They’re the country that is hoping their revamped national final will keep them far away from last place at Eurovision. Now Germany has revealed the five young singers vying to represent their country in Kyiv this May. The five will compete in the national final Unser Song 2017 on 9 February.

Unser Song 2017 has a focus on matching up-and-coming young German singers with top quality songs. Public applications took place earlier this year, with almost 2500 young singers applying online or in person at the audition sessions in Hamburg and Cologne.

This was whittled down to the top 33, who auditioned again for the selection panel. From their, five singers were selected to progress to the grand final in February. The lucky five are:

Axel Feige

Born in Hamburg, Axel got his start playing the bassoon in school. As a teen, he formed a prog rock band, before moving onto blues and alternative rock. He currently plays with the bands Absolem Max and Diazpora.

Felicia Lu

Felicia Lu Kürbiß from Freilassing was a contestant on the ill-fated first and only German series of the Rising Star talent show in 2014. She has a popular YouTube channel where she uploads weekly covers of popular songs.

Helene Nissen

Helene comes from the village of Hollingstedt and has been making music since she was 12 years old. She is particularly fond of country music legend Johnny Cash, and sometimes sings with her younger brother Kjell.

Levina

Also known as Isabella Lueen, Levina was born in Bonn and is a classically trained singer. She has studied in both Germany and in London. She previously performed with her band Miss Terry Blue, and launched her solo career in 2015. Levina divides her time between Berlin and London.

Sadi

Otherwise known as Wilhelm Richter, Sadi was born in Dortmund. The 19-year-old currently studies composition at Folkwang University of Fine Arts in Essen. His bio notes he has a four-octave range and is known for his YouTube covers.

At the final

The five will be matched with songs written especially for Eurovision by successful German and international producers. They’ll perform these songs at the grand final on 9 February where the winner will be determined by 100% public televote.

The final will feature an expert panel of  Lena, Tim Bendzko and Florian Silbereisen. To help viewers make a decision, the panel will give feedback on the performances.

International viewers will also be able to influence the vote. Fans outside of Germany will be able to vote for their favourite performances via the Eurovisions app. The results of the poll won’t count towards the final result, but they will be revealed on the show. The poll will give German televoters an idea of which acts might appeal most to the broader Eurovision audience.

What do think of these five? Who has the best chance of giving Germany a good result at Eurovision? Share your thoughts below!

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eurana
eurana
7 years ago

In one word: Sadi

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

After Ann-Sophie, and Jamie-Lee, you really need Felicia-Lu to complete The Holy Trinity of Last Place.
You would think so different if you had to compete in the semifinals.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

@Candy: Are you actually selling your tickets for the National Final? Just wondering. 🙂

Essy
Essy
7 years ago

We should wait for the song, they might perform on Eurovision. Lena is/was also not the best vocalist during “Unser Song für Olso”.

AngieP
AngieP
7 years ago

I really hope Germany will stand on its feet again! All these entries the last few years and last places! They need to come back with a good song!

Hugh
Hugh
7 years ago

Axel: nope. Felicia: Would be nice to hear a more.. raw… vocal. She’s very much suited to today’s pop I think. Which bores me to tears but can get some votes. Helene: Also not really my style of music, also a very good voice. Might not be all that well suited to Eurovision in terms of winning, but then neither were the Common Linnets. Levina: The quality is staying high, good job Germany 🙂 I don’t enjoy this all that much but I can recognise the quality – kinda like with Helene and Felicia tbh. Like, the song here would… Read more »

Erdbeere
Erdbeere
7 years ago

I’m not impressed by now. Sure.. they have good voices and nice lookings but none of them seem to have an outstanding personality – at least not outstanding enough for a 3-minute-presentation. The nice Boy/ Girl from next door – that’s all. Being German.. I hope the Song is really good :/

PP
PP
7 years ago

Candy

With Sadi , Germany have good chance to be in TOP 10 , even in TOP 5 with good song for him. His look remind me of belgium singer from 2015 Loic, but Sadi for me have better voice. I hope he don t sing uptempo song in german final, that kind of song is not for him.

EUROFAN MEXICO
EUROFAN MEXICO
7 years ago

TO ME EVERIBODY IS FINE GREATH VOICES

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

Many people are enthusiastic, and after the Grand Final they will ask themselves ”what went wrong ?”.
Sadi is the only that has the chance to stand out not only among other participants in Kiev, but also among recent German entries. Europe expects Germany to change the recipe of last years, not to continue replicate Lena. Sadly, Germany might think that if Lena style worked once, will work again. No, will not work.

Thomas
Thomas
7 years ago

Putting my strength behind Feilica

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

Robyn, if it’s anything like 2010 they will have vastly different interpretations of the songs, so the singer is still the key thing – I doubt Unser Star für Oslo runner-up Jennifer Braun would have had the same success at Eurovision with her version of “Satellite”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4dZvIBKZ28

Jonas
Jonas
7 years ago

I like the outside Germany vote, but especially that it won’t count directly toward the result. Unlike the international juries at Melodifestivalen, which I’ve always begrudged a bit.

Candy
Candy
7 years ago

Last place, here we go again!
Honestly, I’m disappointed. I got tickets for the national final but I do not longer desire to go there. Those five singers may be talented, but none of them is going to stand out enough to make it to the Top 15. Maybe not even to the Top 20. It’s sad to see that Germany has already given up on the ESC.

James
James
7 years ago

favourites so far are felicia and sadi, let’s wait for the songs

Marco
Marco
7 years ago

FELICIA LU and Levina sounds nice 😀

brunowskii
brunowskii
7 years ago

It all smells like null points again….

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
7 years ago

Comments in reverse order: Sadi (Wilhelm) sounds like he has exactly the same open voice range that I do – I would like to hear his falsetto though before properly “judging.” Levina – Great voice; soulful and jazzy. A tribute to Roger Cicero (which was 10 years ago now) might be the ticket here. Helene Nissen – Wow, what a voice! I wasn’t expecting the range and pitch to be that good. With the right song, she could do very well. Felicia – I like her, but please don’t cover “The Weekend” ever again! 🙂 She’s definitely a contender. Axel… Read more »

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

Please Germany, not another Lolita. Stop being obsessed with Lena, like Ireland is obsessed with Johnny Logan.

MoreMusicLessGlamourPlease
MoreMusicLessGlamourPlease
7 years ago

Axel Feige sounds very promissing! Progrock? Bring it on!! 🙂 🙂 What I hope for the Germans, is that they manage to pick a more outstanding song musically. In think it has been the anomyous nature of the songs that made Germany come last in 2015 and -16. For me both were nice enough mainstream pop songs. But too non-descript. Not anything to stand out, so they could be remembered and voted for. So I think Germany needs a song in a more unque music style…rock, indie, jazz, folk….whatever. Just something that can differeniate them from the others. For my… Read more »

Amor Amankwah
Amor Amankwah
7 years ago

@Tobias, you and me have the same feeling about Jamie-Lee. Thank you. Also Germany is looking to either win or get a good placing. These contestants are great!

Leo Valdez
Leo Valdez
7 years ago

Germany once won the whole thing with this method
Who knows
Maybe Berlin 2018?!??

Ali
Ali
7 years ago

I was very skeptical of the selection process when it was announced a couple weeks ago, but this is a good group of finalists. no gimmicks (yet) and no novelty people! Felicia gives me Lena vibes – modern but sweet

MarioMario
7 years ago

I like the vibe I get from them. Youthful and soulful.

Avstriya
Avstriya
7 years ago

Felicia Lu is a mothereffin STARGURL!!!

And Freilassing is so effin close to Avstryia…. been there many times in Kaufland to fill my fridge with little money….

I am biased in favor of the Stargurl!!

Chris (frostyw)
Chris (frostyw)
7 years ago

Right now, I’m in the Felicia Lu camp. Sadi has a beautiful voice, but I’d love to hear him do something more modern.

Regarding the contest itself, I like bringing in the outside feedback as only an influence on the vote. It will give Germans an idea of what might do well on the world stage without totally usurping their feedback.

Gigu
Gigu
7 years ago

Felicia’s cover of Starboy is motherf**king awesomee!!

Vanessa
Vanessa
7 years ago

Sadi omg he has a beautiful voice!

PP
PP
7 years ago

With 100 % televote I predict Sadi to win .

Tommy
7 years ago

The Europe-wide poll is SUCH a good idea! Hopefully it will give the Germans a much better chance in Kyiv 😀

TheBoyFromRomania
TheBoyFromRomania
7 years ago

Felicia ofc <3