They were lost in Verona on their way to an early exit from Eurovision 2017 in Kyiv. But Estonia won’t let that spoil the party for the tenth anniversary of Eesti Laul in 2018.

And after combing through a record 258 entries, producers have finally revealed the 20 semi-finalists for next year’s competition. They did so this evening on the talk show Ringvaade.

Perhaps the biggest name announced is Stig Rästa. After his 2015 triumph with Elina Born, the “Goodbye to Yesterday” hitmaker has continued to enter as a songwriter. Now, he’s taking to the stage again with his self-penned entry “Home”.

Check out the full list of Eesti Laul participants below:

Eesti Laul 2018 semi-finalists

  • Aden Ray — “Everybody’s Dressed
  • Desiree — “On My Mind”
  • Elina Netsajeva — “La Forza”
  • Ellis Parna & Gerli Padar — “Sky”
  • Etnopatsy — “Külm
  • Evestus — “Welcome to my World”
  • Frankie Animal — “(Can’t Keep Calling) Misty
  • Girls in Pearls — “Spellbound”
  • Iiris & Agoh — “Drop That Boogie”
  • Indrek Ventmann — “Tempel”
  • Karl Kristjan & Karl Killing (ft. Wateva) — “Young”
  • Marju Lanik — “Täna otsuseid ei tee”
  • Metsakutsu — “Koplifornia”
  • Miljardid — “Pseudoprobleem”
  • Nika — “Knock Knock”
  • Rolf Roosalu — “Show A Little Love”
  • Sibyl Vane — “Thousands Words”
  • Stig Rästa — “Home”
  • Tiiu x Okym x Semy — “Näita oma energiat”
  • Vajé — “Laura (Walk With Me)”

Stig isn’t the only act returning, of course. Some of the other notable names include Rolf Roosalu, who appears in his first Eesti Laul since 2013. And Karl Kristjanwho finished 4th in last year’s final. He’s teamed up with Karl Killing & Wateva.

The semi-finalists were chosen by two groups. A professional jury, made up of musicians, and the media. Members of the Eesti Laul and ERR production team then chose their favourites.

The members of the jury were: Karl-Erik Taukar (musician), Koit Raudsepp (R2), Alon Amir (music manager, Israel), Mariliis Mõttus (Müürileht), Andres Puusepp (DJ), Jaane Tomps (Delfi), Harri Hakanen (YLE, Soome), Mingo Rajandi (musician), Siim Nestor (Eesti Ekspress), Getter Jaani (singer), Sten Teppan (Vikerraadio), Mari-Liis Männik (Elmar), Toomas Puna (Sky Plus), Irina Svensson (Raadio 4), Valner Valme (ERR culture).

Eesti Laul staff who picked their favorites: director Ove Musting, editor Ingrid Kohtla, editor Mai Palling, consultant from Sweden Filip Adamo, producer Ruth Heinmaa and producer Mart Normet.

Some songs are already available, which you can find in the above list. All the songs will be revealed on 19 and 20 December, giving y’all an early Christmas present.

The semi-finals of Eesti Laul get underway on 10 and 17 February, followed by the grand final on 3 March.

What do you think of the Eesti Laul 2018 lineup? Who are you most excited for? Can Estonia bounce back into the Eurovision grand final?

Follow all of our Estonia news here

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Sandra
Sandra
6 years ago

Külm, Laura and La Forza are my favourite (in this order). I think Estonia cand be in top 5 with these songs. Wish you good luck.

Bambi sato
Bambi sato
6 years ago

my favorite song is Indrek Ventmann – Tempel .it sounds amazing and special .

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

I really liked the song from Frankie Animal. Great sound! But all the others that are available sound good, creative and contemporary, as well. Estonia would definitively deserve a top position if not another win soon.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

No KERLI no likey 🙁

Charliechan
Charliechan
6 years ago

Same

Matryoshka
Matryoshka
6 years ago

Aile Alveus-Krautmann also returned,now as part of Etnopatsy, she was the singer for Antsud in Eesti Laul 2017.

Definetely think Etnopatsy is the best so far, and I’m definetely not looking forward to Metsakutsu, he’s a hip-hop singer and I absolutely despise hip-hop.

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

So happy there are songs in Estonian in the list. I love the Estonian national selection!

Not impressed by any of the three songs we’re able to listen. Hope for better songs among the rest. As for Stig’s return, I can’t say how much I love his song in 2015! We don’t know if this year’s song is of the same genre or not. Hope for sth good!

dor
dor
6 years ago

I’m portuguese and would really be happy if Stig represented Estonia in Lisbon…i have a crush on him ;(

Tinana
Tinana
6 years ago

I’m bit disappointed that Rasmus Rändvee isn’t competing.

redfox
redfox
6 years ago
Reply to  Tinana

I think he is busy with his studies.

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago

My favorite from the revealed songs is “Külm”.

bullet force
6 years ago

He’s taking to the stage again!

D
D
6 years ago

Super excited for Iiris but the song title doesn’t sound very good lol. I’ll withhold judgment until it’s released though

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

Ok, my comment vanished.
Just wanna say that Misty is my favourit among those 3.

brunowskii
brunowskii
6 years ago

One of the best NFs…
But it would be good if we had Kerli and Liis back again

Mark
Mark
6 years ago
Reply to  brunowskii

I think Kerli is pissed that she didn’t win last year when she had a much superior song and performance.

Kerli would have gotten a top 10 at Eurovision had she been selected last year.

Charliechan
Charliechan
6 years ago
Reply to  Mark

Yasssss I totally agree. Her face was everything. She totally knew she deserved to win.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago

Good to see them kicking it off too. Three available songs are good, especially Klum.

Zolipop
Zolipop
6 years ago

Eesti Laul last year was so amazing – not counting the fact that they were also one of the many who chose from my bottom 10% in the end. – I wish them good luck! 🙂

Jayy R
Jayy R
6 years ago

Kulm sounds absolutely amazing! When I saw that one of the singers was from Antsud last year, I literally freaked out!!! In all serious, Etnopatsy have a good song this year, I’m going to be supporting them all the way.

Definitely looking forward to hearing Stig’s song as well. Hopefully it will be as good as Goodbye to Yesterday 🙂

Calum Macleod
Calum Macleod
6 years ago
Reply to  Jayy R

I absolutely agree with you on Kulm! I’m going to be supporting this as well!

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
6 years ago

wowwwww i really really love frankie animal’s song! it’s a very unexpected kind of vibe it reminds me of a very watered down version of alabama shakes

zheng
zheng
6 years ago

Gerli PADAAARR!!!!

West
West
6 years ago

Iiris?! She my second favourite after Kerli! This is going to be good. 🙂
Although I do prefer the style of her debut album more. Still I enjoy her songs and her unique voice.

redfox
redfox
6 years ago

Intrigued that a guy who said Eesti Laul is something to avoid last year is now among semifinalists (Metsakutsu) Haa haa. You can t avoid Eesti Laul.

I wish there was more variety in language, we could use endangered languages – I would like to hear a vadja, ingerian, livonian, skolt sami or karelian rap, or our local dialects, like setu or mulgi

Bring DENISE Back
Bring DENISE Back
6 years ago

I hope Kerli does not enter again. She cannot compete with Sven Lohmus songs. Very good songs. The best songs ever. Sad

Bring DENISE Back
Bring DENISE Back
6 years ago

Laura not entering is a dis-aster. Sad

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
6 years ago

I hope their entry is as good as their last entries. The have been great since 2008, and they where my winners in 2009. The deserve another finsl, too bad Kerli isn’t in here.

Esc_fan_contest
Esc_fan_contest
6 years ago

I really hope a song by Aminata is among them!

tvfan
tvfan
6 years ago

It’s not the case. I don’t see her in the composers list.

Rona
Rona
6 years ago

A song was submitted that Aminata wrote but it didn’t make the semi’s

NickC
NickC
6 years ago

Stig is an amazing composer, but no-so-amazing singer, yet home sounds like a deep, melancholic, original song. I think he is in the zone again.

Karl
Karl
6 years ago

So happy Iiris is back! It looks like Agoh is the stage name for Ago Teppand, her long-time producer.

Myles
Myles
6 years ago

Estonia has been my absolute favourite for the past 3 years! They should have won in 2015 with Goodbye to Yesterday (a much more original song than Heroes). 2016 was unfortunate in that the staging was way too depressing and that really let them down, but Juri’s voice is just incredible (ngl I was a little bit in love with him). And in 2017, if they had kept the exact staging from Eesti Laul I think it would have made much more of an impact and they would’ve qualified. Here’s hoping for Tallinn 2019 😉

Marx
Marx
6 years ago
Reply to  Myles

Estonian team planned to have more similar show but sadly stage in Kiev didn’t have as good of equiptment as Estonian team would have wished for.

Melow
Melow
6 years ago

HOW do you guys at Wiwibloggs forget to highlight that Iiris is back? She participated in Eurolaul in 2008: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwrWMYU-MJI And then in the first Eesti Laul in 2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2k9kCQwoRA. She is one of the biggest names in Estonian music and makes great pop music. Check her debut album from 2012 and the latest single “Stranger.”

Marx
Marx
6 years ago
Reply to  Melow

Yeah.. Especially because she loosing to leto Svet was one of the main reason why we got Eesti Laul format..

goprake
goprake
6 years ago
Reply to  Marx

Leto Svet! Eto leto svet!
Leto Svet! Eto leto svet!

By the way, a question out of curiosity, how did Estonians feel when Kreisiraadio was chosen?

kh
kh
6 years ago
Reply to  goprake

Leto Svet was chosen only because that was Estonians opinion of Eurovision at the time.

Marx
Marx
6 years ago
Reply to  goprake

Most young people were disappointed because this song was subbar at best and it’s only selling point was fame of this group. Thanks to more older voters we sent this horrendous mess to Eurovision. Luckily ETV understood that selection process desperately needed fresh air.

ESCHK
ESCHK
6 years ago
Reply to  Melow

And Gerli Padar, she participated in ESC 2007

Alonzo Sosa
Alonzo Sosa
6 years ago

Im really heartbroken about this!!! Elisa Kolk now ELYSA was supposed to be in this year’s show with her track Famous…What went wrong? William & wiwiblogs you don’t know who i am but i work with talent abroad and elisa is my close friend and occasional client and im very upset. glad to see some names back for sure…but it’s a loss 🙁

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago

YAAAAS Gerli Padar! She was robbed in 2007! You should have mentioned her.

blondbooybc
blondbooybc
6 years ago

It’s good to see several Estonian language songs in the mix, not just a parade of English songs! I wonder if “La Forza” will be an bilingual song like Jacques!

blondbooybc
blondbooybc
6 years ago
Reply to  blondbooybc

Correction: a bilingual song.

Jaane
Jaane
6 years ago
Reply to  blondbooybc

It’s italian actually.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Vajé — “Laura (Walk With Me)”

Is it dedicated to OUR Laura, the legendary songstress who lost her Verona and snatched wigs all across the continent?

Bring DENISE Back
Bring DENISE Back
6 years ago

There is only one LAURA (Paula Mustikas) thank you very much

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Elina Netsajeva — “La Forza”

Jacques Houdek’s IMPACT. Italian is coming for blood.

TimBurton
TimBurton
6 years ago

Since she is an opera singer, I believe the song is rather inspired from an actual opera, than random Croatian dude. But on the other hand, yeah she probably applied because of the relative succes of recent operatic performances like Jacques or Il Volo ??

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  TimBurton

Operatic tends to do very well, I expect big things from that song.

niall
niall
6 years ago

Was kind of hoping for Kerli or Grete Paia to return. Stories Untold was such a good song

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

oh my god what an underwhelming lineup

nn
nn
6 years ago

Etnopatsy’s song is ”Külm” which means ”Cold” not ”Kulm” which means ”Eyebrow”.

Bring DENISE Back
Bring DENISE Back
6 years ago
Reply to  nn

Indeed

nn
nn
6 years ago
Reply to  nn

Also there is written (YLE, Soome) in jury’s list but Soome means Finland in Estonian. It’s meant like YLE (which is Finnish national boradcasting) and that he is from Finland.

Annette
Annette
6 years ago

One of the girls from Etnopatsy looks like one of the band members from Antsud (Eesti laul 2017) … Is it the same girl?

Rona
Rona
6 years ago
Reply to  Annette

Yeah it’s the same girl

Annette
Annette
6 years ago
Reply to  Rona

Thank you! 🙂 I thought so but wanted to be sure 🙂

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

La Forza? Feeling some Jacques vibes haha
In or out was pretty bad, so I’m not having big expectations for Stig till I hear the new song.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

wow Iiris!!!

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

You’re spilling some piping hot tea there. In or Out was tremendously bad in my opinion, I hope Stig updated his sound because that retro thing ain’t the tea anymore.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

yeah, that was bad.

Bring DENISE Back
Bring DENISE Back
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

E Born flopped because she did not fit her outfit. It was fat shaming from the voters. The outfit and performance were quite confronting and the voters didnt know where to look or how to react. Stig has no stage presence and no voice, he should be writing for other better singers or just watching the contest at home.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

I’m not gay and I think she’s hot as hell!!

redfox
redfox
6 years ago

EXCUSE ME. Stig has no stage presence? you don´t even know anything. Tell me, have you been to his concert? if you haven´t, don´t talk. He is a hella charming, funny, smart, warm, but a little mischievous and cheeky guy and his singing … who cares if he is off a few notes, when the audience is butter in his hands. For real. (if he quits singing he should just become a stand-up comedian though.)

David S
David S
6 years ago

Denise? Is that you?

dor
dor
6 years ago

fat shaming? you’re crazy. she’s fit.

Bring DENISE Back
Bring DENISE Back
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

Then they can bring him on before the contest starts to warm up the audience with a few jokes and impersonations. I have a suspicion that a Laura concert would be better quality

redfox
redfox
6 years ago

I prefer facts to suspicions.

Bring DENISE Back
Bring DENISE Back
6 years ago

Its also a fact

hio
hio
6 years ago
Reply to  Jo

None of the Estonian musicians care or even remember your Jacques guy.

YUP
YUP
6 years ago

No mention about Gerli Padar’s return? XD

F@b
F@b
6 years ago
Reply to  YUP

I find it crual indeed! I like her!

Vanuatu
Vanuatu
6 years ago
Reply to  YUP

Terrible journalist mistake. They talk about people who never passed the national final and they forget of the other eurovision representant in the bunch…

Vangelis
Vangelis
6 years ago

Gerli Padar make also a return. She representes Estonia back on 2007.

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

I am so excited! Eesti Laul is one of my favorite national selections! I really hope they get back to the final!

William Lee Adams
Admin
6 years ago
Reply to  Amor

Great to hear your enthusiasm!

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

Thanks!

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago
Reply to  Amor

I share your enthusiasm 🙂 They often have rather innovative, different sounding, modern and interesting songs. Esp. the years 2009-14. Will be nice to follow their semis!

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

So true! I loved so many of their songs last year!