“Douze points” for the Kemps who are off to Eurovision 2023!

Stromness couple Karl and Andrew Kemp are ‘Ooh Aah….Just a Little Bit’ excited about the upcoming Eurovision in Liverpool!

They had no difficulty in “Making their Mind Up” on whether or not to head south to be part of the 2023 extravaganza – and they have matching rainbow suits and shades for the occasion!

After the victory of Kalush Orchestra in Turin, Ukraine should traditionally host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. But due to the ongoing invasion of the country, the contest will instead be held in the UK as runner-up winners in 2022 with Sam Ryder’s ‘Space Man’.

Andrew, who is Digital Communications Coordinator with the Council, explained that they are off to what is known as the “Jury Show” on Friday (12 May).

“This is basically the full Grand Final as it will be on Saturday including all of the interval acts and presenters.  It’s called the Jury Show as it is the one that all of the country jury’s watch and submit their scores from.  It says on our ticket that they will be filming so I assume they use some of the footage from the show in the broadcast on Saturday.

“Some of the interval acts are previous Eurovision entrants like Sonia and of cause Sam Ryder from last year and the presenters include Graham Norton and Alesha Dixon.  As you can imagine there are quite a few Ukranian influences at this year’s event along with some from the local Liverpool area. For example, each evening there is a parade through the streets with a blue and yellow submarine! Only at Eurovision!”

“What’s Another Year” of waiting to attend, according to Eurovision enthusiast Karl, a Senior Social Care Worker with Orkney Health and Care.

“We are really looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere and enjoying this ‘bucket list’ experience. We have enjoyed many Eurovision parties with friends over the years, but being there is a first. Of course, the circumstances surrounding the event being held in the UK this year are awful, but it’s important that we all show solidarity with Ukraine and support the occasion.

“We are looking forward to the whole experience, it was something we never thought we would do, and we just said if we can get tickets we will just go for it.

“We have only heard the UK entry ‘I wrote a Song’ by Mae Muller so far, we are looking forward to watching the shows as countries compete building up to our Jury Show.”

As to whether the UK entry will be a winning song, Karl isn’t convinced and is predicting it won’t be No1 on the scoreboard! “It’s ok as a song, it’s not really a Eurovision song though, I do not see us winning!”

Favourite Eurovision songs and presenter of all time?

“Norway’s entrant Alexander Rybak with his folk entry was by far my favourite winner for music quality, but Eurovision isn’t really about that, so its Verka Serduchka for fun,” Karl said. “For presenting it has to be Terry Wogan, the hilarity of his presenting was masterful!”

The Eurovision final takes place on Saturday 13 May and the slogan for this year’s event is “United by Music”.

So, we are sure that ‘Love will Shine a Light’ on ‘All Kinds of Everything’ at the musical extravaganza in Liverpool – a night to remember for all.