Last year — and for the first time ever — all three Baltic nations qualified for the Eurovision final. Latvia’s Aminata Savadogo led the way in sixth place, with Estonia’s Elina & Stig close behind in seventh and Lithuania’s Monika & Vaidas bringing up the rear in 18th.
This year a tantalising trio of men hope to keep the Baltic revival going and they’re bringing a whole lot of ESC experience with them. Latvia’s Justs, the bookies favourite among the three, will sing a song penned by Aminata, while Estonia’s Jüri Pootsman will take on a number from last year’s act Stig Rästa. And then there is Donny Montell — the gym-honed stud who placed 14th at Eurovision 2012.
But who has what it takes to slay their regional rivals and finish near the top at Eurovision? You can listen to each song below, and watch our first reaction, and then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many acts as you’d like, but you can only vote one time. Be sure to click the box next to each act you want to support before pressing submit.
It’s up to you, Europe. Start voting now!
Estonia: Jüri Pootsmann with “Play”
Jüri’s voice is deeper than the ocean — and sounds like it’s been soaked in testosterone. Stig loves throwback sounds and “Play” is doused in them, serving 1960s cool-cat realness. At Eesti Laul Jüri reflected those sounds with mod styling. Does it make you want to relive a bygone era?
Latvia: Justs with “Heartbeat”
He’s been a favourite of Eurofans from the moment his song was revealed at Supernova, and the bookies have consistently had him in their Top 6 to win it all. His live performance echoes the studio version and the sound is very radio-friendly and very now. Can his Nordic pop vibe take Latvia a few places higher in 2016?
Lithuania: Donny Montell with “I’ve Been Waiting For This Night”
Back in Baku bookies wrote off Donny and his song “Love is Blind”. But he went on to place third in his semi-final anyway. Today Donny has morphed from boy to man and he’s hoping his new Scandi sound can take him to the Top 10. The boy is dead and the man has arrived in his place. Will Europe treat him as nicely this time around?
Lithuanija1 Latvija3 Estonija2
12 points goes to Lithuania
3 points goes to Latvia
2 ponts goes to Estonia
Lithuania, this song and artist is amazing! LOVE IT
1.LITHUANIA
2.LATVIA
3.ESTONIA
LITHUANIA BEST THIS YEAR, I REALLY LIKE DONNY, GOOD LUCK DONNY?
1.LITHUANIA
2.LATVIA
3.ESTONIA
LITHUANIA BEST THIS YEAR, I REALLY LIKE DONNY, GOOD LUCK DONNY?
Latvia is so overrated…sorry..
12 points goes to Lithuania!
Lithuania is the best of all of them.
Latvia and Estonia aren’t bad as well, but I hope to see Lithuania in top 5!
All the best Donny! You are my favourite together with Italy and Ukraine.
Lithuania
Latvia
Estonia
Lithuania
Latvia
Estonia
1.Lithuania
2.Latvia
3.Esttonia
1.Lithuania
1.Lithuania
2.3.Latvia and Estonia music style look same.
.
Justs’ song is the best… I think he will be in the final with his emotional song “Heartbeat” written by my favourite Aminata Savadogo… Good luck Latvia… Greetings from Armenia…
I know I shouldn’t judge the appearance, but Donny is very handsome and
he has an angelic voice. His song quickly caught my ear. Pleasant text that me touch <3
In the song of Latvia I like the only background music. The Aminata's song of that kast year was better.
Estonia is ambitious, but in my opinion – boring. Elina and Stig was better.
Anyway this song deserves 10.
For me:
1. Donny
2. Justs
3. Juri
1.Lithuania!! Donny is the best!
2.Latvia
3.Estonia
They make the perfect Super Group. 🙂
Lithuanian song is not bad, it’s catchy and singer is very talented and handsome. Donny has the most amazing show. He will be doing front flip so that’s most important element on stage.
Latvia and Estonia have talented singers too. But in my opinion their songs are similar, not catchy, but i still kinda like them.
In my opinion, the best singer and song from Baltic entry is from Lithuania.
GO DONNY!
1.Lithuania
2.Estonia
3.Latvia
All of them in the final
Lithuania -5
Estonia- 9
Latvia- 10
Probably Justs, but I like all of them.
1. Lithuania
2.Latvia
3.Estonia
Latvia has a great song, but his live performance is very bland, lifeless, boring. He has no stage presence or charisma.
Love all three songs but if I have to choose one, I’d go with Latvia. Hope to see all three of them in the final
1.Latvia (Top 10, i think)
2.Estonia
3.Lithuania
1.Latvia
2.Estonia
3.Lithuania
@logic, Latvia is a fan favourite in semifinal 2. It will pass to the final easily.
I dont know where this fame about Latvia came from but it will struggle to qualify.
Three handsome Baltic boys, aren’t they?
1. Estonia
2. Lithuania
3. Latvia
Estonia is the best in eurovision this year, and I agree with Youngster Joey, why not record Orchestra remix
Baltics taking Eurovision really seriously (vs BBC etc) and except Lithuania rely on their own strength (vs all Swedish scandipop productions).
My personal taste musically & vocally:
1. Latvia (great song, great singer)
2. Estonia (authentic but boring song, good voice)
3. Lithuania (heard it all before song – which to me is a minus, great performer)
FEELING YOUR HEARTBEAT….Rhythmic , beautiful song , super voice ……Latvia this year you are my favorite!, Estonia, the song is also very good – stylish, also like it, but Lithuanian song good top radio chart….nice pop song!12 points from UK and all 100000000000 points from me!
Latvia is the best, followed by Lithuania and with Estonia way behind. I really don’t get what other people enjoy about Play… It’s one of my least favorite entries this year.
Imagine how GREAT Play would sound next to an orchestra!
Whis the most do-able one? …Justs…well there’s my answer…
Latvia with Justs will get the highest score. It just touches the right strings of ‘heartbeat’.
Estonia has a phenomenal song accompanied by a great voice. Definitely my pick.
Latvian entry is interesting, but perhaps not my cup of tea. Too repetitive.
Lithuanian song is very catchy, although something heard before tons of times.
Latvia – the best voice\
Estonia – the best lyrics
Lithuania – best stage
Estonia. Latvia’s is good but his voice really doesn’t fit that genre of song, Lithuania’s is nothing innovative.
I adore Donny.
I dont get the Latvian song really. Sorry dear neighbors, I am not giving points for justs bblue eyes.
I really love our song Play and I don´t care what spot it gets, just as long as Europe hears Jüri sing. That´s it. He is doing well enough. and we would like to keep him, really. I am terrified that he´ll get too popular and move to another country or something 🙁
I love all three, but the one that drives me crazy is ‘Play’. It’s my favourite song of the last few years, I really hope to see Juri in the final =)
Both are in my top 10.
woof. can we take a second to the sight of these men?!
latvia > estonia >>>>>>>> HUGE GAP >>>>>>>>>> lithuania
I only really like Lithuania. I think it is upbeat and entertaining. The Estonian song may be better except for the lyrics. “Girl, let me shag you to see if we’re in love”. Very preditory. The Latvian song just looses me.
Latvia is the only one I like, and I like it very much.
ESTONIA <3
Boy Band?
1st place for Estonia, 2nd place for Latvia and last place for Lithuania. The first I find classy and cute, the 2nd okay with some potential and the 3rd is a painfully dull Melodifestivalen reject. Having said, I think the Baltics will have a full house and all reach the final.
Not a fan of any of their voices but at least I see more potential in Latvia … the rest is either boring or falling flat …
Justs all the way! Followed by Juri, and lastly Donny’s snoozefest.