For Eurovision fans, it’s almost like Christmas has come early. We’re not even halfway through December, and already we know the names of six of the acts who’ll be taking part at Eurovision 2018.
Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Finland and The Netherlands have all revealed their acts as of 11 December. But what we really want to know is: which of those acts are y’all excited about?
You can check out details of all six confirmed artists below, and then vote in our poll!
Eurovision 2018: Confirmed Acts (as of December 11)
Australia — Jessica Mauboy
Jessica Mauboy returns to Eurovision and finally gets the chance to compete. After being part of Australia’s informal “debut” in the Copenhagen semi-final, Jessica looks to keep the country’s excellent run of finishes going.
Austria — Cesár Sampson
In their hunt for a third victory, Austria have turned to Cesár Sampson. Cesár has been a backing vocalist for Bulgaria in 2016 and 2017, but is now getting his centre stage moment in Lisbon, representing his home country.
Azerbaijan — Aisel
Jazz musician and pianist Aisel will be holding up Azerbaijan’s hopes in Lisbon. The 2011 winning country look like they’re going in a different direction once again with her selection, after the pop of Samra and avant-garde Dihaj. Will Aisel give them a second victory?
Belgium — Laura Groeseneken
It already seems so long ago, but it was in September that Laura Groeseneken was selected as the first act for Eurovision 2018. On the back of Belgium’s run of top ten placements, there’s naturally a lot of expectation that Laura will pull out another great result.
Finland — Saara Aalto
To the surprise of many, Finland scrapped their original plan for UMK 2018. But they did so for a very good reason: snatching Saara Aalto back from the UK. The former X Factor finalist has been the bridesmaid so often in Finland’s selections. Now, she’s guaranteed her place in Lisbon.
The Netherlands — Waylon
He’s back — and going solo. Waylon is the first official act this year to make a return to Eurovision. After placing second in 2014 as part of the Common Linnets, the Dutch country singer will be hoping to go one better.
That’s the acts, but who’s your favourite? You can have you say in the poll below. As always, you can vote for as many of the acts as you like. You can only vote once though, so make it count!
Eurovision 2018 — Favourite Act So Far (December 11)
[polldaddy poll=9893932]Make sure to let us know who you voted for in the comments section below as well.
Yulia isnt on the list so I voted for Aisel ))
Australia, no Jessica Mauboy is not my cup of tea. Austria, hell no Azerbaijan: ABSOLUTELY, I know this will be avant-garde and very modern, really the only artist so far whose song might have potential. Belgium: another interesting artist, hopefully something soulful and on the line of Loïc and Blanche. Netherlands: the common linnets 2014 was so Poor and bad on my opinion, but songs like we don’t make the wind blow I find incredible. So it’s a meh. Finland: perhaps the most deserving artist so far, after the heartbreak of 2016 she really earned it, but UMK doesn’t reflect… Read more »
My hope to be not wrecked again with Azerbaijan’s song like this year.
As belgian, I want LAura to do good, but I don’t feel like it’s gonna be. I am disappointed of these choices so far because I want an upbeat song to win next year and except Australia, I feel these other 5 won’t be upbeat but more ‘jazzy’ :/
1.Jessica Mauboy
2. Saara Aalto
3. Aisel
4. Laura Groeseneken
5. Waylon
6. Cesár Sampson
Finland:) This year i look forward to what Macedonia,Switzerland,Ireland will send to. I really hope 3 av them succeed:) Its time. I think one of them will flop. Dont know who but one always does sadly. Right know it seems to be Ireland if they send the punk guy.
OMG, same! I’m really looking forward to what these countries will do. I hope Switzerland and Ireland finds their footing again, and Macedonia can have a turn-around.
Out of the selected six acts, I have a feeling one won’t qualify: that entry being Austria.
I have high hopes in Azerbaijan. No Swedes involved this time, please!
as a swede i 1000% agree haha. Aserbaijan have songwriters!
I feel like the problem with most Swedish songwriters is the lyrics. They’re ALWAYS so clichéd, meaningless and forced. And well, the Swedish sound does work for Sweden but it’s reductive for countries without that music culture.
True. At least this year they had only 50% Swedish songwriters for Skeletons.
Jessia Mauboy has come such a long way since her interval act in 2014, and she is definitely one to watch that could take out the contest. She’ll likely bring an upbeat song with dancers e.t.c that could fare very well. However in saying that it’s WAY TOO EARLY to tell until the song is released!
Saara Aalto also looks like a real contender, and hopefully she can bring Finland back to a deserving finishing place, as they were totally robbed not to make the finals this year!
1. AUSTRALIA – She said it would be upbeat. Such a treat in ESC nowadays! 2. NETHERLANDS – I ADORE country music. 3. FINLAND – I find her vocal style impressive but very unlikable; HOWEVER she’s working with some good producers and it should at least be wacky. 4. BELGIUM – I also don’t find Laura very likeable but I trust Belgium and her songwriting abilities. 5. AZERBAIJAN – I don’t like her voice and she has poor English, but Azerbaijan always pull it off in the end. 6. AUSTRIA – His voice is pleasant, but nothing memorable. And Austria… Read more »
Mauboy from Australia is going to bring a very slick performance. Mauboy even though she sings Ballads pretty well she also is very good with quick tempo Music, but she has said she will be co writing her song, so expect a mid Tempo Ballad from her, she will also bring Dancers to the stage which she prefers. She does not have a bad voice, but it is NOT as good as Dami Im in a long shot. I would have to agree it is to early to do this poll considering we don’t know all the songs, put this… Read more »
443? 😉
443 is really a challenge. Portugal is not playing. lol lol
that’s A LOT of songs.
I voted Saara Aalto and Waylon, though Jessica Mauboy isn’t too far behind (I just didn’t get quite as excited about her upon the announcement). Waylon, I will admit, is partly for the eye candy, but since his musical style is so diverse (elements of country, soul, pop, and rock), I’m hoping he and whoever else he’s working with come up with something interesting and of good quality. As for Saara, I remember watching her on The X Factor UK last year, and I even remarked to myself while watching the final that I wanted to see her in Eurovision.… Read more »
Aisel.. She is beautiful also interesting singer. The guy from the Netherlands is very talanted. But I can’t say anything about Finland. Maybe 50/50
My artist order so far: 1) Jessica 2) Saara 3) Aisel 4) Waylon
5) Laura 6) Cesar
On another note, really looking forward to FiK in Albania in couple weeks: my fave there is Eugent’s “Mall”. 😀
Saara Aalto
I feel like normally there’s a couple of acts that when they’re announced you can tell (obviously you can 100% be proven wrong) aren’t going to have a great song, or a national selection gives off really weak vibes (I’m getting them this year from Greece) but these artists so far all have really strong potential and could do really well. 1. I’m most excited for Jessica Mauboy, except artists in the Eurovision-sphere it’s not too often an artist comes to Eurovision that I’m actually familiar with, even though I wouldn’t call myself a huge fan, it will be super… Read more »
I have good vibes from all six contestants thus far. I agree about the national finals vibes. I might be wrong, but I expect good things from San Marino and The Czech Republic this time around. On the other hand, there are restrictions in Greek and Swiss NF that I find smothering to creativity and I wouldn’t be surprised if the final product turns out to be underwhelming.
I agree with the Czech Republic, it’s seemingly really promising, but it could still go the way of Martina Barta, a good singer, and a song that’s fine, but forgettable and doesn’t showcase her as a singer. San Marino is a mess, but if they can get some talented songwriters on board who knows.
quote ”Waylon, #TeamIlse”
What Waylon did to Ilse after all. I really don’t know. Was just that he left?
I agree that Greece will probably be a hot mess. I dare to predict the same for Slovenia. These language rules are really silly, let people compose any creative way they want.
On the contrary, I think Czech Rep will finally shine.
The problem with Saara Aalto in X Factor (the time she took to groove with the viewers) was only the fact the sang in french in the six chair challenge… because before that the public was screaming for her when Sharon thought send her home…
I guess she will not have that problem in the eurovision so…
this poll seems a little bit too early just because we have no idea what they’re going to offer
i like sennek’s vibe though
Btw off-topic, but it’s worth mentioning.
Tayanna will participate at Vidbir 2018. I think she has currently 4 entries, and she will participate with the song that gets the most votes. 🙂
1.Aisel: I’m really looking forward for her entry. She is a beautiful woman, and she seems to have an artistic personality, just like Dihaj. Her voice is really strong, and I really really hope that her entry will contain even a bit of Azeri language. 2.Saara Aalto: She is really talented, and I still do not understand, how she lost to Sandhja back in 2016. Also looking forward to her entry. She will bring Finland back to the final. 3.Laura Groesenken: I find her soo charming. She gives me Martina Barta and Luísa Sobral vibes. Such a cute woman. 4.Jessica… Read more »
About Waylon. You must have missed the article Wiwi wrote about him. He said he wants to come up with something completely different and not something people expect from him. So, no. You should not expect CATS part II or Slow Down part II.
This edition of the contest is so going to be a bloodbath. Mark my words.
Indeed.
I predict Saara Aalto will be Francesco Gabbani 2.0 = seen as an early favorite for the win (including wiwi-jury poll, OGAE fan-clubs poll and different betting odds) that by the time of the actual contest in May we’ll all be so sick and intoxicated that will flop dramatically. Just like Gabbani failed… I don’t even see her in top 5… That if she’ll pass the semifinal…. That’s too much fuss about her, maybe she’ll get some votes but do you see the conservative juries from countries like…Albania, Georgia, Moldova, Belarus, Montenegro, Cyprus, Bulgaria or Romania voting for her? Coz… Read more »
Too many thoughts, but still need the song.
Also, I don’t see 6th place as a “dramatic flop”. If Finland reaches the Top 10, I believe it will be the 1st time since their victory. But it’s too early to call favourites to win.
6th place for Italy when he was seen as a favorite for the victory? I call it dramatic flop, too! Not even top 3…
Yes, Italy lower than Moldova is something nobody predicted in April 2017. Fans are doing much worse than good. Let them do it, let them talk about Melfest and/or Saara Aalto as much as they like. HaHaHa
Well, Top 10 is always good to me.
already a big variety of artists, I think they are all promising but Jessica Mauboy really stands out for me. She improved a lot since her interval act in Copenhagen!
1. Waylon
2. Laura
3. Jessica
4. Aisel
5. Cesár
6. Saara
To be honest: i’m excited for all of these! Looks very promising up till now.
1) Australia
2) Belgium
3) Finland
4) Austria
5) Netherlands
6) Azerbaijan
Can’t wait to listen the 43 songs! <3
It sucks that we will have to wait for 3 whole months! 🙁
OMG MARIO SAME TOP 6!!
Yeah, my own country on #05…
🙂
1. Saara Aalto
2. Aisel
3. Waylon
4. Jessica Mauboy
5. Cesár Sampson
6. Laura Groeseneken
I am excited for all of them. :p
Finland by far. Saara is amazing and I’m confident that she and her international team will produce something great for Eurovision.
All of them look promising so far! This is going to be an exciting edition, me thinks.
1. Laura Groeseneken
2. Waylon
3. Aisel
4. Saara Aalto
5. Jessica Mauboy
6. Cesár Sampson
I’m soo happy with all of the 6 acts announced do far, and I think all of them will make the final. Can’t wait for the NF to begin – but I’ll have to wait till late January. (if you don’t count FiK). This is going to be such a blood bath I think.
Isn’t the Albanian selection in late December? That’ll give you something to get excited about. My favourite from it is Orgesa btw
Yes… FiK is the Albanian selection haha
Belgium, purely because they have been on such good form recently.
aisel really intrigues me. she is not only beautiful but her style is really amazing PLUS she’s from azerbaijan, and i hold the azeri representatives since they’ve consistently been in my top 10 if we ignore 2016. really excited to see what she has to offer
hold the azeri representatives to high standards^
Agreed.
Aisel is the only announced artist that I am actually interested in solely as an artist. Of course, if the others have great songs, everything changes. But as names and based on their previous careers, the others are pretty underwhelming at this point.