Estonia: Eesti Laul 2016 entries revealed, Tanja and Stig Rästa among composers

Elina & Stig rode a wave of hype all the way from Eesti Laul to Eurovision 2015, and now Estonia’s ERR is ready to drum up another headline-worthy act for Stockholm. Having surpassed last year’s total number of submissions with 238 entries, Eesti Laul’s show producer Mart Normet has announced the 20 lucky participants who will compete in next year’s competition. He made the announcement during the chat show Ringvaade earlier this evening. 

Several familiar faces are ready for another turn. Having lost out to Birgit Õigemeel (now Birgit Sarrap) in 2013, Grete Paia returns with her entry “Stories Untold”. Her composer? A certain Sven Lõhmus, the man behind Estonia’s 2005, 2009 and 2011 Eurovision entries. He’s also involved with Laura‘s entry “Supersonic”, another one of the confirmed participants. Following his 7th place success in Vienna, Stig Rästa returns as one of two composers for Jüri Pootsmann and his entry “Play”. And 2014 representative Tanja, who hinted to us that she would come back earlier this year, returns as one of the composers for La La Ladies and their entry “Unikaalne”. You can see the full list of participants below and listen to their entries here.

Eesti Laul 2016 participants

• Põhja-Tallinn – “Ei ole mul olla” (Composers: Jaanus Saks, Kristjan Soomre, Mark Eric Kammiste, Hannes Agur Vellend, Herlend-Kaspar Raudkivi)
• Indrek Ventmann – “Hispaania tüdruk” (Composer: Allan Kasuk)
• Zebra Island – “How Many Times” (Composers: Rasmus Lill, Helina Risti)
• Würffel – “I’m Facing North” (Composers: Kaspar Kalluste, Rosanna Lints)
• Cartoon & Kristel Aaslaid – “Immortality” (Composers: Ago Teppand, Hugo MartinMaasikas, Joosep Järvesaar, Kerli Kõiv, Iiris Vesik, Kristel Aaslaid)
• Kati Laev – “Kaugel sinust” (Composers: Urmas Kõiv, Anneli Kõiv)
• Kéa – “Lonely Boy” (Composers: Egert Milder, Robert Stanley Montes, Ian Karell)
• The Jingles – “Love a Little Bit” (Composers: Jonathan Flack, Hain Hoppe, Rauno Vaher, Tanel Liiberg)
• Púr Múdd – “Meet Halfway” (Composers: Oliver Rõõmus, Joonas Alvre)
• Gertu Pabbo – “Miljon korda” (Composers: Priit Pajusaar, Maian-Anna Kärmas)
• Meisterjaan – “Parmupillihullus” (Composers: Jaan Tätte Juunior)
• I Wear* Experiment – “Patience” (Composers: Hando Jaksi, Mikk Simson, Johanna Eenmaa)
• Jüri Pootsmann – “Play” (Composers: Fred Krieger, Stig Rästa)
• Go Away Bird – “Sally” (Composer: Stanislav Bulganin)
• Windy Beach – “Salty Wounds” (Composers: Priit Uustulnd, Tuuli Rand, Mari Tamm)
• Mick Pedaja – “Seis” (Composer: Mick Pedaja)
• Grete Paia – “Stories Untold” (Composer: Sven Lõhmus)
• Anett Kulbin – “Strong” (Composer: Anett Kulbin)
• Laura – “Supersonic” (Composer: Sven Lõhmus)
• La La Ladies – “Unikaalne” (Composers: Tatjana Mihhailova, Mihkel Mattisen, Timo Vendt, Inga Tislar)

The first and second semi-finals will take place on the 13th and 20th of February respectively. The final will take place on the 5th of March at Tallinn’s Saku Suurhallis, which hosted the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest.

All 20 participants will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of this year’s representatives Stig Rästa and Elina Born. The duo finished 7th in the grand final with their entry “Goodbye To Yesterday”.

Who do you want to represent Estonia in Stockholm?

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