Exactly one month ago, ERR the national broadcaster of Estonia confirmed the 20 artists taking part in Eesti Laul 2023. Tonight during Eesti Laul 2023. Start, ERR has revealed the entries accompanying each artist throughout the live Semi-FInals in the Viimsi Artium on January 12 and 14 as Estonia begins their search for the representative taking them to Liverpool next May!
Eesti Laul 2023 songs revealed
This evening ERR followed up Suspilne’s Vidbir 2023 launch of national final season, with the release of all 20 entries competing in Eesti Laul 2023. During the Eesti Laul 2023. Start reveal show we saw behind-the-scenes clips and interviews with the acts, as well as first listens to all the songs with their music videos, vying to become Estonia’s next Eurovision entry for the Liverpool hosted contest. Below is a reminder of both Semi-Finals and all the songs.
Semi-Final 1
- Sissi – ‘Lighthouse’ (Sissi Nylia Benita)
- Carlos Ukareda – ‘Whiskey Won’t Forget’ (Carlos Ukareda, Gevin Niglas, Chris Roberts)
- Janek – ‘House Of Glass’ (Janek Valgepea, Kjetil Mørland)
- Alika – ‘Bridges’ (Alika Milova, Wouter Hardy)
- Ellip – ‘Pretty Girl’ (Pille-Riin Karro, Meelis Meri)
- Andreas – ‘Why Do You Love Me’ (Andreas Poom, Alan Roy Scott, Julia Sundberg)
- Kaw – ‘Valik’ Gevin Niglas, Jesse Keihäsvuori)
- Wiiralt & Ultima Thule – ‘Salalik’ (Martin Saaremägi, Vahur Krautman)
- Elysa – ‘Bad Philosophy’ (Stig Rästa, Vallo Kikas, Elisa Kolk, Anne Gudrun Michaelsen, Alex Ghinea)
- Meelik – ‘Tuju’ (Andres Kõpper, Meelik Samel, Rain Parve, Martin Petermann)
Semi-Final 2
- Robin Juhkental – ‘Kurbuse matused’ (Robin Juhkental)
- Anett x Fredi – ‘You Need To Move On’ (Frederik Küüts, Anett Kulbin, Jason Hunter)
- Bedwetters – ‘Monsters’ (Joosep Järvesaar, Mihkel Mõttus, Rauno Kutti, Kaspar Koppel, Karl-Kristjan Kingi, Claus Peneri ja Kris-Evan Säde)
- Mia – ‘Üks samm korraga’ (Kersti Kukk)
- Ollie – ‘Venom’ (Oliver Mazurtšak)
- M Els – ‘So Good At What You Do’ (Stefan Airapetjan, Andreas Poom, Hugo Martin Maasikas, Gevin Niglas)
- Linalakk, Bonzo – ‘Aeg’ (Liina Tsimmer)
- Inger – ‘Awaiting You’ (Inger Fridolin, Oliver de la Rosa Padilla, Sofia-Liis Liiv)
- Merlyn – ‘Unicorn Vibes’ (Merlyn Uusküla, Lauri Lembinen)
- Neon Letters & Maiko – ‘Tokimeki’ (Aap-Eerik Lai, Johanna Holvandus, Maiko Tammik)
All the entries can be played though the ERR website and those that missed the full launch show, can re-watch it on ETV’s online service.
Goodbye to Quarter-Finals
Since 2009 Estonia has used the Eesti Laul national final to select its representatives. Last year saw the biggest edition yet, as 40 acts took part with the addition of a Quarter-Final stage. This year the format reverts back to its usual two Semi-Finals and one Grand Final schedule.
During the Semi-Finals, five songs will advance from each show. Both Semi-Finals will have two rounds: 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 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.
The Grand Final of Eesti Laul 2023 will take place in the Tondiraba Ice Hall on February 11, (5pm GMT, 6pm CET, 7pm EET and 4am AEDT). The winner will be decided with two rounds of voting. Firstly, a combined 50/50 jury and public vote to determine the top 3 advancing to the Super-Final. During the super-final, public voting alone will pick the winner to represent Estonia in Turin next May.
Broadcast schedule for Eesti Laul 2023
Below the dates of all the selection shows on ETV are as follows:
- Semi-Final 1 – January 12
- Semi-Final 2 – January 14
- Grand Final – February 11
In addition, ERR are planning an additional show called Eesti Laulu, featuring performances from the Super Finalists. There is no date for this show yet, but it will take place between April and May.
Eesti Laul 2023 hosts
Recently, ERR also revealed some familiar hosts to guide us through Eesti Laul this year. Once again Tõnis Niinemets and Grete Kuld are reunited after previously hosting the 2021 national final competition. Together they will host the Semi-Finals and Final of Eesti Laul 2023.
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 Stefan and ‘Hope’ through Eesti Laul 2022. During the Turin contest he qualified for the Grand Final and placed 13th with 141 points.
Who should represent Estonia in Eurovision 2023? 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.
