I’m at Eurovision in Sweden and it’s drastically different to Liverpool

It’s hard to believe that the glorious Eurovision fortnight in Liverpool was already a year ago.

A city changing the trajectory of the world’s biggest event may seem like a fever dream, but Liverpool did it – and it may never be replicated. Sweden is socially accepted as the modern home of Eurovision given its penchant for hosting.

Now in its seventh year, tied only with Ireland, the country knows what to expect and SVT, the national broadcaster, knows how to make a show look good. Eurovision fans traveling to Sweden are assured they are in good hands, but expectations were through the roof after the show in Liverpool.

Britain last held the pageant in 1998, so the appetite was there to make a show of it. Liverpool have never been shy about throwing a party, so it really was one for the cards – one of the most successful and acclaimed in the competition’s history, mind you.

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The culture team produced a region-wide package including EuroStreet, EuroGrant, EuroFest and EuroLearn, which included funding, school education programmes, parades, performances and an unmistakable Liverpool Eurovision stamp. A host city is only required to produce the television appearance – the fan experience is appreciated but not a contractual obligation. Having said that, Liverpool knocked it out of the park and in my opinion Sweden failed to match it.

The biggest downgrade this year is Eurovision Village. None of the performances in the semi-finals are projected and overall the package is lacking. More than 30 of the scheduled acts pulled out to follow the boycott which left the organizers to perform some acts that even the locals would not have been familiar with. Now, the biggest star will be last year’s runner-up, Kaarija.

Torino 2022 has been criticized for its organization and production, but one thing that was not lacking was grandeur. The Eurovision Village stage wasn’t perfect, but it was big, open and welcoming. Sweden’s official fan zone is more disappointing – pictured at the top of the article is the larger of the two stages.

When you landed in Liverpool, you were slapped in the face with Eurovision, whether you liked it or not. Now, you might not know it’s happening unless you’re in key areas or transportation areas. A number of banners similar to street signs are hung around the arena, but it’s far from a city-wide takeover. The fan experience is also lacking without major parades, pop-up acts or art installations.

It must be said that the fan pack varies every year. Sometimes it is huge, sometimes it is non-existent. Over the years, even less has happened in the city, so Malmö is not a bad historical show by any means. It’s just a shame it went straight ahead to Liverpool – “the most successful competition ever”.

Malmö started their Turquoise Carpet ceremony in the rain and quickly moved it indoors. Fans were not allowed to attend the carpet due to security measures regarding Israel’s participation and planned protests. The same opening ceremony in Liverpool was held in St George’s Plateau, with thousands standing in the scorching heat, followed by a National Lotto party with some of music’s biggest stars including Frankie Goes to Hollywood and Zara Larson.

Malmö is incredibly close to Copenhagen, so many fans chose to stay there. People prefer to travel back and forth than to lock up for the night in one place. Just 45 minutes by train between the two countries means crowds feel a little more spacious. I’m personally staying in Malmö during my time in Sweden, but my plans for Grand Final night are all in Denmark. Event spaces are still crowded, but there is no single hub of activity.

Malmö is not a bad host city. Who knows why the EBU decided to host it here instead of returning to Stockholm? The standard will not deter anyone from coming back next year or again in the next decade. The fans are tough and most of us use it as a fun way to explore a new city. Eurovision is also a television show first and foremost before it’s a festival, so fan feedback on this year’s package will be heard, but nothing will be done – it’s up to the host city to generate a batch. I’m still having an incredible time, but I knew long before I booked my flights that it would pale in comparison to Liverpool.

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