Sixteen acts are participating in Ukraine’s Eurovision 2020 selection Vidbir. The first eight of these will compete for just three final spots in Saturday’s first semi-final.
The outcome of semi one, on 8 February, will be decided by a combination of televote and scores from a jury panel. This panel consists of media producer Vitaliy Drozdov, Eurovision 2006 contestant and Ukrainian superstar Tina Karol and Andriy Danylko, who’s better known as his drag alter ego Verka Serduchka.
But which act should win? You can listen to (almost) all the entries below. And then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many acts as you like, but you can only vote once. So, choose wisely!
Vidbir 2020 semi-final one acts and songs
1. [О] “Tam, kudy ya ydu”
The Ukrainian group [О] is an odd one. The band loves to combine music with futuristic elements. On “Tam, kudy ya ydu” (There, Where I Go)”, they want to spread the message that every life has a purpose. [O] describes their song as “an easy dance composition with hints of African rhythms”.
2. Jerry Heil “Vegan”
Jerry Heil initially found fame as a YouTube star in her native Ukraine. Recently, the young starlet also started a music career and will soon embark on a tour. But before that, she performs “Vegan” at Vidbir 2020. She previously described her song as “funny, but with a social message”. “Vegan” talks about a young girl’s struggles with society questioning her reasons to stop eating meat.
3. Katya Chilly “Pich”
Katya Chilly is a famous Ukrainian new age musician. Vidbir co-broadcaster STB called her entry “Pich” provocative upon its release. “Pich” is mysterious and combines different elements from Ukrainian folk music. According to Katya Chilly, the song talks about the uterus as according to Ukrainian folklore, new life is created there.
To be released
4. Krutь “99”
Marina Krut’ first rose to fame on The Voice of Ukraine, where she was coached by MONATIK — the opening act at Eurovision 2017. The songstress doesn’t go anywhere without her bandura, a traditional Ukrainian folk instrument. She takes her craft really seriously and states that music should not contain an easy beat just for hype. She will sing “99”.
5. Go-A “Solovey”
Go-A is a band from Kyiv. It’s comprised of singer Kataryna Pavlenko, multi-instrumentalist Taras Shevchenko, sopilka player Ihor Didenchuk and guitarist Ivan Hryhoryak. Go-A combine a range of genres, including EDM, traditional Ukrainian music and Drum & Bass. They are not scared to experiment. Those who love some classic Slavic folktronica will be in for a treat with “Solovey”.
6. Cloudless “Drown Me Down”
Formed in 2017, Cloudless is a trio from Kyiv that specialises in pop-rock. Since then, several of their compositions have made it onto soundtracks of Ukrainian films and series. They will perform “Drown Me Down”.
7. Gio “Feeling So Lost”
Pop musician Gio writes his own songs, including his Vidbir 2020 entry “Feeling So Lost”. In the past, Gio participated in different musical competitions, including both The Voice and X Factor. He says that every song he writes is based off an experience or emotion that he went through himself.
8. Assol “Save It”
The 25-year-old Assol originates from Donetsk and started singing and performing as soon as she could stand. Born Kateryna Humenyuk, Assol took her pseudonym from the name of the main character in the novel Scarlet Sails by Alexander Grin. She will sing “Save It”, a song which preaches that helping the world starts with oneself.
Who should win semi-final one of Ukraine’s Vidbir 2020?
[crowdsignal poll=10501091]Who do think will win semi-final two of Vidbir 2020? And who is your favourite? Let us know in the comments down below!
Read all our Ukraine 2020 news here
Vegan is my Favorite!!
Bronza is very talented singer/songwriter. I wonder why she is not on the list?
GIO is cool
In Ukrainian it’s actually Soloveyko and not Solovey or Salavey like it sounds in the song. The song doesn’t even sound to me that much Ukrainian. More like russian chastushki.
Assol sounds terrible in English. Terrible choice of the name.
????? ?????????, ????? ???? ???:
1 ????? – ?????? – ?????? ?????? ?
2 ????? – ????? ?????????? ^_^
3 ????? – ??? ??????? – ?????? ;)))))
My top ? 1.GO-A 2. Assol 3. Jerry Heil
I love trumpets too much. Whenever I hear them in a song I tend to go for it. 😉
Pretty interesting stuff in this selection. I will make up my mind when the missing song is published. Bravo Ukraine.
1. Assol
2. Go_A
3. Cloudless
Assol is one of the best representatives of this country. Katya Chili and Goa – on the fan, how can you listen to this?
It’s Krut? for me all the way. The song is just perfect.
Get that vegan votes, Jerry Heil!
Nice selection. Im excited to see most of them live and with staging Jerry Heil “Vegan”, Cloudless “Drown Me Down”, Go-A “Solovey”, Katya Chilly “Pich” and Krut? “99”
Interesting lineup. Almost all of them has something different. My top, except for the two remaining: 1. Assol – Save It (7.25). The song is, by any means, nothing new… the structure or the lyrics are already heard before, but the beat and the mood are really contagious. Don’t know why but the beat reminds me of something you would hear in a fancy elite-high class night club with people dancing all over the place and the lights going crazy. I can already see it with a cool staging to elevate it. It is still a diva but the overall… Read more »
” Go-A”, ” Solovey!”?
In my opinion this song better represent Ukrainian song. It makes unique and different. I love it!
Vegan, b*tches
so strong NS , maybe the strongest this year, wow!
the most I like Cloudless, Assol and Gio hope they go through,
but I’m waiting for second semi, there are my favs, Khayat and Fo Sho queens sisters 🙂
btw I love how Vidbir has artists with African, Arabic, Caucasian and Jewish roots, so cool !
There have been two black artists selected I’m the past two days (Czech Republic and Israel) lots of diversity this year lmao
I know, that’s amazing!
Which Ukrainian artists are Jewish?
Denis, ti snova like nakruchivaesh?! :3
“99” is a very sweet song. I almost feel bad for it not going to the final.
It is in the final:)
Krut? 99 was just released… it makes the poll more complete ))) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TW4bQ1GTD3c
It’s ok
Another good entry, by the way.
I’m not a fan of the singing in solovey
I like the music only parts though
I find vegan so quirky fun !!
Although I’m not vegan and would never become one cause my dog needs his protein ! But either way the song is fun
Both seem worth waiting for, as far as I can see.
Cloudless is great, has a hint of The Beatles’ “Blackbird” at the beginning, but their English kind of destroys it for me. I’d like to hear a Ukrainian version for sure (and would prefer it anyway).
Very nice diverse selection, these I find interesting: Cloudless, Solovey, Tam kudy ya ydu. I’m not on Jerry Heil hype train, mostly because song does nothing for me. Regarding message I will take WAP presentation any time over this. WAP music video actually made me think and understand this topic (although music video reminds me of horror movie “The Farm” :)), while “Vegan” is Jerry Heil shouting at your face that she’s vegan like that is some kind of fashion accessory, which I personally find off-putting. Btw, it seems kinda problematic mentioning in lyrics Tinder (where she tries to find… Read more »
“Vegan” takes the route of “Toy” with regards to the message (remember, how half-hearteadly “Toy” was linked to #MeToo buzz)
I agree 100%. Her song is horrible.
I dont get hype around Vegan song, it’s funny but too silly for me
much more i prefer ethno bop from Go-A , super catchy Claudless boys band song and Khayat’ sexy folktronic Call 4 Love , one of them should win
Khayat deserves the win.
I’m so excited to hear what Pich and 99 sound like
From listening to the songs on YouTube once only three caught my attention those being: CLOUDLESS, GO_A, and Jerry Heil. The rest sounded good as well for the most but they didn’t make me wanna listen to them again.
I love how Ukrainian acts are not afraid of experimenting and how Vidbir is not scared of bringing them to the spolight. From the 6 available songs of this semi, Go-A has my favorite entry, but [O] is pretty cool too. “Vegan” is an interesting case, because it’s silly, super silly, but I can’t stop thinking it’s charming . Even the more conventional entries are solid, I especially liked the well done pop-rock by Cloudless.
solovej and vegan should be the two contenders to win the ukrainian selection this year
sis Khayat is miles better than Solovey, which is a billion miles ahead of whatever tf vegan is
Khayat’s song is a generic mix of Kazka, Maruv & Max Barskih. Nothing remotely original
doesn’t have to be original to be good. when will people learn that. it isn’t a ripoff, those are bad, but it’s 100% inspired, and that’s fine. as long as the song is good I am happy.
Preachhh
Why aren’t all the songs released yet?
14 of 16 are out, only two songs from semi 1 are not released, and i cant find info on local sites why Katya Chilly and Krut haven’t released their songs yet, its weird cos first semi is already in few days
@BadWoolfGirl & @Tasha Katya Chilly has said she is premiering her song during the sami. Krut said the song will be released this week together with a music video but it is still in progress its being animated.
If Jerry Heil wins Vidbir, it’s over; the 2021 contest will be in Kiev.
noway juries in Rotterdam will let Vegan win, they will kill it with no mercy/
i hope Go A or Khayat winning
Go_A has a much better song than Khayat this year. The best are definitely Go_A, Assol, and [O] from what’s been released so far
“Vegan” might be the “Toy” of this year with regards of turning a serious message into a joke entry.
Gio “Feeling So Lost” and… maybe Jerry Heil “Vegan” . I don’t now.
Ukraine, you’re simply the best. No wonder they’ve got the perfect 100% qualification rate – these songs are just so good – fresh, original, diverse, current, you name it. Go-A is probably my favourite (amazing mix of traditional sounds and electronic beats), closely followed by [O] (I love the unconventional structure of this song and the fun jazzy vibes it gives me). But, as I said, I find every song great, what a selection. Now I’m definitely pumped up to hear the songs from the 2nd semi.
SN: shouldn’t this article be published after all the entries are released?
agree, second semi is brilliant as well, especially Tvorchi and Khayat have absolutely slaying songs!
Tvorchi with their song that has absolutely no development and just la-la-la in the chorus?
If this article was to be published after all the songs are released, it wouldn’t be published at all. Because every year some Vidbir contestant waits until actual show to release their song. This year Wiwi did the right thing.
Have you heard MoonZooo with Maze they are in 2nd semi? Guys are amazing, they creatimg something new in the field of EDM call it Sad Dance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq7md78ZGN4
If Solovey wins Ukraine has another top 10 on their hands, that song is just so epic. I’m glad that despite those ridiculous rules for the participants Ukraine still manages to come with a great selection.
Rules are not ridicules! Please have respect for Ukrainians especially for those who have been affected by the war!
So many great songs except for Vegan, that’s just dreadful.
I was most excited to hear Katya Chilly’s entry but you know, voting on a poll when some songs aren’t out yet…
Vegan is god awful.
I was kind of sad when Tulia didn’t qualify last year. But then their staging was lacking…
I’m afraid same thing might happen to GO-A. Please don’t let me down.
Tulia didn’t qualify because of one Czech juror (who did the ranking upside down and deprived Tulia of 2 points eventually and added 1 to ZENA, making all the difference)
The singing parts absolutely reminded me of Tulia and Pali se
Ukraine have a historically far better record than Poland, not to mention consistently excellent staging. Not to mention that their song is better (of course this is my subjective opinion)
I’m looking forward to hearing Krut’s and Chilly’s entries. Particularly 99 by Krut’ her song was produced by the same guy that did Ukraine’s JESC 2018 entry Say Love.
Can i just say how Vidbir is a serve this year, such a strong NS
Diversity is Vidbir’s strong point this year.
Exactly! Celebrate Diversity :)))
Jerry has a super cool catchy song Vegan , but i want that guy who looks like Zane Malik to win the whole thing lol,
Kahyat its your year baby !
I think he might face strong competition this year from other artists. Watch out for GO-A and ethno-folk singer Katya Chilly is collaborating with electronic musician for her entry.
I literally haven’t been able to stop listening to Vegan since it came out. Such a BOP
Jerry or Cloudless will win semi and Go A will join them in the final, where i want to see Khayat winning Vidbir with his folktronic bop Call 4 Love
btw Cloudless video-clip is hilarious :DDD
Jerry or Cloudless will win semi and Go A will join them in the final, where i want to see Khayat winning Vidbir with his folktronic bop Call 4 Love
btw Cloudless video-clip is hilarious :DDD
Go A is really the best song in this semi for me. I understand the hype Jerry is getting but it really doesn’t work for me.
Man, if only Jerry won it and We All Poop were still in it for the Czech Republic. Could’ve been a great year for vegans at Eurovision. My mom would’ve been pleased!
I like Vegan, Cloudless, looking forward to Krut’ actually
Jerry has a huuuge fan base it will help her to win semi, but in the final we gonna have a real battle, Khayat, Go A and Cloudless are my favorites
JERRY HEIL WILL WIN! after last years TRAGIC loss of the beautiful maruv, we need #VEGAN to reignite ukraines fire
she will win this easy breezy lemon squeezy
I will lose all hope for humanity if she does win.
Go-A and Cloudless for me.
I really can’t connect with Jerry. It comes across as a little childish and I have no interest in veganism, but then again, I doubt I am the target audience.
I am the target audience and I can’t connect with it either..
I’m anti-vegan but I love the song.
Duncan how can you be “anti-vegan” just say you’re a moron and go
I freaking hate that vegan song. It’s so annoying, And if that passes semifinal (and God forbid win), Ukraine can say goodbye to its perfect qualification record.
Go_A is the best option but Elina from S2 is prob gonna win.. Safest en most boring choice
Elina will not win, as local i can say her song is not very popular among local euro fans, i even can see her NQ to the final on February 15th
two favs to win are Jerry and Khayat (also Cloudless)
Elina and her song is one of the least favorite artist among local fans she has no chances to win Vidbir this year even with jury help
Khayat or Jerry ( maybe Cloudless) will win
Oh well.. I l’m hoping for FO SHO or Go-A to win.
I wouldn’t mind it, but my fav is Khayat for now )
jerry CANNOT win, Khayat’s song is so much better and deserves to go to Rotterdam