Eurovision 2023: what will be the long-term impact for Liverpool and its music scene?

nme.com:

NME about what the long-term impact of Eurovision may or may not be on Liverpool and it’s local music scene.Last year it was announced that Liverpool had beaten competition from Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield to be named as host city for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, being held in the UK in honour of last year’s winners Ukraine.

The grand final takes place tonight (Saturday May 13), after a week of events and celebrations around the city – including star-studded concerts at Liverpool’s Eurovision Village and Frankie Goes To Hollywood reuniting for their first performance together in 36 years.The city has also received widespread for the sense of community support show for Ukraine throughout recent weeks, as well as open events celebrating music and culture.In October 2022, it was reported that Eurovision could bring in a potential £30million of revenue to the city – marking the next wave of international cultural tourism that has occurred in the city last 15 years.

In 2008, Liverpool became a European Capital of Culture, which generated an estimated £754million by 2010. In 2015, it was also named as a UNESCO World City of Music which saw increased talent development opportunities for locals and the creation of the Liverpool City Region Music Board.Along with the projected revenue, Eurovision will arrive at a critical time for Liverpool, said creative consultant Yaw Owusu, who is currently working on some of the peripheral Eurovision activities.“The city is going to change dramatically on the back of Eurovision and in terms of leadership,” he told NME. “When you get these opportunities, you’ve got to make sure that you grasp them fully.