Latvia has taken another step towards selecting the acts who will compete in Supernova 2019. Broadcaster LTV has revealed that yesterday its selection panel watched live performances from 33 shortlisted acts, all vying for a place in the Supernova semi-finals.

Unlike the 2018 live auditions which were held in public at a Riga shopping centre, this year’s performances were held privately at LTV. The 33 shortlisted groups auditioned in front of a four-person jury, headed by chairperson DJ Rudd.

The broadcaster shared news of the audition on Facebook, writing:

“Yesterday, November 22, Supernova 2019, the second round of selection took place at LTV, which included 33 singers and groups on stage. Which one of them will get a place in the semi-finals? You will know very soon!”

Vakar, 22. novembr?, LTV.lv norisin?j?s Supernova 2019 otr?s atlases k?rta, kur? uz skatuves st?j?s 33 dzied?t?ji un…

Posted by Supernova 2019 on Friday, November 23, 2018

The broadcaster shared a few photos and videos of the auditioning acts. Among them was Supernova regular Markus Riva, who could be heard singing an upbeat song with the lyrics “I get high from your love.” Also spotted is Supernova 2016 alum Miks Dukurs, singer-songwriter Kristiāna Bumbiere, and the bands Dziļi Violets and Double Faced Eels.

From here, the jury will select the acts who will go on to compete in the semi-finals of Supernova 2019. While the exact number of semi-finalists has not been confirmed, based on previous years, it is likely to be around 20.

Despite winning Eurovision in 2002, Latvia has not enjoy much success in the past decade. It has qualified for the final twice, both with songs written by Aminata Savadogo. Her own song “Love Injected” placed in 2015, while Justs’ song “Heartbeat” placed 15th the the following year.

Since then, Latvia has missed making the grand final, including in 2017 when Triana Park placed last in its semi-final. In Lisbon, Laura Rizzotto narrowly missed making final, placing 12th in her semi.

Despite this, Supernova remains a favourite national final among Eurovision fans and there is hope that Supernova 2019 will get Latvia back in the grand final.

The competing acts for Supernova 2019 will be announced on December 5. The live shows will begin sometime in January.

What do you think? Who would you like to see in the Supernova semi-finals? Share your thoughts below!

Read more Latvia Eurovision news here

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Pizza
Pizza
5 years ago

“Harmony” is definitely my favorite.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Probably going to have an amazing national final (again) and then pick a winner that doesn’t work at ESC (again).

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

This is so true! They had so many better Options .First ones that come to mind: Esamiba, Just Fine…. You are my world, intoxicating caramel even. All of them would have worked way better and would probably have qualified..I don’t have all songs in mind right now tho. Funny Girl wasn’t bad at all, it just wasn’t anything special.

Onetimeuser
Onetimeuser
5 years ago

Any update on the beaver?

Lila
Lila
5 years ago

“Take Me Down” was the only entry by Markus Riva that I liked, and that was the year that the quality in Supernova was outstanding. Wish he saved that song for a different year. All his other entries have been generic and just overall pretty bad. I wish he’d take a year or so off just to work on his sound and skills more. Anyways, Latvia has great electronic music (MNTHA, Fox Lima, etc.) and I’d love to see an act like that performing in Tel Aviv.

Jack
Jack
5 years ago

Markus Riva is like the Latvian Leonardo DiCaprio, he’ll never give up and all his fans are waiting for the day he finally wins and goes to ESC. I did like “This Time” from the last Supernova and wonder his next bop will sound like, btw Double Faced Eels are a well-known Alternative/Indie Rock band in Latvia and used to open for Brainstorm so it’ll be very interesting to see if they make the live shows!

Latvian
Latvian
5 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Imo, The new song sounded worse than This time.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Jack

Easy, it’ll sound like his previous attempts.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago

Markus is probably not a bad Person, but that man needs to be stopped imo… His songs are honestly so generic and boring, I can’t stand his Music. I’m just afraid that one day Latvia just sends him out of pity and to make him stop coming to national finals lol. I feel bad for saying this, but no honey no..

Latvian
Latvian
5 years ago

Samanta Tina is back.

Latvian
Latvian
5 years ago

26th November. All performances will be released on Supernova’s YT account.

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Ow Markus… What a surprise!

Erasmus
Erasmus
5 years ago

I don’t understand the hate that Markus Riva has. Like sure his songs aren’t the best thing I’ve heard, but I appreciate the production and his passion for it, even though a lot of the times his songs sound generic. But he’s a great person, and so what if he also performs is Russia, Belarus, Ukraine… Latvia is small, and if he can speak Russian why wouldn’t he use it?!:)

Joel
Joel
5 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Latvia is not small, there are plenty countries that are smaller than Latvia. Main problem is that he speaks Russian, makes Russian audience just for 1 goal – to get into Eurovision with Russian votes (both tele and online), completely ignoring the Latvians. In 2015. When he got the second place, he thanked everyone in Russian. Btw, i might ask, are you from Russia or what? Who the hell calls country a small state?

Erasmus
Erasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Joel

Sorry but since when is a 2 million country a big country, I’m from Slovenia btw, and we have the same population, I’ve never consider us to be big. Like yeah we aren’t a microstate, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t small, especially if u look worldwide, not just Europe. And i think many Latvians speak Russian don’t they? What’s the problem with it

Joel
Joel
5 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

If you say that Latvians speak Russian, you’re already insulting Latvians, Never do that

Anna
Anna
5 years ago

I never liked Markus Riva’s songs, but I like how he’s not giving up. LOL

Joel
Joel
5 years ago

Not again that russkie guy Riva

Trigger
Trigger
5 years ago
Reply to  Joel

haha, he is 100% Latvian, hater

Latvian
Latvian
5 years ago
Reply to  Trigger

I mean, his songs are popular only in CIS countries…

Joel
Joel
5 years ago
Reply to  Trigger

He’s not a Latvian hater, he’s in Latvia only if theres ESC NF or an X Factor. Mostly he’s in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine. It’s just weird that he writes bad songs with bad vocals and he doesn’t want to give up (atleast for a few years)