The world’s biggest annual song competition returns this month with Jessica Mauboy to represent Australia.
Eurovision 2018 is upon us and once again will be showcasing some of the world’s biggest talents. Below is everything you need to know about this year’s event.
When is Eurovision Song Contest 2018?
The Eurovision Song Contest kicks off on Wednesday, May 9 with Round 1 of the semi-finals. Round 2 of the semi-finals, featuring Australia’s own Jessica Mauboy, will begin on Friday, May 11. The grand final is set to be held on Sunday, May 13. This year’s contest will be completed in Lisbon, Portugal, the first time that Portugal is hosting the annual event.
How many countries are competing?
This year there are 43 countries participating in the competition with Australia featuring for the fourth time.
Jessica Mauboy representing Australia
Surprisingly, this isn’t the first appearance for Mauboy at the Eurovision Song Contest having made a guest appearance in 2014 for Australia. That year, she became the first solo-artist from a non-European country to feature in the competition.
Mauboy will be performing her hit single ‘We Got Love’ at the contest which was written by Anthony Egizii and David Musuneci.
Who else is performing?
Portugal was last year’s winner and this time around they will be represented by Claudia Pascoal. Ireland, who has won the Eurovision crown the most times with seven, will be sending in Ryan O’Shaughnessy.
Sweden boasts the most famous Eurovision winners ever with ABBA and this year they are sending in a youthful performer by the name of Benjamin Ingrosso. The 20-year-old has found some early success in his career in Sweden having already had a single go platinum and amassed a huge 25 million streams on Spotify.
Live broadcasts of this year Eurovision song contest will be on SBS at 5 am on May 9, 11 and 13.