Thirty seven artists will compete in this year’s Eurovision but a spot in the Grand Final isn’t guaranteed. While the Big Five and Ukraine are safe, a pair of cut-throat Semi-Finals will see the remaining 31 acts whittled down to 20 – but who gets your vote?

Albania
Performer: Albina & Familja Kelmendi   
Song: Duje

Performed by Kosovo-Albanian singer Albina Kelmendi and five members of her family, Duje finished second in the jury voting of the country’s Festivali i Këngës 61 national selection process but ultimately won the televote, becoming their 2023 Eurovision entry. Performed in Albanian, it was a firm favourite from the voting public ahead of the preliminary rounds and they’ll no doubt be hoping to fare better than last year’s entry, Sekret by Ronela Hajati, which failed to qualify during the Semi-Finals.

Armenia
Performer: Brunette
Song: Future Lover

Selected internally by Armenian broadcaster AMPTV, Brunette’s R&B track Future Lover is performed in Armenian and English and is only the sixth release from the 21 year old, who shared her debut single Love the Way You Feel back in 2019, aged 18. Last year’s entry Snap from Rosa Linn came a healthy fifth in the Semi-Finals, but finished in 20th position overall – despite becoming an international chart hit and only the second Eurovision song this century to enter the US Billboard Hot 100.

Australia
Performer: Voyager
Song: Promise

In a change of format, this year’s Australian entry was selected internally by broadcaster SBS, foregoing the usual Eurovision – Australia Decides national final, which has taken place since 2019. Metal group Voyager and their track Promise were later announced as the country’s 2023 entry, having finished as runners-up in last year’s preliminary heat with another song, Dreamer. In 2022, they were pipped to the post by Sheldon Riley, whose track Not the Same finished 15th overall, marking a return to form for the country which failed to qualify for the final the previous year.

Austria
Performer: Teya and Salena
Song: Who the Hell Is Edgar?

Internally selected by ORF, Austrian singers Teya and Salena’s track Who the Hell Is Edgar? Is described by the national broadcaster’s director, Stefanie Groiss-Horowitz, as a “happy dialogue between two friends which doesn’t fit in any musical box but still is enjoyable and catchy”. Both singers have made bids for Eurovision glory in the past but never made it beyond the selection process. ‘Who the hell //is// Edgar?’ you may ask. It’s nineteenth century writer and poet Edgar Allan Poe, of course. Duh! 

Azerbaijan
Performer: TuralTuranX 
Song: Tell Me More

Bringing twin power to the Eurovision stage, folk duo Tural and Turan Bagmanlovar will represent Azerbaijan with their self-penned song Tell Me More. Both street performers from the small town of Zaqatala, the pair’s popularity has soared since they were shortlisted as one of the five candidates to represent the country, with the 22-year-olds internally selected by bosses at İctimai Television for the life-changing gig. 

Belgium
Performer: Gustaph 
Song: Because of You

With two decades of musical success under his belt, Gustaph is no stranger to Eurovision, having participated as a backing vocalist for Sennek in 2018 and for Hooverphonic, for whom he also served as vocal coach, in 2021. Now, he’s taking centre stage with his feelgood anthem, drawing inspiration from nineties EuroHouse for his entry, with lyrics celebrating queer culture and finding comfort in one’s chosen family.

Croatia
Performer: Let 3 
Song: Mama ŠČ!

Rockers Let 3 were the overwhelming winners during Croatia’s Eurovision selection process with their wild performance of Mama ŠČ! beating runner-up Harmonija Disonance by over 100 points. Last year, Mia Dimšić’s folk track Guilty Pleasure narrowly missed qualification for the Grand Final – a fate they also suffered the year prior – but with such a positive reaction from the voting public in their home country, hopes are high for the band to qualify in Liverpool. 

Cyprus
Performer: Andrew Lambrou 
Song: Break a Broken Heart

Hailing from a Greek-Cypriot family, Sydney-based Andrew Lambrou first found fame a decade ago after uploading his cover of Evanescence’s My Immortal to YouTube and made it to the Top 20 of ‘The X Factor Australia’ two years later, aged 17. Last year, he made a bid to represent Australia during the 2022 national finals, finishing seventh overall with Electrify, and after proving a hit with viewers at home he’s been snapped up by Cyprus to perform his empowering anthem Break a Broken Heart in Liverpool. 

Czechia
Artist: VESNA 
Entry: My Sister’s Crown

VESNA beat out stiff competition to represent Czechia during a selection process determined by local fans and the rest of the world. The Czech-Slovene-Russian were hot favourites going into the early heats and came out on top of both votes, racking up more than double the points of runner-up Pam Rabbit with their multi-language protest track that calls out gender inequality and celebrates sisterhood.

Denmark
Performer: Reiley 
Song: Breaking My Heart

TikTok star Reiley emerged triumphant in Denmark’s Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2023, becoming the first Faroese contestant to win the show and progress in their bid to represent the country in Liverpool. It’s been a turbulent journey for the star; it was previously reported that he could be disqualified after performing the song back in October 2022, but he was ultimately allowed to compete, with the track’s title and lyrics changed for his Eurovision entry. 

Estonia
Performer: Alika 
Song: Bridges

Heading to Liverpool with her huge ballad Bridges is Alika after she emerged triumphant in a class of 12 artists to represent Estonia at the Contest. Up against two rock anthems in the final of the Eesti Laul selection show, the young star clinched the top spot and will compete for the title in May. Last year, the country finished 13th on the scoreboard and Alika will no doubt be hoping to edge into the Top 10 with her track. 

Finland
Performer: Käärijä 
Song: Cha Cha Cha

Baileys may be the official partner of Eurovision 2023, but Käärijä only has one thing on his mind: piña colada. Shooting to victory during the Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the track has become an early favourite among fans of the show, leading to a boost in the tropical drink across the country in a bid to make people Cha Cha Cha along to the song. Having finished a disappointing 21st last year, he’ll be hoping to redeem the country’s track record this time around. 

France
Performer: La Zarra 
Song: Évidemment

Selected by national broadcaster France Télévisions, Canadian star La Zarra’s entry is a French-language ballad with its title translating as ‘evidently’. A love song at its core, it’s described by Alexandra Redde-Amiel, the Head of French Delegation, as being “mysterious, inspiring, charismatic,” with the vocalist citing singing greats such as Edith Piaf, Barbara, Dalida and Céline Dion among her biggest inspirations. 

Georgia
Performer: Iru 
Song: Echo

The final song to be unveiled for this year’s Contest, Iru’s synth-laden power ballad Echo is described by the star as a “manifestation of love and peace” – apt for the themes of Liverpool 2023. It’s not Iru’s first Eurovision experience; in 2011, she represented her country at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest as part of the girl-group Candy, with their track Candy Music winning the competition. Can she match that success this time around?

Germany
Performer: Lord of the Lost 
Song: Blood & Glitter

Firm favourites for Unser Lied für Liverpool from the very beginning, glam metal group Lord of the Lost came out on top during Germany’s selection show with their rock anthem Blood & Glitter, which they’ll perform during the Grand Final. Up against seven other acts in the early rounds, it’s down to the public that they made it this far – although they topped the televote, the country’s jury placed them fifth overall. 

Greece
Performer: Victor Vernicos 
Song: What They Say

Written when he was just 14 years old, Victor Vernicos has been holding on to What They Say for the past two years, waiting for the right opportunity to break it out – and he’s finally found it! An uplifting mantra for the younger generation “who dare to dream and create despite difficulties,” the track sees the young musician channel his teenage angst into the lyrics for a deeply personal yet universally accessible radio-friendly number. 

Iceland
Performer: Diljá 
Song: Power

Pushing through 10 songs to be crowned winner of Söngvakeppnin 2023, Diljá’s pop anthem Power is Iceland’s 2023 Eurovision entry, with the vocalist well known in the country after appearing on ‘Iceland’s Got Talent’ back in 2015, aged 12. Eight years on, she’s preparing for the biggest performance of her career to date, with the equal backing of the jury and public at home during the selection process. 

Ireland
Performer: Wild Youth 
Song: We Are One

It was during a special instalment of ‘The Late Late Show’’ that indie rockers Wild Youth emerged triumphant in Ireland Eurosong 2023 and were chosen as Ireland’s Eurovision entry with We Are One. Alongside a line-up including former Sex Pistols star John Lydon and his group Public Image Ltd, the four-piece emerged on top after votes from the national jury, international jury, and public televote were combined. 

Israel
Performer: Noa Kirel 
Song: Unicorn

A self-empowerment anthem, Noa Kirel is hoping to ride high on the scoreboard with Unicorn, having been internally selected by the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation to compete in Liverpool. From 78 total options, she was chosen by a committee formed of the national broadcaster, music press and external representatives as early as last August, since which time she’s been finessing her performance for the big night.  

Italy
Performer: Marco Mengoni 
Song: Due vite

A mega five-hour show led to Marco Mengoni winning the 73rd annual Sanremo Music Festival with his song Due vite, giving him first refusal to represent Italy in Liverpool. It’s his second win; in 2013, the performer emerged on top with L’essenziale, performing the song during the Grand Final in Sweden and finishing seventh overall. A decade on and he’s heading back to the Contest, but can he climb even higher up the scoreboard this time around?

Latvia
Performer: Sudden Lights 
Song: Aijā

Indie rockers Sudden Lights won the Supernova 2023 with their song Aijā and will represent Latvia on stage in Liverpool. Performed in English and Latvian, the track is described by the band as a lullaby and marks only the second time the country’s entry has been performed in Latvian – the first being in 2004 when Fomins and Kleins competed with Dziesma par laimi. They failed to make the Grand Final, so it could be a first for the main event this year. 

Lithuania
Performer: Monika Linkytė 
Song: Stay

It was during the Grand Final of Pabandom iš Naujo 2023 that Monika Linkytė’s Stay was selected as the song Lithuania will send to Liverpool. Described by the performer as a song about “how important it is to pause and come back to yourself,” the track tied with Rūta Mur’s So Low during the selection process, but having earned a higher jury score was chosen as the overall winner and progressed to the Eurovision Semi-Finals.  

Malta
Performer: The Busker 
Song: Dance (Our Own Party)

Indie pop trio The Busker’s Dance (Our Own Party) is headed to Liverpool after winning the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2023, the Maltese national final for the main event. Competing against 16 acts, the group was the hot favourite with viewers and topped the televote, which accounted for 50 per cent of the overall points awarded. Despite emerging atop the jury-voted section, Ryan Hili finished runner-up as the boys raced to overall victory with their funky upbeat number.  

Moldova
Performer: Pasha Parfeni 
Song: Soarele și luna

Performed in Romanian, Moldova’s Pasha Parfeny won the Etapa națională 2023 with his song Soarele și luna – which translates as ‘the sun and the moon’ – following an extensive selection process that saw him win the maximum amount of available of points from both the jury and public vote. Back in 2012, the singer represented his country in Azerbaijan, where he placed 11th with his song Lăutar.

The Netherlands
Performer: Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper 
Song: Burning Daylight

Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS selected this year’s entry after an open submission period, with Mia Nicolai and Dion Cooper’s track Burning Daylight co-written with The Netherlands’ 2019 Eurovision winner Duncan Laurence. Dion is a former ‘The Voice of Holland’ participant and pal of Duncan, while US singer-songwriter Mia met the former champion’s fiancé Jordan (who also co-wrote their entry) during a writing session.

Norway
Performer: Alessandra 
Song: Queen of Kings

Influenced by her experiences as a bisexual woman, Alessandra’s Queen of Kings will represent Norway in Liverpool after winning Melodi Grand Prix 2023, the country’s national final. Having won both the jury and public votes – which were split evenly for the overall result – the electronic dance track follows last year’s entry from masked wolves Subwoolfer, who proved a surprise hit on the night. 

Poland
Performer: Blanka 
Song: Solo

Singer and model Blanka is hoping to get over a one-sided relationship with the ultimate revenge: winning Eurovision. The star triumphed in the Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hit na Eurowizję national final and is keen to go all the way with her uplifting anthem about taking charge of one’s destiny and realising that being alone is better than being in a lonely relationship. 

Portugal
Performer: Mimicat 
Song: Ai coração

Performed in Portuguese, singer-songwriter Mimicat’s Ai coração is the track Portugal is sending to Liverpool after winning Festival da Canção 2023. Despite facing fierce competition from 2018 performer Cláudia Pascoal, the uptempo track was selected to progress to the main event as the follow-up to Maro’s 2022 entry Saudade, saudade, which finished in the Top 10. 

Romania
Performer: Theodor Andrei 
Song: D.G.T. (Off and On)

Originally released in 2022 by Theodor Andrei’s as a collaboration with Romanian singer Luca Udățeanu, the song was remade as a solo-version and entered into Selecția Națională, the Romanian national selection, which it went on to win. Performed in English and Romanian, the guitar-driven tune is accompanied by a larger-than-life performance, with the musician removing his shirt to reveal the message ‘Make Love Not War’ during early performances.

San Marino
Performer: Piqued Jacks
Song: Like an Animal

Emerging group Piqued Jacks proved a hit in San Marino’s Una voce per San Marino Eurovision selection process, during which their track Like an Animal came out on top of a total of 104 entries that were performed over the course of a series of heats. The English-language pop rock track is a solid effort from the country, following a disappointing show in 2022 that saw Achille Lauro’s Stripper fail to make it past the Semi-Finals. 

Serbia
Performer: Luke Black 
Song: Samo mi se spava

Samo mi se spava – translating as ‘I just want to sleep’ – is Serbia’s shot at victory after singer-songwriter Luke Black won Pesma za Evroviziju ’23 to take the track to Liverpool. According to the musician, the song describes himself being isolated from the world and is inspired by his experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic, during which he spent most of his time alone in his room, playing video games.

Slovenia 
Performer: Joker Out 
Song: Carpe Diem

Pop rock band Joker Out will represent Slovenia in Liverpool after the band was internally selected by Radiotelevizija Slovenija, Slovenia’s national broadcaster. Performed entirely in Slovene, the group revealed they made the decision out of a “want to translate Slovenian into a universal language of dance and entertainment that all countries understand”.

Spain
Performer: Blanca Paloma 
Song: Eaea

Emerging triumphant at Benidorm Fest 2023, Blanca Paloma will represent Spain with her flamenco-inspired song Eaea. Following last year’s entry from Chanel, who finished in third place with SloMo, this year sees the performer take to the stage with a deeply personal track, believed to be inspired by her late grandmother. 

Sweden
Performer: Loreen 
Song: Tattoo

Over a decade after she won Eurovision in 2012, Loreen is hoping it’s second time lucky after triumphing in this year’s Melodifestivalen with Tattoo. Co-written by Thomas G:son, who also penned Eurovision classics such as Friends’ Listen to Your Heartbeat and Loreen’s own Euphoria, the track is the firm favourite going into the Semi-Finals and, if successful, will make the her the first female performer to win Eurovision twice. 

Switzerland
Performer: Remo Forrer 
Song: Watergun

Swiss singer Remo Forrer was internally selected by SRG SSR, Switzerland’s national broadcaster, to represent the country in Liverpool with his song Watergun. The power ballad is described as being “about powerlessness in the face of conflicts in this world” and is, according to the singer, an appeal for peace. 

Ukraine
Performer: Tvorchi 
Song: Heart of Steel

Reigning champions Ukraine return to the Eurovision stage with Tvorchi’s Heart of Steel; an English and Ukrainian track that warns about the dangers of nuclear warfare. The song won Vidbir 2023, the country’s national selection, and according to the band was inspired by the origins of the Contest, which was created in the wake of the Second World War to unite Europe – a message still relevant today. 

United Kingdom
Performer: Mae Muller
Song: I Wrote A Song

Taking to the stage on home turf is Mae Muller, who’ll represent the United Kingdom with her track I Wrote A Song. Co-written with Karen Poole and Lewis Thompson, the 25-year-old will close out the show as the 26th and final performer during Saturday’s Grand Final, in a bid to match – or even better – Sam Ryder’s success last year.