Estonia: ERR announces the 20 hopefuls for Eesti Laul 2016!

Two days ago, the Estonian broadcaster ERR announced that a total breaking up record of 238 entries were caught up at their headquarters in Tallinn. The ball dropped on Monday at 15:00 with many rushing to get their songs to ERR offices at the very last moment.

“Having 238 songs submitted is truly a sign of recognition for the work we have done in the past years. It’s also concrete evidence that we are growing. Without a doubt moving the contest from the Nordea Concert Hall to Saku Suurhall was the only right decision,” says Eesti Laul 2016 producer Mart Normet. “Elina and Stig raised the bar high, both domestically and internationally. Hopefully there are a few songs this year which are just as strong and timeless,” he added.

The line-up for Eesti Laul 2016 is made up by the following acts:

• 1. Ei ole mul olla – Põhja-Tallinn (Jaanus Saks, Kristjan Soomre, Mark Eric Kammiste, Hannes Agur Vellend, Herlend-Kaspar Raudkivi)
• 2. Hispaania tüdruk – Indrek Ventmann (Allan Kasuk)
• 3. How Many Times – Zebra Island (Rasmus Lill, Helina Risti)
• 4. I’m Facing North – Würffel (Kaspar Kalluste, Rosanna Lints)
• 5. Immortality – Cartoon & Kristel Aaslaid (Ago Teppand, Hugo MartinMaasikas, Joosep Järvesaar, Kerli Kõiv, Iiris Vesik, Kristel Aaslaid)
• 6. Kaugel sinust – Kati Laev (Urmas Kõiv, Anneli Kõiv)
• 7. Lonely Boy – Kéa (Egert Milder, Robert Stanley Montes, Ian Karell)
• 8. Love a Little Bit – The Jingles (Jonathan Flack, Hain Hoppe, Rauno Vaher, Tanel Liiberg)
• 9. Meet Halfway – Pśr Mśdd (Oliver Rõõmus, Joonas Alvre)
• 10. Miljon korda – Gertu Pabbo (Priit Pajusaar, Maian-Anna Kärmas)
• 11. Parmupillihullus – Meisterjaan (Jaan Tätte Juunior)
• 12. Patience – I Wear* Experiment (Hando Jaksi, Mikk Simson, Johanna Eenmaa)
• 13. Play – Jüri Pootsmann (Fred Krieger, Stig Rästa)
• 14. Sally – Go Away Bird (Stanislav Bulganin)
• 15. Salty Wounds – Windy Beach (Priit Uustulnd, Tuuli Rand, Mari Tamm)
• 16. Seis – Mick Pedaja (Mick Pedaja)
• 17. Stories Untold – Grete Paia (Sven Lõhmus)
• 18. Strong – Anett Kulbin (Anett Kulbin)
• 19. Supersonic – Laura (Sven Lõhmus)
• 20. Unikaalne – La La Ladies (Tatjana Mihhailova, Mihkel Mattisen, Timo Vendt, Inga Tislar)

The selection panel consisted of 11 music professionals who met on Wednesday and Thursday up to listen and pick the 20 best songs. The semi-finalists were revealed on“Ringvaade” at 18:00 CET today.

Among the names, we can see and find several well-known faces for the fans such as Laura, Grete Paia or Pohja-Tallinn who already tried to represent Estonia in the past. Grete was almost about to get in 2013 when Birgit won the final duel. Stig Rästa as well as Tanja are back as songwriters and Egert Milder entered last year’s competition together with Liis Lemsalu. Estonian superstar Kerli has co-written Immortality which will be performed by Cartoon & Kristel Aaslaid.

Schedule for Eesti Laul 2016

• Semi-final 1 – 13th of February 2016
• Semi-final 2 – 20th of February 2016
• Final – 5th of March 2016 (Live from Saku Surhall – Venue of the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest)

Who will succeed Elina and Stig at the contest for Estonia? Stay tuned for further details!