Israel's Pop Machine Finishes Third With Dance Break

MAY 15 2023 · 12:40

Noa Kirel · "Unicorn" · Israel · 2023 Placement: 3 · Score: 362 · Language: English, Hebrew · Composers: Doron Medalie, Yinon Yahel, May Sfadia · Venue: M&S Bank Arena · Host: Liverpool, United Kingdom · Type: performance innovation · Broadcast: streaming era Kirel — 22, already Israel's most-streamed pop artist — takes the Liverpool stage in a metallic silver two-piece with six dancers. 'Unicorn' is propulsive dance-pop climaxing in an extended instrumental dance break where Kirel executes choreography with genuine technical precision. 362 points for 3rd place. Context Doron Medalie had co-written multiple Israeli Eurovision entries including Netta's 2018 win. Kirel had been groomed for Eurovision for years. The dance-break staging was Israeli pop industrial capacity at its most refined. Loreen's 'Tattoo' won the contest. Legacy The 3rd-place finish consolidated Israel's 21st-century Eurovision success streak — Netta 2018 win, Kirel 2023 bronze. Kirel continued as Israel's biggest pop act through the 2024-2025 years despite Israel-Gaza tensions that made her appearances increasingly politically charged. The dance-break template inspired subsequent Israeli entries.