The varied tastes of the continent were on display in a contest that took in the cabaret-style singing of Portugal’s Mimicat, the Britney-esque power pop of Poland’s Blanka, echoes of Edith Piaf from La Zarra for France and smoldering balladry from Cyprus’ entry, Andrew Lambrou.įrom Australia - a Eurovision contender despite its far-away location - guitar band Voyager evoked head-banging ’80s stadium rock. Israel’s Noa Kirel came in third with power-pop anthem “Unicorn,” while Italy’s Marco Mengoni was fourth with his ballad “Due Vite” (Two Lives). She faced a strong challenge from Käärijä, a wildly energetic performer whose rap-pop party anthem “Cha Cha Cha” won the public vote. Loreen’s anthem of intense love had been the bookies’ favorite and won by far the most votes from professional juries in Eurovision’s complex voting system. Competitors each have three minutes to meld catchy tunes and eye-popping spectacle into performances capable of winning the hearts of millions of viewers. Now in its 67th year, Eurovision bills itself as the world’s biggest music contest - an Olympiad of party-friendly pop. The folk-rap band itself then emerged onstage in the Liverpool Arena on a giant pair of outstretched hands, accompanied by massed drummers.Ĭontestants from the 26 finalist nations entered the arena in an Olympics-style flag parade, accompanied by live performances from Ukrainian acts including Go A, Jamala, Tina Karol and Verka Serduchka - all past Eurovision competitors. including Kate, Princess of Wales, shown playing the piano. The sights and sounds of Ukraine ran through the show, starting with an opening film that showed 2022 Eurovision winners Kalush Orchestra singing and dancing in the Kyiv subway, with the tune picked up by musicians in the U.K. Under the slogan “united by music,” Eurovision final fused the soul of the English port city that birthed The Beatles with the spirit of war-battered Ukraine. Air raid sirens sounded across Ukraine as the contest was underway, and Ukrainian media reported a strike in Ternopil, home town of Ukraine’s Eurovision entry, Tvorchi. We know each other by now.”īritain hosted Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine, which won last year but couldn’t take up its right to hold the contest because of the war. She said returning to the contest that helped make her a star was “like coming back to a family. “I am seriously overwhelmed,” Loreen said. It’s Sweden’s seventh Eurovision victory, matching Ireland’s record. Loreen, 39, previously won Eurovision in 2012 and is only the second performer to take the prize twice, after Ireland’s Johnny Logan in the 1980s.
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