Eurovision Song Contest 2023: Mahmood to Grace Liverpool Stage

The 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will feature a significant Italian presence. Following an invitation from the BBC, Mahmood will perform as a guest during the grand final at the Liverpool Arena. This brings the total number of Italian artists participating in this year’s competition to four – nearly ten percent of the total lineup. This marks Mahmood’s third Eurovision appearance; he represented Italy in Tel Aviv in 2019 after winning Sanremo with “Soldi,” and again in Turin last year alongside Blanco, following their Sanremo 2022 victory with “Brividi.” Remarkably, this is the first time an Italian singer has been invited to perform non-competitively at a Eurovision event held outside of Italy. “I’m thrilled to return to Eurovision,” Mahmood shared. “I’m deeply grateful to the organizers for this invitation; it’s a tremendous honour. I eagerly anticipate taking that prestigious stage before such a unique global audience.” Meanwhile, Marco Mengoni, as previously announced, will represent Italy in the competition with a specially re-arranged version of “Due Vite,” his Sanremo 2023 winning song. Other Italian artists competing in Liverpool include Alessandra from Savona (representing Norway) and the Pistoia-based duo Piqued Jacks (representing San Marino). Past non-competing Italian guests at the Eurovision Song Contest include Mario Del Monaco (Naples 1965), Arturo Brachetti (Rome 1991), Diodato, Dardust, Il Volo, Måneskin (as reigning champions), and Gigliola Cinquetti (Turin 2022). Rai 2 will broadcast the two Eurovision Song Contest 2023 semi-finals, hosted by Gabriele Corsi and Mara Maionchi, on Tuesday, May 9th, and Thursday, May 11th, at 9 PM (preceded by previews at 8:15 PM). The final will air on Rai 1 on Saturday, May 13th, at 8:40 PM. Simultaneous commentary for all three nights will be available on Rai Radio 2 and digital channel 202, featuring LaMario, Diletta Parlangeli, and Saverio Raimondo. To ensure broad accessibility, Rai Pubblica Utilità will provide subtitles, audio description, and sign language interpretation for all three evenings, with live broadcasts on Rai 2 and Rai 1, and full accessibility of the May 13th final on a dedicated RaiPlay channel. Audio description will also be streamed on RaiPlay for all three shows.