The first details of Liverpool's EuroVillage fan zone for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest have been announced.
The nine-day programme promises fun, food and fantastic music to celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest in true style. Located on Liverpool's Pier Head, the EuroVillage will open its gates from Friday, May 5 until the Grand Final on Saturday, May 13.
Star names including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Vengaboys and Katrina Leskanich of Katrina and the Waves will be on hand. Meanwhile a unique area – Discover Ukraine – will be dedicated to celebrating Ukrainian creatives, with a whole range of European food and drink on offer across the site, making the Pier Head the place to spend time with family and friends and soak up the Eurovision atmosphere.
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The EuroVillage will be free to attend apart from the Grand Final Party, which will be £15 a ticket. The first wave of tickets for the Grand Final Party will go on sale at midday on Friday, April 14 from the Ticket Quarter website.
Although full line-ups will be announced on the Visit Liverpool website in the coming days, the themes for each day and the headline performers have been announced:
Friday, May 5: Welcome to Eurotopia (5pm – 11pm)
The village will open with a performance from current Eurovision Champions Kalush Orchestra.
They will then be followed by Welcome to Eurotopia – ogranisers say this will be "an extraordinary musical odyssey created in collaboration between a supergroup of Liverpool and Ukrainian artists: Natalie McCool, Stealing Sheep, Helleroid, Krapka;KOMA and Iryna Muha."
Saturday, May 6: A Royally Good Party (10:30am – 11pm)
The Village will open in the morning to show the BBC’s live coverage of the King’s Coronation, before a range of Eurovision acts are welcomed to the stage.
But Saturday in the village is all about The Royalty Ball, described as "a joyous extravaganza of costume, choreographed dance and the best of the North West’s vogue scene".
Sunday, May 7: Firstival – (Midday – TBC)
Bank Holiday Sunday is marked by a day-long children's festival. Organiser promise "live performances, great music and lots of fun from some of your favourites from CBBC and Cbeebies, including a special set from Andy and the Odd Socks.'
Fans will also get to enjoy amazing emerging local artists presented by LIMF Academy including neo-jazz singer Ni Maxine and vocal harmony band Mic Lowry before welcoming the House Gospel Choir.
Monday, May 8: This is Ukraine (Midday – 11pm)
The afternoon will be a celebration of the best of new music with BBC Introducing programming the stage, as well as proudly presenting a line-up of Ukrainian music. Antytila, Go_A, alyona alyona and Jerry Heil will be bringing the best of modern Ukrainian music to Liverpool.
Tuesday, May 9: Night at the Opera (Midday – 11pm)
This one off performance will see world-renowned ENO Chorus and Orchestra, conducted by Stephen Bell, joined by former Eurovision contestants and international opera stars to perform classical arrangements of some of Eurovision’s greatest hits.
Wednesday, May 10: United by Music (Midday – 11pm)
The National Lottery presents United by Music will see The National Lottery and Music Venues Trust programme an evening of breakout stars and music icons.
Thursday, May 11: Jamala presents QIRIM (Midday – 11pm)
Before screening the second semi-final live, former Eurovision winner Jamala perform the World Premiere of her brand new album QIRIM, inspired by the folk songs of her native Crimea, performed alongside the BBC Philharmonic.
Friday, May 12: EuroEve (Midday – Midnight)
Tik Tok’s Eurovision Legends will take over the stage before making way for an all-female party to get everyone in the mood for Saturday. EuroEve will feature live performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor alongside other pop powerhouses, and Charlotte Church’s Late Night Pop Dungeon will be performing their very last show.
Saturday, May 13: The Main Event. £15 per ticket. (2pm – Late)
The Grand Final Party on the Pier Head will see a lineup of pop acts and special performances build up to the main event and the "biggest and best viewing party in Liverpool."
With a "very special" main stage host, organisers said "we are excited to welcome acts including Katrina, formerly of Katrina and the Waves, and a set from pop royalty The Vengaboys."
After the build-up, the village will transform into a huge viewing party for the main event.
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