Tere Eesti! Tonight on the ETV magazine show “Ringvaade” half of the participants for Eesti Laul 2023 were revealed by Tomi Rahula, Executive Producer of the show.
The quarter final video rounds that we enjoyed in 2022 have been shelved in favour of twenty entrants over 2 semi finals (January 12th and 14th) with the Grand Final taking place on February 11th.
Whilst we are getting the artist reveal over the next two nights, it is believed that the songs themselves will be revealed on December 2nd.
Sissi “Lighthouse”
Sissi was announced last night and fans will know her as not only the daughter of Eurovision 2001 winner Dave Benton, but also as a previous participant , coming 4th in the 2019 final with her song “Strong” and a magnificent 2nd in the 2021 final with “Time”. As she was given a stand alone announcement, are we already seeing the favourite for the win?
Wiiralt & Ultima Thule “Salalik”
Wiiralt return after coming 5th in semi final 1 back in 2021 with their song “Tuuled”, and describe their music as “Nordic tales with a Nashville Sound” Ultima Thule were seen as one of the most influential Estonian bands of the 1980’s and 1990’s with their blend of blues rock. This is an interesting collaboration!
Carlos Ukareda “Whiskey Won’t Forget”
Carlos is a young Estonian singer, guitar player and songwriter who started out signing covers and ended up as a finalist on Estonian Idol in 2018. Watch his 2020 song “Coming Home” here.
Alika Milova “Bridges”
20 year old Alika was the winner of “Estonia is looking for a superstar” in 2021 and has teamed up with co-writer of Duncan Laurence’s Eurovision winning song “Arcade”, Wouter Hardy, for her entry this year
Janek Valgapea “House of Glass”
Janek appears to be a fairly new artist, however, his song is co-written by Kjetil Morland, the Norwegian singer/songwriter who represented Norway in 2015 with “Monster Like Me”, coming 8th in the grand final.
ELLIP “Pretty Girl”
Real name Pille-Riin Karro, singer/songwriter ELLIP makes her Eesti Laul debut in 2023. She released her debut album “Four words” in May 2020 when she explained “Genres like drum and bass, jazz and hip hop are an influence which is woven together by a common denominator .. electronic music”
Kaw “Valik”
Kaw remains a mystery for now, but we do know the song was written by Gevin Niglas and Jesse Keihäsvuori!
Andreas Poom “Why Do You Love Me”
Fun fact : Andreas is the son of Mart Poom, ex Arsenal and Sunderland football player! Music producer Alan Roy Scott and Swedish songwriter Julia Sundberg are on the credits for this song.
Meelik “Tuju”
31 year old Meelik Samel is no stranger to Eesti Laul, having competed with the bands Tenfold Rabbit and Põhja-Tallinn.
Elysa “Bad Philosophy”
Elysa’s 2022 entry “Fire” finished 3rd behind Stefan, but she has teamed up with Eesti Laul favourites Stig Rasta, Elisa Kolk for her song for 2023.
Tomorrow we will tune in again for the final 10 names!
Stefan represented Estonia in Turin this year with his song “Hope” which finished 13th in the Grand Final
