Photo: Nick Robinson

It’s been several months in the making, but Eurovision 2023 is finally here. And with it the first day of first rehearsals for acts competing in the first half of Semi-Final 1. 

On Sunday ten countries will have their first turn on the stage inside M&S Bank Arena. After arriving at the arena, each delegation has around 40 minutes to get settled. They then have an in-ear monitoring rehearsal (30 minutes) and a stage safety briefing (10 minutes).

Then it’s time to take the stage. Each act has 30 minutes to test out the stage. This allows artists to do a series of run-throughs to see how they sound in the space and to get used to moving in the space. Delegations monitor the performances closely, seeing if the show’s producers have managed to execute their agreed-upon vision (including graphics and camera angles). They then have 30 minutes to discuss what they want changed when they meet with producers in the viewing room. 

Here’s the order of how it’ll all go down on Sunday. 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs)

We’ll be working inside our LUSH Liverpool Lounge all day and plan to react to TikTok snippets released by the EBU after each rehearsal. We’ll also be live-streaming for much of the day. See y’all soon!

Update: We’re filming reaction videos to each of the published TikTok videos. You can check out our playlist below!

189 Comments
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Oy oy
Oy oy
1 year ago

Odds abit up for Sweden after Loreen’s rehearsal..

Ekldnr
Ekldnr
1 year ago

You clearly haven’t a clue how the Irish tv funding works there’s a tv licence and you pay it most don’t pay it so the ones that do pay it probably are fine with it and they have more room in the budget considering Liverpool is only a 30minute flight and you can get tickets for €30 rather than for example tel aviv which was around €300

Frisian esc
1 year ago

Did I miss something or is there no rehearsal clip for sweden?

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

It’s now been released.

Frisian esc
1 year ago
Reply to  Frisian esc

Lost the nails at the airport.

But seriously though, the editor had 1 more video to do and was like ‘nahhh my workday is done’? xD

Marcin
Marcin
1 year ago

No chances for…

Malta (Cringeworthy performance)

Serbia (Cant stand Luke’s squeaky voice, neither will the viewers.)

Still in the game…

Ireland (Likeable guys together combined with a feel good song.Staging looks pretty good)

Switzerland (Weird choice of staging, but the song should sail him through)

In Final:

Moldova (Little guy carries the entire song. Without him, Moldova would be together with Malta)

Sweden (Obvious reasons)

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Marcin

Luke his pregnancy pants are so offputting more like

certain NQ and last place in semi

Jesiah
Jesiah
1 year ago

Loreen outslayed all ur favs.
Moldova did well too

Chris
Chris
1 year ago

Ok Sweden is so winning this. Question is who will be second.

Mark
Mark
1 year ago
Reply to  Chris

Are you talking about Loreen and her song Tattoo? Cause if you are, you are in for a shock lol

Chris
Chris
1 year ago
Reply to  Mark

2 weeks left. Will see who will be shocked

Dane
Dane
1 year ago

I absolutely love Switzerland. I wish I could vote in semi 1, because I really want to see Remo in the final

Truth Speaker
Truth Speaker
1 year ago

This is one of the most delusional comment sections so far on this website.

Marcin
Marcin
1 year ago
Reply to  Truth Speaker

True, people here think that Malta is going to qualify.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Truth Speaker

It’s a team effort 😉

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

And then only 365 days of the next one! 😉

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

It’s a leap year, so extra joy!

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

One day more! One more day! One day more!

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Frances Ruffelle, Michael Ball and Colm Wilkinson will all get that reference!

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

But none of them are quite as knowledgeable about Eurovision.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Truth Speaker

Don’t put yourself down. On the De Vil scale of delusion, today you only took it halfway to Cruella.

SunChine
SunChine
1 year ago

All we got is a cheap panini press from Amazon. Oh Boi….

Mariah
Mariah
1 year ago
Reply to  SunChine

The staging still looks amazing. Good for her.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
1 year ago

It’s just Lenin but they can’t actually spell Lenin so they just scramble it around?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago

I wonder if the presenters will need to come out to fill some time before Loreen. They did for Måns, Robin, Benjamin, and John. Also maybe it could mean the slot after the ad break.

MTD
MTD
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

Nah, it’s not that hard staging to set.

The ones mentioned in your post say more about their elaborate leaning on staging instead of songs per se.

Sweden.

Panna
Panna
1 year ago
Reply to  MTD

Exactly.
Portugal and Iceland proved last year that a good song can qualify and even get top 10 (Portugal) with a very simple staging.

MTD
MTD
1 year ago
Reply to  Panna

Portugal <3

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  MTD

Maybe they just have to be careful about lugging it on, I don’t know. John Lundvik’s was not too extravagant, just heavy.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago

Mini panini press for Loreen. Wonder how she feels about it.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

She’s fine with it, I’d say, she would not let herself get ruffled… it’s Loreen! Queen of calm.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I’m sure she’ll present her calmness outwardly, but I do wonder whether she might be a bit disappointed that it’s not quite as grand as Mello, or perhaps she’s just relieved they can still use the original concept. Hopefully she’s happy with it.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Lol, fitting!

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
1 year ago

People are gonna get mad at me but it’s true, the ESC is just so easy for Moldova these days, they just have to put on a little kitsch show and they automatically do really well, it is what it is…

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
1 year ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

I give them props for sending Romanian these 2 latest editions, but 2021 was a disaster bop in English propped up by some Kirkorov-style extremely suspicious voting, and 2018 as well, elementary school-level English propped up by an inventive kitsch show that time I guess, plus Kirkorov involvement once again… They are overrated as hell in general, nobody can tell me otherwise.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
1 year ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

Actually if I think about it, more like really overrated since 2017, before that I’d say they were rated more appropriately for the most part.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

Moldova just knows what works well in the contest with the public

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

Umm, 2019 Stay was in my top 3, i was sad it flopped

Truth Speaker
Truth Speaker
1 year ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

Moldova serving quality two years in a row.

Panna
Panna
1 year ago

They keep it backstage during the show instead of hung from the ceiling. Then get it to the stage on wheels and quickly hang it up.

Mattias Sollerman
1 year ago
Reply to  Panna

Presumably, it’s on top of the bottom section.?

Panna
Panna
1 year ago

Yeah, I would guess so. Then they just quickly attach ropes to it and lift it up. That would make the most sense, but we will probably find out how it’s done soon.

Panna
Panna
1 year ago
Reply to  Panna

Last year all the work was done by 2 guys – making tiktoks, editing them, writing stories etc, so it might just be that they lack time to do better.

Mattias Sollerman
1 year ago

Absolutely, how is anyone is supposed to figure out that the top section is stored on top of the bottom section.

duxx
duxx
1 year ago

They did loreen dirty, that new staging is so bad…boxes looks like they are from a minecraft. She needs her melodifestivalen stage

Panna
Panna
1 year ago
Reply to  duxx

It is not that bad.
If we have never seen the Melfest performance before, it would seem pretty cool, especially in video.

duxx
duxx
1 year ago
Reply to  Panna

True, its not that bad, its very very bad

fever
fever
1 year ago
Reply to  Panna

Yet you cannot deny the Mello one looks much better and more impressive. I know Loreen is not very loved here, but I’d still say this does not seem very fair.
And again, the stage looks really small…

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  duxx

Cameras plans will do the work, don’t worry.

duxx
duxx
1 year ago

Im not sure camera angles can help here

Gloria
Gloria
1 year ago
Reply to  duxx

I’m very curious about the new outfit and tech additions that she teased. Hopefully we see them on rehearsal 2

MTD
MTD
1 year ago
Reply to  Gloria

Them all “tease” only we to witness subpar outcomes.
This is in no way different case.

Chris
Chris
1 year ago

I actually liked the Irish song but seeing the staging I was like wtaf?

MTD
MTD
1 year ago
Reply to  Chris

Staging screams 0 points. And that is generous.

West
West
1 year ago

Ireland seems like a sure nq – the only one from what I saw from TikTok. Not saying the rest would qualify 100%, but you can make a case for them.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  West

Maybe whatever chance they had was sunk by losing their creative director a week before rehearsals. Poor Wild Youth.

Eve
Eve
1 year ago

Looks like Moldova improved their staging

Emily
Emily
1 year ago

I’m so far behind, but I’m happy to see that Sudden Lights have the same great staging from the NF. Manifesting that qualification!

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

Who doesn’t love Croatian Daddies in cloaks?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Evil dictators?

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I doubt it, but you never know. I’m sure a lot of people know about it, it was even nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. I think it’s still well remembered enough.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I think a better compliment might be to leave the UK out of it. It’s not supposed to be flattering to be included… I imagine.

Malachy Grapes
Malachy Grapes
1 year ago

FUN FACT: In answer to our question about how long it’s acceptable to wear the same pair of socks for, Let 3 replied “If I’m wearing my Š? socks, I can wear them forever – they are even getting better when you wear them for a long time. I change them when the good smell goes bad, but all other socks I change every six hours.””

It’s just a joke about what Let 3 said before…

Emily
Emily
1 year ago

Oh lord, Switzerland… no further comment lol

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

What in the actual f..? Are they on molly on some sh

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

They just went to someone random guy backstage and where like “Hey Rob can ya write a thing for the ESC blog real quick? thanks!” Rob just types as he giggles from the coke he did a few minutes prior.

eurofan
eurofan
1 year ago

Confirmed! Loreen wont have roof
Bets are burning!

eurofan
eurofan
1 year ago
Reply to  eurofan

Winning options went away together with her roof

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  eurofan

She’s still gonna win easily

eurofan
eurofan
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Armenia, Israel, Finland and Spain… it´s your time to show a victory is more than a roof.
Back to ESC with a worse song and a roof is not enough to win

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  eurofan

I’m not a fan of the Swedish entry but this is gonna be the most predictable win in ESC history.

eurofan
eurofan
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Euphoria was the winner even before winning the Melfest.
Ant those are not the vibes now.
May she win? obviusly.
Will she win? Her options vanished behind her roof

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  eurofan

What do you mean? As soon as Tattoo performed in the 4th semi it was obviously gonna win ESC.
You’re delusional if you think the staging being different is going to impact Sweden’s result.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

I’m not sure it’s so obvious. Depends on how much difference between juries and televote, I’d say. Even Euphoria only barely won the telvote.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonas

I mean I’d love to be wrong I just don’t think I am.

Jonas
Jonas
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

At least Loreen will be biting her very long nails during the voting this year, what with the new voting reveal system. There was zero suspense with Euphoria.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  eurofan

Well she does have a roof so idk what you were on about

eurofan
eurofan
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Do you call roof to that jellewery box?

Mariah
Mariah
1 year ago
Reply to  eurofan

Insecure much?

Amesc
Amesc
1 year ago
Reply to  eurofan

Well she does have a roof. Its just smaller

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
1 year ago
Reply to  eurofan

1h after your comment we know you told $hit.

eurofan
eurofan
1 year ago

Hopefully you know the difference between a roof and a hat

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

I really think the Swiss entry could be ELEVATED so much by an Ulrikke-style pyro-wall and a Jedward Waterline-style water feature!

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

It’s TVOR. You can’t tell with them.

Panna
Panna
1 year ago

That sounds cheesy af

Andy
Andy
1 year ago

Appearently Switzerland is having its Sertab Moment with those dancers being tied to Remo with ropes. It’s okay to have dancers but it has to be balanced with the song , to prevent dancers from stealing the focus. Because it’s a slow and emotional song

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago

She almost won in 1998 as well. 🙂

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

But so much effort went into getting those candles on stage in 60 seconds! 🙂

zach
zach
1 year ago

maltas staging was really good i’m really hoping they qualify!!

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

If Netherlands is gonna be as boring as I think it will then Malta might actually Q LMAO.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Sorry but is that from a song or something? I don’t get the reference.

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

OH.

HA!

Oy oy
Oy oy
1 year ago

Any news on the Swedish roof? 😉

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

Thoughts after seeing the tiktoks and pics: Norway: Same as the NF just slightly stronger. Malta: Same as the NF just slightly stronger. Still think it’s NQ’ing tho. I won’t be shocked if they make it but I don’t think they will. Serbia: Same as the NF just slightly stronger. Latvia: I just feel like this is gonna get forgotten. Bloody Ireland is two songs next and it has more impact. Bad impact but impact. Portugal: Same as the NF just slightly stronger. I can’t see Portugal getting eliminated. Ireland: What in the actual living hell is that? The bloody… Read more »

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

LMAO.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

I was actually suprised in a good way about Ireland’s staging. I thought they were gonna play it safe but it looks fun with all those pyros!

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago

Yes cus pyros are so unsafe and so exciting 😀

Sol Stevia
Sol Stevia
1 year ago
Reply to  Sol Stevia

Yup.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

pretty sure if Johnny Logan came back for Ireland, he would also just get that much praise by eurovision.tv though, they just do that for past winner legends 😉

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

A successor to a legend anyway, Jon Ola icon <3

And i like Martin too, he seems like a nice guy

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

that time of year again, with hopefully lots of magic moment performances, oh well enough fun things for summer to look forward to either, on Disney plus i mean lots of strong blockbuster film and series releases, great streaming service to cure us from PED

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

https://eurovision.tv/gallery/switzerland-remo-forrer-watergun-first-rehearsal

Remo looks HOT <3 very innovative staging, sure qualifier and also top 3 in semi me thinks

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

It is latest fashion trend, didn’t you know

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

Pasha came to eat up the stage whew whew, Moldova soooo coming for that top 5

Eve
Eve
1 year ago

Ireland it’s all gold and classy

Henry
Henry
1 year ago
Reply to  Eve

Gold yes…. But classy??

Eve
Eve
1 year ago

My thoughts about Croatia. They are so colorful themselves. It’s intresting to look at them for the details. Why such colorful screen behind them? At some photos it’s hard to see where are the artists…
Maybe it’s just photos and will look different in motions…

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Eve

not everyone can have the queen of stagings Sacha Jean Baptiste, you know

Eve
Eve
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

True but in this screen case the less would be better imo

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

Switzerland a perfect rehearsal, Remo dancing himself too to his uptempo banger big power ballad

Eve
Eve
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

Go Remo!

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

sure NQ: Serbia

shame on Israel’s Noa for being too late, because of her selfishness, thinking about her stupid career with her concert

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

Concert bookings are contracted and carry legal and financial obligations. And yes, all the artists have careers to think about, and it is right that they think about them. She’s a 22-year old woman trying to make a career in a very tough business. Regardless, her delegation and management will have most likely made all the decisions about logistics and scheduling. Get a grip of yourself, all you’re doing is posting hate, misery, and nonsense.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

no hate for my perfect faves Loreen, Remo, Alessandra

Eyal
Eyal
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

You’re full of poison. So much hate, and for what??

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Eyal

i love Noa Kirel, same amount as i loved Netta in 2018, similar song too

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Eyal

There are some who just enjoy hating on other people’s joy, but in the case of Israel it’s something specific that we all know, in this case hating on any act from Israel and implying that there is some conspiracy within the EBU regarding Israel’s participation. History caught in a loop, Don’t you wanna change it?

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Israel has been among my faves quite some times though

2011, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and tbh Unicorn studio is boppy but live we don’t know yet

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago

Israel update: Noa Kirel’s plane has now landed at Liverpool Airport. She is here!

Mililoyi
Mililoyi
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

How is this comment got downvoted???

Jay
Jay
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

She can take that song home .. terrible

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jay

Not quite yet, Jay. She’s going to take into the Grand Final first 😉

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago

Game over.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

It just wants to sleep forever.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

I see how excited you get each year 🙂
Happy Eurovision !!

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

You always bring such unimpeded joy 🙂

Glad to hear there’s no fatigue for you from all the excitement and expectation!

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago

Are Malta breaking the 2nd in the running order curse? They came to bring the party, I think we should help make it happen for them.

Dolly
Dolly
1 year ago
Reply to  Jimmy

Forza Malta

Yom
Yom
1 year ago

Willam what point wiwibloggs any more your support Sweden what point wiwibloggs Disgraceful

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago

Like the high energy from the guys from Malta, ready to have fun! They seem to be elevating their performance on stage, and the outfits look cute too. Looks like this will pop on the Eurovision stage and be more competitive than some might have expected.

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

Serbia: If it ain’t broken, don’t try to fix it. The staging looks perfect.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

it looks crap, but more obvious that only scandinavian countries can slay on eurovision stage, like perfect Norway and perfect Sweden

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

Malta’s rehearsal has just been released on Tik Tok. I don’t know what y’ all believe about their positioning providing negatively to their qualification probabilities but with that excellent staging, I still believe they have some minor chances to clinch that #10 borderline Q spot.

Jimmy
Jimmy
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

They’re looking good on stage. I agree, they should be considered a potential qualifier. Cute fun guys with an upbeat song sandwiched between two dark moody pop entries might work very well for them with the televoters.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

Croatia will get eaten alive by jury faves Switzerland after them

Latvia stands a good chance after joke act Serbia

and Azerbaijan poor them for once sandwiched between perfect Loreen and banger of Czechia

Bebero
Bebero
1 year ago

Serbia nailed it

Jghtl
1 year ago

Are there any tiktok videos of rehearsals available?

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago
Reply to  Jghtl

Norway is out on Eurovision’s Tik Tok page.

Leif Christensen
Leif Christensen
1 year ago
Reply to  Jghtl

You can see them on the official Eurovision website as well. There’s a “live blog” for the day where I saw them. So far they have Norway and Malta up there.

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

The Busker’s staging just shows for once more why I’d like them more to qualify instead of Norway.

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

No, instead of Israel

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

Were some people really expecting Serbia struggling to qualify? Lol.

Leif Christensen
Leif Christensen
1 year ago
Reply to  Efthymios

Vocals I would guess? They weren’t that strong at the NF. They were fine but nothing more. For the public I should think that it is enough though.