Entertainment
What time is the second Eurovision semi-final and how long is it?-Caroline Westbrook-Entertainment – Metro
The final line-up awaits.
Austria’s Teya and Salena are paying unexpected tribute to Edgar Allan Poe in the second semi-final (Picture: Getty Images)
This year’s Eurovision Song Contest is about to get even more exciting with the arrival of the second semi-final tonight, May 11 – which will confirm which of this year’s acts will fight it out in the grand final on Saturday night.
Tuesday’s semi-final at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool saw 10 acts progress to the final, although for five of this year’s hopefuls, their dream of Eurovision glory is already at an end.
There’ll be more celebrations and heartache this evening, as well as our first look at the UK’s performance, with Mae Muller – who’ll be closing the final on Saturday night – taking to the stage to give us a preview of her entry I Wrote A Song.
And as an added bonus, UK viewers can vote in tonight’s final – so if you’ve got a favourite you want to see again on Saturday now’s your chance to make it happen.
But when is the second semi-final, how long does it last – and how can you watch it?
What time is the second Eurovision semi-final?
The second semi-final is due to kick off at 8pm.
It will last for around two hours and 10 minutes, ending at 10.10pm – but of course being a live event it may end later than that.
This semi-final will see the remaining 16 countries competing to make it to the final, with only the top 10 performers making it through to Saturday night.
Watch out for Australian rockers Voyager closing the show tonight (Picture: Getty Images)
The other six countries will be eliminated from the competition and miss out on the chance to perform in the final (although they will still be able to vote in it).
While the semi-finals have in recent years been decided through a mix of jury and public voting, this year the results will be entirely down to the public vote.
The final on Saturday will see 26 acts take to the stage, among them the six countries who are already pre-qualified for the final and do not have to compete in the semi.
Those countries are France, Germany, Italy, the UK and Spain – aka the ‘Big Five’, who automatically win a place in the final as the biggest financiers of the contest – as well as last year’s winners Ukraine.
How can you watch the second semi-final?
For the first time the semi-finals are being shown in the UK on BBC One, after years of airing on BBC Three and BBC Four.
You’ll be able to tune in from 8pm to watch all the action – and there’ll be commentary from Rylan Clark and Scott Mills too.
If you miss it you’ll be able to catch up via the BBC iPlayer.
Scott Mills will once again be on hand commentating along with Rylan Clark (Picture: Getty Images)
The semi-final will also be streamed live on the Eurovision Song Contest channel on YouTube, although you won’t get any commentary.
Alternatively, many venues across the UK are hosting screenings of both semi-finals in addition to the final this year – if you fancy something other than watching it from the comfort of your sofa, check local press to see what’s on in your area.
Who is competing in the second Eurovision semi-final?
Here’s who’ll be battling it out in the second semi-final…
Denmark – Breaking My Heart, Reiley
Armenia – Future Lover, Brunette
Romania – D.G.T (Off and On), Theodor Andrei
Estonia – Bridges, Alika
Belgium – Because Of You, Gustaph
Cyprus – Break A Broken Heart, Andrew Lambrou
Iceland – Power, Dilja
Greece – What They Say, Victor Vernicos
Poland – Solo, Blanka
Slovenia – Carpe Diem, Joker Out
Georgia – Echo, IRU
San Marino – Like An Animal, Piqued Jacks
Austria – Who The Hell Is Edgar?, Teya and Salena
Albania – Duje, Albina and Family Kelmendi
Lithuania – Stay, Monika Linkyte
Australia – Promise, Voyager
In addition, three of the six pre-qualified finalists – Ukraine’s Tvorchi, Spain’s Blanca Paloma, and the UK’s very own Mae Muller – will perform their entries and those countries will be able to vote.
The Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals are on May 9 and 11 on BBC One at 8pm. The grand final is on Saturday May 13 on BBC One at 8pm.
MORE : Croatia’s Eurovision 2023 performance sees them strip down to underwear and ‘wave huge missiles’
Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Share your views in the comments below
Entertainment – MetroRead More
