With the new year comes a renewed sense of optimism, hope for the future and of course… national final shows! And with this Saturday’s arrival, no less than three shows will be taking place across Europe as the build-up to Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool really begins to hot up!
Tonight, Belgium will become the third country to select their song for this year’s contest, with a return to a national final for the first time since 2016. Seven acts will compete to take the Belgian ticket to the neighbouring United Kingdom in May.
Elsewhere, Estonia and Norway’s famous selections continue, with Eesti Laul deciding its final line up tonight, and Melodi Grand Prix’s new simpler format getting underway in Oslo.
Here’s everything #YOU need to know about tonight’s three shows, including links to watch online LIVE…
BELGIUM – Eurosong 2023 (starts 20:20 CET)
Following a number of years of internal selections (with varying success), Belgium has taken the decision to return to a national selection after seven years! Eurosong 2023 takes place this evening, after the seven acts spent this week’s shows deciding on which song to perform in the hopes of making it to Liverpool.
The seven acts and their chosen songs are…
- Ameerah – The Carnival
- Chérine – Ça m’ennuie pas
- Gala Dragot – T’inquiète
- Gustaph – Because of You
- Hunter Falls – Ooh La La
- Loredana – You Lift Me Up
- The Starlings – Rollercoaster
Notably, The Starlings consists of a duo of Kato Callebaut and Tom Dice, the latter of which represented Belgium in Oslo in 2010, finishing 6th with “Me & My Guitar” and ending a bad run of results for the Belgian fans. Can he return to Eurovision tonight, or will another up and coming act take the Belgian ticket?
Tonight’s result will be decided by a panel of 15 experts in combination with the Belgian televote. Four of this panel with the most Eurovision experience; Alexander Rybak (Norway 2009 and Eurovision winner, also Norway 2018), Nikkie de Jager (2020 and 2021 co-host), Laura Tesoro (Belgium 2016) and Jérémie Makiese (Belgium 2022), will be on screen to provide commentary and feedback on the performances.
#YOU can watch Belgium select their act for Eurovision 2023 LIVE on VRT from 20:20 CET HERE. Join in with the discussion with other fans on our forum HERE or on our Discord server!
ESTONIA – Eesti Laul Semi-Final 2 (starts 18:30 CET)
Eesti Laul 2023’s second semi-final takes place tonight, hosted by Tõnis Niinemets and Grete Kuld from the Viimsi Artium in Viimsi, a suburb of the Estonian capital Tallinn.
Ten more acts will compete for four spots in this year’s Eesti Laul final, decided by a combination of jury and televoting. They are;
- Inger – Awaiting You
- Linalakk & Bonzo – Aeg
- Meelik – Tuju
- Elysa – Bad Philosophy
- Robin Juhkental – Kurbuse matused
- M Els – So Good At What You Do
- Wiiralt – Salalik
- Sissi – Lighthouse
- Carlos Ukareda – Whiskey Won’t Forget
- Alika – Bridges
There will be some familiar Eesti Laul faces here, such as Inger and Sissi, as well as the return of Robin Juhkental who represented Estonia in 2010 with his band Malcolm Lincoln.
#YOU can watch Eesti Laul’s second semi-final LIVE on ERR from 18:30 CET HERE. The show will take a half an hour break between 20:00 and 20:30 CET before returning for results.
Want to discuss the Estonian selection with other Eurovision fans? Why not join in the conversation on our forum or on our Discord server?
NORWAY – Melodi Grand Prix Semi-Final 1 (starts 19:50 CET)
Melodi Grand Prix is often one of the most hotly anticipated selection shows each year, so there are of course plenty of Eurovision fans excited for the Norwegian show’s return this evening!
Speaking of returns, a number of well-known names have taken the plunge and entered this year’s contest, with three former Eurovision representatives for Norway in this semi-final alone! The seven acts in tonight’s heat are;
- Alessandra Mele – Queen of Kings
- Eirik Næss – Wave
- Rasmus Thall – Tresko
- Kate Gulbrandsen – Tårer i paradis
- Umami Tsunami – Geronimo
- Ulrikke – Honestly
- JOWST & Byron Williams Jr – Freaky for the Weekend
Kate Gulbrandsen (1987) and JOWST (2017) have both had a taste of Eurovision before, whereas Ulrikke’s chance in 2020 was cruelly taken away by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent cancellation of the contest. Could any of these three make it to the final?
#YOU can watch the first semi-final of Melodi Grand Prix LIVE on NRK from 19:50 CET HERE. Why not discuss the show with fellow MGP fans on our forum HERE or on our Discord server?
Join Matt LIVE after the shows!
Want to vent or react to the results of tonight’s three shows? Then come and join Matt as he dissects the events of the evening across Europe LIVE on our YouTube channel below, or over on our Twitch channel HERE!
Which show will #YOU be watching? Share your pre-show predictions and favourites with us below in the comments section, on our forum HERE or on social media!
