The line-up for the 2019 edition of New Wave — the international contest for young singers — has been released. The contest will feature Azeri singer Aisel, as well as acts familiar to national final fans.

New Wave 2019 will take place from 24 to 29 August — that’s in just over two weeks’ time. The event will take place at its traditional venue — the New Wave Concert Hall in Sochi, Russia.

The contest will be judged by an expert jury, and will also include star-studded guest performances from many former Eurovision acts. But the stars of the event will be the 13 competing acts, including Eurovision, national final and talent show stars.

New Wave 2019 – competing acts

The most familiar name to Eurovision fans will be Azeri songstress Aisel. While she was a fan favourite at Eurovision 2018, Aisel’s song “X My Heart” did not make it to the grand final in Lisbon. Will she have better luck at New Wave?

Aisel will be facing stiff competition from the young Albanian singer Inis Neziri. Inis made her mark in 2017 at Festivali i Këngës 56, where she placed third with her song “Piedestal”. Last year Inis won Romania’s Golden Stag song contest, proving she can hold her own in an international competition.

Given all the scandal and drama at the Ukraine 2019 national final, you could be forgiven for not remembering Anna Maria. The twin sister act will also be competing in New Wave.

At Depi Evratesil 2018, Tyom performed “Follow the Ocean”. Unfortunately the X Factor star didn’t make the grand final, but he’ll have another chance to shine at New Wave.

Eagle-eyed viewers may remember Italian singer Thomas Grazioso from Eurovision 2008. There, he could be found as one of Swiss act Paolo Meneguzzi’s backing singers.

Other contestants have a background on The Voice. In 2013, Moldovan singer Victor Balan was on Dima Bilan’s team on The Voice Russia, while Russia’s Danil was on Team Dima in 2017. Last year, German-born American singer Sandro Nicolas made it to the sing-off stage of The Voice of Germany, while Cuban singer Iliana Sanchez made it to the Battle Rounds of The Voice Russia. As well, Latvian girl group Radio Trio placed third last year on X Factor Latvia.

The contest also features Juan Ricondo from Spain and Taras from Ukraine and Russian group Davinchi.

New Wave has a strong connection with Eurovision contestants, both past and future. The contest was previously won by Sergey Lazarev (as part of pop duo Smash!!!), Intars Busulis, Jamala, Natalia Gordienko and DoReDos. They all went on to represent their country at Eurovision — and in Jamala’s case, win it.

While the jury will determine the contest winner, the public are also able to have their say. Perhaps taking inspiration from wiwibloggs’ Eurovision’s Next Top Model contest, fans will be able to vote for the most stylish contestant. Check out the acts and cast your vote at WMJ.

New Wave 2019 takes place from 24 to 29 August and will be broadcast on Russian television.

What do you think? Can Aisel do better than her Eurovision 2018 result? Who do you think should win New Wave 2019? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Read more Russia Eurovision news here

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Steve
Steve
5 years ago

I’m sure she will win the whole thing. This contest is pre-planned. After travelling to Baku for several years now, Russian performers need to do something in return for Emin Agalarov and Azerbaijan. So, Azerbaijan picked a good singer. This will boost her confidence and save Azerbaijan’s reputation as a music powerhouse. She was the only Azeri performer not to make it to the final. So it’s a win-win race for both the singer and the country.

Student Officer
5 years ago

will it be broadcast online anywhere?

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
5 years ago

To be fair, Aisel’s album “Pure Noise” is amazing and despite how much I loved “X My Heart”, that is the sort of music she really should be making. Hopefully, she has something really good up her sleeve.

OrangeVorty
OrangeVorty
5 years ago

I still play “X My Heart” to this day. It was a shame it didn’t qualify but it’s damn good pop music nonetheless.

Preuss
Preuss
5 years ago

Azerbaijan wasted a very good opportunity with Aisel although I do like her song very much, but I think they should’ve sent something like «When The Music Dies» or «Start A Fire» given Aisel’s smooth, deep jazz voice. It’s a pity, really

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  Preuss

Yes to this.

Amor Amankwah
Amor Amankwah
5 years ago
Reply to  Preuss

I totally agree. The song was not for her and it did her a disservice. It was unfortunate to see such a talented person not go onto the final.

Konry
Konry
5 years ago

Is there anyone who knows which TV channel of NOS, NPO or avrotros who will broadcast the show next year?
Is it the same as the years before or do all channels broadcast it in the netherlands ?

Tajikistan
Tajikistan
5 years ago

Remind me at what point was X My Heart a fan favourite? I remember a few fans of it but it was mostly panned by the fans for being nothing but basic europop

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  Tajikistan

Never. Most people saw that NQ coming. But I admit that the song has grown on me over the past few months, for the positive message and just that.

Vlad
Vlad
5 years ago
Reply to  Tajikistan

Are you real from Tajikistan?

Tajikistan
Tajikistan
5 years ago
Reply to  Vlad

Nope, I’m Lithuanian ahahaha. Tajikistan was a random word I used for name when I first commented and it just stuck

Marcelo
Marcelo
5 years ago
Reply to  Tajikistan

The competition in the 2018 semi-final was brutal, no one had their place set in stone (except maybe Cyprus and Israel). People at some point even thought North Macedonia had a slight chance of qualifying. And let’s not forget how Albania and Ireland defied all odds to make it to the final. So yeah, Azerbaijan was considered a qualifier at some point despite its basic sound and “Luna Moon Me Up”.

Joe
Joe
5 years ago
Reply to  Marcelo

The only ones everyone agreed on were Israel and Cyprus qualifying and Iceland not qualifying.

Tajikistan
Tajikistan
5 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Add Estonia to the mix of qualifiers and it’s right, at one point everyone but Iceland was a potential qualifier, even Belarus. I was sure Ieva wasn’t qualifying but everyone seemed to love her so I had optimism. I still fell off my chair when we qualified

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  Tajikistan

Yes, Aisel, along with SENNEK, and probably Sevak and Yianna, were the non qualifiers of SF1 who would have definitely made it in SF2.

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
5 years ago

I will not “x my heart”, but cross my fingers for her in that competition 😀 😀

Vlad
Vlad
5 years ago

Jamala participated in New Wave 10 years ago, when Lazarev was one of the hosts
I think she won

LAUDFan
LAUDFan
5 years ago
Reply to  Vlad

Yes, she did win 🙂

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

oh good to know she’s still alive and thriving, i thought azerbaijan would imprison her or sumthin

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago

Lol. But she’s based in Russia so maybe that’s why she still makes music. And at least for her sake Sevak that year placed lower.

Ron
Ron
5 years ago

If you think about it, she did get punished. The first lady of Azerbaijan did not invite her to her mansion and take her to Aliev senior’s grave for respects like they did with Ell&Niki and Farid and some of the other successful acts.

Azaad
Azaad
5 years ago
Reply to  Ron

Well, Ell&Niki did win and Farid placed 2nd so Aisel being snubbed for something they got to go to isn’t that mortifying.

VladV
VladV
5 years ago

Dima Bilan also became famous by participating in New Wave: he came 4th in 2002
Polina Gagarina and Tina Karol were also contestants in 2005