As our 37 artists perform on stage at the Liverpool Arena, we bring you a glimpse into what they're getting up to backstage, before and after that all-important first rehearsal.

It's an earlier start for some artists more than others, depending on what time their first rehearsal is scheduled at. All delegations must arrive at Liverpool Arena one hour and 40 minutes before their allotted time on stage.

First up is a ten-minute health and safety briefing upon arrival, before they are taken down into the backstage area of the arena for their 30-minute in-ear monitoring run-through. This is an important step for our performers, as it ensures that their equipment is comfortable and at the right level for them to only hear the sound they need to while they're on stage performing, eliminating most of the noise from the speakers in the arena.

Once the in-ear monitors are satisfactory, it's time to move into the backstage holding area, to get the artists used to being right where they need to be, and in good time before they will be due on stage. During this 20-minute time, the acts can ensure that everything is as it should be in terms of equipment and outfits...

... and it's also a good opportunity to perform vocal warm-ups too!

Our acts are then invited to the stage for their turn, but not before a 10-minute safety briefing about the stage is given - to minimise the risk of any avoidable mishaps.

Now, the artists are ready to take to the stage for the very first time, and get to grips with their new home for the next two weeks. During this first rehearsal, it's all about getting used to the stage, noting where all cameras are at all times, and ensuring that the sound is at a level that will allow them to perform confidently by the time the Live Shows roll around.

After 30 minutes, in which each country is given three run-throughs on stage, it's time to head to the viewing room. In here, the delegations will be played back their performances, and this is a good time for the artist to make any notes on what they might like to do differently next time, and also for the creative directors to speak to the BBC production team about any minor changes they would like to make for the second round of rehearsals.

Once teams are happy with everything they see, it's off to have a bit of fun with the Eurovision Song Contest digital content team. At Eurovision's own studio in Liverpool Arena, the artists will record videos for the Contest's social media channels

Also at the content studio, our 37 acts will film sit-down interviews with Clara Amfo or Rylan, for a brand-new series premiering on the Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel from Thursday 4 May - Be My Guest . On Be My Guest , artists will be asked plenty of questions (including the fan questions that some of you have submitted to us via social media), and they'll also be tasked with playing a highly amusing game which has been tailored especially towards them.

Once our acts have been suitably grilled by our Be My Guest hosts, they are then offered the chance to have a hair and make-up consultation if required, or just sit back and decompress backstage - after a few hours of familiarising themselves with Liverpool Arena and perfecting their performance before its performed live to hundreds of millions of people around the world!

For a minute-by-minute insight into the daily goings on - both on-stage and backstage - visit Eurovision.tv daily, for the Live Blog.

Also backstage, our official Eurovision Song Contest host Steve Holden is interviewing our artists to get their first opinions on how everything has been going for them. You can subscribe to the podcast right here .