Earlier this year, we were commissioned by Liverpool City Council to create a celebratory drone show for Eurovision 2023’s Opening Ceremony. Funded by The National Lottery, the ‘Big Eurovision Welcome’ party was an opportunity for Liverpool residents who were unable to get tickets to the Eurovision contest shows to be a part of the global music event.
The 624 drone display was the largest single-location drone show in the UK to date and consisted of two breathtaking 4-minute displays. Showcasing Celestial’s award-winning artistry, giant organic forms such as a white stork (Ukraine’s national bird) and the mythical liver bird (the symbolic creature for Liverpool) were brought to life above a stage of artists and aerial performers in front of Liverpool’s St George’s Hall.
Over 25,000 people witnessed the 90-minute live concert and millions tuned in to watch it on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer. The show featured iconic music legends like The Lightning Seeds, Atomic Kitten, The Real Thing, and a special reunion performance by Frankie Goes To Hollywood.
Hosted by AJ Odudu and Joel Dommett, the event also featured two previous Eurovision winners, Conchita Wurst for Austria and Jamala for Ukraine, who graced the stage with their incredible talent.
Our highly skilled animation and creative teams delivered a show that made audiences both cry and dance.
The first half of the display was accompanied by the mesmerising voice of Austrian singer Conchita Wurst as she sang a powerful rendition of “Rise like a Phoenix” whilst graceful drones resembling Ukraine’s stork soared gracefully overhead.
The second half of the display was accompanied by Swedish pop sensation Zara Larsson, whose latest hit single “Can’t tame her” formed the track to which playful drone smiley emojis and figures coming together formed overhead. Her second song, a cover of “You’ve Got the Love” beautifully aligned with giant rotating drone hearts illuminating the sky and the lasting message to encapsulate the show; “United by Music.”
In collaboration with Liverpool City Council, The National Lottery, TBI Media, Potion Pictures, previous Eurovision winners and the exceptionally talented artists who performed alongside our drones, we were incredibly grateful to be a part of such a globally watched celebration.
Celestial continues to be at the forefront of drone artistry for events, and where better to showcase this new standard for artistic expression than Eurovision.
BBC coverage of the show “Eurovision Welcomes the World” is available to view here.
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