Pictures: D. Umbraso (LRT), Lauris Vikne (LTV), Ken Mürk (ERR)

Each year, they bring a unique flavour to the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2023, the Baltic states will be well-represented once again. But now it’s time for some healthy rivalry: We want to know who you think is the best Baltic act in this year’s competition.

Two female singers and a group are heading over to Liverpool to represent the region this year.

Estonia will be represented by young star ALIKA with her emotional ballad “Bridges”. It’s co-written by Wouter Hardy, who previously produced “Arcade” (Netherlands 2019) and “Tout l’univers” (Switzerland 2021).

Meanwhile, Latvia will support their entry Sudden Lights. The band will take to the stage with their meaningful rock track “Aijā”.

Last but not least, Lithuania will bring pagan energy with Monika Linkytė’s “Stay”. It’s her second attempt at the contest, having previously represented her country in 2015 alongside Vaidas Baumila.

Vote in our poll below. You can listen to the three songs for a refresher by scrolling down the page.

Poll: Who is your favourite Baltic act at Eurovision 2023?

Let us know who your favourites out of the three acts are. You can vote for as many as you want, but remember to choose wisely because you can only vote once!

Listen to the Baltic acts of Eurovision 2023

ALIKA – “Bridges” (Estonia)

Sudden Lights – “Aijā” (Latvia)

Monika Linkytė – “Stay” (Lithuania)

Who are your favourites? Which of the Baltic acts do you want to see in the grand final? How do you think they’ll fare at Eurovision 2023? Let us know in the comments below.

102 Comments
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redfox
redfox
10 months ago

lithuanians will only do fairly if they hide the backup singers. they got ugly legs.

CherryLee
CherryLee
11 months ago

Latvia, I love that song.

Hugo
Hugo
11 months ago

Alika. End of discussion. Its the song and performance that grow more on me.
Seccond sudden Lights. Also improove a little.

Third Monika. I cannot understand the song. A good singer without charisma.

Devito
11 months ago

I know she did not get the honour to represent Lithuania this year, but Paulina Paukstaityte released a new single yesterday. It’s called “Jei Gyvenciau Menuly” (eng. If I Were to Live on the Moon), and it’s a real bop in Lithuanian! While premiering this song, it was introduced as a cure for spring depression, which we happen to face in Lithuania for the never-ending winter with snow portions from time to time. I invite you to listen to it and keep your fingers crossed for her to return to PIN in 2024:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhGRNrnsESg

Dalth
Dalth
11 months ago

Have to go for Latvia, not even convinced Latvia will qualify unfortunately. Estonia is a proper dark horse, gut tells me that will do a lot better than many people think it will. Lithuania is a decent enough entry but pretty indifferent towards the song tbh.

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
11 months ago

This is probably one of the most difficult polls to choose from. I do like all 3 of them. I voted for Alika because the song had the instant appeal to me that made me connect from the very first listen, but Sudden Lights have one of the best written songs in the contest for the last decade or so and Monika’s “Stay” is my biggest grower of the season and the song I most often listen to in my playlist among the 3 currently. I wish all 3 the best of luck and I hope to see them all… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
11 months ago

I like all of them, so it would be a really tough decision for me if I voted. Spoiler alert: Latvia and Estonia have my two favourite ESC songs of the year; every day I’m fluctuating between the two on which I prefer. Lithuania’s song is elevated by Monika’s stand-out live vocal, as well as some perfectly executed staging and light choreography at their National Final.

Catriona
Catriona
11 months ago

Estonia is the dark horse of the year. Possible jury vote winner.

XOOOD
XOOOD
11 months ago
Reply to  Catriona

jury vote? lets not get carried away, she needs to qualify in a televote only semi and it barely can get 10 points!!

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
11 months ago

Estonia (my #8) by far. Latvia and Lithuania are meh in my opinion.

Raphael
Raphael
11 months ago

I think all 3 are pretty solid entries. Not in my top 10 but definitely not at the bottom. I like Lithuania with Stay best.

Abs
Abs
11 months ago

I love all 3 songs. Latvia is my #1 song overall. Estonia is at #7 and Lithuania at #12. I really hope all three songs make it through. Especially Latvia, though. The sound, the meter, the dark sounds and lyrics. Sucker for both lullabies this year (looking at you EAEA).

XOOOD
XOOOD
11 months ago

I absolutely despise the latvian entry!!!! But good for those who’re liking it.

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
11 months ago
Reply to  XOOOD

Agreed. It’s so bad. But eh, people like overhyping Latvia.

Edward
Edward
11 months ago
Reply to  GojoSatoru

Latvia is the furtherest thing of being overhyped in any year. What are you on about

Chew
Chew
11 months ago

oh come on are you kidding me how do you expect me to choose one? i go with all 3 of course but i have lithuania in top 20 because there are so many good songs starting from 25 then estonia at my 9th place and lastly latvia (i love them so much) in my top 5 so latvia deserves it and they better qualify

Sabrina
Sabrina
11 months ago

I’ll try to cast the right votes at the right polls.

Jokes aside, all the Baltic countries have respectable representatives this year. But “Aija” is the one I love.

Cheerio
Cheerio
11 months ago

Estonia will make top 10 thanks to the juries in May

Mark my words

XOOOD
XOOOD
11 months ago
Reply to  Cheerio

She needs to qualify first, and no way she’s going through! So mark my words as well.

Panna
Panna
11 months ago
Reply to  XOOOD

I am not writing it off completely, but I think it is very likely Estonia will not qualify and I won’t be surprised

Cheerio
Cheerio
11 months ago
Reply to  XOOOD

There’s no way she doesn’t place 7th or higher in the semi. Estonia is pretty much guaranteed to place above Albania, Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Iceland, Lithuania, Romania, Poland, AND San Marino.

Jamie
Jamie
11 months ago
Reply to  Cheerio

Bridges will not qualify. Mark my words.

Cheerio
Cheerio
11 months ago
Reply to  Jamie

Televoters don’t completely hate songs just because they’re ballads

Afterall, the televote DID prefer Alika in comparison to artists such as Ollie and Bedwetters…

Cheerio
Cheerio
10 months ago
Reply to  Jamie

Say that again?

Cheerio
Cheerio
10 months ago
Reply to  Cheerio

I TOLD YA’LL

XOOOD
XOOOD
11 months ago

it just hit me, their clothes and lightling in these photos just resemble their countries’ flags! WILD

poe-tay-toe-chips
poe-tay-toe-chips
11 months ago

Of these three, Latvia but if i’m being honest and laying my personal taste on the table, i find all three to be either a little boring or a little bland.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
11 months ago

Latvia and Lithuania are both in my top ten. Latvia, in particular, have one of the best songs in the contest.
Estonia are definitely not.

EmmelieDarlineFrancescoFan
EmmelieDarlineFrancescoFan
11 months ago

Easily Bridges 🙂

Xxx
Xxx
11 months ago

Knowing how fandom loves Latvia I’m surprised that Lithuania is winning lol. Would love to see all three in the final.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
11 months ago

My top:
1. Latvia (great song with a nice message, I love it!)
2. Lithuania (underrated but beautiful and clever, also on my top 10)
3. Estonia (I don’t like the song as much, but Alika’s vocals are IMPRESSIVE, I feel bad for putting it last)
The Baltic States came strong this year and I’d love it to see all three of them at the final! 😀

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
11 months ago
Reply to  Benito Camelo

Btw, I expect Lithuania to do way better than most expect. It’d be bold if I say they win this year, but no one expected Monika to win PiN… *shrugs*

Ekldnr
Ekldnr
11 months ago
Reply to  Benito Camelo

I agree I get very much saudade saudade vibes with the repeated untranslatable words and that did very well

Zanoni
Zanoni
11 months ago

I like all three. Latvia and Estonia have been in my top 10 for a long time. I wasn’t thrilled with Monika winning PIN but watching her Barcelona performance I think it finally connected with me.

Felix
Felix
11 months ago

“Stay” is beautiful and I think could be a surprise jury darling if it qualifies. If that’s something you care about (like if you want an entry to disrupt Loreens jury chances), I recommend voting for it in semi 2 if you can.

Marcin
Marcin
11 months ago

Only Latvia

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
11 months ago

Sudden Lights have actually grown their fanbase now, so i’m not needed with them. Therefore, I chose the highly underrated Monika!

WannaEatMySpaghetti
WannaEatMySpaghetti
11 months ago

I really like Alika, she’s in my top 10. Lithuania is a filler for the last spots in final. Latvia… I know a lot of people here like them but it’s sadly not my case and I think it’s impossible for them to qualify in such a strong SF.

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
11 months ago

Nothing is impossible in Eurovision

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
11 months ago

I like the three, Alika brings the voice and the drama, Monika brings the voice and a good mood, we can sing along with her, Latvia brings the experimental indie pop rock, so I voted for the three objectively because they are all good, now if I had to make a top 3 personally it will be like that, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Monika’s song is the song with which La Zarra connects the most out of the 36, it’s interesting.

sentimental
sentimental
11 months ago

When did La Zarra say that? Curious Lithuanian here, I love La Zarra’s song so it would be cute to see her loving our representative as well.

Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
Esc addict / Shut up and watch my ...
11 months ago
Reply to  sentimental

La Zarra made an interview on the greek youtube channel Eurovisionfun and she said when she was asked about the others contestants that Stay is the song she listens the most because it’s the style of song she likes and connects with, you can find easily the vid on youtube. 😉

XOOOD
XOOOD
11 months ago

I’m sorry but the baltics are kinda whack this year!

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
11 months ago

I admit, I’m not the biggest fan of Latvia’s song here, but if it does qualify, I will give out a huge cheer. I also hope Estonia and Lithuania both qualify as well. We haven’t had all three Baltics in the final since 2015 and it’s time for that change.

Karl
Karl
11 months ago

None. But if they put a gun to my head I guess I’d have to say Lithuania.

CatcoolH
CatcoolH
11 months ago

I can’t choose, I just love all of them!

Sebastian
Sebastian
11 months ago

Latvia is actually my no 1 of all entries this year. So happy that I’m able to also vote in the semi this year.

Doris
Doris
11 months ago

All meh.

Ziv
Ziv
11 months ago

I am surprised that so many people in the comment section talk about how Latvia grows on them. Latvia was my #4, but then I relistened the song twice upon reading this post, and read the lyrics carefully for the first time. The song has not gotten out of my mind since then. It has surpassed my #3 Serbia, or even my #2 Slovenia. The odds say it has only 23% chance of qualifying though, hopefully Latvia beats the odds this year, and ends the non-qualification streaks along with Georgia.

Thanos
Thanos
11 months ago

All three are really good, but my favourite is certainly Latvia. It has grown on me a lot lately and is in my top 5 now. I will get into it more when the Wiwi jury starts. Estonia and Lithuania are good as well though and deserve to qualify!

Thanos
Thanos
11 months ago
Reply to  Thanos

I can see Latvia potentially not qualifying this year and that would certainly be a contender for the biggest crime of the ESC year

Alaska
Alaska
11 months ago

They’re all good. But there’s only one Baltic entry in my TOP10 this year: Latvia! <3

Efthymios
Efthymios
11 months ago

They’re all equally fantastic in their own way. Latvia and Lithuania are my places #22 & #23 respectfully but they’re still in my qualifiers and both sharing an equal 7/10 score in my personal ranking, while Estonia is my #12 with an 8.5/10 rating. I want to see ALL THE BALTIC COUNTRIES in the Grand Final this year!

Dani
Dani
11 months ago

Latvia is my 3rd place this year. This song is very well-crafted without sounding calculated, the vocal delivery is extremely effective and the last 30 seconds hit very hard. I really hope to see them in the grand final but I will absolutely vote for them.

Edward
Edward
11 months ago

Looking back when Aija was in the national selection and it wasn’t rated highly at all. It warms my heart as a Latvian, seeing the amount of love towards them. I do feel like this song is special and I felt that special something ever since I heard it the first time. I have never wanted a Latvian entry to qualify as much as I do right now. Hopefully we can pull through and see this song at least twice.

Alex
Alex
11 months ago
Reply to  Edward

Aija is really Latvia’s best song in Eurovision along with My Star.
It’s such a fantastic and special song. Hope it qualifies

Colin
Colin
11 months ago
Reply to  Alex

*This*. Since 2000, in which it’s my winner, this is the highest rating I gave to Latvia. I really, really hope it qualifies. It gets my vote in the semi.

Efthymios
Efthymios
11 months ago
Reply to  Alex

I LOVED “MY STAR”, IT WAS MY FIRST EVER EUROVISION WINNER! :’)

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
11 months ago

estonia and Latvia have actually won Eurovision before, in 2001 and 2002 respectively. Lithuania is the only Baltic country that hasn’t won Eurovision yet.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
11 months ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

I think Lithuania winning ESC is just a matter of time at this point

ThorBeta
ThorBeta
11 months ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Ironically both Estonia and Latvia have sent much better songs than the ones that won back in the early noughties and Lithuania could have very well won if the 2020 contest wasn’t cancelled. “Rändajad” and “Love injected” are among my all time favourite songs in Eurovision history, and “On fire” is not very far behind either.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
11 months ago

In recent editions we can see this pattern of one Baltic country sending an entry that is easily among the best of the year and much better than the other 2 Baltic neighbors, that was the case with Lithuania’s The Roop and Monika Liu, but now it’s Latvia’s turn with Sudden Lights.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
11 months ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

Eesti Laul is still the most interesting NF out of them 3, but the quality options are just not sent to the contest when it comes to Estonia.

Edward
Edward
11 months ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

I disagree. Estonia has sent quality for few years in a row now but they can never crack the top 6

Colin
Colin
11 months ago
Reply to  Edward

For me, Estonia usually picks good to amazing entries, but yeah, passing on Jaagup Tuisk, Shira, Rasmus Randvee, Koit, and Juri, among others, for two of meh songs by Uku Suviste was not their brightest moment.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
11 months ago
Reply to  Edward

“Quality” for me means songs like the ones from Robin Juhkental, Meelik, Uku Haasma or Juri’s Magus Melanhoolia, not a typical ESC by-numbers ballad like Bridges. As long as the Estonians continue ignoring their hipsters, I’m also going to completely ignore their actual entries at the contest.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
11 months ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

For sure, he’s also got some really nice songs outside the contest too, like Tana or Aga Siis, you could check them out.

Panna
Panna
11 months ago
Reply to  Edward

I think Estonia has been picking the safe options the past few years

Markus
Markus
11 months ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

I watched Eesti Laul for the first time this year and I enjoyed it a lot. Alika was my favorite and I’m sure that she will do well in Liverpool. But there were also other quality songs in Eesti Laul that would have had similar chances.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
11 months ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

Agreed to an extent with this. I think it’s more of a case that Estonian sends a quality option every other year when it would be just as easy for them to send something great every year, given their selection.
Goodbye To Yesterday, Verona (Don’t come at me) La Forza and Hope were all clearly the best entries in Eesti Laul in their years for me.

Rambo Amadeus
Rambo Amadeus
11 months ago
Reply to  Briekimchi

I can see that when it comes to ESC “competitiveness”, it does align with what you’re saying, but if I’m thinking only about what I would like to see from them, Estonia often has songs that can end up very high on my end-of-season list but they very rarely become actual entries, Goodbye to Yesterday being the exception from those you mentioned above. For example, EL 2018 has one of my favorite NF songs ever by Frankie Animal, but it sadly never stood any chance of winning the selection…

Cheerio
Cheerio
11 months ago
Reply to  Rambo Amadeus

Estonias turn with Alika**

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
11 months ago

For me Estonia has the strongest ballad this year. I was convinced i’d heard this song used somewhere before. The nearest i got was the end theme to the series of Atlantic Crossing which is in a similar vane a very emotional song i thought it might even be the same vocalist but no. Great song great performance this could be the dark horse if people feel the emotional pull and hopefully it makes the final.

NickC
NickC
11 months ago

After seeing the BCN performance… Lithuania. I think with Lithuanian diaspora behind them in televoting, and with Monika’s flawless vocals impressing juries, this is going straight to Top 10.

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago
Reply to  NickC

I wish vocals by themselves was not enough to earn points.

Colin
Colin
11 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

With televoting they are usually not. With the juries… sometimes yes.

Based on my opinion on the pattern, televoters tend to slightly overestimate the hook, the stying, the staging, the performer’s looks, and national ties.

The juries tend to slightly overestimate the vocal perfection, the radio-friendly aspect of the song, the slickness of the production, and national ties.

Notice the common denominator? 😉

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago
Reply to  Colin

As long as I’ve got my suit and tie(s) as JT once said.

Sanremo once had two singers perform every song, as a way to make it not just about vocals, but to test the quality and resilience of the actual song itself. Patricia was also the 1964 winner, for example, not just Gigliola. Is it too late for Liverpool to do the same?

Colin
Colin
11 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

The song is the core, but I feel like the performer/s brings so much, not only with their voice, but also presence and emotional connection to the song. For me, it’s a ”perfect pairing” of the two. It’s an interesting concept for old Sanremos, and I plan on eventually coming to it. Still, I personally prefer 1 act = 1 song NFs. I see some benefits of pairing one performer with multiple songs, or one song with multiple performers, but I mostly prefer it when it’s 1 on 1, and all the energy goes in there.

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago
Reply to  Colin

I actually agree, even if an eight hour Eurovision final would be nice. I just think the performer’s job is to con the audience into thinking it’s a good song. Unless it really is a good song, in which case no conning necessary. Same with staging, it should exist to sell the song. Not be judged itself. If you get what I mean.

Would Jennifer Braun’s “Satellite” won Olso 2010? I doubt it. She was the runner-up in the German final that year, but her version is completely forgotten. This probably proves your point.

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

I just remembered that there were two versions of “Bigger Than Us” is in the 2019 UK final… so yeah, scrap that idea.

Thanos
Thanos
11 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

I kinda disagree with the point about the staging. I personally believe that Eurovision is one of the only existing huge platforms to also showcase a staging for a song. It’s not the most important thing but in my opinion it has to be judged. I am always a fan of songs with theatrical, artistic stagings and I think that this is also a significant part of Eurovision. And since most viewers listen to the songs for the first time during the shows (and we are talking about 26 songs) the visuals help them connect with the songs even more.

Thanos
Thanos
11 months ago
Reply to  Thanos

I am also a fan of pure song contests. With their orchestra and all. That’s why Sanremo is by far my favourite NF every year. But in the Eurovision, both aspects (song and staging) matter. And both can be done artistically.

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago
Reply to  Thanos

Song only for me. Different countries have different budgets. The song should be the only thing that matters. Flash and spectacle last just one performance, the song lasts forever.

Thanos
Thanos
11 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Fair enough. Although I do catch myself rewatching performances that have captivated me many times even after the contest so one can also say that the performance also lasts forever 🙂 . I also have to highlight that I am not limiting staging to pyros, smoke or whatever, I am talking about staging as an entire concept. Just as good and bad, cheap/generic and artistic songs exist, the same goes for stagings. There can be art there as well. And the argument about budgets can also be applicable as far as the song itself is concerned (expensive songwriters, production, promotion,… Read more »

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
11 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

Perhaps we should propose an ESC Jury scoring system, loosely based on some Olympic sports like figure skating? (This might have been proposed before, or even used a while ago.)

Edward
Edward
11 months ago

All of them have quality. Like in 2015, I hope we will see all three Baltic countries in the final

Jonas
Jonas
11 months ago

Latvia.

zheng
zheng
11 months ago

Sudden Lights!

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
11 months ago

Lithuania 8/12
Latvia 5,5/12
Estonia 4/12 (too wannabe American)

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
11 months ago

Americans aren’t into ballads lol

utamaguta
utamaguta
11 months ago
Reply to  Benito Camelo

but she sounds AND looks like a young Miley Cyrus

Luke A
Luke A
11 months ago

Probably Lithuania for me but like Estonia too not a fan of Latvia though if I’m honest

Colin
Colin
11 months ago

If you asked me when I heard them each for the first time, I’d probably say Estonia. Now I’m saying Latvia. I grew to really love that song, and I think should not only qualify, but score a top ten placement. I love the lyrics, I love the instrumental, I love everything in it. The ending part is especially hard-hitting. Estonia didn’t grew off of me, as much as Latvia grew on me. Both are in my top 10, though. Lithuania is nice. I agree that it projects a certain warmth, especially with the live backing vocals. The revamp improved… Read more »

Colin
Colin
11 months ago
Reply to  Colin

It is really glaring how unbalanced the semis are this year. I like all 3 Nordics, and I have them all marked under ”should qualify”, but I’d honestly take Latvia even ahead of Norway and Sweden, if I had to pick. And I really like these two, especially Norway. In fact, apart from Ireland, and maybe Israel (as it’s really performance-dependent, and could grow on me), I think that every semi 1 song probably would’ve been at least my borderline qualifier from semi 2.

Colin
Colin
11 months ago
Reply to  Colin

Agreed, based on musical merit, there’s no way that Israel should qualify ahead of Latvia. Or most of other semi final 1 songs, for that matter. But objectively, apart from Ireland, I can see anyone qualifying. If you mean Wiwi Jury, no, it hasn’t been out yet. Based on previous years, I expect it to happen around 10th of April, plus or minus two or three days. Looking forward to it. I’d be interested in what you’d say too.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
11 months ago
Reply to  Colin

I feel sad for writing Ireland off, I like Wild Youth and We Are One is a fine song but SF1 is stacked

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
11 months ago
Reply to  Colin

Honestly I wouldn’t count Norway in (at least not 100% yet), I recall her being one of the acts using autotune at MGP so things could go wrong

Panna
Panna
11 months ago
Reply to  Colin

I wouldn’t count Serbia in. It sure has good diaspora in its semi, but it will not be enough of other countries don’t vote for it. Luke is nowhere near Konstrakta from the perspective of a casual viewer.

Benito Camelo
Benito Camelo
11 months ago
Reply to  Colin

And let’s not forget that Latvia itself has a sizeable diaspora

Leo M
Leo M
11 months ago

Latvia is my favorite Baltic song this year but O can’t see them qualifying. They would qualify in semi 2