The shortlisting process is over in Estonia! We now know the names of the 20 artist set to compete in the 2018 Estonian Eurovision national selection, Eesti Laul.

Earlier this month, it was revealed by the Estonian national broadcaster, ERR, that the nation had received a record number of 258 entries for the country’s upcoming Eurovision national selection, Eesti Laul 2018.

Changes to the Eesti Laul pre-selection format meant that a total of 15 expert jury members, consisting of members from both in and outside of Estonia, were chosen to listen to and assess each of the potential entries.

Whilst 15 entries were shortlisted during the blindfolded listening process, a further 5 artists were determined by the Eesti Laul editor.

Semi-finalists revealed

Earlier tonight during the ETV television show Ringvaade, the 20 selected Eesti Laul participants were presented to the public for the very first time by the Eesti Laul producer, Mart Normet.

Here are the names of the bidding Estonian acts along with their entries. Good news: some of the entries have already been released online! Check them out below and stay tuned as we will keep you up-to-date with the latest release for Eesti Laul 2018.

• Stig Rästa – Home
• Metsakutsu – Koplifornia
• Elina Netšajeva – La forza
• Aden Ray – Everybody’s dressed
• Frankie Animal – (Can’t keep calling) Misty
• Nika – Knock knock
• Iiris & Agoh – Drop that boogie
• Etnopatsy – Külm
• Vajé – Laura (Walk with me)
• Miljardid – Pseudoprobleem
• Tiiu x Okym x Semy – Näita oma energiat
• Desiree – On my mind
• Rolf Roosalu – Show a little love
• Eliis Pärna & Gerli Padar – Sky
• Girls In Pearls – Spellbound
• Marju Lanik – Täna otsuseid ei tee
• Indrek Ventmann – Tempel
• Sibyl Vane – Thousand words
• Evestus – Welcome to my world
• Karl Kristjan & Karl Killing (feat. Wateva) – Young

Estonia’s selection will see the return of 3 former Eurovision participants for the nation: Semy (2001, member of 2XL), Gerli Padar (2007, Partners in crime) and Stig Rästa (2015, Goodbye to yesterday).

You may also recognise some familiar names in the 2018 line-up, with a few of the shortlisted acts having competed in previous editions of the Estonian selection: Iiris (2008 & 2010), Rolf Roosalu (2013), Indrek Ventmann (2016) and Karl-Kristjan (2017).

However the forthcoming Estonian selection is sure to be an interesting one, with many news artists featuring in the competition!

Whilst most of the songs have not been officially released yet, it’s only a matter of weeks until we’ll be able to listen to each of the 20 bidding entries, each of which are set to be unveiled by ERR between the 19 to the 20 December.

Eesti Laul 2018 dates

Following recent tradition of the Eesti Laul event, the 20 selected participants will be split into a total of 2 semi-finals, both of which will take place in February, in an attempt to qualify to the final of the competition on the 3 March.

• 10/02: Semi-final 1
• 17/02: Semi-final 2
• 03/03: Grand final

Which artist are you most excited to see in the Eesti Laul 2018 line-up? Who do you think would be a good choice for Estonia in Lisbon 2018?