The 2nd Eurovision semifinal: all singers in order of appearance

Eurovision Song Contest 2023: all candidates of the second semifinal
1. Denmark: 'Breaking My Heart' – Reiley
2. Armenia: 'Future Lover' – Brunette
3. Romania: 'DGT (Off and On)' – Theodor Andrei
4. Estonia: 'Bridges' – Alika
5. Belgium: 'Because of You' – Gustaph
6. Cyprus: 'Break a Broken Heart' – Andrew Lambrou
7. Iceland: 'Power' – Diljá
8. Greece: 'What They Say' – Victor Vernicos
9. Poland: 'Solo' – Blanka
10. Slovenia: 'Carpe Diem' – Joker Out
11. Georgia: 'Echo' – Iru
12. San Marino: 'Like An Animal' – Piqued Jacks
13. Austria: 'Who The Hell is Edgar?' – Teya & Salena
14. Albania: 'Duje' – Albina & Familija Kelmendi
15. Lithuania: 'Stay' – Monika Linkytė
16. Australia: 'Promise' – Voyager
Eurovision Song Contest 2023: all candidates of the second semifinal

On Thursday, May 11, the second semifinal of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place. Sixteen countries will give everything to get one of the ten tickets to the big final on Saturday. The voting process is completely in the hands of viewers, and even people outside of Europe can vote! Let's have a look at the participants in the order of their appearance.

Image: Australian group Voyager

 

1. Denmark: 'Breaking My Heart' – Reiley

The first singer of the evening, Reiley, comes from the Faroe Islands, a part of Denmark that is about 1300 km (808 miles) away from the continent and has a population of only 50,000 people. The lyrics of his Eurovision entry are about a "toxic relationship" where you realize that a person is bad for you, but you still want to be with them.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett - EBU / Eurovision.tv

2. Armenia: 'Future Lover' – Brunette

Brunette has been singing since she was four years old, writes music, and sings with the girl group 'En aghjiknery.' Most of her Eurovision song is in English, but she switches to Armenian at the end of the chorus.

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv

3. Romania: 'DGT (Off and On)' – Theodor Andrei

Theodor Andrei is an 18-year-old singer from Bucharest who rose to fame in 2017 for his participation in Vocea Romaniei Junior, the Romanian version of 'The Voice Kids.' His music is influenced by Elvis Presley, James Brown, Michael Jackson, and Mariah Carey.

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv

4. Estonia: 'Bridges' – Alika

Alika Milova, who performs under the name Alika, is an Estonian singer of Russian origin. Her song 'Bridges' is the result of a recording session she had with composer Wouter Hardy. He also wrote 'Arcade' (the Eurovision winner of 2019) and 'Tout l'univers' (3rd place in 2021), so the quality of this entry should be good!

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv

5. Belgium: 'Because of You' – Gustaph

Stef Caers, who goes by the stage name Gustaph, is a Belgian singer-songwriter, producer, and vocal coach. His song is about the families that people form themselves and where they receive love and support. It resonates with LGBTQ communities because they often create their own families. The song has a distinct nineties sound.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett - EBU / Eurovision.tv

6. Cyprus: 'Break a Broken Heart' – Andrew Lambrou

Andrew Lambrou is a singer of Australian and Cypriot nationality who became famous after posting covers of popular songs by Sam Smith and Zayn Malik, among others, on his YouTube channel in 2013. The lyrics of his Eurovision song are about perseverance and survival. You can't break a broken heart any further, he basically says.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett - EBU / Eurovision.tv

7. Iceland: 'Power' – Diljá

Diljá is an Icelandic singer who rose to prominence in 2015 for her participation in the talent show 'Ísland Got Talent.' In Liverpool, she sings 'Power' in English. The lyrics are about ending a relationship with someone who isn't right for you and finding the strength to move on.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett - EBU / Eurovision.tv

8. Greece: 'What They Say' – Victor Vernicos

Victor is the youngest participant this year. He was born in October 2006 in Athens to a Greek mother and a Danish father. The singer wrote his Eurovision song himself in a time span of two days. It describes a period of anxiety that he went through.

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv

9. Poland: 'Solo' – Blanka

Blanka Stajkow is a charming singer with Polish and Bulgarian roots, and she knew since her teens that she wanted to connect her life with music. Her song is about letting go of someone who isn't right for you and finding the strength to move on and embrace single life.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett - EBU / Eurovision.tv

10. Slovenia: 'Carpe Diem' – Joker Out

This Slovenian indie rock band sings in Slovenian, even though the title is a well-known Latin phrase. It kind of gives away the song's message: enjoy life and worry less about the future.

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv

11. Georgia: 'Echo' – Iru

Iru is no stranger to the Eurovision world. She was one of the members of Candy, the winners of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2011. Now, at the age of 22, she has won 'The Voice of Georgia' and a ticket to Eurovision in Liverpool. She sings about the way love can change a person.

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv

12. San Marino: 'Like An Animal' – Piqued Jacks

The smallest country on stage in Liverpool this year is San Marino, with Piqued Jacks. This rock group from Italy already has four albums, EPs, and many performances to their name. They sing about desire and following someone on the dance floor - 'like an animal'.

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv

13. Austria: 'Who The Hell is Edgar?' – Teya & Salena

Teya & Salena know each other from the 2021 Austrian talent show Starmania. The lyrics of their Eurovision song suggest that they are possessed by Edgar Allan Poe, and they hope that his creativity can help them solve their money problems. An original idea!

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett - EBU / Eurovision.tv

14. Albania: 'Duje' – Albina & Familija Kelmendi

Albina is joined on stage by her family, who provide the backing vocals. Their song is in Albanian and tells of how a family falls apart due to a minor quarrel and the children have to suffer in this torn family.

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv

15. Lithuania: 'Stay' – Monika Linkytė

Monika Linkytė had the honor of representing Lithuania at Eurovision in 2015. She and her stage partner Vaidas Baumila then finished 18th. Of course, this time, she hopes to get further than that. Her song mixes English and Lithuanian words that refer to local folk music and spiritual ceremonies.

Photo: Sarah Louise Bennett - EBU / Eurovision.tv

16. Australia: 'Promise' – Voyager

Voyager is a progressive metal band from Perth. As the last act of the evening, they will surely will rock out the Liverpool arena. The lyrics of their song are about taking risks and exploring new possibilities.

Photo: Corinne Cumming - EBU / Eurovision.tv