Editing Eurovision Song Contest (section)

=== Artist eligibility and performances ===
[[File:Domenico Modugno (1958), Bestanddeelnr 909-4001 (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|alt=Black and white photograph from the 1958 contest held in the AVRO Studios in Hilversum, the Netherlands; an orchestra seated to the left of a small stage, with Italian singer Domenico Modugno singing on the stage platform in front of a wall.|The orchestra was an integral part of the contest until 1998 ([[Domenico Modugno]] performing at the {{Escyr|1958||1958 contest}}).]]

The rules for the first contest specified that only solo performers were permitted to enter;<ref name="Lugano 56" /> this criterion was changed the following year to permit duos to compete, and groups were subsequently permitted for the first time in {{Escyr|1971}}.<ref name="Frankfurt 57" /><ref name="Dublin 71">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Dublin 1971 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/dublin-1971 |access-date=19 March 2021 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> Currently the number of people permitted on stage during competing performances is limited to a maximum of six, and no live animals are allowed.<ref name="Rules" /> Since {{Escyr|1990}}, all contestants must be aged 16 or over on the day of the live show in which they perform.<ref name="Lausanne 89">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Lausanne 1989 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/lausanne-1989 |access-date=4 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref> [[Sandra Kim]], the winner for {{Esccnty|Belgium|y=1986|t=Belgium in 1986}} at the age of 13, shall remain the contest's youngest winner while this rule remains in place.<ref name="Bergen 86">{{Cite web |title=Eurovision Song Contest: Bergen 1986 |url=https://eurovision.tv/event/bergen-1986 |access-date=4 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=104–107}} There is no limit on the nationality or country of birth of the competing artists, and participating broadcasters are free to select an artist from any country; several winning artists have subsequently held a different nationality or were born in a different country to that which they represented.{{sfn|Roxburgh|2012|pp=387–396}}<ref name="Winners" /> No performer may compete for more than one country in a given year.<ref name="Rules" /> There is no restriction regarding performers who have participated in past events competing again – whether for the same country or a different one. It is even possible for a winning performer to try and defend their title in the next edition, as happened when [[Lena Meyer-Landrut|Lena]], who won for {{Esccnty|Germany|y=2010|t=Germany in 2010}}, competed again {{Esccnty|Germany|y=2011|t=in 2011}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Brenner |first1=Andreas |last2=Bowen |first2=Kate |date=2011-05-13 |title=Lena looks back |url=https://www.dw.com/en/its-time-for-a-vacation-lena-tells-dw/a-6525745 |access-date=2024-08-19 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=en}}</ref> However, in the history of the contest only two individuals have won more than once as a performer{{Snd}}[[Johnny Logan (singer)|Johnny Logan]] for {{Esccnty|Ireland|y=1980|t=Ireland in 1980}} and {{Esccnty|Ireland|y=1987|t=1987}}, and [[Loreen]] for {{Esccnty|Sweden|y=2012|t=Sweden in 2012}} and {{Esccnty|Sweden|y=2023|t=2023}}.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-05-13 |title=Eurovision: Sweden's Loreen wins again, but UK's Mae Muller is second from last |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65585413 |access-date=2023-05-15 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The orchestra was a prominent aspect of the contest from 1956 to 1998.<ref name="Facts & Figures" /> Pre-recorded backing tracks were first allowed for competing acts in 1973, but any pre-recorded instruments were required to be seen being "performed" on stage. In 1997, all instrumental music was allowed to be pre-recorded, although the host country was still required to provide an orchestra.{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=148–151}} In 1999, the rules were changed again, making the orchestra an optional requirement; the host broadcaster of {{Escyr|1999||that year's contest}}, the [[Israel Broadcasting Authority]] (IBA), subsequently decided not to provide an orchestra, resulting in all entries using backing tracks for the first time.<ref name="99 Rules" /><ref name="Jerusalem 99" />{{sfn|O'Connor|2010|pp=156–159}} Since then all instrumental music for competing entries has been pre-recorded.<ref name="Rules" /><ref name="15 Rules">{{Cite web |title=Public Rules of the 60th Eurovision Song Contest |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/press-downloads/2015/2014-09-02_2015_ESC_rules_EN_PUBLIC_RULES.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430201605/http://www.eurovision.tv/upload/press-downloads/2015/2014-09-02_2015_ESC_rules_EN_PUBLIC_RULES.pdf |archive-date=30 April 2015 |access-date=4 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref>

The main vocals of competing songs must be performed live during the contest.<ref name="Rules" /> Previously live backing vocals were also required; since {{Escyr|2021||2021}} these may optionally be pre-recorded{{Snd}}this change has been implemented in an effort to introduce flexibility following the cancellation of the 2020 edition and to facilitate modernisation.<ref name="Back for good">{{Cite web |date=18 June 2020 |title=Changes announced to ensure Eurovision comes 'back for good' |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/changes-announced-to-ensure-eurovision-comes-back-for-good |access-date=4 July 2020 |publisher=Eurovision Song Contest}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Katsoulakis |first=Manos |date=25 August 2022 |title=The rules of Eurovision 2023 are released: Pre-recorded backing vocals permitted again |url=https://eurovisionfun.com/en/2022/08/the-rules-of-eurovision-2023-are-released-pre-recorded-vocals-permitted-again/ |access-date=26 August 2022 |website=EurovisionFun}}</ref>