After winning the fourteenth edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, Georgia’s broadcaster GPB hopes to step up its game for Eurovision 2017. And the country’s singers have definitely answered their call.

Today GPB announced the 28 acts that have applied for the national final — and there are plenty of established stars among them.

They include: Nutsa Buzaladze, the winner of New Wave 2014; Mariam Chachkhiani, who won The Voice of Georgia 2013; Tako Gachechiladze, who won the Georgian edition of Your Face Sounds Familiar; Oto Nemsadze, who won Georgian Idol 2009. And Eteri Beriashvili, who famously sang that we must “manifest ourselves” during the 2015 Georgian national selection.

Turkish fans may be particularly enthused about Nutsa. She also competed on The Voice of Turkey under the stewardship of Eurovision 2009 singer Hadise.

The broadcaster will reveal more information about its national selection in the weeks ahead. On the ground in Georgia there are whispers that ten acts will compete, but this has not been confirmed.

Georgia’s Eurovision 2017 national selection: The applicants

  1. Nanuka Giorgobiani
  2. Giorgi Chikovani
  3. Davit Shanidze
  4. Trio Mandili
  5. Ancho Dolidze
  6. Elene Mikiashvili
  7. Andria Gvelesiani
  8. Group The Mins
  9. Alisa Danelia
  10. Rati Durglishvili
  11. Brandon Stone & Eter Beriashvili
  12. Tornike Kipiani & Giorgi Bolotashvili
  13. Group EOS
  14. Dima Kobeshavidze
  15. Maliibu
  16. Group Asea Sool
  17. Natia Bidzinashvili
  18. Misha Sulukhia
  19. Ani Kekua
  20. Tako Gachechiladze
  21. Group Limbo
  22. Mariam Chachkhiani
  23. Nutsa Buzaladze
  24. Group Sparkle
  25. Nino Basharuli
  26. Group ForceMajeure
  27. Mariko Lejava
  28. Sabina Chantouria

In recent years the final of Georgia’s Eurovision selection has taken place on the television show Communicatori.

In 2015, when Nina Sublatti slayed her way to victory, the singers didn’t actually perform live. Instead their music videos were played and fans voted.

Get to know some of the acts

Nutsa Buzaladze

Sultry, sassy and vocally sound, the winner of New Wave 2014 brings a nuclear voice and major star quality. She’s verstaile and capable of working several genres. Give her the right song and sister will slay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtd47cyuhp8

Rati Durglishvili

Wiwiblogger Rezo Mamsikashvili selected Rati to represent Georgia at Wiwivision 2016. Other honours include winning New Wave 2008 — suggesting he’d go down very well with the panel of music professionals in the East.

Mariam Chachkhiani

The winner of The Voice Georgia 2013, Mariam serves major attitude as she pops and locks in the video that follows. Regardless of what she sings, expect a big stage show. She keeps own style in her latest track, ”Reborn”.

Mariko Lezhava

It takes a brave woman to cover Jessie J. And let’s just say that Mariko is very brave indeed. She brings that signature Georgian power and confidence and seems so comfortable in her own skin. Her voice handles big band and soul well.

Group Sparkle

What’s better than one Georgian beauty? How about three. This trio of X Factor veterans compete as Group Sparkle and they definitely shined when auditioning with “Bang Bang”.

Misha Sulukhia

Surely you’ll remember him as the runner-up in the Georgian National Final 2015. Misha won over plenty of new fans with his song “One & Only”. He’s had time to strengthen his vocals, so will surely remain a contender this year.

Tako Gachechiladze

She’s a musical chameleon and the winner of Georgia’s edition of Your Face Sounds Familiar. Don’t believe us? Then watch her tackle Conchita Wurst — hip pads and all.

Oto Nemsadze & Group Limbo

Oto Nemsadze is the winner of Georgian Idol 2009, and he wants you to rock on. His vocals smack of Metallica and he’s got just the right amount of crazy in his eye.

Giorgi Chikovani

Another X Factor alum, Giorgi is a fan of pop and funk and isn’t afraid to work a large register — from bass to falsetto.

Andria Gvelesiani

Alisa Danelia

Brandon Stone & Eter Beriashvili

Eteri Beriashvili — runner up at the Georgian National Final 2015 — really impressed the Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals. Francheska wrote that “in a trend of electro-everything, it’s wonderful to see such variety and soul,” while Liam found it “strangely empowering.” Yes, our jurors did see the clichés in the If someone lyrics, but we were generally able to look past it. We may be into modern pop, but who of us has a bad word to say about Mother Theresa? As Robyn said: “It’s pleasing to know that somewhere there’ll be a lady warbling about helping the children.”

Maliibu

GEORGIA IN THE EUROVISION SONG CONTEST

Georgia has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest ten times, debuting in 2007.

Last year they internally selected indie rock band Nika Kocharov & Young Georgian Lolitaz. The group’s song “Midnight Gold” was selected by a public and jury vote from a shortlist of five songs. In Stockholm the Britpop track was accompanied with thrilling, psychedelic staging and finished 9th in its semi-final and 20th in the grand final — exceeding the expectations of many.

In 2015, Georgia sent Nina Sublatti with her oximated electro-pop number “Warrior”. It placed 11th in the grand final.

Both “Midnight Gold” and “Warrior” were revamped by Swedish maestro Thomas G:son. This year he has been announced as writing the song for Cyprus’ singer Hovig, but it is possible that G:son will also produce the Georgian song.

What do you think? Are you excited that Georgia is staging a national selection? Can they get their first Eurovision win? Share your thoughts below!

READ MORE GEORGIA EUROVISION NEWS

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ERic
ERic
7 years ago

LIMBO is a greatest Music band Oto Nemsadze not won only one competition he is superfinalist of The voice of Ukraine! and winner in ather national song contetst! GO GO LIMBO!

Marco
Marco
7 years ago
Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Wow Georgia. I love the list of artists. 🙂

MoreMusicLessGlamourPlease
MoreMusicLessGlamourPlease
7 years ago

I agree Xoxoo 🙂

Xoxoo
Xoxoo
7 years ago

Hope for next great alternative music from Georgia. I love Georgian rock! Eldrine, YGL. No female pop, its important!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
7 years ago

They’d better keep their quality game up as they did in the past two years. I need either a We Don’t Wanna Put In-sized smash, or an electronica bop.

Alex
Alex
7 years ago

so many participants from The Voice Ukraine and the X Factor Ukraine
haha

i like Sparkle and Mariam Chachkhiani

khm
khm
7 years ago

RATIIIIIIIII <3 <3 MARIAAAAAAAAAM <3 <3 OK, I'm becoming excited for Georgian preselection, WTF.

Kermit
Kermit
7 years ago

Georgia had one of the best entries this year! So great it qualified 🙂 They have so many great innovative songs….hopefully more alternative great music in ESC 2017!