16 participants announced for Slovenia’s EMA 2017!

This afternoon, Slovenian national broadcaster RTVSLO revealed the exact details of the revamped format for EMA (Evrovizijska Melodija) 2017. As rumours suggested, EMA will now take place over three shows. The first semi-final will take place on 17th February. The second semi-final will take place the following night, on 18th February. Finally, the grand final will take place the following week on 24th February.

Sixteen acts will compete in EMA 2017

Perhaps even more excitingly, RTVSLO have also revealed the sixteen participants that will compete in EMA 2017. You can find out the semi-finalists by watching the official EMA promo video below:

First semi-final (17th February 2017)

• Amaya
• King Foo
• Lea Sirk
• Nika Zorjan
• Omar Naber
• Sell Out
• Tosca Beat
• Zala Đurić Ribič

Second semi-final (18th February 2017)

• Alya
• BQL
• Ina Shai
• Kataya & Duncan Kamakana
• Nuška Drašček
• Raiven
• Tim Kores Kori
• United Pandaz & ARSELLO feat. Alex Volasko

All of the names escXtra previously reported would likely be amongst the line-up – BQL, Nika Zorjan and Omar Naber – are present amongst the sixteen, as well as several other big names. The most notable of these is arguably Amaya. Amaya, then known as Maja Keuc, finished in 13th place in the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest with No One after a very impressive top 3 finish in her semi-final. Furthermore, EMA 2016 runner-up Raiven is also returning to the contest. Therefore, she will be hoping to go one better after losing out to ManuElla’s Blue and Red for the ticket to Stockholm.

A new voting format

From each semi-final, televoting will select two qualifiers and a jury will select two further qualifiers. Therefore, four acts will qualify from each semi-final to give us a final of eight acts. Details regarding the song titles and songwriters will be published in the coming weeks. RTVSLO will be hoping this revamped format will see Slovenia return to the final after missing out this year.
Which artists are you most looking forward to seeing at EMA 2017? Do you think Slovenia have the recipe to return to the Eurovision final in 2017? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below!