The grand final of Supernova 2020 is one month away. Now Latvia broadcaster LTV has released videos of the live auditions of the 26 shortlisted acts. Among the 26 are Supernova regulars Markus Riva, Samanta Tīna and Edgars Kreilis, as well as 2018 fan favourite Madara.

The roster of shortlisted acts is a mix of Supernova regulars as well as newcomers. The list features Markus Riva, who has competed in the Latvian national final every year since 2014. He will compete with the song “Impossible”, cowritten with Latvian Eurovision star Aminata.

Also appearing is Samanta Tīna. This is her sixth appearance in the Latvian national final. However, “Still Breathing” is her eighth song after doubling up twice.

Rising star Edgars Kreilis also returns to Supernova. This time he has the song “Tridymite”. (In case you were wondering, tridymite is a high-temperature polymorph of silica. #science) Edgars is simultaneously competing in The Voice of Lithuania, coached by Donny Montell.

And fans of 2018 favourite Madara will be pleased that the cellist has returned to Supernova. She serves Earth Mother realness with “Māras zeme”.

Katrīna Dimanta may be familiar to Eurovision fans from her appearance in 2014. She was part of the Latvian folk group Aarzemnieki who had a “Cake to Bake” in Copenhagen.

What happens next with Supernova 2020?

From these 26 songs, just eight songs will be chosen by the jury to compete in the Supernova grand final. The jury will assess the songs and the live audition performances but they will also consider YouTube views.

The eight lucky finalists will be announced on 18 January.

This confirms that Supernova 2020 will not involve any semi-finals, with a slimmed-down national final focusing only on the grand final on 8 February.

Supernova 2020 received 126 entries. A selection committee whittled that down to 28 songs — though it appears that only 26 made it to the live audition phase.

The live auditions were filmed in mid-December and gave the jury a chance to see and hear the songs performed live with basic staging.

Supernova 2020 – Shortlisted entries

What are your favourite performances from the Supernova 2020 live auditions?

Watch the performances from the Supernova 2020 live auditions and tell us what your favourites are. As always, you can vote for as many acts as you like, but you can only vote once — so make it count!

[polldaddy poll=10488237]

What do you think of the Supernova 2020 auditions? Who would you like to make it to the grand final? Tell us your favourites below!

Read more Latvia Eurovision 2020 news here

91 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
4 years ago

There will be a lot of women in Eurovision 2020

Akmens
Akmens
4 years ago
Reply to  Hyunwoo

Well, of the revealed artists 5 are guys, 2 are girls and one is a band with 2 guys and a girl.

Daniel
Daniel
4 years ago

Why do I feel like this is Samanta Tina’s year? Not her best song, but it still has a strong point of view and pulls you in. Many songs in this selection lack that.

MJD Spain
MJD Spain
4 years ago

A great and variated selection of songs from Latvia. Bad Habits, Madara, Katrina Dimanta, Samanta Tina, Edgars Kreilis… are perfect options in order to get Eurovision final or even top10. Thank you, Latvia, for giving us this magnificent Supernova 2020.

Colin
Colin
4 years ago

Some more random comments of mine: – Either Madara or Ruta would bring something completely unique to the contest. They aren’t necessarily earworms, but are far more interesting than the last few Latvian entries. I am not holding my breath, but if so, they would certainly stand out. – Samanta Tina is the most likely winner and I am good with that. I’m still unsold on the rap, but the “industrial” instrumental is really good. – Aivo Oskis and Katrina Bindere are kind of the opposites when it comes to presentation. She sells her entry on stage, while he just… Read more »

Poet
Poet
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I agree about Ruta and Madara being something unique. Ruta, in particular, can certainly take you to another world and at some stage I realised it could be a dance banger with a decent remix.

Gabi
Gabi
4 years ago

My first go to listen to all Supernova songs and here are my 8 finalists:
• Ruta Kergalve – Izgaismots (deserves winning)
• Katrina Dimanta – Heart Beats (deserves winning)
• Samanta Tina – Still Breathing (potential winner)
• Miks Dukurs – I’m Falling For You
• Madara – Maras zeme
• Bad Habits – Sail With You
• Antra Stafecka & Atis Ievins – Coming Over
• Katrina Bindere – I Will Break Your Heart

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Gabi

Agree with Katrina Dimanta ,Samanta, Madara,Antra/Atis, Miks

Poet
Poet
4 years ago

My first listen of all Supernova songs and here are my 8 finalists:

Ruta Kergalve – Izgaismots (deserves winning)
Katrina Dimanta – Heart Beats (deserves winning)
Samanta Tina – Still Breathing (potential winner)
Miks Dukurs – I’m Falling For You
Madara – Maras zeme
Bad Habits – Sail With You
Antra Stafecka & Atis Ievins – Coming Over
Katrina Bindere – I Will Break Your Heart

Indiana07
Indiana07
4 years ago

I’m not sure about Markus Riva’s chance to represent Latvia this year since Latvia doesn’t seem to choose ordinary pop songs and opt for something different and unique ( look at their previous entries, e.g 2019, 2017, 2012 etc. Last year ‘Cherry Absinthe’ , which was a favourite, didn’t win).

Poet
Poet
4 years ago

The first go to listen to all Supernova songs and here are my 8 finalists:
• Ruta Kergalve – Izgaismots (deserves winning)
• Katrina Dimanta – Heart Beats (deserves winning)
• Samanta Tina – Still Breathing (potential winner)
• Miks Dukurs – I’m Falling For You
• Madara – Maras zeme
• Bad Habits – Sail With You
• Antra Stafecka & Atis Ievins – Coming Over
• Katrina Bindere – I Will Break Your Heart

jeicjsjf
jeicjsjf
4 years ago

annna brings almost a billie eilish joke entry and samanta brings a bop, i want one of them to win

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago

Just something: I’m kind of sure 2020 will be a repeat of 2011. It’s the time where most song would fall on the ‘beige’ side, but will make it an interesting and even competition, with such close gap of points per entry, when the point announcement commences.

bryn collins
bryn collins
4 years ago

who else thinks samanta tina is fanally going to win supernova

Lea
Lea
4 years ago

Rhejejejjewjmws Siemens iejie

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
4 years ago

Latvia is an unfortunate case. They’ve got a fairly decent NF in the making with lots of pleasant songs and the overall quality definitely improved in comparison with Supernova 2019. I just don’t think any of these entries is good enough to make Latvia qualify. “Polyester” by ANNNA is probably my favourite. I know, I know, it’s a song about T-shirts, yet this track somehow combines social commentary with a catchy beat in an adorably awkward way. I guess you can call it a guilty pleasure.

Wolfik19857
Wolfik19857
4 years ago

Edgars Kreillis “Trydimyte” is awesome fresh and top Sound.

a random guy
a random guy
4 years ago

This was actually harder than I expected but these are my 8 finalists (in random order):
ANNNA – “Polyester”
DRIKSNA – “Stay”
Edgars Kreilis – “Tridymite”
Katr?na Dimanta – “Heart Beats”
Laika Upe – “All My Roads”
Maia – “Make It Real”
Markus Riva – “Impossible”
Miks Dukurs – “I’m Falling For You”

(I’m from Latvia btw)

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  a random guy

Can you please explain to us what are Madara’s and Ruta’s songs about? (I assume Madara’s has an environmental message.) At least give us a clue in a couple of words. Thanks in advance.

a random guy
a random guy
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

“M?ras zeme” is probably about environmental issues but I can also see it in emigration context (returing to motherland, taking care of it instead of forgeting about it, that kind of stuff). It’s a decent song, probably will be in the final, I just don’t get it at the moment, maybe it will grow on me. “Izgaismosts” is either about admiring a person and being passionate about a relationship and fighting for it (which is more likely) or fighting about social justice (but that’s probably looking too deep into it), being enlightened (enlightened is the translation of the title of… Read more »

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  a random guy

You did help. Thanks. 🙂

uzhas
uzhas
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

M?ra is highest ranking Goddess in Latvian mythology / paganism, who takes care of the land.

The song is about loving your land and caring for it, so yes, it is environmental, it is about emigration, but it is also about the negativity and hate towards the country (government), you can even interpret it as a song written for the government – that they should love their land and take care of it better

Katariina
Katariina
4 years ago

Markus is very pretty but wow he totally butchered this song live

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago

My favorite selection so far. Much much better than last year’s Supernova. My hihglights: Ruta – Great performer and gorgeously layered song. Probably too indie for Eurovision, but I’m all for it. Madara – Not as strong as “Esamiba”, but still beautiful, stands out. The essemble avoids her voice being too exposed, my only minor issue with her entry in 2018. Samanta – Awesome use of backing vocals, modern beat, showy notes, maybe her time has come. I would just ditch the rapping. Miks – Arguably the best vocals. Simple, yet pleasant song. Katrina Dimanta – Great vocals, sassy and… Read more »

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I would say I prefer Supernova 2020 over Supernova 2019, while I find it tied with Supernova 2018. However, if the 2018 edition selected their top 21 correctly from online voting round, now that would be one very strong NF. If besides Esamiba and Just Fine we also got IKA, Pilites, Take Me Home, Sapnu dziesma, Eyes, ect.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

It’s true, some good songs haven’t made the cut in 2018. I hope this time the jury finds a balance between pushing fan favorites to the final and saving some entries that deserved a bigger following online. Anyway, I’m glad with the selection. Too early to tell if it will be enough to get Latvia back to the final, but there’s a huge chance I’ll be rooting for them to achieve it.

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

It all comes down on who they pick. I mean, last year they ditched Miks Galvanovskis in favor of Awe and You Come On Tiptoe. This year, they might ditch Ruta to make way for Maia or Sabine. Urgh… I’ve already made peace with Markus Riva taking one available spot over a better act. I hope they don’t pick most of them badly.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I ended up loving “Awe” far too much last year!

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

And that’s cool. It shows that music is subjective and that there is an audience for most songs.

uzhas
uzhas
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I hope they save Seleste, because that song is cool and underlooked

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  uzhas

I wouldn’t mind that, I liked Seleste too.

Emma
Emma
4 years ago

Good selection Latvia! I enjoy 14 of the 26 songs. Does anyone know when the 8 finalists will be chosen?

uzhas
uzhas
4 years ago
Reply to  Emma

January 18

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  uzhas

Not 16 ?

Dani
Dani
4 years ago

My vote goes to precious “Cake To Bake” lady.
The only song that kinda stuck to my head after all the listenings.

Héctor
Héctor
4 years ago

A lot of these songs sound so normal and average that they are just plain forgetable. The lyrics need to be more original than that. Anyway, there are some hidden gems. Also, a lot of Latvian artist seem to have American influences: country, indie, indie folk… it’s kind of weird but nothing against it. These are the songs I like: 1. Samanta T?na – “Still Breathing” (7.25). The studio version with the video really grabed me but the live performance looks a bit empty, no concept just dancing like she’s crazy or something. Her vocals are on point and she… Read more »

uzhas
uzhas
4 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

“She needs to up the live performance” – these are AUDITIONS, ESC fans seem to struggle to understand it. Auditions are when you come and give a brief look at what your song sounds like, how you sing and MAYBE a brief insight in what the performance will be, but it’s mostly about the singing

ME!
ME!
4 years ago

Ok so my top 3 is:
Antra Stafecka & Atis Ievi?š – Coming Over
Katr?na Dimanta – Heart Beats
Madara – M?ras Zeme

Joe
Joe
4 years ago

Hooray! Madara is back! I hope this song is as good as Esamiba.

Oporcovo Førskoro
Oporcovo Førskoro
4 years ago

Cancel Supernova and send Madara straight away to Rotterdam.

Ingrid
Ingrid
4 years ago

Links missing to connection and stay, youtube views will matter…

Roy Moreno
Roy Moreno
4 years ago

Can’t wait to hear Madara’s song!
I’m still listening to Esamiba 🙂

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

There are some interesting entries, although they are not in their polished form yet. I’ll wait for the studio cuts to choose my favourites. Still, a better selection than 2018/2019.

Tom
Tom
4 years ago

The strongest latvian national selection ever! I like 18 songs, it will be hard to choose just 8 🙁

Indiana07
Indiana07
4 years ago

The juries will love Madara’s song but it will probably be a televote flop at ESC.

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
4 years ago
Reply to  Indiana07

As long as it gets to ESC, I don’t care.

LatviaESC
LatviaESC
4 years ago

Could you please link DRIKSNA – “STAY”? ‘My Radiant you’ singer

Colin
Colin
4 years ago

The moment of truth is here. The auditions have been filmed professionally and I want to congratulate Latvia for stepping up in the production level. And this is why any of the flaws these songs show cannot be contributed to “technical issues”. The good news is, Madara is back with another stunning song! Edgars is also good. Many others not as much. I am really going to be fair this year and my lowest ratings in Albania and Estonia are 4/10. I do see a lot of 2s and 3s in Latvia. Perhaps even 1s. Some of these acts did… Read more »

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I really appreciate the effort Supernova put on these clips. It’s also nice that it gives a level playing field to the contestats. Don’t know what the budget they have, but it would be lovely if Czech Republic did the same thing with their online selection.

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Audition clips kind of look like little official videos. I really hope Czech Republic does the same, especially since our vote counts there too.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

To “vote” in Supernova, it’s just a matter of rewatching the videos in Youtube, right? I guess I’ll listen Ruta and Miks a lot (I assume they’ll need more of my help than Madara and Samanta who are probably the fan favorites along with Edgars).

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

If that’s it, it’s a very clunky way of assuring votes IMHO. First off, I’d have to listen to *all* songs at least twice in order to rate them. Second, sometimes I re-listen the rock bottom (at least fragments of it) just to have fun with how bad it is. Third, often I re-listen my mid-list songs who I am still unsure whether I like them to get a better idea. A clear yes/no/maybe buttons would be more precise. Also, I agree with you that Ruta’s song is interesting. It’s not an earworm on the first, but I would totally… Read more »

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I’d be careful though. Edgars hasn’t exactly done well in the public votes during his previous attempts.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

Well, he has a better song this time. But maybe he’s more famous between the Eurovision fandom than in Latvia? I wonder if the same applies to Madara. Any Latvian here that can answer it?

Thomas
Thomas
4 years ago

Honorable mention Heart Beats! ??

John
4 years ago

Excited that Madara is back!

Thomas
Thomas
4 years ago

I really like Samanta Ruta Edgars and Madara. I think its Samanta’s year.

Colin
Colin
4 years ago
Reply to  Thomas

Really good picks, Thomas. About my thoughts exactly. I would be thrilled to hear the magic of Madara in ESC, but since Esamiba, I am a bit skeptical. Beautiful atmospheric songs in native language would do well in ESC (take Jonida or Jamala), but they rarely win their own NFs, especially in the North (fingers crossed for Aistay this Saturday). Markus Riva is doing worse and worse with each attempt. I do believe this might be Samanta’s long awaited moment. Her song is interesting and would stand out. It’s just mainstream enough to win.

Thomas
Thomas
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

I get exactly what you’re saying, I was a huge fan of Esmaiba but it is a risk to.send a song like that, just like her song this year. Its beautiful but its not the one that held me immediately, it took about till the 1:30 mark for me to get with the vibe. Ruta’s song really caught my attention cause it has a production difference from other songs where the vocals an the instruments are fighting each other but in the chorus they meld SO well together. An her vocals are solid too. Edgars song isnt as good as… Read more »

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago
Reply to  Thomas

I don’t think it would’ve been a risk to send Esamiba in 2018, Madara could’ve rocked that dire semi-final 2.

Catriona Colville
Catriona Colville
4 years ago
Reply to  Colin

It’s far too mainstream. We hear so many songs like it, and there will likely be many that are similar during NF season. Madara has a genuinely unique entry.

Thomas
Thomas
4 years ago

I politely disagree, it has way too much a frenetic sound to be considered mainstream. From drum and bass influences to even rap. We will see those songs in the NF seasons yes but in this way? No I don’t think so.

Madara is beautifully unique, but so is Samanta’s entry. Hopefully whoever wins (any of my four i listed plus Heart Beats) will do Latvia proud.

Sabrina
Sabrina
4 years ago
Reply to  Thomas

Glad to hear that I’m not the only one who’s paying attention to Ruta. I know she’s not exactly what most people would consider “Eurovision material”, but I’m really impressed by her audition.

Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
4 years ago
Reply to  Thomas

There will be a lot of women in Eurovision 2020, I guess…

Sun
Sun
4 years ago

Sorry, Latvia. I don’t like any of your song this year. I’m scared we might only get winner material from the countries with the internal selections this year.

TheRainFromAbove
TheRainFromAbove
4 years ago

I think at the end it is going to be a battle between SAMANTA TINA and MADARA! But there are a lot of good songs at this year`s SUPERNOVA!

Jo.
Jo.
4 years ago

not as good as Esamiba, but still a pretty good effort.
who went through all of them please tell which ones I should give a try…?

uzhas
uzhas
4 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

Bad Habits is great.
Give a listen to all of them.

I think M?ras Zeme is better than Esam?ba, and the addition of the instruments and people on stage makes Madara more comfortable, and you can see an improvement in her vocals. Plus the backing singer is amazing

Tom
Tom
4 years ago
Reply to  Jo.

I like Madara, Laika Upe, Markus, Edgarts, Alise, Katrina Dimanta, Samanta, Annna, Elizabete, Bad Habits, Alekss, these songs impressed me in some way ….

Ingvarr
Ingvarr
4 years ago

I’m scared, that Markus Riva fanboys will try to 1) Buy votes in Spotify, because Latvia uses Spotify views as votes; 2) Spam ower twitter with #VoteMarkus, mostly in Russian (not the case, but shows that Latvian viewers dislike him), 3) Will again make fun of Madara, claiming that she can’t sing, her Latvian is bad (not true, as Latvian I understood every single word she sang), and that she has a piercing in her tongue (conservative Latvian pensioners hate anything about piercing).

Ingvarr
Ingvarr
4 years ago
Reply to  Ingvarr

Also, Markus will (most likely) push more into the show, lights, dancing, not singing. Sadly, in Latvia people still think that the show is more important than singing.

uzhas
uzhas
4 years ago
Reply to  Ingvarr

Jury will take care of Markus not winning, don’t worry 🙂

Ingvarr
Ingvarr
4 years ago
Reply to  uzhas

He doesn’t deserve to win, he will fail.

CharlyXxc
CharlyXxc
4 years ago
Reply to  Ingvarr

Well as a Latvian my self yes he is very popular,but its mostly in Russia,in Latvia he isnt as loved as other artists,so if he sings for Ukraine or Russia in eurpvision hr has better chances to get to eurovision,because latvians dont care if he is famous,we vote for what we like

Kris
Kris
4 years ago

For you is actually pretty underrated here , it’s a good song , better than most on here

Kris
Kris
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

And the lyrics make sense In it

Who wrote the lyrics for samanta tina and Markus ?

Ingvarr
Ingvarr
4 years ago
Reply to  Kris

Sadly, Aminata. Both of these songs, and they’re both bad.

Geo
Geo
4 years ago

Who an Earth is voting for Markus Riva? He looks good, but his song is really weak…

Wiwicocks
Wiwicocks
4 years ago

Madara has to win! It’s simply magical, hypnotic and sung in Latvian!

Anything else is a NQ for Latvia!

Zen
Zen
4 years ago

Wait.. That Madara one is really good. :O Surprising coming from Latvia haha.

Loin dici
Loin dici
4 years ago

I’m kind of aware that Miks Dukurs might have a shot.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago
Reply to  Loin dici

Don’t want to spoil my ranking or anything but……;)

Ricky Gervais
4 years ago

On a first listen none of them screams ESC winner. One thing I know that if I was a judge in The Voice I wouldn’t turn my chair for half of them.

BTW, looks like Samanta is a fan of zumba classes. 😛 😛 😛

I am not from Kazakhstan
I am not from Kazakhstan
4 years ago

Can someone agree with me that Bad Habits is amazing?

Azaad
Azaad
4 years ago

The English enunciation is excellent- they sound like they could be British.

KarmaLeon
KarmaLeon
4 years ago

Madara is the only option for a comeback in the final for Latvia
The other songs are just …. bleeeeeee

Frifri
Frifri
4 years ago
Reply to  KarmaLeon

Bad Habits, Katrina Dimanta & Samanta Tina can qualify as well. It just depends what kind of a year we will have.

goodjuju
goodjuju
4 years ago

Woah, this selection of songs is so interesting! I do like ANNNA’s Polyester though I don’t think it would do well in Eurovision. Elizabeth’s For You is so sweet and tender. Samanta Tina is very interesting indeed, I could see it doing well.

Matthew
Matthew
4 years ago

Wow Madara’s song blew me away, so beautiful. I could see this in a eurovision final tbh. Samanta is a bop, but i’m not sure if she will stand out enough in eurovision. Sab?ne Bl?ma Bl?mane is an odd fav of mine too, i guess i just like the old-timey ballads lol.

OhhHoney
OhhHoney
4 years ago

I thought Latvia had all but given up until I got to Samanta Tina. Give her the ticket to Rotterdam now.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
4 years ago

Just ranking the songs now.
REALLY happy to see Janis Driksna back!