Eurovision 2023: Sam Ryder and Kalush Orchestra to perform at final

Reigning Eurovision champions Kalush Orchestra and runner-up Sam Ryder will perform at the song contest’s grand final in May, it has been announced.

The Ukrainian band will open the final in Liverpool, while Ryder will play the first interval.

Ryder said he “can’t wait to be back amongst the beautiful chaos of it all”.

The show will also see Liverpool’s Sonia, who came second in 1993, join Israel’s Netta and Iceland’s Daoi Freyr in a celebration of the city’s music.

The Spaceman singer said it was an “honour to be invited back to the Eurovision stage for a second time”.

Ryder added that he was also looking forward to watching “the incredible artists perform this time around, while bringing you a special performance of our own”.

The 2022 event was won by Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra, but the ongoing war in the country meant the 2023 event had to moved to the UK, who came second, thanks to Ryder’s performance.

The reigning champions, who will open the show, said while they were “sad” the contest was not being held in Ukraine, they were “really grateful” to the UK for hosting the contest on the country’s behalf and “looking forward to performing in Liverpool”.

“The city has a world-renowned musical heritage and we’re delighted to finally be able to announce what an honour it will be for us to be there,” a spokesman for the band said.

“We will perform for everyone in Ukraine to remind us that better days and our country’s victory [are] ahead, as well as to show the world what Ukraine is fighting for.”