16 more countries competed for a spot in the Grand Finals in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. And if I could quote the Australian commentators, it was a pretty slow night, to say the least. Regardless, it was a fun night filled with amazing music and talent.
Plenty of young musicians got their chance in the spotlight. At the same time, this was Australia’s final chance to qualify since its contract with the EBU is about to expire. And in the middle of all that music and spectacle, Peppa Pig made an appearance and reminded everyone to vote.
Which countries from the second semi-finals qualified for the grand final?
From Albania literally bringing a family on stage to Austria using Edgar Allan Poe to shed light on the modern music industry – the second semi-final was a blast. We also had drag performers coming on stage, both as the interval and on-screen performers in Belgium’s act. And to top it all off, Australia was the last performance and reminded everyone why this country deserves to be on the world stage. So even if the night was slow, it was pretty colorful and represented different types of performers.
After two hours that felt more like three, here are the 10 acts from the second semi-final that qualified for the grand final.
- Albania (Albina & Familja Kelmendi – ‘Duje’)
- Cyprus (Andrew Lambrou – ‘Break A Broken Heart’)
- Estonia (Alika – ‘Bridges’)
- Belgium (Gustaph – ‘Because Of You’)
- Austria (Teya & Salena – ‘Who The Hell Is Edgar?’)
- Lithuania (Monika LinkytÄ— – ‘Stay’)
- Poland (Blanka – ‘Solo’)
- Australia (Voyager – ‘Promise’)
- Armenia (Brunette – ‘Future Lover’)
- Slovenia (Joker Out – ‘Carpe Diem’)
26 countries will be competing this Saturday for a chance to win that Eurovision trophy. Who will succeed after Kalush Orchestra’s monumental win last year? Will Australia finally take home the trophy, and subject all of Europe to wake up at 5 a.m.? Will the UK get zero points? Who would win between Finland and Sweden? Find out as the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 grand final airs this Saturday, May 11 at 3 p.m. ET on Peacock.