James FitzGerald
Live reporter

On another colourful evening of Eurovision tunes (and - of course - colourful outfits, too).

Make sure to read the full write-up by our music correspondent Mark Savage, and check out our video wrap here.

As well as our reporters in Liverpool whose copy you've been reading tonight, this page was brought to you by Paul Gribben, Jasmine Taylor-Coleman, Claire Heald, Ece Goksedef, Aoife Walsh, James Harness and me.

Roll on Saturday's final!

Emma Saunders
Watching at the venue

There was a lot of whooping and cheering in the press room come the end of the show.

"I think this semi-final might have been even more exciting than semi-final one, just because of how compact the group was and the tightest of margins made the difference tonight," ESC Insight writer Fin Ross Russell told me as everyone started to spill out of the building.

"I said Estonia would be the surprise of the night. I thought it wasn't being recognised much but it's a good ballad.

"I'm a bit sad for Denmark. Reiley is obviously a massive TikTok star. It could have been a great building opportunity for him... but these songs don't just go out in the semi-finals, they'll still be on our playlists."

The second instalment of the Eurovision Song Contest semi-final didn't fail to provide a variety of memorable performances.

Watch the video to see a selection of honourable mentions from the show in Liverpool.

Image source, .

A chance to remind ourselves of who made it through tonight.

Meanwhile, it's bad luck to Romania, Denmark, Georgia, Iceland, San Marino and Greece.

Daniel Rosney
Eurovision reporter

I am on my way to record our pod, Eurovisioncast, to give 'post-match' analysis on what just happened in semi-final number two.

As I’m walking to the studio, fans are chanting, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe, Poe - it's the chant from Austria's Teya & Salena's Who the Hell is Edgar?

It’s like a sea of different countries' flags walking through Liverpool right now. This is so exciting. I love it when Eurovision fans descend on a city and sing into the night.

Who knew Edgar Allan Poe was so popular in 2023?

You can listen here, and a new episode will be up on Friday morning.

Mark Savage
Watching at the venue

Image source, EPA

The Times is reporting, external that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has been "blocked" from addressing the 160 million people expected to watch Saturday's grand final.

Ukraine won last year's contest and, under normal circumstances, would have been this year's host. But the country is still under attack from Russia.

The EBU, which organises Eurovision, has long taken the position that the contest should be free of politics and, although this year's event is reflecting Ukrainian culture, it was felt that an address from President Zelensky would contravene the spirit of the contest.

“The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation. As part of these, one of the cornerstones of the contest is the non-political nature of the event,” a spokesman said.

"The request by Mr Zelensky to address the audience at the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst made with laudable intentions, regrettably cannot be granted as it would be against the rules of the event.”

It is not the first time the president has had such a request denied. He was turned down by the Oscars in March, and by Italy's Sanremo Music festival - which selects the country's Eurovision entrant - in February.

Gem O'Reilly
Reporting from the Eurovision Village

David and Kyle from Berkshire are donning the flags of acts that got through tonight’s semi-final.

I asked the couple how they knew. Kyle said: “They’re our favourite songs, we tend to pick the ones we like to listen to”.

They explained that it being an entirely public vote made them worried that “perhaps it might just be novelty songs rather than strong melodic ballads”.

Kyle and David have been here in Liverpool throughout the week and have tickets to the arena all week. “We are huge die hard fans and we met on a Eurovision night out and we’re engaged now. It’s such a big part of our lives, Eurovision will be in our speeches at our wedding”.

They think Sweden are going to win.

Mark Savage
Watching at the venue

Image source, Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

The second semi wasn't as thrilling as Tuesday's first instalment, with a surfeit of piano ballads sapping the show of energy. A highlight reel reminding fans of the night's songs was essentially a three-minute supercut of women belting out high notes.

But every so often, the contest showed signs of life. Be-hatted Belgian star Gustaph lit up the stage with his infectious house anthem Because Of You; and Poland's Blanka brought some sunshine to a rainy Liverpool Thursday thanks to her breezy pop hit Solo, which is already a huge streaming hit.

Both acts made it through to the grand final, where they'll face stiff competition from Sweden's Loreen and Finland's Käärijä, who are favourites to win.

Here's when band Voyager heard they were through to the final.

Our commentators Rylan Clark and Scott Mills used the moment to quote cult Australian comedy Kath & Kim. "Noice!"

Mark Savage
Watching at the venue

Image source, Chloe Hashemi/EBU

Australia's Voyager have broken the rock group curse at this year's Eurovision Song Contest by qualifying for Saturday's grand final.

The five-piece, fronted by immigration lawyer Danny Estrin, sailed through the second semi-final alongside fellow rockers Joker Out, from Slovenia.

Their success comes two days after the first semi, where every guitar group was eliminated.

They included Ireland's Wild Youth, who extended the country's losing streak.

• Read more from Mark here

Gem O'Reilly
Reporting from the Eurovision Village

I’m in a bar in the fan village getting reaction from people watching the results. One group of friends are all sat together, they’re very reactive as the results have come through.

The friends are from Malta, they came over because their friend (and brother) got through to the semi-finals - unfortunately The Busker didn’t make it to the final on Tuesday’s semi.

Leander, Stephanie, Rowena, Chiara, Dayle (The Busker’s sister) and Jeannette said they thought Iceland should have got through. Leander said: “I thought Iceland was great and the song was amazing”.

Dayle said she’s sad her brother didn’t qualify and explained how hard he’d worked but she’s glad her friends and family are here to watch the competition all the way through to the final.

They all said they think Finland will win Eurovision. Jeanette said: “Looking at the people’s reaction to Finland, they love it."

Australia's Voyager didn't hold back during their performance - which secured them a place in the grand final on Saturday.

Here's a reminder of how it went:

Hosts Dixon, Sanina and Waddingham emerged as drag queens Miss Demeanour, Mercedes Bends and Tomara Thomas.

Andre Rhoden-Paul
Reporting from the Eurovision Village

It might be dark here now but the atmosphere was still electric as the results were read out.

There were big cheers for Belgium's Gustaph bagging a place in the final, and an even bigger roar for Austria responsible for that catchy Who The Hell is Edgar bop.

Australia was also a hit with the crowd as it landed a place in the final.

Now attention turns to Saturday.

Eurovision superfan Aaron Gardner, who lives in The Netherlands, tells me: "I think Sweden's gonna win but my personal favourite is Austria.

"Poe Poe is amazing. It's amazing. It's so good."

There was a surprise appearance from Scooch, who competed for the UK in 2007 with Flying The Flag (For You) - they came 22nd with only 19 points.

The group were seen dressed in flight attendant outfits handing out voting cards to the audience.

And there we have it! We've just heard which acts are going through to the grand final on Saturday. Here's what our superfans had to say about the results:

Alina said the first semi-final was "more powerful" for her but she was amazed by Lithuania, Iceland, San Marino, and Australia's performances.

"In the Grand Final, I'm rooting for Germany and Sweden! And can’t wait to see it!" she said.

Oksana agreed, saying the first semi-final was "more vibrant and stronger". She feels "sad for Georgia and Iceland, they truly deserved to be in final".

She is pleased to see Armenia get through.

"The best of luck to Estonia, along with Sweden they are my fave so far," Oksana added.

Nicolaas was disappointed Greece and Georgia were not successful.

Daniel Rosney
Eurovision reporter, inside the arena

Slovenia are esctastic in the green room. It's success for Joker Out.

They’re hugging Lithuania, Austria, Estonia, Australia!

In fact all the qualifying acts seem to be congregating around Slovenia’s booth - the last country to be announced.

Denmark’s Reiley doesn’t look happy. That must be tough – 10 million followers on TikTok doesn’t mean much this evening, though.

None of the six acts going home are dancing.

"Eurovision history in the making right here," says co-host Hannah Waddingham.

She reminds us that we can expect performances from reigning Eurovision champions Kalush Orchestra, as well as Sam Ryder and others during Saturday's Grand Final.

And with that, the show's over.

That means the six who didn't make it are Romania, Denmark, Georgia, Iceland, San Marino and Greece.

Better luck next time.