With Eurovision queen Lulu on our side, we’ve got to be in with a shout
Glasgow has made it down to the last two cities still in the running to host Eurovision 2023.
The event will be held in Britain, standing in for Ukraine, for the first time in 25 years after Liverpool and Glasgow made the final cut.
The decision-making process all sounds very official with a checklist that includes “a suitable venue” and “sufficient space to deliver the requirements of the song contest”.
But it’s about so much more than that. So here’s my top five reasons why my home city should win it.
1. People make Glasgow
ItIt’ss not just a clever marketing slogan, it’s real.
I travel across Europe in my job and GlGlaswegians are among the warmest folfolk you’ll ever interact with. This yeyear the city came top in a Time Out popoll for friendliness, beating DuDublin and Manchester.
The city is full of chcharacters, storytellers and pepersonalities. It’s been ththrough a lot historically – dedeprivation, gangs and sluslum housing – but it’s alwalways retained its humour.
I still giggle every time I wwalk past the Duke of Wellingtonngton stastatue and there’s a traffic cone on its head.
Eurovision doesn’t take itself too seseriously and neither do we.
3. We have the best presenters
I’m sure Graham Norton will be on commentary duty as always but, for the live bonanza in the studio, organisers can take their pick from drag royalty Lawrence Chaney to the prime-time TV legend Lorraine Kelly… or even yours truly.
If the event is going to be held here, we need presenters who really represent the city, its people and the banter.
4. Music is in our bones
Liverpool might have The Beatles but our city’s musical history is rich and diverse. From Primal Scream, Deacon Blue and Texas to venues like King Tut’s, The Barrowlands and Nice n Sleazy, we have a thriving scene that’s hosted massive bands and iconic performances.
In 2008 Glasgow was named the UK’s first Unesco City of Music thanks to its heritage and history of great gigs. And the OVO Hydro is quite simply THE perfect venue to host the camp and colourful competition.
5. One word... Lulu
She’s our secret weapon in sealing the deal as the petite powerhouse won Eurovision in 1969 with “Boom Bang-a-Bang”. There’s a “battle of the gingers” brewing as 80s Liverpudlian pop star Sonia is being pitted against her to represent the contest between the cities… but I don’t reckon there’s any competition at all. Lulu is Eurovision. May the best city win.