EurovisionMalmö 2024🇪🇪 Estonia

Eesti Laul 2024 final to take place February 17

ERR opens song submission window as format changes are announced

Earlier today, ERR the Estonian national broadcaster, announced that Eesti Laul 2024 will return in the new year to select the act that will represent the Baltic nation in Malmö, Sweden for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Along with the opening of the submission window, came news of new changes to the selection process.

Submission window for Eesti Laul 2024 opens

The Estonian broadcaster ERR has confirmed the return of Eesti Laul as the selection format to choose the act that will perform on the Eurovision stage next May. Already potential candidates can submit their songs to ERR. The submission window closes at noon on October 23. Up to five songs per act can be submitted. This can include songs in Estonian or other languages. However, the fee for Estonian songs is 50 euros and for foreign language/multi language songs, the fee is doubled to 100 euros. Late submissions in the days leading up to the deadline, will see this fee upped to 100 euros and 200 euros respectively.

Songwriters and groups of songwriters, as well as performers, can consist of native Estonians, foreign residents of Estonia or non-residents. However, a song cannot have more non-citizens than citizens and/or residents involved.

Artists, composers and song titles will be released by ERR in November. Meanwhile the complete entries taking part in the Semi-Final will be premiered to the public no later than early December. Twenty entries will be selected by a pre-jury who will remain anonymous until after selection and will listen to the songs blind, with no knowledge of names involved or song titles. In the event that a competing entry does not comply with the regulations, two back-up songs will be selected in reserve. Meanwhile Estonia’s Radio 2 will also preview songs that missed out on selection to promote and boost new music in the country.

Eesti Laul 2024 format and dates

Since 2009 Estonia has used the Eesti Laul national final to select its representatives. Last year saw the competition revert to its usual two Semi-Final and one Grand Final format. This year will see the phrase ‘quality, not quantity’ take precedence. Before the live shows even begin, a pre-jury of music professionals and ordinary people will select 5 automatic qualifiers for the Grand Final from the final 20 song shortlist.

Only one Semi-Final consisting of 15 entries is set to take place. From which, 5 will progress to the Final across two rounds of voting. The winners of the first round will be decided by the jury vote and TV viewers’ phone votes, and winners of the second round will be decided only by the viewers’ phone votes. In order to promote Tartu’s status as European Capital of Culture 2024, the city will host the Semi-Final.

Considering the changing world and the complex economic environment, we are also holding back, but we are bringing new Estonian music to the fore in the best possible way. And what better place to look for a song heading to Europe than Tartu, the European capital of culture in 2024

Karmel Killandi (Editor-In-Chief, Eesti Laul)

In the Grand Final, the usual two rounds will return. The first round will determine the acts in the ‘Super Final’ and is decided by 50% jury voting and 50% public vote. During the Super Final, the Estonian representative is chosen by 100% televoting.

Eesti Laul 2024 live show dates:

  • Semi-Final – January 20
  • Grand Final – February 17

Estonia in the Eurovision Song Contest

Back in 1994 Estonia made their Eurovision debut in Dublin with Silvi Vrait and the entry, ‘Nagu merelaine‘. During the contest the Baltic nation placed 24th with just 2 points. Despite the early setback, Estonia have achieved ten top ten results in total. Their best result came with Estonia’s only win in 2001. In Copenhagen the collective of Tanel Padar, Dave Benton and 2XL scored victory with 198 points for ‘Everybody‘.

Last year the Estonian public chose ALIKA and ‘Bridges’ through Eesti Laul 2023. During the Liverpool contest, ALIKA achieved Estonia’s best result in the Grand Final since 2018. Earning a total of 168 points, resulting in 8th place.

Who should represent Estonia in Eurovision 2024? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, @escxtra on TikTok and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to follow us on Spotify for the latest music from your favourite Eurovision acts. As well as YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the new Eurovision season.

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