Frankie Goes to Hollywood at Eurovision 2023: 4 Fun Facts

May 9, 2023

Frankie Goes to Hollywood, famous for their gay anthems and “Frankie Says Relax” T-shirts, reunited for the first time since 1987. They played only one song, Welcome to the Pleasuredome, to a crowd of 25,000 fans in their home city of Liverpool on May 7, 2023. Here are some facts to know about the event.

4 Fun Facts about Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s 2023 Eurovision Reunion

Frankie’s Back: Iconic Band’s Surprise Encore

Frankie Goes to Hollywood at the 2023 Eurovision in Liverpool — Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Screenshot: 2023 Eurovision in Liverpool / BBC

In a twist that shocked the bell bottoms off fans worldwide, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, famous for their gay anthems and “Frankie Says Relax” T-shirts, reunited on stage for the first time since 1987.

A One-Hit Wonder… Literally

Flexing their musical muscles before a crowd of 25,000 fans in their home city of Liverpool, the band members – now in their 60s – played only one song, ‘Welcome to the Pleasuredome.’ While the crowd went wild, some fans were left scratching their heads at the band’s brief stage time, wondering if they had blinked and missed the rest of the performance. Relax, you didn’t.

A Night to Remember: Eurovision Opening Concert

The reunion occurred at the Eurovision opening concert on May 7, 2023, at St George’s Plateau in Liverpool. Alongside Frankie Goes to Hollywood, the lineup featured a retro splash with the 90s sensation Atomic Kitten and a dash of Eurovision flavor with winners Conchita Wurst and Jamala, as well as the Lightning Seeds.

Not All Fun and Games

Despite the nostalgic joy, the event was not without its dark clouds. Some attendees reported hearing homophobic and xenophobic comments, while others feared near-crush conditions. Liverpool Council, however, assured everyone that the situation was under control, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. One could only wish the same for some of the questionable fashion choices spotted in the crowd.