Eurobash – OGAE UK’s annual fan convention
It doesn’t seem that long since Eurovision 2023, but as any Eurovision fan knows, our love of the contest isn’t only a once-a-year thing in May. One of the fixtures of the Eurovision fan calendar is Eurobash, our annual fun-filled weekend of Eurovision.
We had such a great time in Liverpool this May that we have decided to return to the city in October. Liverpool fully embraced Eurovision and put on one of the best contests in many years. One of the highlights was Euroclub where fans and artists partied the nights away. The venue for Euroclub was Camp and Furnace, and that’s where we have chosen to hold Eurobash this year.
Camp and Furnace is an events venue in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool, just a short walk from places such as Liverpool One and the Albert Dock. For this event we will be in Camp – the room which had the silver wall decoration during Euroclub.
This year Eurobash takes place on Saturday 7th October.
What’s included?
There is a full day of Eurovision fun and performances at Eurobash.
- Arrival and buffet lunch with sandwiches and salads from 12.15pm
- Eurovision Quiz at 1.15pm, followed by
- The Guest List – hear from our special guests Gustaph, Anne-Marie David and Ryan O’Shaughnessy about their Eurovision experience. We also hope to hear from some of the people involved in Liverpool’s hosting of Eurovision.
- Break at 4.15pm – time to check-in to your hotel or get spruced up for the evening! For anyone who wants to stay at the venue we will put on a video vote featuring songs from previous contests.
- Hot buffet dinner from 6.00pm – choice of 3 main dishes (including a vegetarian option) plus accompaniments
- Eurostars from 7.00pm – competitors battle it out for your vote by performing as a Eurovision star (details on how to take part set out below)
- Gala concert from our special guests at 8.30pm
- Eurovision disco until 2am, including the all-important Midnight Chips!!
At this stage, the timings are intended as a guide and will be finalised nearer the event.
And all this for just £85 (fees included) per person for OGAE UK members, £90 for members of other OGAE clubs and £95 for non-members. Another great reason to make sure you are a member of OGAE UK!
Tickets go on sale at 6pm on Sunday 13th August at this link https://buytickets.at/ogaeuk/980839
During the daytime everyone will be seated on tables of around 10 people and there will be a table plan (like at a wedding). This is a great opportunity to meet new people. However, for those that wish to, there will be a chance to let us know if you want to be seated with anyone in particular nearer to the event. In the evening you will be free to sit wherever you like. After the gala concert the tables and chairs will be moved to make space to dance.
We are pleased to have been able to hold the ticket prices at the same cost as last year, despite many costs rising. We recognise the financial pressures that many people are facing these days and that Eurovision is not a cheap passion to follow. Moving the venue to a dedicated event space at Camp and Furnace has allowed us to do this as the costs of hiring function spaces in hotels are becoming prohibitively expensive. As a reminder that this is not a profit-generating event and the ticket price only goes towards the costs of running Eurobash each year.
Who are the special guests?
This year we are delighted to welcome three special guests to Eurobash.
Gustaph
Gustpah represented Belgium at this year’s Eurovision. He finished a very credible 7th place with his stomping anthem “Because of You”. Gustaph came through a very competitive Belgian national final in January. But he is no stranger to Eurovision having been a backing singer for Belgium at the contest in 2018 with Sennek and 2021 with Hooverphonic. As well as being singer, Gustaph works as a vocal coach and teacher.
Anne-Marie David
Anne-Marie David won the Eurovision Song Contest for Luxembourg in 1973 with “”Tu te reconnaîtras”. Given it is 50 years since her victory we are delighted to bring her to Eurobash to celebrate this special anniversary and also to celebrate the return of Luxembourg to the contest. But 1973 wasn’t Anne-Marie’s only Eurovision participation. In 1979 she represented her native France with the song “Je Suis L’enfant Soleil”. She finished 3rd which, coupled with her win in 1973, makes Anne-Marie one of the most successful Eurovision performers of all time.
Ryan O’Shaughnessy
Ryan is from Dublin, Ireland and took part in Eurovision in Lisbon in 2018. He achieved one of Ireland’s best results in recent years, making it to the Grand Final and finishing in 18th place, helped by its sweet and memorable staging. Prior to Eurovision, Ryan had been a child actor and was a Finalist in the sixth series of Britain’s Got Talent in 2012, finishing 5th. Ryan continues to write and perform new music and comes from a Eurovision family – his uncle Gary O’Shaughnessy represented Ireland at Eurovision in 2001.
So how do I book?
Simply book your tickets through the ticket link above once it goes live from 6pm on Sunday, providing individual names for each attendee. Where relevant, please use the name in which your OGAE membership is held, as ticket purchases can be cross-checked with membership lists.
When booking there is the opportunity to provide details of any specific dietary or accessibility requirements. Lunch and dinner will include a selection of vegetarian, vegan and meat-based options.
OGAE Family Members and people younger than 18 can attend providing they are accompanied by an adult. However, there may be language or humour which may not be suitable for children so anyone bringing young people under 18 does so under this advisement. The ticket prices are the same regardless of the age of the attendee.
How can I book accommodation?
There are plenty of hotels, hostels and other accommodation options available in Liverpool. Trying to find a city where there are no other events taking place on the same weekend is impossible and we are aware that there is a large event taking place in Liverpool from the day following Eurobash (Labour Party conference). However, there are still plenty of options available in the city and wider area.
A break has been scheduled for in the late afternoon for those who want to check-in at their accommodation or get changed before the evening festivities. Attendees are also welcome to remain at the venue where we will have a video vote.
Of course, there is no obligation to book accommodation in Liverpool. Those who live nearby may choose to head home, and there are some late-night coach connections to other cities (e.g. National Express 170 service to Manchester and Leeds).
How do I take part in Eurostars?
Eurostars is a highlight of Eurobash and something that sets the event apart from other Eurovision events. Eurostars is a singing competition where people dress up and sing as a Eurovision act (a bit like the old Stars In Their Eyes television show). It’s all about having fun though, rather than a deadly serious singing competition.
Participants can take part individually or with friends. If you’re interested in taking part or want to find out more, do please get in touch with us at eurobashuk@gmail.com
Will there be anything taking place on Friday night?
We know that some people will arrive in Liverpool on Friday. As in previous years we will find a bar that will let us play Eurovision music so anyone who wants to meet up on the Friday night can do so. We’re still finalising where this will take place, but will share information shortly.
If you have any questions please email eurobashuk@gmail.com
We look forward to welcoming you to Liverpool and Eurobash 2023!
