Ukraine hit on and Europe came calling as the first semi-final of Vidbir 2020 went live on February 8. Eight contestants performed hoping to secure three spots in the final — with the ultimate goal of securing the Ukrainian ticket to Eurovision 2020.
After the points were added up, the lucky three were: Krut, Go-A and Jerry Heil.
Vidbir 2020: Semi-Final One
In this year’s Vidbir, the acts faced jury members Tina Karol, Andriy Danylko and Vitaly Drozdov, as well as the televoters. Both the jury and televote contributed 50% of the overall results.
Qualified for the final
Krutь – “99”
Maryna Krutь delivered a classy performance for her track “99”. With the support of animated background images, the song almost takes you on a spiritual journey along with her bandura. She received critical acclaim from the jurors.
Jerry Heil – “Vegan”
Jerry’s performance was all about the bold and extravagant. The animated background had a sign titled “Welcome Las Vegans” accompanied by vegetables resembling houses of the well-known city. That makes sense given that her song is about veganism! Her two dancers wore body suits and helped her perform the choreography. No meat in sight…
Go-A – “Solovey”
The group delivered a very sharp and spot-on performance. “Solovey” came with thoughtful graphics that matched the sonic progression. Their remarkable voices also helped them receive great support from both the jury and the televoters.
Did not qualify
Katya Chilly – “Pich” (Піч)
The performance kicked off with in dark lights showing Katy in a blue fade. Speaking a few words in a very delicate way, she then goes all out for that massive scream. The performance had loads of visual effects that helped bring across the unique atmosphere.
[О] – “Tam, kudy ya ydu”
[О] were first to perform at this year’s Vibdir national selection. Accompanied by several dancers with trumpets, Olha Chernyshova delivered a fresh performance. The lightning effects worked in combination with the songs’ progression. Unfortunately Olha didn’t manage to convince the jury or the public.CLOUDLESS – “Drown Me Down”
The production was very modern and technical, but it wasn’t enough to stand out among its competitors. Energy and enthusiasm can only get you so far…
GIO – “Feeling So Lost”
Giorgi Darakhvelidze’s ballad “Feeling So Lost” was emotional and intimate. The minimalist stage carried only a few graphic animations in the background. The camera angles often caught the singer with his guitar, embracing the intimacy of the performance.
Assol – “Save It”
Performing last in the first semi-final, Assol ended things with a bang. Her performance looked very modern and elegant, but also emphasized her vocal abilities. The audience interacted well with the very energetic chorus.
Vidbir 2018: Semi-Final 1 combined results
16 points – Krutь
13 points – Go-A
13 points – Jerry Heil
10 points – CLOUDLESS
7 points – Katya Chilly
6 points – GIO
5 points – [O]
2 points – Assol
Vidbir 2019: Semi-Final 1 jury results
8 points – Krutь
7 points – Jerry Heil
6 points – Go-A
5 points – CLOUDLESS
4 points – Katya Chilly
3 points – [O]
2 points – GIO
1 point – Assol
Vidbir 2019: Semi-Final 1 televoting results
8 points – Krutь
7 points – Go-A
6 points – Jerry Heil
5 points – CLOUDLESS
4 points – GIO
3 points – Katya Chilly
2 points – [O]
1 point – Assol
Did your favourites go to through or did they crash out? Do you agree with the results? Let us know in the comments below!
Vegan in the win.
My love Ukraine
Ukraine winner.
I’m really in love with Go-A, that was a great performance. I need to hear the 2nd semi songs live of course but I really think Go-A is my winner overall. Khayat is my winner in semi 2 so guess we’ll see what happens.
What’s going on with Ukraine this year? The songs look rather weird and…even embarrassing, some of them. This one “Vegan” seems more suitable for Junior Eurovision… Non qualification?
We gotta have Krut` at Eurovision! She’d be perfect on that stage!
Jerry Heil – live performance is much more boring than her TV video. Why? In her video, Jerry won me over not only with her voice and a very good English but also her with her facial expressions. Singing live we didn’t see those facial impressions which add so much to the song. Live performance needs to be changed, definitely. The clothes as well. Those black bottoms and trainers are just so unattractive. I’d rather see Jerry wearing just her cow costume rather than that outfit on Saturday. But there’s time to improve so go girl! Krut’ – Another fascinating… Read more »
GO-A is something we definitly need at Eurovision. Love it so much!
or the white angel – very difficult decision – i would seen both in rotterdam.
If Ukraine sends “Vegan” and Norway sends “I am gay” I just might implode from the sheer cringiness.
Jerry being 3rd in her semi and I am gay having terrible streaming figures makes it kinda impossible
Let´s live diversity – Krut´ to Rotterdam, please !
first ukrainian nq pls, long overdue
Something tells me you’re not that fond of Ukraine at Eurovision.
I would say of Ukraine in general. Normally people don’t wish other people to flop, unless they hate them or envy.
you either dumb or Russian, or both lol
Ukraine please return to top 5 with either Go-A, Krut’ or maybe Khayat!
This was a very interesting semi and I’m happy with the result, but it feels like there’s some work to be done for all quailifiers. KRUT? is lovely but she needs to tighten up these vocals. GO_A are very good and they will definitely stand out but they need to soften their staging and make it appear less agressive. And Jerry Heil has this humorous edge that I really enjoy but she needs to make this look less as an amateur joke entry, because she does have a song there that is definitely not half bad.
Thanks Tibor. When I first heard ‘Solovey’ I thought that this is exactly what Ukraine should have already sent to the contest years ago, but still hasn’t done so. I think that a softer and a bit more folky performance would fit the song nicely and it doesn’t have to be old-fashioned. I would prefer to see them tone down the expressions and the movements to make everything look more friendly, and keep the modern edge in the styling and the camera cuts.
Interesting analysis – I agree about the three songs. Something is missing with Go_A but I wouldn’t go for softening. The singing has this static angel like the entry from Poland last year, the same singing style. I would intensify the electro angel, it would allow dancing, maybe create a tension – changing between static and dancing… It think it’s not easy to find the changes hat improves it.
shame I thought 4 were going through. Id have skipped the awful Jerry heil and had Katya Chilly instead
Sad we lost [O], but the top three are all really good. Well, two of them, but I’m personally Vegan qualified anyway for the message even if the song’s not to my taste xX
But it’s a SONG contest?
Why should a song that you don’t even like qualify over others just because it had “a message?”
This is what is wrong with Eurovision.
tired of songs with a message. sick of being preached to. Just write a song for a song’s sake.
semi 1 was a very high quality contest – semi 2 will not match that – first surprise was katya chilly – this song was really good – very weird in so many ways – in german forum we joked a little bit about taking a joint but we all were very impressed. second surprise was the jury – they give traditionell music a chance. third surprise was the televoting – never thought that Krut? can win this and Go_A at second because they have not this fanbase like melovin,khayat ect. my hope before the contest was that maybe one… Read more »
For me its between Go_A and Khayat , one of them will win, both fantastic techno folk bops!
Krut is cool but i dont believe she can win Vidbir after all,she will share third or fourth places with Jerry, who flopped hard tonight …
you forget Krut? is a white angel and angels are unbeatable.
ok back to reality – i think in the final we have a fight between Krut and Go_A.
can we have both in rotterdam?
come on last year no hot sexy maruv – this year 2 acts as compensation. 😀
top notch production value from the broadcaster…the LED, lighting and camerawork was stunning…I have such a hard time loving english-language songs from singers that can barely speak in english–its so hard to fully understand their pronunciation. I think the best songs got through and are bound to do well because its Ukraine after all…but nothing is earth shattering
Sorry to see [O] not qualify as it was a very good blend of ethnic and contemporary, at least to my western ears.
I hope the 2 semifinals will be better! I didn’t like anyone! Everyone looked like noobs on stage.
1. Krut? . A trembling voice.
2. Go-A. Seriously? That sounds awful. I don’t believe in this song. Poland lost with the same song last year.
3. Jerry – why does she need so many dancers? She needs backing vocals and normal clothes and normal minimal choreography. She looked bad too
3 dislikes for half a minute it looks like bots
More like karma
Poland had the same song? It’s like saying all the hip hop songs are actually the same song. The Polish song was combined with rock music, which by itself is outdated. Go_A has a much more modern production. The live was not perfect but it’s something that can be tweaked. Maruv’s live was bad during her semi as well.
Omg. What is the difference rock music or not, if the song catches? The style is the same for these songs, but in a different musical wrapper. Solovey is not an electro pop, it’s a niche! Let’s be honest, most people will add a hit to the playlist, maybe a songs similar to Soldi or Fuego or Arcade. Solovey is the last place of the grand finale
1. Go_A song is not similar to poland 2019.
2.Krut? was a diamond sended from heaven.
Your negativity and hate will destroy you russian creature
I think it’s close enough to say it like “croot”, to be more precise, the final T is supposed to be “softened” (palatalized is the correct term) kind of like it is in “Tuesday”
You’re right
Is there anything in this semi or the other semi that would make the Eurovision grand final?
let me guess, 14 out of 16 songs would make the finale and two or three could even win 😛
I should stop watching these Eastern countries NF cause the results are always so random and disappointing.
99 is really nice, but I think it lacks something for ESC. But it’s beautiful, everything was beautiful. Vegan is a beautiful mess, but not in a Kristian Kostov way. XD It’s fun but it doesn’t give the message properly. It looks like a joke.
Go_A it’s PERFECTION. It’s just perfect, it’s top 10 material, mesmerizing. I have no words, it’s a journey.
I hope they win.
Go_A were my favorites but after seeing the performance I was disappointed. The lead singer does not have a stage presence, she doesn’t work with a camera, and the choreography was completely off. I really hope they will watch it and correct mistakes. The song is so happy and catchy, it needs completely different approach to staging.
Oh dear, today I learned that a song about being seduced and falling in love, then being left is a happy song! No, it’s made to sound like a traditional Ukrainian folk song and is performed in the almost wailing-like white voice style (as did Tulia from Poland last year), as befits Ukrainian folk songs, which as a rule are not happy but melancholic (at the best of times). The staging and approach are perfect for a more modern interpretation of that style of song.
No, it doesn’t need different staging. I see it as decent homage to ethnic traditions, not circus.
Do you really think foreigners can understand the lyrics? The music feels like happy and catchy one, that kind of music you want to dance to. Staging doesn’t do the song justice. We all know where Tulia ended up last year.
And to Mia: Different staging doesn’t mean circus.
I’m British and I love this kind of music as do many others here I know
The thing is that I also love the song! It is my current top 2 in Vidbir. But I do think that the staging doesn’t do justice to that song.
No, but only an idiot would listen to her intonation and way she sings and assume it’s a HAPPY song. No need to understand the lyrics. She’s practically wailing. Who wails when they are happy? Similarly, a catchy tune has never automatically equaled a happy song.
Thank you Mascha for calling me – a person you don’t know at all – an idiot. It confirmes that our world has become nuts. When did people start to label others so easily?
One thing which always disappoints me with the live performances is that the performers can’t deliver the same wow effect as in their videos. I hope they watch their live performance and work on it. Work on your confidence, nerves, vocals and sound.
Khayat can, thats why he will be a winner, his live vocal is perfect and his stage presence is mesmerizing
you need also a good song and he has not.
why you jump on everyone who praise Khayat here? lol
he is one of fav to win, and i think he will,
his song is absolute BOP , i would definitely vote for him, with great staging it can be top 10 material
What an interesting turn of event , Jerry flopped and now seems like Krut is the biggest threat for Khayat to winning the whole thing, wow! cant wait for next Saturday
great show Ukraine! and thanks god no more politics drama ,yay!
How is being second and qualifying is a flop? And has has two weeks go get ready for the final I’m sure she’ll do better.
But she definitely been a flop.
she is third, and being so hyped like her considering like a flop for me, she has supposed to win her semi? lol
Yes she flopped, I agree, the public gave her only 3rd place. But the bad thing with those newcomers that almost all of them are not able to command the stage and they are so nervous that their vocals do not sound great.
[O] No 🙁
[O] darn.
[O] M G
Going well so far
Is there a european agreement that broadcasters cant change their sets? another broadcaster that has the same set AGAIN.
Fine. You design a new set for them. Find the money to build it, the location to put it up in, and then pay the storage and/or decommissioning fees afterwards. It’s tougher than it looks.
you realise that they spend money to rebuild it right?
But they don’t spend the money on designing a new one. You understand that set designers are not working for free? Or you are d*mb like your comments?
nothing wrong with the set. Best they spend the decent money of the acts and ESC delegate funding. What they have know is perfectly functional. Ukraine’s set is head and shoulders way above the staging and venue where the Latvia final was held in. Crappy seats in the *green room* and no bar lol
well, Ukraine has a slaying music industry but has no big money like Sweden for example, so i cant blame them for the same sets every year, as long as they deliver 🙂
the set is fine and the songs are way better and more varied than in melfest. Apart from a few songs its quite dull this year.
Their set is amazing, I’m personally glad they kept it from last year.
Assol deserves more…
Uterus universe queen robbed
Precisely! I would give everything to see her on the Eurovision stage no matter the final result
She did Edinburgh fringe theatre a few years ago and has done over 40 concerts in the UK. Damn, I hope she will come over to the UK again. love her stuff.
I’m usually never disappointed with Vidbir’s outcomes, it seems like not only the juries but the people from Ukraine always make the right decisions. I’m very happy for Krut, she alongside Khayat are definitely my top 2 contenders from this national selection.
well, after today im sure like 99% that Khayat will win Vidbir, fans adores him and unlike Jerry he can deliver live flawlessly, Jerry not even close so good as him, both vocally and artistically, her performance looks like kinder-garden feast…..cheesy and cringe
i have listen that khayat song meanwhile 10-12 times but nothing happens – there is no magic inside absolutly nothing only standard pop with ethnoelements on a very average level.
ok maybe khayat win vidbir because his strong fanbase but than in rotterdam semi is the end of way.
Krut? song is pure magic and magic wins (normally).
I swear 99 is a major contender. Mark my words.
Go-A was mesmerizing – definitely my favorite of the night.
The vegan song reminds me of being at a children’s party.
yes that was messy and dire.
Great semifinal, one of the best shows of the season so far. Go-A and Krut were my favorites. I think “Vegan” is charming and entertaining, but in a field so strong like this one, I would take [O] or CLOUDLESS on Jerry’s place. Congratulations to Vidbir and Katya Chilly for bringing something so unexpected and intense to the stage. Don’t know many broadcasters that would take that risk. In my opinion, it paid off, it was different from anything else I’ve seen in Eurovision national selections.
What a load of rubbish Ukraine are not going to do anything in Rotterdam
What you’re saying is rubbish. All the qualifiers have presented their best songs yet and their best performances. Any of them can easily qualify in Rotterdam too.
Russian troll go f….c yourself
Oh well, at least Solovey pass.
Very happy for Krut?! The song is a mesmerising fairytale.
This Vegan song has such basic lyrics, its like an 8 yo wrote it for a music class homework. I really like Go_A
Dumb childish song. My ears hurt.
I mean, even if this thing would compete at JESC it would be considered too basic. Eat your carrots and don’t come expecting to get a medal for it. Being vegan was maybe a novelty around 12 years ago, who are you trying to impress in 2020 by being vegan? I mean, maybe in 2021 Ukraine can go even crazier and send a GAY SINGER? WHOHOO that would be something Europe never seen before, right?
I love Vidbar. Because of these songs. Great staging as well for all songs.
What about the vocals of Maryna Krut? She has not the strongest of voices , hasn’t she? The background singers seemed to have more powerful voices than she. Or is something wrong with my ears?
Nope, you’re right. Her strongest asset is definitely the song’s catchy chorus melody.
and the staging
she sings great(in the Voice), but she will need to cope with excitement
Go A and Krut are really good, but knowing how Khayat can perform and how epic his live singing is i see no rivals for him to win Vidbir, especially after Jerry flopped and didn’t win the semi how expected
Yes I was surprised with the Jerry, she is not that good live
She was great live. I think she was just on the dead spot number 2, but Kruta killed it. I dont think anyone expected to beat Jerry and Go=A. Too bad that Cloudles flopped, but they had zero staging. It was expected to loose some good song. Katya Chilly was also interesting.
would have swapped that daft boring vegan song (joke act) for Katya.
you forget you need a good song too – khayat is ok for ukraine because he is a local well known singer – but in europe? nope!
where is the magic in khayats song?
Go A and Krut? (and katya chilly too but out) have magic in their songs.
we have not the normal situation – not female pop (with big fanbase) against male pop (with big fanbase) or rock against pop – we have a white angel against
khayat – funny wah. 😀
Wow I’m really hooked by 99!! It’s so classy and haunting! Glad that also the televote loved it!
Solovey is a great song but the leadsinger had no stagepresence at all. She has to work on that.
Solovey needs more instrumental and less singing. I love the instrumental, but im not a fan of that style of singing and they need to end the outro with the instrumental. It was cool how much hype Jerry, Go-A and Cloudless got and then Kruta win it all. Kruta is good option. Lets see Khayat from the second semi how will perform.
.
99 is that song what you have one time in 10 or 20 years – she really can win in rotterdam like lena 10 years ago or emmelie in 2013.
solovey is good enough to make the top10 – so i hope than one them win vidbir.
Go-A was the only one worthy of qualifying in my opinion
Jerry sounds horrible live, Go-a and Krut are deserved qualifiers, amazing songs!
cant wait for sexy Khayat performance next week, so I’ll see the winner of Vidbir , his team promised something epic and I believe them lol
She didnt sounded horrible at all otherwise the jury would not stand behind it. You just dont like the song and search for a reasons to dismissed it.
I’m happy for Go_A and I can’t be that mad that Krut? qualified. However when it comes to that disgrace of a song from Jerry. What the actual F!? Disgusting she was even in the national final let alone qualified.
I saw the snippet of Krut? perfomance on Youtube, which made me think that she can actually do well. And she stood out. But I hope that Khayat or Tvorchi will win after all
I watched most of this one, and the music was all very good. Three great artistic productions made it through. I feel I owe some Ukrainians an apology, as the feedback part of the show did seem to improve after the first act was done. I know I reacted badly, so I’m sorry.
I’m so sad for Katya Chilly! Her song was amazing, i felt so high and I haven’t even smoked anything! Congrats to Krut?, Jerry and Go_A, even though i’m not a huge fan of the latter’s song.
I’m so happy Solovey is going to the final! Pity that CLOUDLESS didn’t qualify though.
But let’s be honest if they have won the NF they wouldn’t have done well in Rotterdam. ESC has previously rejected Ukraine’s more darker/rocky entries like O.Torvald and Melovin
Great finalists! I loved [O] too, unfortunately they didn’t manage to qualify but the good thing is that I have discovered them thanks to Vidbir!