Ukraine’s broadcasters UA:PBC and STB have once again joined forces to organise Vidbir, Ukraine’s national final, and revealed the sixteen acts set to appear in this year’s selection.

The show’s musical producer Ruslan Kvinta sounds happy with his chosen finalists:

“The national final again pleases us with a high-quality cast of singers and a diverse range of genres.”

As always Ukraine’s national selection is filled with a diverse mix of artists, genres and interesting stage names. Entering selection this year there are some debut acts and other established names.

Kvinta adds:

“Between the participants, there are those who were not fruitful in last year’s casting round. It’s pleasant that they did not give up, but listened to our advice and used this year to prepare maximally qualitatively and professionally.

“It’s especially valuable that the stars, who already have an experience of participation in this not easy selection, are ready to battle again. After all a true artist will always go to the end.” 

As mentioned, several acts are back for another shot at Eurovision glory.

They include from last year’s edition LAUD, who won the first semi-final, Brunettes Shoot Blondes, who made it to the final in 2016 and LETAY, who were less successful in their first Vidbir participation.

Perhaps the biggest face-off in the selection will be between its two most famous acts: Tayanna and KAZKA. While Tayanna has finished second two years in a row, KAZKA had one of the biggest hits in Eastern Europe last year with their Ukrainian-language song “Plakala”. It topped charts in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and many other countries in the CIS.

The acts will be divided into two semi-finals on 9 and 16 February after a running order draw which will take place on 22 January. On 23 February, the winner will be decided by a split of votes from a jury – consisting again of Jamala, Andriy Danylko and Yevhen Filatov – and the public.

Acts in Ukraine’s Eurovision national final Vidbir 2019

Braii
Freedom jazz
KAZKA
YUKO
The Hypnotunez
LAUD
TAYANNA
Brunettes Shoot Blondes
VERA KEKELIA
ЦеШо (Tsesho)
Ivan NAVI
ANNA MARIA
BAHROMA
LETAY
КiRA MAZUR
KHAYAT

Who do you want to win Ukraine’s 2019 national selection Vidbir? Let us know in the comments down below!

Follow all our latest Ukraine news here!

Source: STB

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Vlàd
Vlàd
5 years ago

Laud vs Tayana

Jurgis
Jurgis
5 years ago

‘It topped charts in Russia, Ukraine, Bulgaria and many other countries in the CIS.’

Since when has Bulgaria joined the CIS? It’s in EU

Skimur
Skimur
5 years ago
Reply to  Jurgis

Ukraine is not in CIS too.

Mil
Mil
5 years ago

I am on the fence with the lineup. While many of this year’s acts are progressive and interesting, their music is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea to say the least. TseSho, for example, is a band of theater actors, and while some people consider their performances amazing others say “wtf”. I guess musical producer who chose entries had a task of introducing contemporary young talents to the broader Ukrainian audience – but unfortunately, Eurovision-wise there would be only few options to choose from.

Vladimir P.
Vladimir P.
5 years ago

I really liked both Tayanna’s entries, especially “Lelya”. I’m really curious what she has prepared for this year.

Acetone
Acetone
5 years ago

Vera’s voice is absolutely amazing though! I hope she has a good song, she could definitely beat Tayanna.
If not, we will probably have KAZKA as a winner – hope her vocals improved over last year!!

Oh I've been waiting for this Russian Fla-la-lag
Oh I've been waiting for this Russian Fla-la-lag
5 years ago
Reply to  Acetone

Agreeing with you on that one. Vera could be my 1st favorite followed by KAZKA and Tayanna.

Katariina
Katariina
5 years ago

I truly believe this will be a showdown between Kazka and Tayanna (like how 2016 was always gonna be Jamala vs The Hardkiss). If Tayanna doesn’t win she’ll truly be “always the bridesmaid but never the bride”.

Katariina
Katariina
5 years ago
Reply to  Katariina

I have to add though that I can’t wait for all the songs to be out. Since their return in 2016 the Ukrainian national final has established itself as my FAVOURITE national final. They always have such amazing songs and the production values are great, especially for a country like Ukraine. Move over Melodifestivalen.

Oh I've been waiting for this Russian Fla-la-lag
Oh I've been waiting for this Russian Fla-la-lag
5 years ago
Reply to  Katariina

We don’t know anything yet. The newcomers might surprise us throughout this NF unless it’s similar to last year.

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
5 years ago

Please let it be Tayanna this time!

Wilhelm
Wilhelm
5 years ago

Im going to watch Vidbir to witness how TAYANNA will flop for a third time…

Vladimir P.
Vladimir P.
5 years ago
Reply to  Wilhelm

Tayanna ended on the second place on two occasions. Since when is the second place a flop?

Wilhelm
Wilhelm
5 years ago
Reply to  Vladimir P.

I think she consider second place as a flop

Adam
Adam
5 years ago

Third time lucky for TAYANNA? (Mainly being a jury-favourite in Vidbir, what is the sentiment of Eurofans and the Ukranian public on Tayanna, is she that big? Do they not really want her to go to Eurovision or something?)

Mil
Mil
5 years ago
Reply to  Adam

Strange situation with her. I mean people usually like her songs but not her as an artist. I do hear this sentiment quite often. Somehow she is not very likable. I can’t say she is big here. Tina Karol, Monatik, The Hardkiss are big but not her.

Wilhelm
Wilhelm
5 years ago
Reply to  Mil

She has a brother in Russia, who is singer too, and co-works with putin’s propagandist Timati

Wilhelm
Wilhelm
5 years ago
Reply to  Adam

Number of Youtube subscribers can help you to understand how big is artist here comparing to others (with some exceptions for “niche” and “respectable” artists like Jamala)

LAUDFan
LAUDFan
5 years ago

Pretty boy with velvet voice and perfect English, Laud is my winner!

zxc
zxc
5 years ago

Kazka – 1st by televoting, 3rd by jury
Tayanna – 3rd by televoting, 1st by jury
WINNER – 2nd by televoting, 2nd by jury

Kirby Romford
Kirby Romford
5 years ago
Reply to  zxc

LAUD ! 😀

zxc
zxc
5 years ago
Reply to  Kirby Romford

hope no

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago
Reply to  zxc

Laud won his semi last year, so if its not Kazka or Tayanna the winner will be Laud, others dont have much fans to vote for, and as i remember jury loved him too, so he easily could be second by televoting and by jury and get the prize at the end

Tasha
Tasha
5 years ago

Anna Maria duo is so good, such a strong voices! Laud is phenomenal artist ,Tayanna needs something really special to finally win and Kazka has potential too, so good luck !

Kyamran
Kyamran
5 years ago

Tayanna will flop again. Kazka = bad vocal. Only LAUD have strong vocal, unforgetable voice. Only LAUD can give really powerfull song

Braydon
Braydon
5 years ago
Reply to  Kyamran

I don’t know if you have heard Vera Kekelia preform but she can most definitely give Loud run for his money. Hopefully she has a great song to back up those vocals.

rtikdd
rtikdd
5 years ago

Ukraine is my fav esc country…always fresh!

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

I hope that this year the contest won’t be decided by fangirls. When you say something about MELOVIN on Instagram you immediately get hordes of MELOVINATORS after you.

Apple
Apple
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I honestly agree. He didn’t have the best song in Vidbir last year

Meliris
Meliris
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

They’ll be around, Melovin performs on the show as a guest, and melovinators like Kazka more than Tayanna obviously.

Bruno
Bruno
5 years ago

ok , i only know three of them.Laud, Tayanna and Kazka , have seen them in Vidbir before and they all are amazing artists,
who knows when their songs for competition will be out? one of them wins would be awesome.
Vidbir is one of these NS that very fascinating and fun to watch lol cant wait!

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Bruno

You mean LAUD, TAYANNA and KAZKA.

Bruno
Bruno
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

yup, LMAO!

NickC
NickC
5 years ago

I hope Laud wins. He is an exceptional talent.

brennan
brennan
5 years ago

For me the real surprise is Yuko!!!! I’m a big fan 🙂 They have a tendency to make these glitchy mishmashes of traditional and modern music (check out their song ‘Khorosha’). I think of them as an edgier take on Onuka… very exciting and unexpected to see them in the contest, I know they’re going to bring something really interesting to Vidbir. Shoutout also to Bahroma, I’ve been listening to them for a couple of years and I love their song ????! I am so gooped that all of my fave Ukrainian bands are competing this year…. I can’t help… Read more »

Victorielle
Victorielle
5 years ago

May the best song/performance win. Me, I was hoping to see ALEKSEEV there too. Hoping for 2020! 🙂

Mika
Mika
5 years ago
Reply to  Victorielle

Nikita said he wants try again in Vidbir… so maybe next year 🙂
I want Laud to win, he is so cute and charming guy

Nick
Nick
5 years ago
Reply to  Mika

cute , charming and very talented i would say , also his English is superb:)
but my fav is Queen Tayanna, you go girl! get what you deserves!

Kirby Romford
Kirby Romford
5 years ago

Anna Maria twin sisters have such powerful voices just wow! LAUD is total sweetheart, i remember his pretty face and amazing tember from last year, but i agree with others Tayanna or Kazka will win, it will be intresting to watch lol

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Tayanna (TAYANNA?) has way better songs in her album, but she always decides to go with the floppy ones. Let’s see this time…

Fatima
Fatima
5 years ago

No doubts Tayanna or KAZKA gonna get a prize,
they both are pretty good and have huge fan bases, cant wait to listen their songs, Ukraine has one of the best NS in Europe

Braydon
Braydon
5 years ago

Can’t wait for the semifinal draw. Vidbir always has theses underground artists who are in need of a big break and the national selection is the place to do it.
Presently surprised to see The Hypnotunez, Ivan Navi and Vera Kekelia she is going to wow everyone with her vocals.

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

Im sure it will be Kazka or Tayanna who win Vidbir this year, no chances for others, though Laud is amazing and his English is so good:))

aaron
aaron
5 years ago

Tayanna is a proper artist, it’s not even a case of deserving, it’s a matter of time of when she is going to go . If Ukraine don’t send her I don’t think she’ll come back again, which would be such a waste – like Molly Hammar.

KAZKA are good, but they’re a studio group, their songs don’t come together that well live, whereas Tayanna is the opposite. Tayanna will come with then best song, as per usual.

zxc
zxc
5 years ago

The Hypnotunez or Brunettes Shoot Blondes

Ulilu
Ulilu
5 years ago

Tayanna, you better snatch the damn ticket:)

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Lmao they love CAPS LOCK in Ukraine

Weiko
Weiko
5 years ago

So excited to see LAUD competing again. His “Waiting” was my favourite last year.

John
5 years ago

Is Plakala eligible to be entered? When was it released?

coca_cola
coca_cola
5 years ago
Reply to  John

No its not. It was released May 2018.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

The last country with a 100% qualification record, if I am not mistaken. I personally do not care at all for their entries, but so far they always found a way to get those votes, not matter how dire the song was.

Anthony Ko
Editor
5 years ago

Australia says hi.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  Anthony Ko

Oh. Yeah, you’re right. Those goddamn juries of 2017…

Nora
Nora
5 years ago

He didn’t have the voice crack in jury final so they voted for Australia. He wanted to add a special note for the live show but it ended catastrophic LOL.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  Nora

The voice crack was only remotely remarkable thing about this entire act.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Ukraine was 16th in the semi-final televote in 2012 and got saved by the juries.

Weili
Weili
5 years ago

But Australia have been on Semi-finals only twice.
Ukraine has been ten times.

Anthony Ko
Editor
5 years ago
Reply to  Weili

Excluding automatic finalist Guy Sebastian, Dami Im qualified after finishing top of the table, Isaiah Firebrace qualified after finishing 6th and Jessica Mauboy qualified after finishing 4th.

So Australia have actually competed on three semi-finals, not two. And there are several countries who also have a 100% record after their first three semi-final appearances.

Talentina Monetta
Talentina Monetta
5 years ago

I predict that the winner’s stage name will be in capital letters 😛

Erasmus
Erasmus
5 years ago

Ukrainian selection is my favourite along DE and Melfest. Kazka had such a good song last year, it’s even better than their million views hit. And both of Tayanna’s songs are soo good

Deven O’Kearney
Deven O’Kearney
5 years ago

My favourite is Melodifestivalen, followed by DMGP, Unser Lied and MGP (Norway). I love the songs and big productions that come with those NFs (especially Melfest).

James
James
5 years ago

Kween Tayanna!

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

Brunettes Shoot Blondes!
Oh yeah!

Sonia
Sonia
5 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Both have ombre.