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Heart of Ukraine: TVORCHI are playing for the win

10 May 2023 at 13:30 CEST
TVORCHI from Ukraine in the Eurovision 2023 studio Corinne Cumming / EBU
Reigning champions Ukraine are defending their Eurovision title with pop duo, TVORCHI. They’re heading to Liverpool for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest with their song ‘Heart Of Steel.’ Get out of their way!
TVORCHI rehearsing Heart of Steel for Ukraine at the Second Rehearsal of the Grand Final at Liverpool Arena
Chloe Hashemi / EBU

Heart Of Steel was the very first song announced for Eurovision 2023 back in December 2022, and the selection process came with incredible dedication. The national competition Vidbir took place in a converted underground train station in Kyiv, which is being used as a bomb shelter and was turned into a TV studio for the night. The show was streamed online, with a few trains heard passing every now and then, as 10 acts performed in the final. TVORCHI took the crown, ready to put their hearts into Eurovision. Although Kalush Orchestra won the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 for Ukraine, runner up the United Kingdom is hosting this year’s Competition on their behalf, due to the war in Ukraine making the country too unsafe.

TVORCHI showed their mettle at their first Eurovision rehearsal on Thursday 4 May. The duo, Andrii and Jeffery, arrived on stage, with Jeffery in a black outfit spangled with gold across his arms and chest and Andrii wearing a fabulous silver coat. The singers poured their hearts out on stage against an impressive LED wall, as the song built up towards an epic finale complete with flame jets.

TVORCHI rehearsing Heart of Steel for Ukraine at the First Rehearsal of the Grand Final at Liverpool Arena Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

The Official Eurovision Live Blog was taking careful notes during TVORCHI’s first rehearsal. Here’s what they spotted: "TVORCHI use the lighting and LED wall to powerful effect, including four boxes on stage which provide an LED backdrop to their two black-clad dancers. There are a lot of elements to the composition that feel almost orchestral - soaring strings, church organ-style keyboard effects, thumping bass, Jeffery's effortless vocals - it all comes together on stage to create three very polished minutes of pure drama."

Jeffery has got two dogs at home in Nigeria, but it’s been so long since he saw them that he doesn’t think they’d recognise him now. Jeffery and Andrii met while at a medical university in Ukraine, and they formed their band in 2018. Even in that short time, they’ve released 4 albums, each one topping the charts in Ukraine. Let’s hope Jeffery’s dogs are watching Eurovision and cheering on Ukraine.

We asked TVORCHI what their favourite songs are, and they came up with a stellar list. Perhaps with Liverpool in mind, they said they love Strawberry Fields Forever by The Beatles. They’re also fans of Leave The Door Open by Bruno Mars, Anderson, .Paak, and Silk Sonic, as well as Rosalía’s banger Motomami. With huge pop influences like this, it’s clear to see what brought the boys together.

TVORCHI had a chat with the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast, and our host asked them how they feel about representing their country in a year when Ukraine is the reigning champion, but the Competition is being held in the UK. They told us: “It’s a great honour, it’s just filled with a lot of ups and downs, but at the end of the day we will put in our 200%. We’re just enjoying the journey so far."

There’s more from TVORCHI on Episode 6 of the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

TVORCHI rehearsing Heart of Steel for Ukraine at the First Rehearsal of the Grand Final at Liverpool Arena
Chloe Hashemi / EBU

You can learn more about TVORCHI from Ukraine right here.