Radio 1 Newsbeat’s music reporter Steve Holden takes an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at the build-up to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

How do you prepare for one of the world's most popular live music events when a global pandemic is still happening? The UK's entry James Newman is back for a second shot at Eurovision glory with his song Embers. The show was cancelled last year because of coronavirus.

We’ll also find out how every single act competing this year has been getting ready as they try to achieve their goal of finally getting on the Eurovision stage.

Thanks to the EBU and the artists of Eurovision 2021: Anxhela Peristeri (Albania), Montaigne (Australia), Vincent Bueno (Austria), Efendi (Azerbaijan), Hooverphonic (Belgium), Victoria (Bulgaria), Albina (Croatia), Elena Tsignarou (Cyprus), Benny Cristo (Czech Republic), Fyr og Flamme (Denmark), Uku Suviste (Estonia), Blind Channel (Finland), Barbara Pravi (France), Tornike Kipiani (Georgia), Jendrik (Germany), Stefania (Greece), Daði og Gagnamagnið (Iceland), Lesley Roy (Ireland), Eden Alene (Israel), Måneskin (Italy), Samanta Tīna (Latvia), The Roop (Lithuania), Destiny (Malta), Natalia Gordienko (Moldova), Vasil (North Macedonia), TIX (Norway), Rafał (Poland), The Black Mamba (Portugal), Roxen (Romania), Senhit (San Marino), Hurricane (Serbia), Ana Soklič (Slovenia), Blas Cantó (Spain), The Mamas (Sweden), Gjon’s Tears (Switzerland), Jeangu Macrooy (The Netherlands), Go_A (Ukraine) and James Newman (United Kingdom).

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