Earlier this year, ERR the national broadcaster of Estonia, announced a new format for Eesti Laul 2025. The fifteen finalists are to be joined by a popular vote wildcard act. Today, ERR have revealed the 20 acts vying for the sixteenth spot in the final on February 15.
Eesti Laul 2025 wildcard acts
Today, ERR have confirmed the 20 wildcard acts that will compete in an online vote to join the 15 acts already selected by the jury committee for Eesti Laul 2025. Below are the artists and their songs:
- AG x Laura Põldvere – ‘Pimepäev’
- Antsud Metal Project – ‘Ei enam’
- Bel-Etage Swingorkester – ‘Mind kõikjal näed’
- Carol Suurevälja – ‘Purpose’
- Cecilia – ‘Rollercoaster’
- Ela – ‘Südamés’
- Elina Martinson – ‘Sinitihane’
- Everfall – ‘Stories We Hold’
- Felix Enghult – ‘More Than Innocent’
- Gerli Padar – ‘Võõraks jääd’
- Horror Dance Squad – ‘The Rebel Reborn’
- Kozy – ‘Jääb nii (tahan, et tead)’
- Marianne Leibur – ‘Pluto and Mars’
- Marta Lotta – ‘Tantsin veel’
- Merwis – ‘Aknal langevaid pisaraid’
- Mick Pedaja – ‘Sound Of Pines’
- Sarah Murray – ‘High On Myself New’
- Silver Jusilo – ‘Turn Back Time’
- Sten-Olle – ‘Noorex’
- Synne Valtri – ‘Butterflies & Bees’
The songs for the wildcard selection can be found on the ERR website.
Among the wildcard lineup are some familiar names of Eesti Laul past and present. These include, Laura Põldvere who represented Estonia at Eurovision in 2005 and 2017. Other household names from past national finals are, Antsud (2024), Cecilia (2024), Mick Pedaja (2016), Sarah Murray (2024), Silver Jusilo (2022 & 2024) and Synne Valtri (2019 & 2020).
Meanwhile, a further 20 songs that did not make the wildcard selection will be given airplay on Raadio 2. Also, the 117 songs that did not make the initial top 15 cut-off with the selection committee, have all been uploaded to listen to on the Raadio mobile app.
Format of Eesti Laul 2025
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.
On December 28, voting will open to select the wildcard act. This will be announced on Estonia’s Raadio 2 on January 6. The 20 candidates for the wildcard selection will be featured in special programmes on Raadio 2 between December 16 and December 19.
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.
Tickets for Eesti Laul 2025 are available to purchase now.
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 represent Estonia at Eurovision 2025? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra.bsky.social on Bluesky, @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.
