Eurovision: UK’s Mae Muller’s set made by Bradford’s Setstage

Setstage, based at a 10,000 sq ft unit in the city, builds sets for productions for the world of TV, podcasts, theatre and music.

These have included a number of sets for this year’s Eurovision, held in Liverpool, including semi-finalist countries and some already through to Saturday night’s grand final including Germany, Italy and France.

UK entrant Mae Muller, top centre, at a Eurovision final dress rehearsal on the stage built by Bradford's Setstage (Image: PA)

Setstage has built the set for this year’s UK entrant Mae Muller, who will perform ‘I Wrote A Song’ at the show.

It is the second successive year that the firm has built the UK’s set. The 2022 entrant Sam Ryder finished second at the Eurovision final held in Turin. He rehearsed at Setstage’s headquarters in the build-up to the showpiece.

Armenia's Brunette sings 'Future Lover' at Thursday's Eurovision semi-final (Image: PA)

Setstage has also built stages for other countries who competed in this week’s two Eurovision semi-finals. These included Armenia, Belgium and Cyprus, who all qualified for the Eurovision final, and Denmark, who did not reach the weekend showpiece.

Ireland's entrant Wild Youth sing We Are One on the Setstage-built stage (Image: PA)

They also build the set for Ireland’s entry, Wild Youth, who failed to reach Saturday’s final with their song ‘We Are One’.

The company has also built the voting desk used on stage at the final by the show’s presenters. This features LED lighting with a series of colourful hearts.

From left, Eurovision semi-final hosts Julia Sanina and Hannah Waddingham stand behind the voting desk built by Bradford's Setstage (Image: PA)

Setstage has been working round the clock over the last few weeks to get the stages ready in time for rehearsals ahead of the huge week of shows.

The Eurovision voting desk was built in Bradford (Image: Setstage)

Two of this year’s Eurovision acts, Italy and Denmark, rehearsed on their sets at Setstage’s Bradford base in the build-up to the event.

Denmark's Eurovision entrant Reiley sings Breaking My Heart after rehearsing the song at Setstage's base in Bradford (Image: PA)

Chris Firth, head of creative at Setstage, said: “It’s nice to have your home one (the UK set). It’s a lot of kudos.

“All eyes are on it. A lot of people see it, it’s all over the place.

“Eurovision is worldwide publicity. A lot of people will see what’s going on the stage.

Belguim's Gustaph sings 'Because of You' on the Setstage-built stage (Image: PA)

“We’re growing ridiculously at the minute. It all comes out of here.

“It’s good for Bradford, putting something like this out.

“A lot of our staff are from Bradford. It’s local talent that’s on a world stage.

“After it is done, it is onto the next one for us. It is nice to share something like Eurovision with your family.”

From left, Setstage directors Steve Dolan, Dan Bell and Phil Sharp outside their firm's Bradford base (Image: Newsquest)

Setstage was set up by directors Phil Sharp, Steve Dolan and Dan Bell in 2020 and they opened their construction unit in Newhall Way, off Rooley Lane, last year.