Eurovision is way more than a Will Ferrell movie — it's a campy, kooky, global song competition that's like 'American Idol' on acid

Ayomikun Adekaiyero,Eve Crosbie,Ricki LeeMay 12, 2023, 23:13 IST

Famous Eurovision performers include Conchita Wurst, Olivia Newton-John, ABBA, Måneskin, Celine Dion, and Verka Seduchka.Getty, Ricki Lee/Insider

The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the biggest musical platforms in the world.
Each year countries across Europe, and a few around the world, compete to produce the best song.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 final will be held in Liverpool, England, on Saturday, May 13 — and if you like over-the-top out-of-this-world performances, you should definitely be watching.

An annual competition since 1956, Eurovision gathers performers from around the world to compete for a trophy and the chance to make their country proud.

If this your first year tuning in, or if your knowledge of the uber-camp, annual song-and-dance kitsch-fest extends only as far as the Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams-starring parody film, here's a rundown of everything you need to know about the Eurovision Song Contest.

Eurovision — around for nearly 70 years — has grown to arguably become the biggest platform in the world for musicians.

Zdob si Zdub of Moldova perform in the grand finale of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 on May 14, 2011, in Dusseldorf, Germany.Sean Gallup / Getty Images

And guess what: This is the first year ever non-participating countries, such as the US, can vote in the contest.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 trophy.Corinne Cumming/EBU

While only seven counties took part in the first contest in 1956, this year there are 37 participating countries hoping to win.

The Finnish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, Lordi, perform live at the final in Athens, Greece on May 18, 2006.Mick Hutson / Redferns

If you've seen "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga," you'll be familiar with some of the unique traditions and quirks of the competition.

Will Ferrell as Lars Erickssong and Rachel McAdams as Sigrit Ericksdottir in Netflix's "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga."Elizabeth Viggiano/Netflix

Five countries — France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom — always have a guaranteed spot in the Eurovision final.

Eurovision 2022 winners Kalush Orchestra, representing Ukraine, perform again after winning the competition in Turin, Italy.Jens Büttner / picture alliance via Getty Images

The voting system is a bit more complicated than your average singing competition.

Dustin the Turkey of Ireland performs during the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest semi-final at Belgrade Arena on May 20, 2008.DIMITAR DILKOFF / AFP via Getty Images

For many, Eurovision is synonymous with camp so it's no surprise that it has had a long-held and passionate fanbase in the LGBTQ community.

Conchita Wurst caused an uproarAndreas Rentz/Getty Images

If you're coming into it in the finals — here are the artists you should keep an eye on.

Sweden's entry Loreen performs during the first dress rehearsal for semifinal 1 of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023.Anthony Devlin / Getty Images

Celine Dion, ABBA, and Olivia Newton-John are some of the few Eurovision stars to ascend to global success.

Eurovision's latest international stars Måneskin performing on "Saturday Night Live" in 2022.Will Heath / NBC / NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

While Eurovision was constructed to be apolitical, the contest has struggled to keep politics and conflict out of the competition.

Madonna performs during a guest appearance at the Grand Final of the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel, May 19, 2019.Orit Pnini for KAN/Handout via Reuters

This year's contest attempts to celebrate unity in the face of divisions across Europe.

Members of Kalush Orchestra pose onstage with the winner's trophy and Ukraine's flag after winning the Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Ukraine in 2022.Marco Bertorello/AFP via Getty Images)

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Eurovision is way more than a Will Ferrell movie &mdash; it's a campy, kooky, global song competition that's like 'American Idol' on acid