ieva Zasimauskait lithuania eurovision 2018 riga

Preview season began in style one week ago as OGAE Latvia hosted the fifth annual Eurovision PreParty Riga. Four acts jetted in from all over Europe to perform their Eurovision 2018 entries before an eager crowd of Eurofans and press.

They were Lithuania’s Ieva Zasimauskaite, Czech Republic’s Mikolas Josef, Latvia’s Laura Rizzotto and Moldova’s DoReDos. All delivered competent performances, but which one impressed you most?

After counting 3,841 votes, we can confirm that Lithuania’s Ieva Zasimauskaite was your favourite. The “When We’re Old” singer scooped up 1,551 votes (40.38%).

Speaking to us before the concert, Ieva had this message for her fans:

“Don’t look at a country when you vote, just look with your heart. And if you like that song and if you like that artist, don’t think this is from [that country], I will not vote for it….Just be kind. We are making music here and we want to get out from those walls and get out of those wars and everything. Just vote how you are really feeling and with your heart.”

Hot on her heels is Czech charmer Mikolas Josef. The “Lie To Me” hitmaker attracted 1,207 votes (31.42%). 

The song had been cleaned up slightly since its national final victory, but Mikolas remains confident that its essence remains intact:

“Obviously at Eurovision there are some words you can’t say. And the changes I made were not drastic enough to change the song to the extent that it would be a different song.”

Next was home girl Latvia’s Laura Rizzotto with “Funny Girl”. The Brazilian born singer scored 603 votes (15.7%). 

As with all the performances, Laura’s staging was basic on the night. But she promises to shake things up for Lisbon:

“I definitely want it to be about the song, and I think that in Supernova that was delivered well, but yeah we got some ideas, and I am glad to be here because I am working with Latvian professionals for everything, and it’s going to be a fun time.”

Bringing up the rear is Moldova’s DoReDoS. The “My Lucky Day” group garnered 480 votes (12.5%). 

The band are currently supporting Russian musical supremo Philipp Kirkorov on his Baltic tour — “this is a very good experience for us before Eurovision because we sing the song every time, a lot of times, and it is great for us.”

Who wowed you the most at the Eurovision PreParty Riga 2018? Poll results

  1. Lithuania: Ieva Zasimauskaite “When We’re Old” 40.38% (1,551 votes)
  2. Czech Republic: Mikolas Josef “Lie to Me” 31.42% (1,207 votes)
  3. Latvia: Laura Rizzotto “Funny Girl” 15.7% (603 votes)
  4. Moldova: DoReDos “My Lucky Day” 12.5% (480 votes)

Total Votes: 3,841

In addition, Latvia’s Markus Riva opened the show with three of his hit entries from the country’s past national selections. And Malta’s Eurovision 2015 singer Amber performed her number “Warrior” along with a Eurovision medley, her single “Power” and a cover of Camila Cabello’s “Havana”.

Eurovision Preparty Riga 2018 Performances Playlist

Eurovision Preparty Riga 2018 Interviews Playlist

What do you think? Do you agree with the poll results? And are you looking forward to the next preview party in London on Thursday? Let us know in the comments below.

VOTE IN MORE OF OUR EUROVISION 2018 POLLS

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Karl Fradgley
Karl Fradgley
5 years ago

i really love this

Ana
Ana
5 years ago

Ieva is the best.

Lourdes
Lourdes
5 years ago

Wiwi, please write an article about Eugent’s new live version of Mall. It’s mindblowing!

Jo
Jo
5 years ago

Hvala, ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne ne
ne ne ne ne ne

Oioioi
Oioioi
5 years ago

Her song is beautiful, but so one-note. It’s like a lullaby, it makes me fall asleep..

Brian
Brian
5 years ago

I really can imagine that people love her voice, but also i can imagine people find it the opposite.
I belong to the second …