Russia will hold its first national final since 2012 on 8 March. However, just one day out from the show, no acts or songs have been confirmed for the one-hour spectacle. Nevertheless, Russian fans and stars have suggested several names for the national final.

Potential acts for Russia’s national final

Little Big

Little Big is set to appear in some shape or form, according to Konstantin Ernst. He also added that the entries of the participants are around the same level. However, it remains unclear whether the “Uno” hitmakers are among the participants. Although some media have suggested that Little Big are in the game, others write that the Petersburg group is out.

Earlier, the band cleared all the posts from their Instagram account. Subsequently, they uploaded a small and mysterious video on their page, showing them in a scene similar to the film Men in Black in which they erase dancer Dima Krasilov‘s memory. The description shows “08.03.2020”, the date of the national selection.

 

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Other names

Meanwhile, Russian press agency RIA Novosti asked several strongholds of the Russian music industry for their suggestions for the national final.

Singer Lolita said that she would love to see Little Big most of all. She explained:

“I saw a list [including the names of #2Mashi, Morgenshtern, Egor Kreed, Anton Belyaev and Niletto], which was shared in the media. It is a great list, all suitable people, but Eurovision has its trends. Morgenshtern is quite that perhaps, at Eurovision there was always a certain freak culture. Every single person is a freak for someone, so why not? I would send Little Big, and if not, I would vote for Anton Belyaev.”

Composer and New Wave founder Igor Krutoy told RIA Novosti that he felt that Morgenshtern would be an “exotic and usual choice”. He added:

“But I would personally sent Dimash [Kudaibergen], and he would have a good chance, although he doesn’t want to participate in contests anymore and for him, he would principly be a participant from Kazakhstan.”

Grigory Leps — one of Russia’s bestselling pop rock artists — repeated that he wanted to see Alexander Panayotov sing for Russia. In the past few years, Leps has supported his former The Voice mentee multiple times towards Eurovision participation. He calls Panayotov the “best singer in Russia currently”.

Alexander Panayotov reveals he was asked to submit songs

Speaking to RIA Novosti, Alexander Panayotov revealed that he did submit several songs to Channel One. In fact, the broadcaster asked the Ukrainian-born for star for entries. Panayotov said:

“There was a request from Channel One actually, we sent them songs, and not just one – songs of different genres, slow and quick-paced ones, but in the end… they are thinking. They have their own views and their own kind of plans.”

The singer is no stranger to sending songs to Eurovision selections. He has tried to sing at the contest as early as 2005. Panayotov finished second in both Russia’s national selection in 2008 as well Ukraine’s selection in 2009. In 2017, he was heavily rumoured to be Russia’s contestant for Eurovision as that contest was taking place in his birth country.

Whether Panayotov is among the participants and is seriously planning to go to Eurovision is doubtful. After all, the singer is currently engaged in a high-intensity weekly television show that is set to run until June.

What do you think? Who do you reckon to be among the finalists? Do you think Little Big will be in contention? Let us know in the comments below!

Read all our Russia Eurovision 2021 news here.

Picture credits: Eurovision.tv, Morgenshtern Instagram, Wikipedia Commons at ru.wikipedia.org

27 Comments
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Ria van de Velde
Ria van de Velde
3 years ago

I hope that Russia will send someone else to Rotterdam than  Little Big. I don ‘t like them and their music.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

Sex Machine is on fire! Russia, be smart!

Maxidish
3 years ago

A one hour show seems a bit short for several acts… what if this selection was to actually select the song for the artist (Little Big) …

nycforever
nycforever
3 years ago

National selection in Russia is the same as the elections in this country. I suppose, it will be just a one hour show that will be some kind of a “simulation”. I mean they have already chosen Little Big and song, and it will be kind of a presentation of the song veiled as a national selection.

raylee
raylee
3 years ago

If Sex Machine is their song for National Final , i hope somebody else wins 🙂 Egor Kreed is such popular in Russia by the way

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
3 years ago

Is it only one-hour long? There’s no way they can fit that many artists and songs plus they’ve got some guests lined up to perform. Its pretty obvious that it will be a song selection for Little Big.

raylee
raylee
3 years ago

they have already said it is an artist selection. If only 5 or 6 song is competing , that’s normal

Ben
Ben
3 years ago
Reply to  raylee

They’re probably just trolling.

Esc addict
Esc addict
3 years ago

Ok I’ve listened the Little Big’s new song called sex machine, I don’t know if it will be their entry or if even they are contestants in this NF but I find the song less impactful and upbeat than Uno, it’s still fun, it’s still their style so the visual and concept behind could elevate it.

Fast Food Music Lover
Fast Food Music Lover
3 years ago

All these secrecy means they have something amazing in store. I’m sure of it.

MariannaEurovision
MariannaEurovision
3 years ago

No!! I don’t want Alexander Panayotov, because I want Little Big this year. But I also want to see Alexander Panayotov in Eurovision at some point in the next years, because I like him a lot as a singer! ?

Nicolas
Nicolas
3 years ago

What a mistake Russia will make if Little Big is not in the game.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

Off topic, but sadly the main creative mind behind Serbia’s 2018 entry, Sanja Ilic, has passed at the age of 70 due to Covid-19. May he rest in peace. 🙁

raspadinha
raspadinha
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Oh no, that’s so sad. 🙁

Benny Hill
3 years ago

I doubt it Sex Machine is their entry. Catchy, but it sounds more like a car advert.

Nicolas
Nicolas
3 years ago
Reply to  Benny Hill

And only 2.25 long , how anyone would waste more than 30 seconds on stage presence ? But Uno was also only 2:40. But reminds me that hearing Uno the first time on audio alone was also not that impressive. The force of Little Big is on their visuals that can transcend their songs.

Zander25
Zander25
3 years ago

Let the LittleBig returns just look at Ukraine’s Shum Music video one guy is left at the end just like “Uno”. Seems Ukraine is mocking or teasing, do you really want Mother Russia to be teased that way? Come on just smashed the ESC with a deserving troll, send LittleBig again.

cipollino
cipollino
3 years ago

Noooo, just get rid of this Panayotov guy, yuk. Send him back to Ukraine and ban him forever.

Benny Hill
3 years ago

Little Big will release ‘Sex Machine’ after midnight.

https://youtu.be/LFjcr1jCrJg

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

Who knew I’d be getting hyped for Russia?

waitaminuteholdon
waitaminuteholdon
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

On the contrary, I feel like Russia might stay in the semi this year for their 2nd time only.

Last edited 3 years ago by waitaminuteholdon
Alex
Alex
3 years ago

I don’t think Little Big would say YES to a national final after being selected last year and having a viral hit.

Unless, this ‘national final selection’ is just an excuse and they have already selected the act.

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
3 years ago
Reply to  Alex

My guess is that Little Big will be showcasing 3 or 4 songs and the televoters will choose one of them to be their Eurovision entry.

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
3 years ago

Uhhh does anyone know what’s going on with Belarus? They’ve been dead silent…

Dave
Dave
3 years ago

its been rumoured that ZENA is selected , but don’t take my word for it

kir
kir
3 years ago

These “industry experts” are nowhere near dealing with ESC (thank God)

Guess in Russian “national selection” means the same as “election”—a procedure with an illusion of choice while everything’s already decided on the sly.

Benny Hill
3 years ago

Hypnodance me, Little Big. I’m not alcoholic. 😀 But I’m drunk AF. 😛