The first semi-final of Estonia’s Eesti Laul 2021 is right around the corner. On Thursday 18th February, 12 acts will compete in a bid to represent Estonia at Eurovision 2021. Now, we want to hear from our readers – who do you think should win semi-final one?
Kicking off the first semi-final is Eurovision 2014 singer Tanja. Other big names competing for a spot in the final include Egert Milder and two-time Eurovision star Koit Toome. Closing the show is Eurovision alum Ivo Linna, performing alongside Robert Linna and Supernova. However, only half of all the acts in Thursday’s semi-final will make it through.
Of the 12 competing songs, only six will make it to the final. The first four qualifiers will be decided by a combination of public and jury vote. Then, the fifth and sixth qualifiers will be determined solely by the public in a run-off style second round of voting. The lucky half-dozen will go up against the top six from semi-final two in the grand final on Saturday 6th March.
We’ve heard all the songs. We know the running order. Now, it’s over to you. Vote for your favourites in our poll below.
Eesti Laul 2021: Semi-Final One
Tanja – “Best Night Ever”
Opening the night is Eurovision 2014 singer Tanja with the disco-dance pop track “Best Night Ever”. In Copenhagen, Tanja sang “Amazing” and placed 12th in the first semi-final, failing to qualify for the grand final. Could 2021 be her year?
Hans Nayna – “One By One”
Mauritian singer Hans Nayna brings an emotional mid-tempo track with plenty of soul influence to the table. Will he fight off the competition “One By One” to become Estonia’s next Eurovision singer?
WIIRALT – “Tuuled”
A bluesy country-folk track, with some powerful vocals and strong harmonies. Does “Tuuled” have your vote?
Kéa – “Hypnotized”
A classic pop tune with a catchy chorus and plenty of dance potential. Are you “Hypnotized” by Kéa?
Andrei Zevakin & Pluuto – “Wingman”
Andrei Zevakin and Pluuto bring hip-hop to Eesti Laul with “Wingman”. Does this dynamic duo have your support?
Karl Killing – “Kiss Me”
Easy-listening and gentle, “Kiss Me” echoes the indie-pop stylings of Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes and Passenger. Will Karl Killing get your vote?
Nika Marula – “Calm Down”
Nika Marula blends bluesy beats with soulful vocals on this empowering track. Is “Calm Down” getting your vote?
Egert Milder – “Free Again”
One of the early favourites, Egert Miller returns to Eesti Laul 2021 after a fourth place finish in 2020 with “Georgia (On My Mind)”. Will “Free Again” help Egert go all the way this time?
Tuuli Rand – “Üks öö”
An energetic and catchy Estonian-language dance-pop track from Tuuli Rand. She had two songs in the 2013 final: a duet with Teele Viira and another as a part of the band Söörömöö. Now she’s going solo. Does she have your vote?
Koit Toome – “We Could Have Been Beautiful”
Another one of this year’s favourites to win. Koit Toome has twice represented Estonia, first in 1998, then again in 2017 alongside Laura. This year, Toome is going solo again with the classy ballad “We Could Have Been Beautiful”. Does he get your vote?
Kristin Kalnapenk – “Find A Way”
Kristin Kalnapenk brings a jazzy sound to Eesti Laul 2021 with her breezy soul entry. Will Kristin “Find A Way” to the grand final?
Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova – “Ma olen siin”
Closing out the first semi-final is Eurovision veteran and six-time Eesti Laul competitor Ivo Linna, alongside his son Robert and the band Supernova. The bring a unique sound to this semi-final with their unique light-rock track. Do they get your vote?
Poll: Who should win semi-final one of Eesti Laul 2021?
Which semi-final one act is your favourite? You can vote for as many songs as you like, but you can only vote once. The poll will close just before semi-final one of Eesti Laul 2021 on Thursday 18 February.
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Which song did you vote for? Who do you think will win? Let us know in the comments below.
“Ma olen siin” is damn underrated here. Far better song than the Koit’s.
Karl Killing and Hans Hayna. Don’t get the hype over Koit. Is it because of “Verona”? I didn’t like it either. “We Could Have Been Beautiful” is better though. Anyway as Uku’s song both are way too safe and predictable.
I’ve been wishing for Koit to bring the old lady who appears on his music video on stage. She would elevate the performance by a mile, but I fear it will be just him singing alone on the piano at the end of the day…
Edit: Her name is Liina Orlova. She’s an 80 y.o. active actress and former professional dancer, one of the most recognized personalities not only in Estonia but also among ex-Soviet counties
*countries
My favorite in this semi-final by far is ‘Free Again’. Really hope Egert will do (at least) as well as last year!
Hans!!!
The level of songs in this semi is high anyway. Hope the best 5 go to the Grand Final!
KOIT TOOME FTW!
Simply beautiful, the feelings of the song in his voice are impressive!
I’ll be rooting for “Wingman” and “Ma olen siin” (this one is one of the biggest growers of the season to my ears).
I am majorly feeling We Could Have Been Beautiful and Wingman so to see them currently top 2 makes me happy – that never happens to me in these polls!
I love the self-reflective maturity of Koit’s song and he sings it very well. And Wingman is thoroughly modern and has an attitude i find appealing.
Wingman!
Koit toome is a bit too safe for me maybe..but still nice.
WIGman, obviously
Koit Toome clearly, with that incredible emotive Chorus in either head voice or falsetto (anyone know which one he uses?). But I also really like “Free Again,” “Hypnotized,” “Kiss Me” and “Ma Olen Siin.”
Same picks. 😉
Ps. I also really like Wingman.
“Wingman” is a very interesting concept for a song – the production of it is very good. But… I don’t feel it at all. Without the club and the video, it’s just a drink-fuelled tuned conversation set to a beat; I feel disconnected to it because I’m not a part of its story. It’s a bit like I turned up to a musical theatre gig 20 minutes late, and I have no idea what’s going on.
I’m rooting for Free Again 🙂
Ok, I’m sold to “Ma olen siin”. The mood. Those nonchalant verses. That final chorus! And then that music video! It’s really cool. And Robert is quite attractive, isn’t he?
Yes, this one should make the final.
It’s my favourite from this semi too!
Yes yes yes yes. The final top 2 with Gram-of-fun please.
Koit by a landslide. Although this is one of my picks for Eesti Laul, I have to say the competition is much stronger in SF2…
Love Koit’s song! I really wish either he or Uku wins!
I’ve sort of accepted that Nika won’t make it even tho she is my favourite 🙁 such a strong semi
When you’re one of 3 people so far to vote for Wiiralt O_o
Other than them, I’m def rooting for Andrei / Pluuto and of course Koit! Really I only don’t like 2 of these songs so I’m cool with most of them.
Koit and Wingman!!