From Eurovision glory in the 2000s, in recent years Greece has struggled to match its past form. Now it seems that Greek broadcaster ERT is one step closer to selecting its act for Lisbon. Greek media reports that ERT has selected the five finalists who will compete at the Greek national final early next year.

Perhaps inspired by the win of the non-English “Amar pelos dois”, ERT is keeping things Greek for its 2018 national selection. Earlier in the year, the broadcaster contacted record labels asking for submissions that were exclusively in Greek with a Greek sound. And now it seems ERT has shortlisted five acts that could do Greece proud in Lisbon.

However, it is reported that before the five acts will make it to the national final, their record companies must first guarantee ERT that it can cover the costs of Greece’s Eurovision participation.

All that is known so far is the artists’ names and their song titles. Songs are expected to be revealed at a later date. But until then, let’s get to know the five acts.

Areti Ketime – “Min Xechnás Ton Ílio” (Don’t Forget the Sun)

Areti has a background in singing traditional Greek songs. Having sung at the opening ceremony of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens as a teenager, Areti now has over ten years experience in the music industry. Dimitris Karras, the composer of her 2018 national final submission, states that the song combines both Greek and Balkan elements, and also has a strong social message: “It is generally divided in choral character, Balkan orchestration with Greek rhythm and social lyrics”. Here’s an earlier performance from Areti, her duet with Giorgos Alkaiis on “Ama den se do”:

Chorostalites – “Apó tin Thráki os tin Kríti” (From Thrace to Crete)

The Chorostalites are a six-piece group that specialises in traditional Greek music. They formed in 2013 and say “we make our own new steps on old paths!” The group is composed of Vassilis Messaritakis (vocals, percussion, tsampouna) Fani Fotopoulos (vocals, clarinet, flute, bouzouki, trumpet) Tasos Goustes (vocals, violin, mandolin), Ritsa Posiou (vocals), Konstantina Patsi (vocals, santouri) and Nikola Boutsis (vocals, lute, guitar). Here’s an earlier performance from Chorostalites, a live performance showing the group at work:

Duo Fina – “Ídio Témpo” (Same Tempo)

Duo Fina are the twin brothers Yiannis and Takis Finas. The brothers are tenors and pianists and are well known for their humorous performances. Earlier this year they hosted a self-named television show that quizzed children on their knowledge of classical and contemporary music. Here’s a live performance of the Duo Fina brothers, showing their humorous style:

Gianna Terzi – “T’ Óneiró Mou” (My Dream)

Gianna Terzi is the daughter of acclaimed Greek singer Paschalis Terzis. She launched her solo career in 2005 and was especially active in the 2000s. She is known for her singles “Tetoia Gynaika” (“Such a woman”) and “Pou kai Pou” (“Now and then”). Here’s an earlier video from Gianna, her 2006 single “Tetoia Gynaika”:

Tony Vlachos – “Baila Jazz”

Tony Vlachos is a jazz singer who appeared on the 2016/2017 season of The Voice of Greece. He wowed judges with his energetic audition of “Unchain My Heart” but he didn’t last long in the contest. Tony was knocked out in the first live show, where he lost his Battle Round performance. Here’s an earlier performance from Tony, his The Voice of Greece audition.

Further details of the Greek national final have not been confirmed, but it is expected the final will be held by the end of February 2018.

What do you think? Who would you like to see represent Greece in Lisbon? Can any of these acts give Greece a second Eurovision win? Sound off below!

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Maria Journalist
Maria Journalist
6 years ago

Did Your Site Report You and Did You Know Official Results?
We have a clue about this announcement and we are not hiding our sadness for all that are happening in Greece.
The contest is in progress and we are seeing reports that are not true.
Greece must provide for this propaganda.

JohnnyEsc
JohnnyEsc
6 years ago

Here you can see a sneak preview of the participants that will compete in the national final:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX0kBR_2aZE&t=3s

Maria Journalist
Maria Journalist
6 years ago
Reply to  JohnnyEsc

Here are the comments and you understand that it is not anything official.
No ERT update for the end is all rumors.
The video is not official and is not from a Eurovision site.
What you become is propaganda.

http://infegreece.gr/eurovision-ert-autoi-einai-oi-pente-finalist-tou-ellinikou-telikou/

Terry
Terry
6 years ago

I think Chorostalites will be an excellent choice for Greece!

Pluma
Pluma
6 years ago

I really can’t understand coment, like Greece gonna stay to the semis etc act, before hear the songs, what ever, we have see many times in the past new singers can do it much better that BIG names, good luck to Greece

Maria Journalist
Maria Journalist
6 years ago

What you write has not been announced by Greece is not official is a scandal and you are notifying it, ERT has not yet made any announcement!

This is the official Site of the organizer ???
http://eurovision.ert.gr/

georgios
georgios
6 years ago

@maria journalist stop the drugs.

Evgeny
Evgeny
6 years ago

Areti Ketime my favorite singer, I would like to see her on the Eurovision song contest and wish her good luck in everything!

pepecs98
pepecs98
6 years ago

Areti Ketime and Gianna Terzi are the best the others are bad. They should select from these two if they want to achieve something.

pepecs98
pepecs98
6 years ago

I would see a song like Lane moje from Serbia

quirky girl
quirky girl
6 years ago

This year Greece needs something like Kalomira. It is not Jazz year, it is Despacito year.

HBau
HBau
6 years ago

When your two obsessions cross over, things are weird.

Tony Vlachos, potential Greek rep in 2018… meet Tony Vlachos, winner of Survivor Cagayan.

Ern
Ern
6 years ago

Very talented acts in this year’s Greek final.

Without actually hearing any of the songs, I think Areti Ketime will almost certainly win this.

Her only real competition is Duo Fine, which may do something outrageous on the stage (much like Verka Serdushka) and somehow pull-off a surprise win.

The other 3 (since they’re not comical like Duo Fine) will really need to do something outstanding to win. Otherwise, it’s Areti in Lisbon this year.

Jayy R
Jayy R
6 years ago

The Chorostalites grabbed my attention, I really like how they sound. The others are devent I guess, but I’d be happy to see the Chorostalites represent Greece next year! 🙂

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

So disappointed…

I’m afraid we’ll have a 2016 situation. 5 artists, most of them unknown with songs in greek and with a greek sound. I really don’t like how ERT is handling this.
I totally support singing in Greek, our language is so beautiful! But I feel they shouldn’t have this limit and give established artists a chance.

The only positive is that Areti is among the 5 finalists. She’s so talented and she can offer sth different in the competition. The others will most probably fail.

I don’t want another 2016, please!

AndyLamp
AndyLamp
6 years ago

hehehe… my thoughts exactly

Xoxoo
Xoxoo
6 years ago

Greece, Europe wants to see originality, diversity and novelty acts. You have some good projects in your offer. Choose them. We really dont wanna to see next mainstream pop

Erasmus
Erasmus
6 years ago
Reply to  Xoxoo

I do not want novelty acts I rather have mainstream pop.

Ern
Ern
6 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Demy was mainstream pop. She was part of Greece’s “Dream Team” last year. Note how she ended-up in 19th place?

It was a total embarrassment.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

I like Areti, she reminds me of Boggie. I hope they get a better song for her, anyway. I’m not sure about the other candidates though. But let’s see what they’ll sing. Maybe they could change my mind.

Étoile
Étoile
6 years ago

I’m glad that they will sing in Greek (even if it’s partially), it’s such a beautiful language. I hope they will have good song, Good luck to them for their Final in february. 🙂

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

I don’t really like the way Greece is going this year. This reminds me of Greece 2016 and their awful song. I think they want a copy of Salvador Sobral, but in Greece and that isn’t going to work. Hope I’m wrong.

I didn’t like Salvador Sobral style and song, was my last in my top, but… Portugal won, so maybe this is the same…

How dare you
How dare you
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

“was my last in my top”

*faints*

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

It was my last too.

Zolipop
Zolipop
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

My last, too! So happy they could choose my absolute last twice in a row!

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

The Greek Jacqueses.
Exciting to say the least.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Interesting choices. Their songs in Greek gave them good (but not the best) results most of the time. It’ll probably be a cute throwback to the 00s!

Tasos
Tasos
6 years ago

Out of all these singers the most familiar and household name in Greece is definitely Areti Ketime. I really hope she goes to Lisbon, she has a fantastic voice and a quality traditional sound which might be what Greece needs to get back in the top 10. Also, she was a child prodigy, with many years of experience in the music scene, even if she is young. I really hope her song is good, because the other options seem Argo-like to me.

Geo
Geo
6 years ago

Back to the roots for most of the countries, now everyone is going for their native language for Eurovision. Greece 2016, anyone? I’m afraid Greece won’t pass the semi in 2018 as well. Especially with these ridiculous acts in their NF. The broadcaster should internally select Melisses and give them 3-5 songs to present and the Greek voters to pick the best. But in this case, Duo Fina is just ridiculous, they can’t even sing…..

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

What if they pull an Alcohol Is Free? Novelty songs like that one always snatch the televotes (and that one even got plenty from the juries).

L'onika
L'onika
6 years ago

Alcohol is free was a joke entry. I still wonder how such gimmick acts gain points while good quality songs and decent entries are underrated by the same “experts” who ranked low Poland 2016, Finland 2017 and some other good tracks…

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  L'onika

Ain’t nothing wrong with a catchy and fun song. It doesn’t have to be all serious. The public likes different stuff if they’re done well.

Hada
Hada
6 years ago
Reply to  L'onika

Actually Alcohol Is Free is a pretty good ska song. Fun songs and joke entries are two different things.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  L'onika

I like Alcohol is Free, it’s clever and funny. Just because it’s funny doesn’t mean it’s bad.

Justin K.
Justin K.
6 years ago
Reply to  L'onika

I have to agree that Alcohol is Free is really a great song. Just because the lyrics are a little daft doesn’t make it not a good, catchy song.

If they can get something in that vein (or even Yassou Maria), they’d be in good shape. The happy medium between Argo and Demy? I think the biggest hurdle is ‘My Number One’ is such a banger and is so memorable that trying to duplicate that is what’s keeping Greece from winning again. Hopefully by switching up the formula, they can get back in the Top 10.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Nothing suggest countries are suddenly sending entries in native language. Some will be encouraged by Salvador and send but far from all. It might have worked for Portugal but that doesn’t mean it will work for all. In fact we know now 4 countries will sing in English.
Greece has had good but not great results singing in Greek. Most of thier success came when they switched to English

Jake
Jake
6 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Not sure how Duo Fina are any worse than Jacques Hudek…actually they are 2 people singing alike vs 1 person singing like 2 different people…he was top 10 with public…I actually think they would stand out and do well

Gabi
Gabi
6 years ago

No qualification for us this year, sorry…

Tusán
6 years ago

Come on, bands like Chorostalites have absolutely zero chance representing Greece ever again after Argo’s fail.

Xoxoo
Xoxoo
6 years ago
Reply to  Tusán

You are telling bullsh*ts. Do you remember Koza Mostra? I want to see great Greek band instead next mainstream female singer, who has the same style like 50% of other contestants.

Ern
Ern
6 years ago
Reply to  Tusán

Chorostalites is actually very good. They’re not like Argo. This group is very talented, and they can harmonize quite beautifully.

Unfortunately for them, Areti Ketime is also in the final this year. It will be very hard for them to beat her.

Eva
Eva
6 years ago

Oh, Areti Ketime, I’m pleasently surprised, I would love to see her, she’s wonderful singer 🙂

Carmen
Carmen
6 years ago

I’m so confused by countries that choose singer and song separately, that only in the end I’ve realized that ”Unchain my heart” can’t be the song. Countries that choose separately singer and song are killing me. I’m from Romania, and this is unheard of.

Carmen
Carmen
6 years ago
Reply to  Carmen

Oh no, I’m not blaming this article, I’m talking in general about different methods of choosing the artist in different countries. I like what is best for the singers, because they are feeling lost, with just a voice. In Romania they think is easier to write themselves, or buy a song from a song-writer. The broadcaster is happy too because it’s easy for it, only gives them the stage for NF.