The Brain Charity

It’s an exciting time to be in Liverpool – the city has just been named as the host city for Eurovision 2023.

A worldwide television audience of around 160 million will watch the acts perform at the M&S Bank Arena on Liverpool’s iconic docks on Saturday 13th May 2023.

And it’s Liverpool’s famous waterfront that The Brain Charity has chosen as the backdrop to its Ice Ball, at which former Eurovision performer Sonia Evans will be taking to the stage at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday 2nd December.

Eurovision legend Sonia said: “It’s always such a thrill to perform in front of a home crowd – it makes such a difference.

“Performing is in my blood, and over the years, I’ve played at the Arena, Pride, the Empire, the Royal Court and the Epstein, and it’s always a privilege to have such enthusiastic audiences.”

Who is Sonia Evans? The back story of the UK’s 1993 Eurovision contestant

Hailing from Skelmersdale, Sonia appeared as an extra in the TV soap Brookside before setting her sights on a career in the music industry. 

With her fiery red hair and distinctive voice, she approached the successful record producer Pete Waterman, who also presented a Saturday show on Liverpool’s Radio City.

Waterman, riding on a high with his roster of artists that included Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, invited Sonia to sing live on air.  Her first single for Stock Aitken Waterman – You’ll Never Stop Me From Loving You – got to Number 1 and her album, Everybody Knows went gold.

Each of the singles from the LP reached the Top 20, making her the first British female artist to chart with all five releases from a debut album.

Still only 18, Sonia went on to score further chart successes in the 90s and transferred her talents to the stage, taking over from Debbie Gibson in the West End production of Grease.

Sonia’s Eurovision 1993 experience

In late 1991, the Eurovision Fan Club was approached by the BBC to canvas opinion on which singer should represent the UK in the 1993 competition. 

Sonia won by a landslide, and she appeared on the BBC’s Song For Europe in the early part of the year – performing a shortlist of six entries, of which Better The Devil You Know was picked by viewers. 

Sonia came second on the night of the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 in Ireland, and still has happy memories of the event.

She said: “There’s always such a buzz at Eurovision – the atmosphere is electric, and everyone is so supportive.

“It will be exactly 30 years since I took part and I’m over the moon that Liverpool is now hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, as we have the best musical heritage in the world. 

“We’ve got the perfect setting – the city looks so beautiful and having Eurovision on the banks of Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront will be amazing!”

More recently, Sonia has been one of the key faces of Liverpool’s Eurovision bid, and during the contest there will be 20 cut outs of her hidden around Liverpool for Eurovision fans to find.

Celebrate Liverpool hosting Eurovision 2023 early and see Sonia perform live at The Brain Charity’s Ice Ball this December

Sonia will be performing her Eurovision favourite (which lost out by a mere point at the time) and all her greatest hits at The Brain Charity’s Ice Ball at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday, December 2nd.

Liverpool’s best Christmas party promises to be an unforgettable celebration which raises much-needed funds for The Brain Charity’s front-line services helping people with all forms of neurological condition to lead longer, healthier, happier lives.

Why not book a table with colleagues for your work Christmas do, entertain corporate clients or come along with family and friends for a sensational Merseyside Christmas party for 2022.

Sonia said: “I’m so looking forward to it – it will be a night to remember, and a great way to celebrate Christmas early.

“It’s been such a terrible year for so many people, so it will be it will be good for people to let their hair down and party!

“It’s good to know that the night will raise funds for The Brain Charity at a time when people with neurological conditions need its services even more than ever.”

Tickets are selling fast for The Brain Charity’s Ice Ball, so if you’re looking for a great Christmas night out and to get the Eurovision 2023 celebrations started early, buy yours today.