Following their return to the Top 10 in 2016, Armenia announced a return to a national final format for Eurovision 2017.

And on Wednesday Armenia’s First Channel gave us the first peak of “Depi Evratesil” — or “To Eurovision” — in a news report uploaded online and aired on national television.

Filming of the three-month long competition to find Armenia’s next representative is underway and viewers will be able to follow the journey from October 1. But let’s go ahead and have a look…

Following a two-month application process, selected singers will now perform in front of a star-studded Eurovision panel in their bid to represent the country. That panel consists of Iveta Mukuchyan (Eurovision 2016), Aram MP3 (2014), Essaï Altounian (2015, as part of Genealogy) Inga and Anush Arshakyan (2009, with Inga also forming part of Genealogy) and Hayko (2007).

Hundreds of artists will audition in front of the judges in a format similar to The X Factor. The judges will mentor the selected acts as the show progresses, but only one will win the ticket to represent Armenia on the Eurovision stage.

In the news clip the judges all give their input on the program.

Essaï says that he is looking for confidence on stage, while Iveta seeks the person who can best represent the country as a whole. The competition offers a chance for established and new artists alike to compete. Will David slay Goliath? We’ll see…

Armenia at Eurovision

Armenia has used an internal selection to select its artist and entry in recent years, with Aram MP3 recording their best recent result — finishing fourth in Copenhagen with his dramatic dubstep ballad “Not Alone“.

In 2016, Armenia was represented by Iveta Mukuchyan, who finished seventh with the avant-garde “LoveWave“.

Are you excited for Armenia’s new national final “Depi Evratesil”? Should they have stayed with an internal selection? Let us know in the comments below.

Read more Armenia Eurovision news

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an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

@ Not regular user : This sucks biggest time! There are a lot of great artists who will never take part in such talent shows! I agree, many talentet artists, just don’t go to talent shows. In each country is that thing, they don’t go to be criticized by jury that, sometimes, is less talented. It is a mystery to me why ESC artist go to talent shows after ESC : like latvian Aminata in Russia, or moldovian Aliona Moon in Romania. Matbe they just want to expand their market and they have enough comfort and self confidence not to… Read more »

Teta
Teta
7 years ago

I hope Armenia will choose wisely.. I mean they should pick an artist with the full package, like Iveta had it this year. Voice, stage presence, good communication, humble person. It’s just not all about the good voice. I wish for the best luck in finding the BEST artist. As for Iveta image, there is just bad lighting on her face, look up for another pictures and there you will see that she has not bad makeup. Actually that kind of her fits her. She is crazy, that’s why I love her so much. ??

FranciscoTe
FranciscoTe
7 years ago

This is the same thing what Azerbaijan was doing before 2015 years. I really don’t like this type of selections, because it seems like a talent show, I don’t want it to be like this. I think that Armenia should focus on finding the best song, not The Voice.

Azaad
Azaad
7 years ago

I have a feeling that this will result in Armenia’s worst result ever. Something about such an extensive process seems counterproductive in producing a star given that very few signed artists would sign up.

Castaway RFF
Castaway RFF
7 years ago

Very good for the article

Steve
Steve
7 years ago

Armenia needs to find a good song, not spend time on finding a good performer.

Guðrún Karlsdóttir
Guðrún Karlsdóttir
7 years ago

lol that hairstyle got me xDDDD

ESC-AU-Fan
ESC-AU-Fan
7 years ago

Is Iveta going through a post-Eurovision crisis? What’s with a hairdo? Hahaha

On the other note, Aram MP3 is looking fine!

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
7 years ago

those box braids just do not work
also getting some major cyprus 2015 preselection vibes from this

an esc fan
an esc fan
7 years ago

When almost everybody tells you that you are ESC Queen…Next top model…Diva…then you do that to your hair and make-up.
I don’t like that countries become more interested in ESC only after they are in top 10, is not enough place for 42 countries in top 10, unfortunately, because many deserve to be there.
Because Ukraine is a country where prices are low, not that expensive like Sweden, hope that next year to be many participants.

Pollaski
Pollaski
7 years ago

Iveta’s purple braids are literally the worst thing I’ve seen today.

On a more relevant note, does anyone actually have stats for the success of entries chosen via Internal Selection vs. National FInal? Both clearly have their plusses and minuses, but I am curious as if one leads to more victories, Top 5’s, Top 10’s, and qualifications.

Jonathan UK
Jonathan UK
7 years ago

They’re going in all guns blazing! It could work for them! If Iveta is anything to go by, Armenia is full of talent and the nation is good at keeping its traditional, cultural heritage whole fusing it with modern music which creates a whole package that leaves me stunned 🙂 they’re on the right tracks for a large win, I’m not convinced (although I’m willing to and fully expect to be proved wrong) that their win will come from a NF!

Paul D
Paul D
7 years ago

I think she is a beautiful woman but she looks busted on that show… maybe its the make up

cheesecake
cheesecake
7 years ago

Wow, someone is taking Eurovision very seriously. Looks promising!

Kris
Kris
7 years ago

Iveta serving up some braided queen #fakeness……hate her look

Ron
Ron
7 years ago

Iveta’s hair though…..#slayage

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

I’m just hoping for some or all former Arevik/Arevner members to audition.

* Anahit Sargsyan (Arevik)
* Gayane Martirosyan (Arevik-Arevner)
* Goharine Tsogolakyan (Arevik-Arevner)
* Lidushik (Arevik)
* Lusine Azizyan (Arevik-Arevner)
* Marianna Javakhyan (Arevik)
* Meri Labladjyan (Arevik-Arevner)
* Qristine Aleksanyan (Arevik-Arevner)
* Varduhi Talasyan (Arevik-Arevner)

esc1234
esc1234
7 years ago

Seems like they really want to win so lets hope the format will work