The Eurovision Song Contest is coming, that day when it doesn’t matter what happens outside your living room, the pizza, the friends scoring, the screaming and the disappointments. Whether you are one of those who believe that Blanca Paloma is going to be the first or those who have not heard a single song and just want to watch the gala to make memes on Twitter, this guide is for you. Because Eurovision is more enjoyable if you know what you’re talking about, right? We tell you seven things not to miss in a unique edition.
Where it is held
We all know that last year, even though Chanel came very close, Ukraine won, with the hope that this year they could host the song festival. For whatever reason, Kiev is still not a safe place, so the honor has been passed to the country that came second, that is, United Kingdom with ‘Space man’, by Sam Ryder.
It is true that in Spain we fought it (because nothing else, but for a good party we are even capable of winning this) and Valencia offered to be the place where the edition would be held if Chanel had been second, but finally it will be in the Liverpool Arena, which will have a scenography that, apparently, will launch a message of unity and solidarity through music. Let’s go, the same as every year. We have come here for something else, gentlemen of Liverpool.
Who will win
Let’s get straight to the point, in case you want to give the points and look like the most Eurovisionist of your friends. There are three countries at the top: first Finland, with ‘Cha Cha Cha’ by Käärijä, the singer who decided that he was not going to put a vowel without umlaut. The song is absolutely incredible, the staging cathartic, a marvel.
Then there is Sweden, which has once again bet on Loreen despite her bitter controversy with Eva Soriano, who after winning in 2017 has returned with ‘Tattoo’, a song in English that has lost a little in the staging but is still a great song. Close behind them are Slovenia and France, yes, but the top 3 of great possible winners is closed by Españita. Eaea.
Blanca Paloma
This year has happened a bit like last year at the Benidorm Fest: the most casual audience supported one song (‘Ay mamá’ in 2022, ‘Nochentera’ in 2023) and in the end won another very different one that, over time, has become a Eurovision standard. ‘Eaea’, by Blanca Paloma, mixes a scandalous performance with a song that is out of the ordinary on that European stage. And maybe that’s where it will make its way.
“Oh, come to me, my child, sleep by my side, in my chest there is shelter, little coat for your sorrows”. Okay, you may not be dancing to it this summer in Ibiza, but the staging added to the rise of Rosalía around the world may give us a more or less unexpected victory. Hey, hope is the last thing you lose, right?
How to vote
Honestly, if at this point we have to explain how to vote, it is possible that this guide to be an expert becomes the guide to not screw up in front of the fans. There are two parts, and they have managed to give emotion to both of them so that they are different and at the same time complementary. First, after listening to all the songs, you can call in to choose your favorite (from outside your country, of course).
After watching the repetition of all the songs seven times, it will be time to connect one by one with all the countries so that the jurors can give their votes by scoring from 1 to 12 points their favorite songs. And then, the votes given by telephone can give up to a maximum of 468 points to a single title (something that has never happened before), adding all those obtained by each country. The one who comes first will be the winner and the one who will have the task of organizing the gala in 2024.
Of course, in the semifinals the countries have passed only with the votes of the public, so you never know when this radical change will also be implemented in the ceremony itself.
Where to watch the gala
Surely at the moment of truth you are wondering on which channel you will be able to watch the gala: it will be on La 1 of TVE at 21:00, and it is not that their competition is going to be huge. Antena 3 will counterattack with the horrible ‘Jack Reacher: Never look back’ and Telecinco will make a special of ‘Got talent’ with their best performances. That is to say, no resistance.
In addition, Eurovision will be screened in cinemas, you can watch it in special trains, at events throughout the country, bars, nightclubs … And if you do not have a TV near you, it will also be on YouTube live and on the RTVE website. So, the excuse that you didn’t know when it was not valid: this is the Barça-Madrid of popular music.
How many songs will be played
If you are one of those who have to watch Eurovision by obligation and do not know how many songs you will have to endure until you can change the channel or put on ‘Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’, the answer is 26. Five of the “Big Five” that we are nominated each year (Spain, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom and France), last year’s winner (Ukraine) and the twenty countries that pass in the heats of May 9 and 11. Better sit back and try to enjoy it, it’s going to be a long one.
Who will present
This year there is a little surprise in the presentation of the gala, because Graham Norton will be back on stage. He is a Eurovision classic for the British who has been commentating the gala since 2009 and is held in such high esteem that he even appeared in the parody that Netflix made with Will Ferrell (full, by the way, of great songs). Joining him will be Alesha Dixon, Hannah Waddingham and Julia Sanina.
That’s it, you know it all. Now you just need to choose the best snack, choose the scores wisely, win in the betting pool and, above all, sing, enjoy and endure the desire for another 365 days until Eurovision returns.
