Yesterday Estonia’s broadcaster ERR announced the first 12 acts competing in the semi-finals of Eesti Laul 2021. Now the list is complete, with the final 12 names announced.
Eesti Laul producer Tomi Rahula promises a variety of musical genres, saying, “Estonian music will be richer by at least 24 songs again, and wealth will come from different genres, because this time Estonian Song has pop, rock, folk, jazz and many different styles.” He also confirmed the contest has a mix of established artists and newcomers.
Joining returning artists Jüri Pootsmann, Koit Toome and Uku Suviste is Tanja. She represented Estonia at Eurovision 2014 with her song and dance extravaganza “Amazing”. Tanja also competed in Eesti Laul 2019 singing with The Swingers on their song “High Heels in the Neighbourhood”. This season she will compete with the song “Best Night Ever”.
Also returning is 2020 grand finalist Egert Milder. Last year he delivered the fan favourite “Georgia (On My Mind)”, his ode to the Eastern European nation. This time he will sing “Free Again”.
We will also see a performance from Sissi — daughter of Estonia’s Eurovision winner Dave Benton. She made her Eesti Laul debut in 2019 with “Strong” which placed fourth in the grand final. She’ll be returning with her song “Time”.
Veteran performer and Eurovision 1996 act Ivo Linna will be making his sixth appearance at the Estonian national final. This time he will be performing with his son Robert Linna — also an established singer — and the band Supernova. They’ll be performing “Ma olen siin” (“I am here”).
Koit Toome also features in this semi as a songwriter. He has co-written “Heaven’s Not That Far Tonight” for the duo Suured tüdrukud. The group features the long-serving Eesti Laul and Eurovision backing singers Kaire Vilgats and Dagmar Oja who are finally stepping into the spotlight in their own right.
Eesti Laul 2021’s second 12 semi-finalists
- Heleza – “6”
- Alabama Watchdog – “Alabama Watchdog”
- Tanja – “Best Night Ever”
- Kadri Voorand – “Energy”
- Kristin Kalnapenk – “Find A Way
- Egert Milder – “Free Again”
- Suured tüdrukud – “Heaven’s Not That Far Tonight”
- Uku Haasma – “Kaos”
- Karl Killing – “Kiss Me”
- Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova – “Ma olen siin”
- Rahel – “Sunday Night”
- Sissi – “Time”
Next: the Eesti Laul 2021 semi-finals
The 24 semi-finalists were selected from 156 entries. The semi-finalists were selected by an expert jury. We’ll see the acts of Eesti Laul 2021 perform their songs live in February and March next year.
Earlier this month, ERR confirmed that all three Eesti Laul 2021 shows will take place in Tallinn. The two semi-finals will be filmed in a TV studio at ERR’s headquarters, without a live audience. The broadcaster hopes to hold the grand final in the usual venue of the Saku Suurhall and may involve a live audience.
The semi-finals of Eesti Laul 2021 will be held on 18 and 20 February, while the grand final will take place on 6 March 2021.
For me I’m looking forward to seeing what Egert Milder brings this year. “Georgia (on my mind)” was my favourite song in last years Eesti Laul and i can’t wait to hear more from this talented performer!
I’m somewhat of a believer in superstitions and I noticed that every three years since 2009 Estonia sends a great song to Eurovision that does very well in the final.
2009- Randajad (6th)
2012- Kuula (6th)
2015- Goodbye to Yesterday (7th)
2018- La Forza (8th)
Three years from 2018 is 2021 so that means that we should be getting a great song from Estonia next year!
I noticed that too. There’s certainly the potential for a great song to originate from this lineup.
It’s not even 2021 and I’m already hyped.
Estonia is one of my favorite Eurovision countries. I hope they send a good song in Estonian. Greetings from Serbia
Early December
more specifically on 5 December
I’m sure there’ll be some newcomers who I really like but based on names alone, I’m most excited by Sissi here. She was *really* good. Eesti Laul hasn’t brought as many big names back as FiK did but I’m optimistic about this selection.
I mean, they did bring back five former winners, so that should count as big. 🙂 I am being optimistic too. Not just about Eesti laul, but about the whole season. I have a feeling that a year off will make national selections even more competitive, especially those who know they are trying to outperform a reigning champion. The internally selected artists will also have enough time to create that special something. I honestly expect 20-30 really good songs, but I could be wrong.
Agree! according to my calculation and prediction: countries with potential top 10 songs: Italy, Sweden, Romania, Russia, Bulgaria, Malta, Switzerland, Iceland, Lithuania, Belgium and more. top 20 countries (or better it depends): Norway, Caucasus countries, Cyprus, France, Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Estonia (if they pick the right act), CZ, Australia, Israel, Ukraine then bottom ten countries imo: San Marino, Macedonia, Moldova countries who could either flop or do well: Albania, Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia, Poland, Denmark, UK, Ireland, Austria, Belarus, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Latvia so that means 24 great songs, and if half of the countries who could do great or flop… Read more »
Sometimes it’s best not to assume anything and you’ll be less disappointed. Still, we are human, so of course I have my assumptions as well. 🙂 I expect great things from those who kept artists whose songs were in my top 15 of 2020 – Switzerland, Romania, Bulgaria, Iceland, Netherlands and Ukraine. I can also see Greece and Malta having something great. We don’t know whether Russia, Poland, UK or Armenia will stick with their performers, but if so… good for them. I really liked their 2020 songs. Italy hasn’t had a bad song since 2011 and the only mediocre… Read more »
I think Natalia is going for a maruv dark type of song as I heard, I just question if it will be done in a grace and elegance as Maruv does it or will it really be just a sexy anthem.. and for Belarus – I think they won’t go that way tbh – I think they gonna select internally – probably a big star (maybe from Russia), to unite the country back together.. and as for SM I actually love that song from Senhit in Italian (Un bel niente I think it’s called) it’s classy, modern, but I doubt… Read more »
Oh wow Karl is back too! Nice semi 🙂
Ik upset that Jaagup Tuisk isn’t here but I’m soooooo excited for Tanja and Jüri
Same 2 faves ^^
I hope Tomi Rahula is being truthful about the variety of genres, because Eesti Laul was usually one of the most fun national selections to watch, but in the last couple of years we had most of the entries fighting in the same pop lane. Estonia music scene already proved they have much more to offer.
Nice, can’t wait to see the songs released.
Tanja was able to do a complex choreography while not missing a note. I am really looking forward to see what she’s brought to the table this time. Egert also emerged as an unlikely fan-favorite last year, so he’s the one to watch as well. It will certainly be an interesting Eesti laul.
Happy about Edgart Miller and also Uku Haasma, Karl Killing and Heleza all sound good as well (checked their music). But quite a strong semi since Tanja and Ivo will likely qualify due to their fame – only leaves 3 spots. We’ll see, but my favourite and I’m praying he wins is still Jüri. Really, but really want to see Kerli on esc stage tho
These aren’t semi final lineups yet. The official draw will still come.
oh really? than I apologize
I had a feeling Sissi was performing this year hope she has a better song to 2019
Surprised to see Ivo Linna back quite soon. Yes, “Kaelakee hääl” was great but he also competed in 2017, when his “Suur loterii” got 5th place at Eesti Laul. 🙂
Oh, and no Stig Rästa this year? 🙂
Really? Didn’t know that!
Yeah, five ex winners competing again. It’s exciting.
As for Rasta… are the songwriters out yet? Perhaps he wrote a song, but he’s not performing it?
yes they’re out, he hasn’t written any of the songs.
That I heard. Guess he needed a year off. Hope he’s got something up his sleeve for 2022.
Thanks for the info. No matter how good someone is, a year of hiatus shouldn’t be an issue.
Strong by Sissi was great. I believe I put it in my second place if I remember right
Go back and listen to Kaelakee haal sometime – it’s still a great entry. Pleasantly surprised to see him giving Eurovision another go 25 years later!
Karl Killing is also a returning artist, having participated in Eesti Laul 2018, performing ‘Young’