Last week, it was revealed that RTVSLO – Slovenia’s broadcaster for Eurovision – had revealed that 18 acts have been selected by the broadcaster to compete in EMA FREŠ. This selection, which starts in three weeks, will act as a pre-selection for EMA 2020. Now, the full line-up has been revealed!
The submissions where reviewed by a jury, who whittled the pack down to a line-up of 18. Because the submissions were made up of demos, followers of EMA FREŠ will be able to see the process behind the final versions being developed!
The artists competing in the series alongside their songs are as follows:
- Alfirev – Črno bela lika (Black and white figure)
- Astrid in Avantgarden – Sing To Me
- Klarity – Diham (I’m breathing)
- Lana Hrvatin – Dream
- Ljudmila Frelih – Vztrajaj, ker je vredno (Persevere because it’s worth it)
- Marko Škof – Hočem da je vse kot prej (I want everything as before)
- Marmoris – Moj pristan (My haven)
- Martina – Pleši (Dance)
- Nuša Pliberšek – Življenje je čarovnija (Life is magic)
- Parvani Violet – Cupid
- Petra Ceglar – Srce naglas (Heart out loud)
- Pia Nina – Tukaj in zdaj (Here and now)
- Sara Petešič – Sanjaj / Dream
- Saška – Še kar lovim tvoj nasmeh (I’m still chasing your smile)
- Soulution – Bil bom s teboj (I’ll be with you)
- Stella – Ne vem, če sem v redu (I don’t know if I’m okay)
- Tilen Lotrič – Jaz in ti (Me and you)
- Younite – The Cure
Stage One of the contest will have five presenters:
- Alemen Kopina – Presenter
- Bojan Cvjetićanin – Singer (Joker Out)
- Denis Živcec – Eurovision writer
- Maja Pinterič – Influencer
- Rebeka Tomc – Influencer
Format fun!
From November 4 onwards, two acts will be presented per day, each week, from Monday to Wednesday. The public will vote for a winner from each ‘daily duel’. From each duel, one will progress to Friday’s round, where the winner of the week will be selected. Each week, the jury will also select a winner.
After the first three weeks, six artists will have qualified for the EMA Freš final. The remaining four finalists will by determined by a “happy losers” round, an additional online vote.
The final 10 will then compete for one of two spots in EMA 2020. One of these will be determined by a public vote, and another by the jury. These acts will compete against established Slovenian artists in the selection for Eurovision 2020! The submissions for EMA are due to close on November 18th.
Slovenia at the Eurovision Song Contest
Slovenia has competed 24 times as an independent nation. Previously, they have competed as Yugoslavia alongside: Serbia, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. As Yugoslavia, only four of the 27 entries were from Slovenia.
Slovenia officially debuted in 1993, where they won the right to compete after winning Kvalifikacija za Millstreet. They qualified along with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, who finished second and third respectively. Slovenia were represented in 1993 by 1X Band who sang “Tih deževen dan”. They finished in 22nd with Nine points.
Slovenia’s best ever finish at Eurovision is Seventh Place, which they have achieved twice. The first of those came in 1995, when Darja Švajger sang “Prisluhni mi”. Likewise the second of those came in 2001, when Nuša Derenda sang “Energy”. In Lisbon last year, it was Lea Sirk who flew the Slovenian flag with her song “Hvala Ne“. She performed in the second semi-final and successfully qualified for the grand final, ending a 2-year non-qualification streak for Slovenia. In the grand final, she finished 22nd with 64 points.
What do you think of this format? Are you looking forward to seeing who Slovenia send to Rotterdam? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates!
