The most watched non-sporting event in the world finally gets under way this week, as the Eurovision Song Contest hits Liverpool.
More than 160 million people will tune in over the next few days as Merseyside hosts the annual competition on behalf of last year’s winners, Ukraine.
As you know by now, Kalush Orchestra won the 2022 contest in Turin, with their ode to mothers, Stefania.
But obviously, the show couldn’t be held there while Russia wages war on its neighbour, so the organisers said the BBC would host the contest this year, largely due to Sam Ryder coming second with Space Man.
Tickets for the live shows (of which there are nine!) sold out in less than 40 minutes, and hotels in the city were snapped up at breakneck speed as British fans of the contest try to get their glimpse of Eurovision history.
So who should we be listening out for? What tracks do the bookies like? Who has the tune that will make us laugh, and what happens during the week?
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Who is hosting?
The BBC acts as host broadcaster for the UK, as a member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) – a group of outlets across the continent (and beyond) that are publicly funded.
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On stage in Liverpool for the live shows will be: • Ted Lasso and musical theatre star Hannah Waddingham • Former Britain’s Got Talent judge and garage music legend Alesha Dixon • Ukrainian musician and presenter Julia Sanina • Chat show host and Eurovision icon Graham Norton
Mel Giedroyc will share commentating duties with Norton during the final, while Rylan Clark and Scott Mills will take charge for the semi-finals.
Image: Graham Norton, Alesha Dixon, Julia Sanina and Hannah Waddingham will host the events. Pic: BBC
Who is taking part?
To start with, 37 countries will take part across the week, and be whittled down to 26 for the final.
Six countries get automatic entry into the main show – Ukraine as previous winners, followed by the “big five” of the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy – the countries who contribute the most financially to the event.
Going in semi-final one will be: Norway, Malta, Serbia, Latvia, Portugal, Ireland, Croatia, Switzerland, Israel, Moldova, Sweden, Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Netherlands and Finland.
Going in the second semi-final are: Denmark, Armenia, Romania, Estonia, Belgium, Cyprus, Iceland, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, Georgia, San Marino, Austria, Albania, Lithuania and Australia.
And to just get in before you ask “why Australia?” – it is a member of the EBU (and therefore eligible) and is Eurovision MAD.
Russia will not participate, after being banned from the event by the EBU.
Image: Australia is a full member of the EBU – meaning they can take part in Eurovision – this year it’s rock band Voyager representing the country. Pic: EBU/Corrine Cumming
The semi-finals will be decided by telephone votes alone – with no juries making decisions for those nights.
For the final, both the national juries of each country (made up of industry experts) and public votes will decide a winner.
And for the first time, viewers from non-participating countries will be allowed to vote in each show, with an aggregated result presented as “Rest of the World”.
Countries award 12 points to their favourite act, with 10 for second, 8 for third, then down to one for the others.
Jury votes are announced first, and they are the ones revealed by national spokespersons (Good evening Liverpool it’s Paris calling, for instance), followed by a very tense, and speedy, addition of the phone vote results.
Last year, the UK’s Sam Ryder topped the jury voting leader board, but was nudged into second after the public tally was added.
Image: Sam Ryder during the voting in 2022, where he ended the night placed second. Pic: AP
Who are the favourites?
Sweden. It’s always Sweden – it is the master of contemporary Eurovision.
She smashed the country’s (six-week long!) selection contest, and is odds-on favourite to storm up the leader board in Liverpool too.
Winning this year would put Sweden level with Ireland for most wins (seven!) AND make Loreen the first woman to win it more than once.
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4:04
‘I want to create something that matters’
But it’s not certain.
Finland is also having a strong showing with Käärijä’s hyper-pop-rap tune Cha Cha Cha – a track he described to Sky News as “very much power and energy and fire”.
The 29-year-old is also known for wearing his neon green sleeves-only puffer jacket and unique haircut.
Image: Kaarija in his eye-catching outfit. Pic: EBU/Corrine Cumming
Image: Tvorchi performing at Ukraine’s selection show in an underground train station. Pic: AP
Ukraine, of course, is also up there in the betting, with Tvorchi’s track Heart of Steel, and will be desperately hoping to win once more, so the contest can be taken back home – the pair were selected during a show hosted in a working, public and open underground train station.
Spain’s Blanca Paloma, Norway’s Alessandra and France’s La Zarra are also expected to put in a challenge for the top spot.
Which tracks should you listen out for?
Look, it’s not just the winning, is it? It’s about what tracks you are going to hum for a week, and those typically Eurovision-style songs.
Austria could take the crown for this year’s most bizarre song – with Teya and Salena’s entry Who The Hell Is Edgar?, which is all about the ghost of American writer Edgar Allan Poe.
They told Sky News the track was the result of improvisation and a bit of fun, which now sees them on the biggest stage in music.
Image: Teya & Salena asking just ‘who the hell is Edgar?’ during rehersals. Pic: EBU/Corinne Cumming
Croatia also has a pretty odd song – with shock-rock band Let 3 singing their track Mama SC.
Lyrics (sung in Croatian) include, “Mama bought the tractor”, “Armageddon granny” and “War, war, evil little psychopath” – and they’ll be dressed in colourful military uniforms which appear to be inspired by The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club.
An anecdote in long-running celeb-gossip newsletter Popbitch suggests the group have been in trouble in their native Croatia for performing naked. More than once.
Also listen out for Australia, which has sent Voyager – a veteran prog-metal band who said their track is like “Duran Duran, but heavy” – which should do well with UK voters.
Image: Let 3 rehearsing at Liverpool Arena. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett
The track has been well received, shooting up the UK charts and getting a very loud reception at the warm-up shows across Europe.
It should comfortably make at least the top 10 on the night – helped by the song’s full graphics production, dance routine and crowd pleasing “da dada dada da” section.
Image: Mae Muller will perform for the UK. Pic: Sarah Louise Bennett
Who else is performing?
Kalush Orchestra return to the contest as last year’s victors to open the final, while Sam Ryder will perform in the interval.
A number of Ukrainian acts from years past will perform during the flag parade in the final, featuring the likes of Go_A, 2016 winner Jamala, and cult Eurovision legend Verka Serduchka (the name might not ring a bell, but you’ll recognise them when you see them…).
Popular recent acts from across the continent have also been flown in for a “Liverpool Songbook” section, with will see performers such as Israel’s Netta, Italy’s Mahmood, Sweden’s Cornelia Jakobs, the Netherlands’ Duncan Lawrence, and probable winner of the cancelled 2020 contest – Iceland’s Dadi Freyr.
Image: Dadi Freyr and his family band never made it to the stage in 2021 and rehearsal footage had to be used – but he now gets to avenge that night. Pic: AP
Scouse hero Sonia also performs in the final, while Rita Ora and Rebecca Ferguson go in the first semi.
But rumours are continuing to swirl of a major big name act for the final that hasn’t been revealed – so keep your eyes open during the interval.
How can I watch?
Sky News will of course be there in Liverpool with updates, a live blog, and all the biggest news from the contest.
The BBC is host broadcaster, but fans also able to use YouTube and TikTok, as well as watch live on screens around the country, in places like Nottingham and London, as well as numerous pubs, bars and clubs that will hold watch parties.
Ozzy Osbourne has reunited with Black Sabbath and performed his final gig – telling fans “you’ve no idea how I feel – thank you from the bottom of my heart”, in an emotional but truly metal goodbye.
Announced earlier this year, Back To The Beginning at Villa Park stadium was billed as the “final bow” for the man revered as a founder of heavy metal after several years of health problems, including Parkinson’s disease.
Rising up on a black throne featuring jewelled skulls, the 76-year-old performed a solo set before being joined by his original bandmates – Terence “Geezer” Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward – for Black Sabbath’s first performance in 20 years.
“Let the madness begin,” Osbourne cried as he appeared for the first time, telling about 40,000 fans: “It’s so good to be on this stage.”
Image: Ozzy smiles and waves his arms. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image: Ozzy Osbourne sings while sitting on a black throne
With the crowd chanting his name, he performed both sets sitting down, but the voice and the crazed glint in his eyes were there almost throughout.
Singing fan favourites including Mr Crowley and Crazy Train, and Iron Man and Paranoid with Black Sabbath, Osbourne conducted the crowd to sing “louder, louder”, and “go f****** crazy”.
This was an orchestrated exit by heavy metal’s biggest character, with a supporting line-up of hard rock luminaries – from Slayer and Halestorm to Metallica and Guns ‘n’ Roses, plus stars including Steven Tyler, Ronnie Wood, Yungblud, Travis Barker and Chad Smith, who showed up for “supergroup” performances.
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Many said they would not be the musicians they are without Osbourne and Black Sabbath.
Image: Ronnie Wood was among the hard rock luminaries in the line-up. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image: Stars at the concert included Steven Tyler. Pic: Ross Halfin
“You know, there’s not another guy as respected in metal as Ozzy Osbourne,” former Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar told Sky News just ahead of his performance. “And for him to be sick and to be saying, I’m out, I’m done. Man. There’s no one else that can replace that.”
“Without Sabbath, there would be no Metallica,” said frontman James Hetfield during their performance.
“We’re not here to say goodbye,” said Anthrax’s Scott Ian. “We’re just here to say thank you.”
Throughout the day, giant Ozzy and Black Sabbath beach balls, in the Aston Villa claret and blue, were bounced around a jubilant crowd.
Tributes from other celebrity friends and fans, from Billy Idol and Ricky Gervais to Dolly Parton and Sir Elton John, were played on screen.
Image: Metallica frontman James Hetfield during the show. Pic: Ross Halfin
Image: Yungblud also performed. Pic: Kazuyo Horie
Hollywood actor Jason Momoa, who hosted the event, told the crowd heavy metal had been a “safehaven” for many growing up, and Black Sabbath’s music had “influenced and inspired musicians” of all eras and genres.
The farewell show was the idea of Osbourne’s wife, Sharon – one final gig to finish his performing career on a high – after he was forced to cancel shows he had planned in 2023, telling fans he “never imagined” his touring days would end that way.
Sharon Osbourne told Sky News earlier this year that his one regret was not being able to say a thank you to his fans, and so the idea for the reunion gig was born.
Profits from the show will be shared between Cure Parkinson’s, Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and Acorn’s Children’s Hospice.
Image: Confetti rained down on fans during the show
The gig came after the Black Sabbath band members were awarded the freedom of Birmingham earlier in June, recognised for their significance to the cultural and musical identity of the city they grew up in.
The group formed in 1968 and went on to become one of the most successful metal bands of all time, selling more than 75 million albums worldwide over the years.
They were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 – Osbourne again later as a solo artist last year – and awarded a lifetime Ivor Novello songwriting award in 2015. In 2019, they were presented with a Grammy lifetime achievement prize.
Image: Back To The Beginning’s all star line-up. Pic: Ross Halfin
Now, their first performance in 20 years will also be their last – one for the metal history books.
The show ended with fireworks and a roar from the crowd, who had chanted Ozzy’s name throughout.
For fans, Back To The Beginning capped it all – the ultimate rock and metal line-up, and one last opportunity to show their love for the Prince of Darkness.
“I feel lucky to be able to attend this,” said Calum Kennedy, 19, from Dunfermline. “It’s the biggest metal show known to man, [the biggest line-up] ever. I’ve never seen anything better.”
Image: Ozzy wore a shiny black jacket and a gold armband bearing his name. Pic: Ross Halfin
Ben Sutton, 24, from Chester, added: “I feel like it’s important – we’re of the younger generation – for us to see some of the heritage and history of the genre we love, metal in general. It’s such an honour to say goodbye to him.”
Steve Townson, from Lincolnshire, said: “I saw him the first time round and the fact that he’s still going is incredible, isn’t it? I was there at the start, I’m happy to be here at the end.”
Oasis have reunited on stage for the first time in almost 16 years – with brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher sharing a high five and the briefest of hugs as they closed a performance that for fans was more than worth the wait.
After the split in 2009, for many years Noel said he would never go back – and for a long time, as the brothers exchanged insults through separate interviews (and on social media, for Liam), it seemed pretty unlikely to ever happen.
But now, here they are. As they walked out on stage at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, all eyes were on the Gallaghers for a sense of their relationship – dare we say it, friendship? – now after all these years.
There was no reference to their fall-out or making up, but the gestures were there – lifting hands together as they walked out for the first time.
Image: The headline “OASIS REUNITED” was shown on stage at the gig. Pic: PA
Image: Fans at the Oasis gig. Pic: PA
Headlines and tweets of speculation and then confirmation of the reunion filled the screens as the show started. “This is happening,” said one, repeatedly.
In the end, it was all about the music.
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Liam has received criticism in the past for his voice not being what it once was, but back on stage with his brother tonight he delivered exactly what fans would have hoped for – a raw, steely-eyed performance, snarling vocals, and the swagger that makes him arguably the greatest frontman of his day.
This was Oasis sounding almost as good as they ever have.
Image: Fans sang along and held up their phones to film as Oasis performed. Pic: PA
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Oasis: ‘It’s good to be back’
They opened with Hello, because of course, “it’s good to be back”. And then Acquiesce, and those lyrics: “Because we need each other/ We believe in one another.”
The song is said to be about friendship in the wider sense, rather than their brotherly bond and sibling rivalry, but you can’t help but feel like it means something here.
Over two hours, they played favourite after favourite – including Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Cigarettes & Alcohol, Supersonic and Roll With It.
Image: Liam Gallagher as Oasis takes to the stage in Cardiff. Pic: PA
In the mid-section, Liam takes his break for Noel to sing Talk Tonight, Half The World Away and Little By Little; the tempo slows but there is by no means a lull, with the fans singing all his words back to him.
Liam returns for hits including Stand By Me, Slide Away, Whatever and Live Forever, before sending the crowd wild (or even wilder) with Rock And Roll Star.
Image: Noel Gallagher performing on stage. Pic: PA
Image: An Oasis fan is pointing at the stage during the gig. Pic: PA
When the reunion announcement was made last summer, it quickly became overshadowed by the controversy of dynamic pricing causing prices to rocket. As he has done on X before, Liam addressed the issue on stage with a joke.
“Was it worth the £4,000 you paid for the ticket?” he shouted at one point. “Yeah,” the crowd shouts back; seemingly all is forgiven.
After Rock And Roll Star, the dream that very quickly became a reality for this band, Noel introduced the rest of the group, calling Bonehead a “legend”.
Image: Paul ‘Bonehead’ Arthurs of Oasis. Pic: PA
Image: Liam Gallagher carried a tambourine in his mouth during the concert. Pic: PA
Then he acknowledges all their young fans, some who maybe weren’t even born when they split. “This one is for all the people in their 20s who’ve never seen us before, who’ve kept this shit going,” he says before the encore starts with The Masterplan.
Noel follows with Don’t Look Back In Anger, and the screens fill with Manchester bees in reference to the arena bombing and how the song became the sound of hope and defiance for the city afterwards.
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1:31
‘I’d have paid £10,000 to see them’
Image: Two fans sat on their friends’ shoulders as Oasis performed. Pic: PA
During Wonderwall, there’s a nice touch as Liam sings to the crowd: “There are many things I would like to say to you, but I don’t speak Welsh.”
It is at the end of Champagne Supernova, which closes the set, that it happens; Noel puts down his guitar, and they come together for a high-five and a back-slap, a blink-and-you’d miss it hug.
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“Right then, beautiful people, this is it,” Liam had told the crowd as he introduced the song just a few minutes earlier. “Nice one for putting up with us over the years.”
From the roar of the audience, it’s safe to say most people here would agree it’s been worth it.
Oasis are set to kick off their reunion tour in Cardiff this weekend, with thousands expected to descend on the Welsh capital.
The 41-date Oasis Live 25 tour begins in the city on Friday and Saturday, amid warnings for people to plan ahead before they travel.
The Gallagher brothers’ last performance together was in 2009, and the tour sold out within hours of its announcement last August, with fans eager to catch a glimpse of the reunion.
But where is the tour heading – and why was Cardiff chosen as the city where the brothers will perform for the first time together in almost 16 years?
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales – Friday 4 July
Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Wales – Saturday 5 July
Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Friday 11 July
Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Saturday 12 July
Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Wednesday 16 July
Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Saturday 19 July
Heaton Park, Manchester, England – Sunday 20 July
Wembley Stadium, London, England – Friday 25 July
Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 26 July
Wembley Stadium, London, England – Wednesday 30 July
Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 2 August
Wembley Stadium, London, England – Sunday 3 August
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Friday 8 August
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Saturday 9 August
Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland – Tuesday 12 August
Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland – Saturday 16 August
Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland – Sunday 17 August
Toronto, Canada – Sunday 24 August
Toronto, Canada – Monday 25 August
Chicago, USA – Thursday 28 August
East Rutherford, USA – Sunday 31 August
East Rutherford, USA – Monday 1 September
Los Angeles, USA – Saturday 6 September
Los Angeles, USA – Sunday 7 September
Mexico City, Mexico – Friday 12 September
Mexico City, Mexico – Saturday 13 September
Wembley Stadium, London, England – Saturday 27 September
Wembley Stadium, London, England – Sunday 28 September
Seoul, South Korea – Tuesday 21 October
Tokyo, Japan – Saturday 25 October
Tokyo, Japan – Sunday 26 October
Melbourne, Australia – Friday 31 October
Melbourne, Australia – Saturday 1 November
Melbourne, Australia – Tuesday 4 November
Sydney, Australia – Friday 7 November
Sydney, Australia – Saturday 8 November
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Saturday 15 November
Buenos Aires, Argentina – Sunday 16 November
Santiago, Chile – Wednesday 19 November
São Paulo, Brazil – Saturday 22 November
São Paulo, Brazil – Sunday 23 November
Image: Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Pic: PA
Why was Cardiff picked as the first stop?
Asked on X in May why Cardiff was chosen as the location for the opening leg, Liam Gallagher said “because Cardiff is the bollox”.
Principality Stadium is a 74,500-seat venue, known as the home of Welsh rugby, which played host to Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift concerts last year.
Businesses in the area are hoping the arrival of Oasis will bring an influx of trade to the city.
Gary Corp, manager of the City Arms, told Sky News that he was expecting the concert would “treble if not quadruple the footfall on the street”.
Meanwhile, Ethan John, events manager at Tiny Rebel, said Oasis choosing Cardiff to kick off their tour was “surreal” and that previous events such as Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour had a “massive impact” on footfall.
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Train operators say trains will be busy and people should allow plenty of time for their journey home.
Georgie Wills, from Transport for Wales, said the company was “thrilled to welcome thousands to Cardiff this summer”.
“Look out for our queuing systems and travel tips – and let’s make it a safe and smooth experience for everyone,” she added.
Cardiff Council has confirmed that roads around the stadium will close from 12pm until 12am on both Friday and Saturday.
The road closures come into force three hours earlier than is planned for upcoming Stereophonics, Kendrick Lamar and Catfish and the Bottlemen concerts later this summer.
The Cardiff Bus Interchange will close at 3pm and Cardiff Queen Street railway station will close at 10pm (apart from accessible travel or journeys to Cardiff Bay).
Image: Liam Gallagher (left) and Noel Gallagher (right). Pic: PA
What time does the show start and who are the support acts?
Principality Stadium’s doors open at 5pm on both Friday and Saturday.
The band will be supported by indie rock band Cast and Richard Ashcroft (who formed alternative rock band the Verve) in Cardiff, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Dublin.
Cast start their Cardiff set at 6pm, followed by Richard Ashcroft at 7pm.
Oasis will take to the stage at 8.15pm, and should finish by 10.30pm.
American rock band Cage the Elephant will support Oasis in Canada, Mexico and at the Chicago gig.
They will be joined again by Cast for the East Rutherford and Pasadena dates.
Australian indie rock band Ball Park Music will support in Australia.
Are tickets still available for the shows?
The tour is sold out, but the band has said it is possible some additional tickets may be released.
In an Instagram post on 25 June, the band advised members of Oasismynet to “keep an eye” on their inbox.
The final releases would come “over the coming days” once production was “fine tuned”, the band said.