Australian synth-metal band Voyager stormed home with a top 10 finish at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, England.
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The Perth band won their semi final but couldn't sway enough of the fan vote in the decider, finishing ninth overall.
Sweden's Loreen made history with her winning performance of Tattoo as only the second artist to have won Eurovision twice.
Aussie singer Andrew Lambrou took the stage for his parents' home country of Cyprus and delivered their best Eurovision finish in five years in 12th.
Following the May 14 event final, Voyager said Eurovision had been "absolutely surreal".
"There aren't enough words to describe how we're feeling," they said in a post on Instagram.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"Who would have thought that an independent, progressive metal band from Perth, WA, would take a top 10 position at the world's biggest song contest?
"We are incredibly grateful for this absolutely WILD journey - we wouldn't have done this without you!"
How the grand finalists ranked
- Sweden: Loreen - Tattoo
- Finland: Krij - Cha Cha Cha
- Israel: Noa Kirel - Unicorn
- Italy: Marco Mengoni - Due Vite
- Norway: Alessandra - Queen of Kings
- Ukraine: TVORCHI - Heart of Steel
- Belgium: Gustaph - Because Of You
- Estonia: Alika - Bridges
- Australia: Voyager - Promise
- Czechia: Vesna - My Sister's Crown
- Lithuania: Monika Linkyt - Stay
- Cyprus: Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart
- Croatia: Let 3 - Mama !
- Armenia: Brunette - Future Lover
- Austria: Teya & Salena - Who The Hell Is Edgar?
- France: La Zarra - Évidemment
- Spain: Blanca Paloma - Eaea
- Moldova: Pasha Parfeni - Soarele i Luna
- Poland: Blanka - Solo
- Switzerland: Remo Forrer - Watergun
- Slovenia: Joker Out - Carpe Diem
- Albania: Albina & Familja Kelmendi - Duje
- Portugal: Mimicat - Ai Corao
- Serbia: Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava
- United Kingdom: Mae Muller - I Wrote A Song
- Germany: Lord of the Lost - Blood & Glitter
Sweden took out first place with 583 points, with Finland following on 526 and Israel on 362 points.
Australia scored 151 points, with only 21 of those coming from televoters at home.
In a major change to the voting process at the 2023 event, the 20 countries to qualify for the grand final were solely decided by votes from viewers.
This has previously been in combination with votes from a jury.
And for the first time people watching from non-competing countries could have a say by voting for their favourite songs online.
Aussies can catch up on watching Eurovision on SBS On Demand.
Who is Australia's Voyager?
This year the nation's hopes rest on Perth synth-metal band Voyager with their song Promise.
The quintet of Danny Estrin, Simone Dow, Alex Canion, Scott Kay and Ashley Doodkorte are the first group to represent Australia at the event.
Australia is vying for the iconic glass microphone at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in what could be the nation's final shot at glory.
In its 67th year the song contest is being hosted in the British city on behalf of last year's winner Ukraine, due to the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Australia has been part of Eurovision since 2015 despite being 14,000km from the continent.
Aussie Guy Sebastian was a wildcard entry that year following campaigning from broadcaster SBS.
But the future of Australia's involvement in the show is up in the air with a five-year agreement ending in 2023.
An SBS spokesperson said the broadcaster planned to pick up discussions on future participation after this year's event.
Australia's history at Eurovision
- 2022 Sheldon Riley Not The Same - 15th
- 2021 Montaigne Don't Break Me - didn't place
- 2019 Kate Miller-Heidke Zero Gravity - 9th
- 2018 Jessica Mauboy We Got Love - 20th
- 2017 Isaiah Firebrace Don't Come Easy - 9th
- 2016 Dami Im Sound of Silence - 2nd
- 2015 Guy Sebastian Tonight Again - 5th