Monday, 15 May 2023

Spent and Happy...

Kalush Orchestra - last year's 
Eurovision winners.
I've got an overflowing inbox, a glut of unlistened to podcasts, and I've not eaten a vegetable since Tuesday. Why? You know why. It was Eurovision week. THAT'S why. I cleared my calendar, put on my comfiest trainers, and did my equivalent of an SAS endurance exercise - I walked, stood, and danced every day. 

Liverpool looked amazing. The crowds flocked, the sun shone, and the Mersey twinkled. By Wednesday I did a Mordaunt and took paracetamol for the day ahead. It was necessary. This was a once in a lifetime experience. I wasn't going to let an achy back and frigged legs stop my revels. Some people got giddy for the Coronation. Others loved the 2012 Olympics. Neither of those events were my bag. Eurovision week in my home town, most definitely was. 

I'm writing this on Saturday morning. Yeah, you heard. I've no idea who'll win tonight and I don't care. As Sam Ryder said in the Liverpool Echo last week... 
'Across Europe they call it the song festival. I think it's such a more fitting name. It feels like a carnival, like a festival when you're here. It takes the teeth out of that aspect of it.'  
I agree. So whether it's Finland, Belgium, Austria, or long time favourite Sweden, I'm happy with it. I'm happy for any of the twenty-six countries involved. And many acts, regardless of placing, will have their music opened up to new fans all over the place. How marvellous is that?! 

I'm going to leave you now. There's a fish platter to prepare and champagne to chill. Despite my proximity to town, I'll be watching the final at home. I've had the best week but the day of the contest is sacred. It's no time to risk being stood behind someone tall, or worse still, watching in a pub with someone that doesn't get it. Can you even imagine? No ta. It's the full TV and couch experience tonight. I won't leave you empty handed though. Please peruse my photo gallery. I am not - and I'm sure I don't need to point this out - a photographer, but don't let that stop you. Liverpool delivered. To be a part of that, day in day out, was beautiful. 


A large outdoor stage with three screens showing the stage. There's a crowd infront. To the side, the sun is setting in the sky.
Last year's winners, Kalush Orchestra
open the festivities ten days ago.

Liverpool's Albert Dock is pictured - red brick warehouse buildings converted into shops and bars. There is a large area of water along side with some small boats moored up. The sky is blue and clear.
The Albert Dock, with Liver
Building and Liverpool 
Museum in the distance.


An shop window with an illustrated and large than life size Sam Ryder floating across the glass.
A Sam Ryder window display.


The sun is setting and the sky is orange. It's the open air stage with a huge crowd watching the screens.
Semi Final One in the Eurovillage.


Liverpool's Liver Building - a huge iconic building with birds on top - by the waterfront is lit up in blue and yellow as the sky gets darker.
The Liver Building
lit with the Ukranian flag.


A view of the arena from the seats just behind the green room. It's before the show has started so no one is one stage and no one has sat down in the green room yet. The lights are bright pinks, purples, blues, and yellows.
Inside the arena for Semi Final
2's Preview Show.


Semi Final 2's acts are lining up to film a conga. The two singers from Austria share a kiss.
Austria's Teya and Salena
prepping for the conga.


Australia's lead singer is facing the camera and smiling with both hands in the air as in an action of triumph. He is standing in the green room.
Danny Estrin of Australia's Voyager,
leaving the green room after
Semi 2's preview show.



An open air screen with Jamala singing on it.
2016's Ukrainian winner Jamala, 
singing her new album accompanied
by the BBC symphony orchestra.


A setting sun in the orange sky, a crowd of people standing in front of the open air stage.
Another sunny night for Semi
Final 2's live show.


Danny Beard, wearing full drag and white face paint based makeup, does his set on the big outdoor screen.
Drag Race UK winner, Danny Beard,
doing a set on Friday.


Liverpool's Albert Dock is lit up at night, with the lights reflected on the water. An art installation, of a large illuminated globe, is bobbing on the water. The sky is dark.
The Albert Dock by night.
Luke Jerram's Floating Earth
looked stunning.

Me, looking chuffed as anything, poses infront of a poster of the Finnish singer, Käärijä outside at night.
All that stuff above about not caring
who wins? Yeah, I LOVE Finland.
I'm going to assume my mate
Käärijä cleaned up on Saturday.


Me, with outstretched arms and joy in my heart, poses inside a massive heart sculpture. It says EUROVISION 2023 on the side of it. It's night time.
That's all folks. I'm spent and happy.
Until the next one! 


Have a lovely week, folks.
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