Ukraine has been busy preparing to host Eurovision 2017. But amid all the planning and designing and in-fighting, they’ve still had one very important matter on their hands: defending their Eurovision title. With their national final kicking off on February 4, broadcaster STB has revealed the 24 acts set to take part. What’s more, it’s practically a whole new batch of competitors.
Yes, unfortunately it’s bad news for any of you hoping to see the return of The Hardkiss or NeAngely. But there are some notable names on the list. They include girl group Payushchie Trusy, whose video for “Glamour” gives us “Slavic Girls” realness all over.
Journalist-turned-singer Vitaly Kozlovsky has racked up two gold albums in the past. There’s also X Factor Ukraine 2016 runners-up Detach, who performed this crazy, rock-fuelled version of “Dancing Lasha Tumbai” during their time on the show:
Ukraine — Full List of Semi-Finalists:
- Aghiazma – “Synthetic Sun”
- Anastasia Prudius –
- Arsen Mirzoyan – “Dzheraldina”
- Detach – “Distance”
- Green Grey – “Future Is Now”
- Illaria – “Thank You For My Way”
- Kadnay – “Freedom in My Mind”
- Kuznetsov – “Deep Shivers” (winner of web vote)
- Laliko – “Sugar Whisper”
- Letay – “Svit chekaye”
- MamaRika – “We Are One”
- Melovin – “Wonder”
- Mila Nitich – “Mystery”
- Monochromea – “Blue Bird”
- O. Torvald – “Time”
- Panivalkova – “Dokuchayu”
- Payushchie Trusy – “Singing Pants”
- Roma Veremeychik & Lumiere –
- Rozhden –
- Salto Nazad – “O, mamo!”
- Skay – “Ya tebe lyublyu”
- Tayanna — “I Love You”
- Vitaly Kozlovsky –
- Vivienne Mort –
The draw for the three semi-finals will take place this Friday. We’ll be expecting many of the acts to reveal their songs in the next few days too, so make sure to keep checking back on wiwibloggs as they come through.
Are you looking forward to the Ukraine national final? Are there any names that immediately stand out to you in the list? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, or let us know on our Twitter.
MONOCHROMEA — Blue Bird https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsWIbNEJjn8
KUZNETSOV – Deep shivers https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iClrBQx0afc
LETAY – C??? ?????/World is calling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmMi5awt8Lg
Ok, songs have started to appear
DETACH — Distance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n54B7RYBcU4
MamaRika — We are the one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtX8lIYUJe0
ILLARIA — Thank You For My Way https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2y8ebuqcnY
Singing Pants — Singing Pants https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg6JaxVOfOo
S.K.A.Y — All My Love For You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUv9-VjoGOo (there gonna be English version)
MELOVIN — Wonder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fF3KrsVpXHU
TAYANNA – anothe TOP 5 for Ukraine.
I’m surprised to see 8 rock bands plus other alternative music performers as well as an extensive list of new names. Actually, almost all of those new names came from either X-Factor or the Voice. I like some artists very much, for example, Arsen Mirzoyan, Panivalkova, O.Torvald, VivienMort, but again – they are either rock bands (like the last two) or tend to perform songs closer to rock or fusion (Panivalkova). And only three or four acts sing what is close to Europop. Since I don’t have a favorite here, I would like to see a male performer for a… Read more »
Detach – Wasted
Last year’s big all-star ESC line up for Ukraine’s comeback was way better. Big names here and there. This year they might be going for a fresher approach.
Panivalkova – “Let me” it’s the best I’ve ever heard and seen, also the video is pretty exciting, I’m really wondered of it and I hope that they will represent Ukraine.
I like Tayanna,but not the english version so much :/ The original is AMAZING!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzzQzfoo6zM miles better
That Ukrainian X Factor is odd, the judges critique the performers after the performers leave the stage? Instead of staying on stage? Hmm.
With Tayanna, Ukraine has it in the bag.
Fantastic song and voice! Congrats!
TAYANNA needs to sing in Ukrainian, it’s much better.
Shocked the hardkiss aren’t in. They would have won for SURE. The only names i see here (as a Ukrainian) that are familiar is ILLARIA and Kozlovskiy.
I am also very surprised Anastasia Prikhodko, Viktoria Petryk, or other acts from last years NF like Aida Nikolaychuk or Sunsay aren’t here either. All new names. I hope it goes well
“I love you” is a really good song. Ballad, with a good staging it can do well! I don’t like the other song much.
But, knowing only two songs, we can’t tell. So we are waiting for all the songs to be released.
@(J)ESC Fanatic
Last summer it was already known that the Hardkiss will miss their home Eurovision, because there is little chance to win two years in a row, also the lead singer became the judge of Ukrainian x-factor and the group is too busy with anniversary tour.
@JonathanUK I agree, ERIA was my favorite too. The only hope left on Illaria, they work in a similar style.
My top-9 so far:
1. Melovin
2. Tayanna
3. SKAY
4. O.Torvald
5. Letay
6. LALIKO
7. Monochromea
8. Payushchie Trusy
9. Kuznetsov
@mazun
I mean that he should have won the wildcard (web-vote) instead of Kuznetsov.
WHERE IS ERIA?!?!
Green Grey? Lmao
My top-8 of Ukrainian selection so far:
1. Tayanna – I Love You
2. Melovin – Wonder
3. O.Torvald – Time
4. Monochromea – Blue Bird
5. Kuznetsov – Deep Shivers
6. SKAY – Ja Tebe Lyublyu
7. Letay – Svit Chekae
8. Payushchie Trusy – Singing Pants
Ehh… Where is ERIA? :/
Shocked The Hardkiss are not in.
Vivienne Mort?? Well now I’m excited. I’ve been listening to her for over a year now and she’s incredible. Especially her lyrics.
@Erik – Kishe is not even in #24. Web-vote was for beginners.
Our main participants applied their songs offline.
Now that I’ve listen to all songs in the Wildcard round, I must sak that “Part of Me” with KISHE is the best song. It should have won (it’s better than “Deep Shivers” in my opinion)!
I would have liked to see The Hardkiss among them, but I really happy to see Kuznetsov there. ‘Deep Shivers’ is amazing, I just love it! Very alternative, but catchy.
i love tayanna’s song. it’s splendid.
another female singer for ukraine? i’m not complaining. good luck!
Omg I love Tayanna’s song, however I prefer the original version. She would secure another top 10 finish for Ukraine!
Oh, I expected for The Hardkiss, Onuka or The Erised on our home-ESC.
But there are 4-5 very strong contestants this year. Vivienne Mort is my favourite ?
Great songs have presented Tayanna and Melovin so far, listen them.
@ Colin – can you blame them? The two times they sent male performers they got their worst and third-worst result. If the country is so full of female talents, why not? All the Ukrainian girls but two have finished top 10, and that’s remarkable.
That “I Love You” song by Tayanna SNATCHED me. It’s fantastic. Ukraine never stops serving quality, whew.
Honestly – all the male and group finalists here – do they even have an actual shot? I mean, it’s Ukraine, they ALWAYS send an attractive female soloist.
I want Hardkiss!!! Omg
Wow, didn’t expect that TAYANNA will be on the list. Her voice is incredible.
Ah, The Erised aren’t presented. Although there was an interview with The Hardkiss’ singer where she said they were working on some material for ‘revenge’ you can easily guess they’re pretty ambitious to skip this year. Who knows..
Pretty excited. Ukraine’s national final last year was great, variety and quality!
Detach Detach Detach!!! Haven’t heard their entry song yet, but I’m already excited to see their name amongst those 24!
Hoping that the lack of The Hardkiss means they’ll be performing as one of the interval acts (preferably in the final). Their music is incredible – hope it gets a platform whilst Eurovision is hosted in the Ukraine.
Sad to see that the hardkiss aren’t on this list, but I’m really excited to see that rozhden & detach are there 🙂
Vivienne Mort is great. Surprise and happy to see them among the partisipaints.
Melovin with “Wonder”.
Good to see some bands! Often my favourite ESC-songs are by band. Might indicate some rock 🙂
Strange Hardkiss isn’t there…there were almost promissed a spot last year