Photo by Diego Pinzon / Wiwibloggs

The Eurovision 2023 season is slowly coming to life. Over the next week and a bit, we’ll be getting five new songs for the contest courtesy of Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and Czech Republic. But before they add to the party, it’s time to see who are readers are loving the most so far.

Following Belgium’s Eurosong on 14 January, we asked y’all to name your favourite Eurovision 2023 act from those early birds who have already chosen — Ukraine, Albania and Belgium.

We counted a total of 2,474 votes. Now, we have the results.

Belgium’s Gustaph a favourite in Eurovision 2023 so far

It didn’t take long for Gustaph to make an impression on our readers. The newbie to the race went straight into poll position with his upbeat 90’s soul-pop song “Because of You”. The Belgian star earned 957 votes, which is 38.68% of all those cast.

Speaking to wiwibloggs, Gustaph said his song is about “anyone who helps you to where you are in life and helps you to say this is who I am and I love who I am because of you.”

The former number one now has to settle for second place. Ukraine’s TVORCHI were not too far behind in this race, picking up 886 votes — 35.81% of the total. The duo, who were the first act to be chosen for Eurovision 2023, still have some support behind them and their song “Heart of Steel”.

In bronze medal position is Albania. Albina Kelmendi and her family will be performing “Duje” in Liverpool this May. Sadly, our readers aren’t feeling it as much as the others, rewarding them 631 votes (25.51%).

Results: Who is your favourite Eurovision 2023 act so far?

29 January (3 acts)

  1. Belgium: Gustaph – “Because of You” | 38.68%, 957 votes
  2. Ukraine: TVORCHI – “Heart of Steel” | 35.81%, 886 votes
  3. Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje” | 25.51%, 631 votes

Total Votes: 2,474

17 January (2 acts)

  1. Ukraine: TVORCHI – “Heart of Steel” | 53.18%, 1,253 votes
  2. Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi – “Duje” | 46.82%, 1,103 votes

Total Votes: 2,356

Interestingly, the results of our Twitter poll were notably different.

With a similar number of total votes, it was Ukraine’s TVORCHI who came out on top here. Albania’s Albina Kelmendi followed in second, whilst Gustaph’s Belgium was down in third.

Do you agree with the results of the poll? Do you think Belgium’s Gustaph can hold onto the number one spot after we’ve had the next selections for Eurovision 2023? Let us know in the comments below.

45 Comments
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Mikiloyi
Mikiloyi
1 year ago

It’s just 3 songs we got so far now. So it’s doesn’t matter who in the top right now.

Ritoli
Ritoli
1 year ago

My top so far:

  1. Hoida Mut
  2. Venom
  3. Šauksmas
  4. Geronimo
  5. Concrete Heart
Escfan
1 year ago

Let’s just say, I’m not in agreement with the poll. Ukraine is my favourite so far, not a competition atm.

Thanos
Thanos
1 year ago

Well I didn’t vote in the poll given that I don’t like any of these 3 songs at all and in all fairness the two songs battling to qualify don’t have many chances to do so at the moment. I hope the season will soon pick up.

Andy
Andy
1 year ago

I can’t believe this song was released and a masterpiece like ”City Lights” is from 2017? What a downgrade

Andy
Andy
1 year ago
Reply to  Andy

Correction : I can’t believe this song was released in 2023 and a masterpiece like ”City Lights” is from 2017? What a downgrade

Tommm
Tommm
1 year ago
Reply to  Andy

Agree, Belgium cancelled themself again! They might qualify but Its not going to be in Top 15 even …

Maybe next year pick Tamino/ or other experience artits with great song at least

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

I have Belgium as a placeholder 1st place at the moment, but I already know Norway’s gonna be my first whether they pick Ulrikke, Elsie Bay, Umami Tsunami or Swing’It. Most of the potential big hitters for the contest aren’t selected yet, so we can guess all 3 of these are probably going to get outclassed very soon

Nikki
Nikki
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

I also know any of these songs are going to be close to my Top 10. I like a lot of Norway finalists and a few big favourites at Sanremo (I’ve been literally listening to Marco Mengoni today, as an example), so I know Norway and Italy are going to be there once more.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

Atle for Norway.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago
Reply to  Vivian

I wouldn’t count Finland out either 😉

Voix
Voix
1 year ago

These polls are so useless at this point.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

And when the world got me going crazaaayyy!!!!

So good.

Nobody Important
Nobody Important
1 year ago

When the song won, everyone hated it and had it their last. In the comment section at the poll, everyone loved it and multiple people had it as their first. And now, everyone hates it again? I’m convinced that the ESC community is bipolar.

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago

Belgium will be the dark horse this year. Gustaph has chance to win also. Unpopular opinion, I know. Just relax and dance!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

It would have to be an extremely weak semifinal for Belgium to be a qualifier, and I just don’t see that happening no matter if you like the song or not.

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

I won’t say Alecs is right because 1st place is impossible for Belgium with this song, it won’t be even top 10-15. But I think you underestimate the qualities of the song and of Gustaph. He is a great performer, the song is quite fun and enjoyable. Wouldn’t be surprised if it qualifies in May, no matter the level of the semi final.

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago

He is underestimated. Probably people are not happy that he won his national instead of other favs, but this could not be changed anymore. Also the general public will not know all the background. I hope he could make the surprise this year.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

I’m still doubtful of Belgium’s chances at this point, but I’m always in for a surprise qualifier. There’s nothing more thrilling than a country You completely overlook makes it to the final when you didn’t expect it too.

In all seriousness, though, it’s probably for the best to hold off discussions about qualifications until all the countries have been sorted into their semi finals, and all their songs are selected. I’ll put it on mute until then.

Escfan
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Depends how, I think. Last year people were annoyed of Switzerland and Belgium’s qualification, especially considering very competent entries didn’t qualify too.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Escfan

Well, of course surprise qualifiers can provoke different reactions, depending on what you think about the entry. There were times where I was pleasantly surprised and excited when something I didn’t expect to qualify go through because I liked it, and there were times I went “WHAT?! That qualified” over some thing I wasn’t keen on, and I thought had no chance, like the two countries you mentioned above last year. How do you react in the moment can be very different from person to person.

Escfan
1 year ago

He may be a great performer but thats all that the song has going for it. If you look at past esc’s Slovenia 2021, North Macedonia 2021, Switzerland 2018 (tbf they were in hard luck) and I’ll throw it in because I thought they were both great last year Ireland 2022, San Marino 2022 great performers that didnt qualify. Being a great performer doesn’t guarantee qualification and if the song is really not that great, which unfortunately is what I’d classify this one as, a great performer isn’t gonna cut it.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Escfan

Yeah, it would be surprising if Belgium qualified, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t.

West
West
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

Unlikely, but it would be amazing.

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago
Reply to  West

Xfingers for him. Also, we need to wait for the revamp. Personally I enjoy it and I am not the only one. I hope I can vote in SF for him.

Nikki
Nikki
1 year ago

For now it looks like a Who you you tolerate the most? than a Who you like the most? question. Not one of the songs chosen is over average, and with the big NFs (Sanremo, MGP, Mello…) and all the Internals being on the road, we know all this song would fall to the bottom half.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
1 year ago
Reply to  Nikki

Among the ones you mentioned, only Sanremo would be a big NF imo, Mello has been downgrading for years already and MGP is rather average

Grft
Grft
1 year ago

What the

now that i see the light
now that i see the light
1 year ago

It could have been Jerry Heil / Elsa Lila/ Cherine but now look where we are.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago

Cherine and Jerry Heil for the typical eurofans, sure, but the most interesting choices were always Marina Krut and Gala Dragot actually…

lasse braun
lasse braun
1 year ago

kruts song is a mile above jerry heil – a victory song trown away.

Vivian
Vivian
1 year ago

Let’s add Queen Of Kings and Uff in there too next week so we can have more failed female acts

Pat
Pat
1 year ago

As a non-Albanian I’m convinced that Elsa Lila’s “Evita” could’ve won Eurovision. I’d be thoroughly surprised if Duje makes it out of the semis if they are competing with the likes of Norway, Finland, or even Lithuania

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Pat

Who would you like to see represent Lithuania if you listened to the songs?

Jason
Jason
1 year ago

I know this comment has nothing to do with this article. But when is the Czech Republic going to release their songs? Are they not releasing before the show? I mean the live show is literally tomorrow… I could have sworn they said they were going to release the songs a few days after they released the names. But that was almost two weeks ago. I am confused.

Jghtl
1 year ago
Reply to  Jason

They are not realising songs before the show

Pazz
Pazz
1 year ago
Reply to  Jason

4/5 songs were already released or got leaked. The only song that isn’t out yet is Maella’s.

West
West
1 year ago
Reply to  Jason

The songs weren’t (officially) released earlier, because the point of the show is to present the songs. Voting will last for a week and only then the winner will be announced. Somehow – I don’t think we have info on that. But yeah – officially the songs are not released, but all the artists just happen to release or tease (in Maella’s case) new songs these days (Vesna’s will drop later today). So yeah – I don’t think it’s a secret which songs will compete in the selection, you’ll just hear them live.

david
david
1 year ago

20 years ago southpark came up with an episode “Douche and T*rd”,
It really describe this poll lol

Jghtl
1 year ago

This is a joke, isn’t it

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  Jghtl

I don’t see where is the joke. People had to vote in a poll with 3 average songs at best. Not surprised the winner is the more enjoyable of the 3.

Jghtl
1 year ago

But belgium, really, i find Ukraine’s entry much more enjoyable

Mr X
Mr X
1 year ago

For me Belgium is quite horrible…

My list so far

Albania 8/12
Ukraine 7/12
Belgium 1/12

Paul
Paul
1 year ago

Currently it feels like a poll of which do you dislike the least….

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Paul

by that standard, I would’ve thought Belgium would be last place. I thought Ukraine would win again I’m surprised the poll was open as long as it was. They usually close after a week or maybe it did close earlier and I didn’t notice.