LIVERPOOL, England — Sprinkle the sequins and pump up the quantity: The 67th Eurovision Song Contest reaches its climax on Saturday with a grand remaining broadcast reside from Liverpool. There will likely be catchy choruses, a kaleidoscope of costumes and tributes to the spirit of Ukraine in a contest that for seven many years has captured the altering zeitgeist of a continent.

Here’s what to anticipate as acts from throughout Europe - and past - vie for the continent’s pop crown.

WHO’S COMPETING?

This 12 months, 37 international locations despatched an act to Eurovision, chosen via nationwide competitions or inside choices by broadcasters. The host nation is normally the winner of the earlier 12 months’s occasion, however 2022 runner-up Britain is internet hosting this time round on behalf of the winner, Ukraine.

Twenty-six international locations will compete in Saturday’s remaining on the Liverpool Arena, beside the River Mersey within the port metropolis that gave start to The Beatles. Six international locations mechanically qualify: final 12 months’s winner and the “Big Five” who pay probably the most to the competition — France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.Okay.

The different 20 finalists, chosen by public votes in two semifinals on Tuesday and Thursday, are: Albania, Armenia, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, Sweden and Switzerland.

PHOTOS: It's Eurovision time! Here's how the competition works and who to observe for

WAIT - AUSTRALIA?

Eurovision is about spirit, not simply geography. Eurovision is massively standard in Australia, and the nation was allowed to hitch the competitors in 2015. Other entrants from outdoors Europe’s borders embrace Israel and Azerbaijan.

WHO ARE THIS YEAR’S FAVORITES?

It’s arduous to foretell victors in a contest whose previous winners have ranged from ABBA to Finnish cartoon metallic band Lordi, however bookmakers say Swedish diva Loreen, who gained Eurovision in 2012, is favourite to attain a double together with her energy ballad “Tattoo.”

Finland’s Käärijä was a crowd-pleaser within the semifinals along with his pop-metal celebration tune “Cha Cha Cha,” and Canadian singer La Zarra, competing for France, can also be extremely ranked for her Edith Piaf-esque chanson “Évidemment.”

And by no means underestimate left-field entries like Croatia’s Let 3, whose track “Mama ŠČ!”is pure Eurovision camp: an antiwar rock opera that performs like Monty Python meets “Dr. Strangelove.”

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE FINAL?

Around 6,000 followers will attend the ultimate, hosted by long-time BBC Eurovision presenter Graham Norton, “Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham, British singer Alesha Dixon and Ukrainian rock star Julia Sanina.

Each competing act should sing reside and keep on with a three-minute restrict, however in any other case is free to create its personal staging - the flashier the pyrotechnics and extra elaborate the choreography, the higher.

Russia’s warfare in Ukraine will lend a solemn be aware to a contest famed for celebrating tacky pop. The present will open with a efficiency by final 12 months’s winner, Ukrainian folk-rap band Kalush Orchestra. Ukrainian singer Jamala, who gained the competition in 2016, will carry out a tribute to her Crimean Tatar tradition.

One one that gained’t be showing is Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He requested to handle the ultimate by video - however organizer the European Broadcasting Union mentioned “regrettably,” that will breach “the nonpolitical nature of the event.”

HOW IS THE WINNER DECIDED?

After all of the acts have carried out, viewers in taking part nations can vote by cellphone, textual content message or app – although they'll’t vote for their very own nation. This 12 months for the primary time, viewers in nonparticipating international locations can even vote on-line, with the mixed “rest of the world” votes being given the burden of 1 particular person nation.

National juries of music trade professionals additionally allocate between one and 12 factors to their favourite songs, with an announcer from every nation popping as much as declare which has been granted the coveted “douze points” (12 factors).

Public and jury votes are mixed to provide every nation a single rating. Ending up with “nul points” (zero factors) is taken into account a nationwide embarrassment. It’s a destiny the U.Okay. has suffered a number of instances.

HOW CAN I WATCH?

Eurovision is being proven by nationwide broadcasters that belong to the European Broadcasting Union, together with the BBC in Britain, and on the Eurovision YouTube channel. In the United States, it’s being proven on NBC’s Peacock streaming service.

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