Latvia’s Supernova 2018 semi-finalists revealed!

After two subsequent shortlists, the Latvian jury made up for Supernova has finally selected the semi-finalists for the Latvia’s national selection. 21 semi-finalists will compete in the 4th edition of the contest.

From 63 to 21

In October, LTV – the broadcaster for Latvia at Eurovision – made a suprising move : revealing all the entries that had applied for Supernova 2018, without revealing the names of the singers. The broadcaster invited the internet and the fans to vote for the songs, in order to help the jury to make a first shortlist. Almost 2.500 people voted, and the jury first cut off more than half of the songs. 31 of them were invited to be sung live on November 5th, in the Alfa Mall (Riga), in front of the four jurors. Passers-by and fans could also attend.
During those last 30 days, the juror made a second shortlist, from 31 to 21 entries, that will compete in the actual Supernova. The four jurors were :

• DJ Rudd (music producer), head of the jury
• Ilze Jansone (Supernova Producer)
• Jolanta Gulbe (Jazz singer)
• Toms Grevins (Supernova Host)

How will the Supernova 2018 work?

Next year’s Supernova will be the 4th edition of the Latvian selection, and like last year, the process has changed.
The competition will be held in February, and will take place over four shows. Three semi-finals, with 7 candidates each. Only two candidates will qualify to the Final each time, which will thus be held between 6 contestants.
The dates are not know yet. Though, if the broadcasting will take place on Sundays, like in 2017, then a calendar easily appears. There will be only 4 Sundays in February 2018, for 4 show. February 4th, 11th and 18th for the semi-finals, and February 25th for the Final. Again, this is only speculation.

Who are the 21 semi-finalists?

Supernova 2018 will feature 5 male singers, 8 female singers, and 8 groups. One song is in Latvian, and the famous song in Spanish Soledad is through. The rest is in English.

1. Agnese Stengrevics – You Are My World
2. Liene Greifāne – Walk the Talk
3. MIONIA – You
4. Laura Rizzotto – Funny Girl
5. MADARA – Esamība
6. Katrine Lukins – Running Red Lights
7. Monta – 1000 Roses
8. Jenny May – Soledad
9. Markus Riva – This Time
10. Edgars Kreilis – Younger Days
11. Ritvars – Who’s Counting
12. Lauris Valters – Lovers Bliss
13. Ed Rallidae – What I Had With You
14. In My Head – Sunset
15. DVINES – More Than Meets the Eye
16. Hypnotic – Pray
17. Sudden Lights – Just Fine
18. Kris & Oz – Morning Flight
19. Rahu The Fool – Oh Longriver!
20. Riga Reggae – STOP THE WAR U2
21. Katrina Gupallo & The Black Birds – Intoxicating Caramel

Among the list, we notice Markus Riva, who thus participates for the fourth time in four years of Supernova. Some others will participate for the 2nd time :  Edgars Kreilis, DVINES, Lauris Valters, Ed Rallidae, Sabīne Geiba (in the band Hypnotic), Mont (as part of My Radiant You in 2017) and Katrine Lukins.

We also see the return of Aminata, as a songwriter, for Ed Rallidae. She co-wrote What I Had With You. She’s of course a big name in the Eurovision world, having won Supernova 2015 with her own song Love Injected, then the 2016 edition, composing and writing Heartbeat for Justs Sirmais. In Vienna 2015, she achieved to reach the 6th place.
What do you think? Do you like the 2018 selection? Were there other songs in the 63 that you wanted to see in the semi-finals? Tell us on the comments below or on social media at @escxtra !