Our guest performances for the Semi-Finals in Liverpool

Ukrainian and British stars, plus a whole host of Eurovision Song Contest legends, are set to perform at our two Semi-Final live shows in Liverpool.

With just weeks to go until the city welcomes the world for the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC has curated a stellar selection of music performances for the Semi-Finals, to offer entertainment for all audiences – whether new to the Eurovision Song Contest, or a long-time fan.

With a mixture of storytelling and celebration running through the programme of performances, we can look forward to some familiar faces - from both inside and outside the world of the Eurovision Song Contest - entertaining us on those first two nights of live shows in May.

First Semi-Final

To mark the start of the Eurovision Song Contest, the First Semi-Final will open with host Julia Sanina performing part of Маяк by her band The Hardkiss. Translating from the Ukrainian for ‘Lighthouse’, this performance – forming part of an incredibly powerful opening act – will symbolise in many ways how the UK is ‘United by Music’ with Ukraine, through hosting the 2023 Contest on behalf of the 2022 winners.

Broadcast on Tuesday 9 May, the First Semi-Final’s interval sees global superstar Rita Ora deliver a show-stopping medley of some of her biggest hits. Holding the record for the most Top 10 singles on the Official Charts by a British female artist, and having accumulated 10 billion streams, Rita will also perform the world exclusive of her brand-new single, Praising You, to millions watching across the globe.

Ukrainian singer Alyosha – who represented Ukraine at the 2010 Eurovision Eurovision Song Contest – will perform alongside Liverpool’s very own critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter, Rebecca Ferguson. Like many Ukrainian women in 2022, Alyosha was forced to leave her country and loved ones behind to seek refuge; Alyosha will share her personal journey through a new, haunting arrangement of British musical heavyweight Duran Duran’s Ordinary World. Creatively led and produced by Freckled Sky and TRI.Direction, in partnership with BBC Studios and UA:PBC, Alyosha and Rebecca will tell a story of hope, courage, and support for the people of Ukraine from across the world.

The First Semi-Final also sees Ukrainian Timur Myroshnychenko bring audiences highlights from Sunday’s Turquoise Carpet opening ceremony, plus there will be a fun VT featuring former Eurovision Song Contest hosts Måns Zelmerlöw and Filomena Cautela going head to head in a game testing their Contest knowledge.

Second Semi-Final

The Second Semi-Final, broadcast Thursday 11 May, sees two live interval performances. 

Music Unites Generations explores the connection between generations of Ukrainians and the music they love. Mariya Yaremchuk, who represented Ukraine at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, leads a contemporary montage of some of the most well-known pieces of music from the country. As we travel through time, the piece ends with a stunning collaborative performance from rapper OTOY, 14-year-old Ukrainian Junior Eurovision representative Zlata Dziunka, and Mariya. Together, they show that for generations of Ukrainians, music is the light that overcomes darkness.

Also in the interval, a performance called Be Who You Wanna Be celebrates how Eurovision is a place for everyone – no matter who you are. Three extraordinary drag performers lead into a jaw-dropping routine of high-end pop performances along with a troupe of eclectic dancers. They represent the huge spectrum of fans – regardless of age, nationality or background – who revel in being a part of the Eurovision Song Contest every year. With a medley of fabulous songs and incredible staging, it’ll be a performance that viewers remember.

During the Second Semi-Final, actor Luke Evans will perform an uplifting and emotive Spoken Word piece that will take us through nearly 70 years of Eurovision Song Contest history. The actor, best known for films including Beauty & The Beast, The Hobbit and Fast & Furious will be immersed in the Eurovision archive which will symbolise that no matter how divided the continent of Europe has been, Eurovision has found a way to unite us through music.

The guest performances for the Grand Final of the 67th Eurovision Song Contest will be announced soon.