Earlier this year, ERR the national broadcaster of Estonia confirmed their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 to be held in Basel, Switzerland next May. More recently ERR announced the return of Eesti Laul to select the entry. After going through 175 submissions, tonight during Ringvaade, ERR has revealed 15 of the 16 acts taking part in the Final of Eesti Laul 2025 on February 15.
Eesti Laul 2025 Finalists
Last night, ERR confirmed the first set of artists that will participate in Eesti Laul 2025. Tonight seven more acts were announced, taking the total to 15 of the 16 Finalists. Early next January, the Estonian public will get to vote for one more act to complete the line-up taking to the stage at the Unibet Arena on February 15. Below are the Finalists announced so far, alongside the names of their entries and songwriting teams. The songs will be officially released on December 6. Artists are forbidden from revealing their entries before this date.
- Räpina Jack ft. Kaisa Lang – “Tule” (Kill Kaare, Kaisa Ling)
- Tuuli Rand – “Rem” (Tuuli Rand, Cecilia Martina Mägi, Sander Sadam)
- ANT – “Tomorrow Never Comes” (Ant Nurhan, Kim Wennerström, Merili Käsper)
- FELIN – “Solo Anthem” (Paul Rey, Gevin Niglas, Johanna Ekholm, Elin Blom Etoall)
- Anna Sahlene – “Love Me Low” (David Lindgren Zahcarias, Bobby Ljunggren, Michaela Stridbeck, Anna Sahlin, Dagmar Oja, Kaire Vilgats)
- Stereo Terror – “Prty Til The End of the World” (Lauri Hämäläinen, Heigo Anto)
- An-Marlen – “Külm” (Frederik Mustonen, Ingel Marlen Mikk, Maria Vainumägi)
- ELYSA – “The Last To Know” (Simon Peyron, Angelino Markenhorn, Julie Aagaard, Elisa Kolk)
- Minimal Wind – “Armageddon” (Elisabeth Tiffany Lepik, Taavi-Hans Kõlar, Paula Pajusaar, Velle Tamme, Robin Kiisholts, Katri Merily Reimand)
- andrei zevakin feat. Karita – “Ma ei tea sind” (Andrei Zevakin, Liina Ariadne Pedanik, Martti Hallik)
- Gem98 – “Psycho” (Richard Sepajõe, Gevin Niglas, Karl Birnbaum, Frederik Küüts)
- Frants Tikerpuu – “Trouble” (Frants Tikerpuu)
- Janek – “Frozen” (Janek Valgepea, Kjetil Mørland)
- Joelle – “Eyes Don’t Lie” (Timo Vendt, Johanna-Elise Kabe)
- Tommy Cash – “Espresso Machiato” (Tommy Cash, Johannes Naukkarinen)
Among the line-up are some familiar names in the world of Eurovision and Eesti Laul history! Once again, Estonia’s Eurovision 2002 representative Anna Sahlene returns to see if she can be a ‘champion’ this time around. Elsewhere ELYSA, Tuuli Rand and Andrei Zevakin mark their fourth appearances. While 2022 runner-ups Minimal Wind return for the second time. Also making their second time comebacks are, An-Marlen, Frants Tikerpuu and Janek. Of course some may remember Joelle previously participating as part of the Estonian girl group Little Mess.
Notable songwriting talents in the line-up include Norway’s 2015 representative Kjetil Mørland who has become an esteemed Eurovision songwriter for others since his time on the big stage. Of course as an artist with pedigree in Melodifestivalen, Swedish-born Anna Sahlene brings with her, Bobby Ljunggren who has written five Melodifestivalen winners over the years.
Format changes to Eesti Laul
Since 2009 Estonia has used the Eesti Laul national final to select its representatives. Following a series of changes in recent years, including the introduction of quarter-finals and last years’ Automatic Qualifiers. This year, the competition takes a back-to-basics approach. It is out with the Semi-Finals and instead ERR are keeping it simple with a traditional one-show, winner takes all, Grand Final that will feature 15 pre-selected entries and 1 ‘popular vote’ wildcard for a total of 16 songs.
Next February, Eesti Laul returns to the Unibet Arena (formerly Saku Suurhall) for the first time since 2020. During the live Final there will be two rounds of voting. The first round will determine the acts in the ‘Super Final’ and is decided by the combination of 50% jury voting and 50% public voting. During the Super Final, the winner of Eesti Laul 2025 and Estonian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 is chosen by 100% televoting.
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 5Miinust and Puuluup through Eesti Laul 2024. During the Malmö contest, they scored a total of 37 points, resulting in 20th place. Thus, extending Estonia to their joint record three qualifications in a row in the Semi-Final era of the contest.
Who should win Eesti Laul 2025? 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 interviews and reactions to the latest Eurovision news.
