EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2023 • Stage & Lighting Design • Behind the Scenes

The EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2023 in Liverpool came to a brilliant end with an ultra-exciting final in the glorious Liverpool Arena. Swedish singer Loreen was able to win the trophy for a second time. This year, Great Britain took over the organization of the contest on behalf of last year's winner Ukraine. The stage, light and show concept was outstanding and the BBC welcomed millions of viewers worldwide with open (light)arms. EventElevator captured tech details of the stage, light and show concept. Lighting Designer icon Tim Routledge and the renowned Stage Designer Julio Himede are explaining insights to this year's stage concept and how to celebrate 37 delegations and numerous interval acts minute by minute. Damien Jackson from Lighting Supplier Neg Earth Lights and Lighting Programmer Tom Young add more technical details on equipment and programming of the truly massive show event that united everyone with music.
► More informations and photos on our website EventElevator: eventelevator.de/storys/esc-l...
► Eurovision Song Contest: eurovision.tv
► Tim Routledge: www.timroutledge.co.uk
► Julio Himede: yellowstudio.com
► Tom Young: / lightingprogrammer
► Neg Earth: negearth.co.uk
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© EventElevator 2023

[@Sonnen_Licht]

The design was phenomenal. Thank you for all the hard work to make the show come to life!

[@ashishmathew99]

I was eagerly waiting for this video Thank You Team Event Elevator ❤

[@jessicabezuidenhout5277]

Finally!!! been waiting for this video thank you event elevator ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@FernandsLiveShowShow]

The one video I look forward to seeing every year - and those shots you have of the stage, lighting desks and just everywhere are gorgeous! Thanks so much for a superb techy insight, I love seeing this stuff and seeing it all come together! Hopefully we'll bump into each other next year in Malmö! 😉

[@mielus1986]

Mega Video! Und natürlich ein mega Lichtdesign! Danke für die wunderbaren Behind the Scenes Bilder.

[@umudumu]

The Eurovision production gets more and more impressive every single year ❤

[@EventElevator]

You're right, it's interesting to see the evolution. But it's not just the equipment that counts, each country brings its own flavour and its own way of celebrating the ESC. I really liked the concept of the kinetic sun from Turin and in contrast Rotterdam was a beam spaceship.

[@madjamie69]

I managed to get tickets for the arena and was in awe of the lighting. I actually cried twice I was so overwhelmed! Well done to everyone involved x

[@cameronclarkhull]

same here. My speciality is mainly within sound, but the lighting design was the best i've ever seen

[@eswesje]

Honestly the amazing lighting is one of the main reasons I kept watching this year, it was so good 👍🏻

[@EventElevator]

Exactly, stage, light, concept is a new universe every year. But after all these years, we still can't understand why the level of the music acts is not a bit higher. And, oh man. The UK act this year was really something to be ashamed of. Måneskin was one of the few exceptions in recent years for a band that could perform and were musical.

[@eswesje]

@@EventElevator Haha, I'm from the Netherlands and our act was pretty crap too imo. Honestly I thought they were some highlights this year, at least a handful of songs that I'd like to listen too again. I really liked Finland, Azerbaijan, Norway and Portugal. But in terms of actual musical careers I haven't seen a lot of acts take of after Eurovision recently like Måneskin...

[@angeloedades]

The lighting on this year’s contest was phenomenal - glad to see the guys got to show it off at one point on the final 😊

[@itsvoul]

Could you specify the point you're referring to, please?

[@ariannabanane]

Fascinating to learn all that goes into it, and I'm sure it still only touched the surface! Was neat to get a look behind the revolving doors. Amazing show.

[@Craigy2818]

Didn't think much of the staging, at first. Then, I realised how much I love it, compared to most staging, in past years. I love that the lighting was used to represent the countries, too.

[@EventElevator]

It's true, you often can't discover many small details on TV, also because of the many close-ups in the TV editing. It's always a pity that many acts from the semi-finals don't make it to the final, because there are often a lot of ideas in there. The lighting was brilliant this year, only the video content was not so completely convincing, but the delegations are responsible for that.

[@dermoderator909]

Super! Vielen Dank für diese tollen Einblicke! Lichtdesign ist für mich immer wieder eine Faszination und ich finde man merkt dass dieses Jahre besonders viel Herzblut mit rein geflossen ist… Ich vermisse leider nur die Infos über die Ton-Technik…

[@EventElevator]

Das stimmt, das Lichtdesign war dieses Jahr wieder etwas ganz Besonderes. Die die gebogenen Arme an der Seite und die Drehtüren waren super flexibel einsetzbar, was der der Stage immer wieder neue Twists gegeben hat. War in der Halle (leider) teilweise besser zu sehen, als im TV.

[@itzChriZZZ]

Einfach nur Geil, danke für den Einblick

[@HomeAutoBuddy]

So many fixtures and everyone like the adress has a meaning of some sort. The scale, weight and managing all this dmx universe mayhem is not a simple job and they did it look so "easy". Good work!

[@EventElevator]

That's right, and then there are all the new pixel-controllable fixtures, which is already a massive effort. But there is also no show that has as many rehearsals as the ESC and most countries are well prepared for it.

[@LightJockey]

Congrats to the designer and programmers, had lots of fun watching some of the acts this year. Thank you Event Elevator for the beautiful insights ❤

[@nortonandreev8844]

It was a great show, thanks everyone involved! ❤️

[@ericcarabetta1161]

It's cool to see what they do with lighting design when they have a limitless budget.

[@songwritingcontestnews-nn3gd]

Very good 👍🏻 thank you 🙏 prouduction

[@J-Gx]

yes, yes... YES!!! Thank you EventElevator!!! ❤

[@nicksimmons7234]

Well done Tom Y & team.

[@integer22]

just an immense production, what a great experience it must have been to be involved. fascinating insight into the work and skill that goes into a show like this ❤

[@mato_s]

thank you for posting this!

[@steviep_0457]

The lighting was Amazing, And so much tech and cabling and Hard work put into this, It is my dream to work on something like this, in the lighting department, Im just not sure how to go about getting there....

[@SebastianD334]

I was absolutely fascinated by the back of the screens with tetraX's when watching ESC2023

[@SDF_of_BC]

It was a fantastic stage, I didn't get to see it in person, but I liked what I saw on TV. ^_^ I thought the screens looked fantastic too, previously on big screens like that you can see the pixels, but they were so crisp. What resolution are they, what resolution video must they require for all five? Must be a fair bit! :o

[@romik_esc]

You guys have done an incredible job, thank you! Love from Ukraine!❤

[@emmettcarlsson2739]

Best stage-design in Eurovision history 😀👍 Loved it

[@EventElevator]

Right, the concept, design and realization of this year is definitely in the top 3 of the best Eurovisions of all time.

[@jmcgrath7658]

Breathtaking design

[@dizzydjc]

You guys did such an amazing job, thank you

[@nicolasmoya9156]

Absolutely incredible! I know one day I’ll be in Tim’s Shoes, it’ll be a journey but I know I’ll get there and more :) Also huge shoutout to Tim and the whole crew for the lighting and stage design!

[@EventElevator]

You are so right, Tim and his team put on a truly fantastic show. Go ahead, we hope to meet you on a big set in a few years ;-) But it's not the size that counts, but the power that performance, light and passion bring together on stage 🤜💥

[@MePeterNicholls]

Tim is fantastic. Worked with him about 18 years ago and he did us proud

[@filipstevanovic9829]

no one is talking about how well lights are synchronised to the music

[@gaspode8]

I was hoping for a video about ESC 2023. So thank you for this!!!

[@asitmaiti7613]

Superb

[@bobbehlx]

Thankyou for uploading this!

[@Joshuasbikingandadventures]

Will we get the behind the scenes of audio aswell ?

[@FernandoBermudezLD]

phenomenal content that I never get tired of watching. very key development that this show brings to the industry. 🧿🦉👊🏻

[@JaredNaude]

Thank you for another great video! Based on the title, I am assuming that there are going to be more videos about the other aspects of Eurovision. Can't wait!

[@AntoDB]

The Eurovision stage is always a blast! So much talent to showcase so many people on stage. It's a shame that all the people involved in the production aren't highlighted more. You can see the work that goes into it, but people tend not to realise the time and investment that goes into it! Even for the mini scenes I do, people often think it's automatic to the beat of the music, if only haha! Not to mention the astronomical sums of money spent on the latest lamps and technologies on the market, with MA3, Robe, Clay Paky, Martin, Wahlberg, etc. Just incredible! What a magnificent rendering in any case! I'd like to take this opportunity to ask a question: what are the references for the LED bars below and above the back and side screens, as well as the bars/ribbon along the arches? Thank you very much for your super-precise work and thank you also for the report! Successful continuation!

[@davecaplan7087]

Amazing design! I just dont think the elements translated well to the broadcast. So many of the broadcast shots were so tight that the architectural elements of the stage and the beam fx were lost on TV.

[@EventElevator]

Hi Dave, you're right. Unfortunately, it's often the case at Eurovision that the camera can't fully capture the brilliant architecture. The curved arms on the side and the revolving doors were super flexible to use, which always gave the stage new twists. It was easier to see in the hall than on TV. The pods were also massive. The beam fans for the French act that were shot against the mirror balls were insane in the venue. And also the monstrous backlight effects.

[@spyjosh]

100% I've been watching so much fan footage from inside the arena because it felt like this year im particular, the TV broadcast just couldn't do this design justice!

[@kikibirdball]

I completely agree, I only realised how much work was put in to the lighting and the stage design in the final intro act, despite having watched both semi finals, just cos of the way it was shot

[@dshack4689]

Amazing and really loved the side "hugs" lighting structures - but what fell from the roof at 9:53??

[@donnahoy1753]

Pyro he had those kind of pyros for his performance :)

[@gabbermanke]

A melted power cable. :)

[@thoubias]

Gonna be interesting to see Sweden's attempt on topping this...

[@EventElevator]

We have high hopes for next year, the Swedes love the ESC and are absolute professionals. And hey, maybe ABBA will perform again - at least virtually ;-)

[@WezzRail]

"the second I knew it was coming to London" It was in Liverpool which is better than London in so many ways.

[@BenCG]

I would be really interested to learn more about the process that delegations go through to design their individual stagings for entries, how the pre-vis is made, how these are presented to the EBU and what kind of work they do together with the set designers to realise a delegation's vision for the big show! I'm sure Sweden have a very clear process in place. Does anyone know how I can find more info about this please?

[@gsuberland]

The IBU posted an interview with Tim a while back but unfortunately they've made it subscription only now. Each of the delegations gave a short presentation to the lighting team that explained their vision for their act. The lighting team then designed everything based on that. The pre-vis looks very much like they developed it in MA 3D, which is the visualiser for the grandMA platform.

[@aaronjohnson2215]

So many questions. These revolving light walls, who designed them? Where were they built? Is all this hardware staying in Liverpool for good or is going somewhere else? Who builds it? Who place all these cables, servers, networks? Are different companies responsible for each part or one for everything? I really want to get into this industry and work in audio visual, any advice where to start?

[@MusicUnited1]

epic

[@callumlloydwilliams]

was in Liverpool not London!

[@gabelgabel5616]

Are you going to make a video about eurovision 2024?

[@leBroYT]

Wird es noch Informationen bzw. ein Video zum Ton während der Veranstaltung geben?

[@JorgeLighting]

😍

[@ddez]

how can I work with something like this? is there a university that I have to go to?

[@EventElevator]

There are very different routes into this industry. In Germany, for example, there is a special apprenticeship as an event technician. You can do this at large event companies such as PRG. You can also work directly for live companies and first work as an assistant, hand, or something like that. In the technical field there are so many areas, many audio technicians who then become FOH engineers have previously worked in the studio as sound engineers. Stage and lighting designers sometimes come from an architectural background. But many are self-trained. You start with small shows and learn one of the programming interfaces like grandMA, ChamSys, Hog. There are also a few universities that offer design courses with lighting design departments. In Germany, for example, the HAW in Hamburg or the BHT in Berlin. Just check out the big event tech companies in your area and try to get an internship. There are more events than ever before and people are needed everywhere - the most important thing is passion for the job and you will get to know and travel the world.

[@sashkaulanov]

This video gives me so much anxiety haha I spent so much time tuning my smart lights at home and here it's 2000 of them.......... i don't know how you can possibly control all that...

[@the-joe-biden]

Nicht geadacht das es noch kommt

[@daniliva9596]

💙💛

[@calvertphoto]

Would love to know how much that rig cost the organisers!

[@luffirton]

One thing for sure, it was not cheap 🤪😅

[@OlafsLeftArm]

If only there would one year be a Eurovision where the artist would actually be well lit. Now the focus is just in the massive effects.

[@cristiansaunders1859]

London?

[@electroshed]

Shocked to hear Netgear switches being used, a bit low grade in comparison to the rest of the kit!

[@RichiRothschild]

You said coming to London.. It was Liverpool

[@prozektorius]

You guys always make the most entertaining videos ever, keep up the good work🫶🏽

[@EventElevator]

Thank Prozektorius, we do our best and such nice comments motivate us to organize the next projects for you guys.

[@Crapcelebs]

00:58 think you mean Liverpool Hun

[@smolindesign]

Did you forget to ask, "Did you have a fallback in case the back panels couldn't swivel?"

[@EventElevator]

😂 We think they were better oiled than the rotating arches of the kinetic sun in Turin 2022.

[@neil360]

Does the Lighting Designer Tim really think this took place in London?

[@SamCoombes]

Only a couple universes then...

[@cally3763]

We really enjoyed the video, such talent in creating beautiful lighting. However I cringed every time people said “The Ukraine”. There are some well written articles online that explain better than I can why we should say Ukraine over The Ukraine.

[@francisruhangalindaflip4158]

thought this was designed by Jane Ditto

[@extrude22]

The lighting designer doesn’t know the difference between London and Liverpool

[@ludwig2345]

Pretty boring stage tbh. Also Sweden's entry looked better during the Swedish final. I didn't know our national competition is better and somehow has a higher budget or something.

[@Anonymouswatcherandcommenter]

Good stage, excellent lighting. Nothing about Sweden because who cares.

[@Taevas___]

If you actually think Melodifestivalen is better, I'd like you to actually compare them. Eurovision had a way better stage, far more amazing lighting, better cameras etc.