6 years ago

There wasn’t a Portugese stage designer available?

kitty
kitty
6 years ago
Reply to  YoungsterJoey

There wasn’t an english teacher available for you? it’s *PortuGUEse
He has designed plenty of stages for ESC. The fact that a hater like you chose to focus on THAT says it all really. This stage has no flaws 🙂

gavin
gavin
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

I love the design, I don’t see myself as a hater but my first thought was its a shame they couldn’t get a local designer. It feels as if the contest is really inbreed sometimes.

Juka
Juka
6 years ago
Reply to  gavin

They obviously could, and they have tons of portuguese working and giving ideas there, but they chose him. Eurovision has always been about coming together and not being individualists, with lots of countries participating and helping each other. That’s what ESC is about, unity.

Juka
Juka
6 years ago
Reply to  Juka

Even Sweden has chosen designers or producers from other countries, but you wouldn’t say it’s a shame because it’s Sweden. That’s wrong and it shows the prejudice that many people still have towards other countries, just like they had with their eurovision entries.

Miguel
Miguel
6 years ago
Reply to  YoungsterJoey

Si y se presentaron varios proyectos, se eligió al trabajo no a la persona, estamos en un mundo globalizado. En tu ciudad seguro hay arquitectos de muchos países en obras emblematicas, si es que vives en una ciudad importante

Mario
Mario
6 years ago

Everything (life itself) in our world began in the SEA <3
#All Aboard

JL
JL
6 years ago

Reminders me of 2001 stage in Copenhagen.

M_K
M_K
6 years ago
Reply to  JL

I totally agree, it was my first thought as well. I actually kinda liked the 2001 stage even if it didn’t look that good on screen.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  JL

@JL: You beat me to it. Must be the arches…

esc1234
esc1234
6 years ago

wieber must be the laziest designer ever. A led background and something between or above the stage with it. Pls honey..

No Name
No Name
6 years ago
Reply to  esc1234

Honey where’s the LED -.-

Hada
Hada
6 years ago
Reply to  No Name

You see the blue lights in the back in a rectangular pattern? That’s how it looked this year when the LED wasn’t on.

JuiceQoo
JuiceQoo
6 years ago

Amazing !! Maybe the background like Eurovision 2014 have “transparent screen projection” ! I also love the bridge ideal ! love it !!

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

I think it is not bad. The big arches over the stage gives it a larger amplitude, which I think will get through TV very well. Whether it will have LEDs or not is still disclosed information. But I for one would go for no LEDs, for once. I actually loved the 2010 stage with no LEDs and the last year some of the images were really distracting… But I would doubt it very much that there are no LEDs in this year and age. One thing that disturbs me a bit is the sculptural element in the middle of… Read more »

Indonesian ESC Fan
Indonesian ESC Fan
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

What if there’s a projection screen like in Stockholm to bring background images to life? Like either in Dami Im’s performance, or Jamie Lee’s.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

I guess that could work and I am sure they will incorporate something like that, because delegations expect this now…

JuiceQoo
JuiceQoo
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Amazing !! Maybe the background like Eurovision 2014 have “transparent screen projection” ! I also love the bridge ideal ! love it !!

Indonesian ESC Fan
Indonesian ESC Fan
6 years ago

The stage background. It’s like the map of Singapore.
Better view, fascinating to see, and.. it reminds me of the JESC stage back in 2015 but a million times better.

Gobio
Gobio
6 years ago

Ecsactly what I thought at first glance – JESC 2015.

Gorilla716
Gorilla716
6 years ago

Apparently the stage has a bridge in it, which I don’t understand why. Also, I’m pretty sure the people who are sitting underneath it will have a hard time seeing anything.

Tim
Tim
6 years ago
Reply to  Gorilla716

To arrive from central stage to the outer circle I suppose

ho-ho-ho
ho-ho-ho
6 years ago

”melting pots enriched by the impressions of newly discovered cultures”

They could’ve been more discreet about this part of history.

Miss X
Miss X
6 years ago
Reply to  ho-ho-ho

There is nothing to be discreet about. Unlike other Western Europeans, the Portuguese have a rational (rather than emotional) approach to their country’s past. It was what it was, the Portuguese of today have nothing to do with what was done by their ancestors, therefore they are not embarrassed. Period.

dia
dia
6 years ago
Reply to  Miss X

Absolutely agree with you.

dia
dia
6 years ago
Reply to  dia

ho-ho-ho, first of all, us portuguese are probably the ONLY western europeans who are NOT ashamed of our past. We embrace it. We didnt do anything, but we are proud of all the discoveries and amazing things our ANCESTORS did. We are very nationalistic and patriotic, if you dont like that you better not come to our country. Just my two cents, because you wont find any ‘celebrate diversity’ theme here. We just like to preserve our culture and identity, unlike most europeans countries nowadays. We are small country and the only western european country with low immigrants here, we… Read more »

dia
dia
6 years ago
Reply to  dia

also i’m not saying that we need or want multiculturalism, quite in the contrary. So foreigners should respect us and our culture. thanks.

kai
kai
6 years ago
Reply to  ho-ho-ho

Im sorry but Portugal is not shamed or embarrassed about their History and identity

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago

The problem with no LEDs is that low-budget countries will be even more screwed over when it comes to staging, and richer ones will bring their own a la Gaitana, cluttering up the stage. The rest of it looks great though.

Jared
Jared
6 years ago
Reply to  thespb01

Hmm… remember when Germany (a rich country) won in 2010 with a extremely simple performance on a stage without LED screens (Oslo)?

thespb01
thespb01
6 years ago
Reply to  Jared

The 2010 stage was awful though – it was just a load of nothingness.
Since then, technology and the contest have moved on – some form of LED is expected, otherwise things start to look like Festivali I Kenges circa 2007. Also, if there’s no LED, Macedonia will have nothing for the staging, especially since their close call with debts – that could work for a ballad, but if they send a dance banger, they have less than no chance.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  thespb01

Macedonia sent a dance tune in May, and yet still they failed to use the stage to its fullest. I expected the stage to be full of flashing lights and lasers, like a mini-rave. Whether it was the lack of a dance-club feel to the tune, or that Jana couldn’t do all the things she wanted to do because she was pregnant, The FYR team failed her that night.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  thespb01

My mistake.

Whether it was the VISUAL lack of a dance-club feel to the tune…

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Beautiful!!!

Blaziker from SG
Blaziker from SG
6 years ago

LED background or not, I am TOTALLY in love with the staging! Not only did it fits Portugal very nicely, it also gives the entries more versatility in how they want the staging to look like.

Hopefully, this will top Russia 2009’s amazing Eurovision stage. Portugal 2018’s staging feels as wide as Russia 2009’s.

pretzel
pretzel
6 years ago

If there won’t be any LED screens, I hope it will look better than 2010 at least. IMO 2010 stage had such a dark, depressing atmosphere. So much black space with annoying blinking lights as the only real visuals. People love to complain about LED screens, but they help give each song some unique visual flair IMO, and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg for the entrants. With no LED, it will be the ones who can spring for their own screens and props that end up standing out visually. And while one can say “it should be… Read more »

Africavision
Africavision
6 years ago
Reply to  pretzel

I completely agree with you! And I don’t want just the background LED, but a floor LED too (for those lovely aerial shots)… With LED’s, performances come to life and are unique from each other. For me, Oslo 2010 was such a downgrade following Moscow 2009, mainly because of the lack of LED’s.

Tim
Tim
6 years ago

“We aren’t revealing what this stage actually can do at this moment. Only the general look of it.” by Ola Melzig; so I’m expecting quite a few more surprises

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
6 years ago

Some songs will actually shine better without a led display i think. For example i think this kind of stage would suit blanche much more than the one she performed on in kyiv.

brunowskii
brunowskii
6 years ago

It looks like a giant version of Bulgaria’s JESC stage…
Really beautiful, strong and modern…. but I still hope that there is a LED background behind all of this

Jak
Jak
6 years ago

No LED screens? Why? 🙁

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago
Reply to  Jak

They intend to let the songs stand out on its own merits. The lights look like a stripped-down version of the 2015 stage, and the LED lights in the back of the stage look like 2010. Will the floor be void of any graphics this time around (and when was the last time the contest had no graphics or visuals on the floor?), or will it be a throwback to 1997 (which I think is one of the best stage setups ever, before graphic screens dominated); the only difference being that, instead of picture-tube television screens under the floor (like… Read more »

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
6 years ago

It would actually be a kinda nice to have a led free stage for once. It would shake things up a bit. The stage looks great!

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

It looks really F-ing amazing, I would love to see This irl

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

Wow.

That is absolutely beautiful. Good job, Portugal.

Tim
Tim
6 years ago

Everyone went into panic mode when RTP said with would be a low-cost event.
Nobody is panicking now!

Well done RTP, the stage looks simply amazing.
Organisation this year is 10/10

Jonatan
Jonatan
6 years ago
Reply to  Tim

Agreed!

No Name
No Name
6 years ago

Wow it looks amazing!

Babboo
Babboo
6 years ago

Why that’s stunning I think it’s the best staging for Eurovision ever! Hope it looks better irl

Thales
Thales
6 years ago

Wonderful! Amazing job RTP!!

KESC
KESC
6 years ago

Well, compared to last year’s disaster, it’s obviously 1000 times better.
At least, visually, it has an unique ambience. It looks also so much better, compared to the ones of 2015 and 2011.
Additionally, we never saw a stage of this type, so congratulations Portugal!!
If we could just get to know the host as well.. However, till now, Portugal is already a better host conutry than Ukraine, in my eyes. Even if Ukraine tried their best. 🙂

Filipe
Filipe
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

Catarina Furtado is rumored to be one of the hosts, but she will be hosting, I’m almost 100% sure of that. Filomena Cautela is the fan favorite and is likely to be in the green room. That’s how much we know thus far.

kitty
kitty
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

They will definitely pick someone with an international career, my bet is on Daniela Ruah, she’s living in the US atm and her english is perfect. I also think Diogo Morgado would go.

Filipe
Filipe
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

RTP said that they WILL choose someone who is already working for them – which excludes Daniela and Diogo. They even said that they don’t plan on asking other Portuguese broadcasters to let some of their exclusive stars to host Eurovision. So it is definitely going to be Catarina Furtado, Filomena Cautela and some other RTP name. My bet is on Silvia Alberto, because last year this trio worked really well in the Festival da Cancao’s final.

kitty
kitty
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

not true filipe

kitty
kitty
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

I’m portuguese. Daniela has done something from rtp recently so she can definitely be chosen. Not to mention Diogo who has done many works with them too. Another thing is they said they were open to anyone from anywhere in the country.

kitty
kitty
6 years ago
Reply to  kitty

Catarina and filomena wont be picked, that’s just an opinion from most portuguese euro fans cause they’re more known. RTP will be surprising everyone im sure of it.

Amor
Amor
6 years ago
Reply to  KESC

I don’t think last year’s stage was a disaster. Eurovision last year was great, the only let down was the hosting.

James
James
6 years ago

I’d prefer a stage where there is less dependence on an LED backdrop. Allow the song to shine more without being swallowed by what’s behind the performing artist.

Jonatan
Jonatan
6 years ago
Reply to  James

then you must be pretty happy with this LED free backdrop

Adam
Adam
6 years ago

Love it, absolutely love it. Probably one of the best looking ones so far in esc history! Interesting that there will be a lack of LED, but that could be a good thing, it will force contestants to either focus on their song instead, or do a sergey lazarev and bring your own screen

Jonatan
Jonatan
6 years ago

this stage is at least 10 times better than kyiv!!!!! absolutely in love with it!

aa
aa
6 years ago

Where is LED Display?

Jonatan
Jonatan
6 years ago
Reply to  aa

I am curious about that too, but we could do without one. I mean, look at 2010

Jonatan
Jonatan
6 years ago
Reply to  aa

oooh that would be cool too! This is the first sneak peek, maybe we will get more details in the second peek?

Jonatan
Jonatan
6 years ago
Reply to  aa

2014 had the lights shine through the big led screen too, they could do that too

West
West
6 years ago
Reply to  aa

Maybe that wavy thing IS the LED – the smaller parts just rotate to form one big one LED display.

Josiah Stuart
Josiah Stuart
6 years ago
Reply to  West

Yeah, kinda like how parts of the Rear-projection screen in Malmö would move to reveal lights for some of the songs.