Latvia’s broadcaster LTV has revealed the fifteen participants of Supernova 2023. Yet again, the Supernova format will serve as Latvia’s national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. The date of the Supernova final will be 11th February.
Justs and Markus Riva back in contention
It wouldn’t really be Supernova without Markus Riva taking a chance at going to Eurovision. Markus has sent in a song to LTV every year since 2014. Twice he finished in second place, in 2015 and 2019. This time, he’s written his song “Forever” all by himself.
The other well-known returnee on the list is Justs Sirmais, simply known as Justs. The 27-year old from Ķekava already took part in Supernova 2016. He immediately took the crown and travelled to Stockholm for Eurovision. His “Heartbeat” qualified for the Grand Final and finished in fifteenth place. To date, it is Latvia’s last Grand Final participation. All of their entries since then have failed to qualify.
That stat means there’s a clear goal for Latvia this year. The Baltic country will want to qualify for the final for the first time in six participations. Latvia even finished last in their semi twice in the past few years, with both Samanta Tina in 2021 and Triana Park in 2018. The full list of new hopefuls can be found below. You can listen to all the songs on YouTube.
| Artist & song | Composers |
| 24. Avēnija – You Said | Kārlis Grīnbergs & Ernests Vīgners |
| Adriana Miglāne – Like I Wanna | Adriana Miglāne, Darren Michaels & Martin Älenmark |
| Alise Haijima – Tricky | Alise Haijima |
| Artūrs Hatti – Love Vibes | Agnese Rozniece, Matīss Repsis, Karlīne Anna Ērgle, Toms Kalderauskis & Baiba Ozoliņa |
| Avéi – Let Me Go | Raitis Aukšmuksts, Ieva Kudlāne & Daniela Brilovska |
| Inspo – Sway | Aivars Lietaunieks & Nadīna Stirniniece |
| Justs – Stranger | Justs Sirmais, Weronika Maria Gabryelczyk & Uku Moldau |
| Katrine Miller – Beaten Down | Katrīne Millere & Andris Lūkins |
| Luīze – You To Hold Me | Luīze Vītola |
| Markus Riva – Forever | Markus Riva |
| Patrisha – Hush | Patrīcija Ksenija Cuprijanoviča, Krists Indrišonoks, Nanna Prip Pedersen, Rūdolfs Budze & Jūlijs Melngailis |
| Raum – Fake Love | Reinis Straume, Daniel Levi Viinalass & Jānis Jačmenkins |
| Saule – Finally Happy | Krišjānis Suntažs & Rolands Priverts |
| Sudden Lights – Aijā | Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, Kārlis Vārtiņš, Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis & Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis |
| Toms Kalderauskis – When It All Falls | Julianna Tīruma & Toms Kalderauskis |
Final on 11th February
All fifteen acts will now go through the semifinal. The semifinal will be taking place on 4th February. The final is set for a week later, on 11th February. It’s turning out to be the Super Saturday of the season, with Latvia, Romania, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Estonia and Denmark all selecting their entry for Eurovision that day.
For this year’s Supernova, LTV had to choose between 121 submissions. Ketija Šenberga and Lauris Reiniks will be hosting both shows this year. Once again, a 50/50 jury and televote will determine the result of Supernova.
Who would you like to see represent Latvia at Eurovision 2023? Let us know by leaving a comment below! 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 ESC and JESC acts.
