Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Estonia's Eesti laul 2017 will have it's glamourous final tonight in Saku Suurhall in Tallinn. Four previous winners and several veterans and runners ups are at it, and I feel a bit favorism from Estonian tv here as the running order has Koit & Laura placed  at number two while Kerli gets the last one. Hmmm... Despite all this I firmly stay in team #Verona . My other favorite Ariadne didn't quite deliver live and struggled to get even this far. Kerli may have the most outstanding performance but certainly not the best song so let's see if also the Estonians prefer show over song.... A sad remainer again Eurovision song contest is mistaken way too often as Eurovision show contest  (ghrm, Statements , grehm) Liis Lemsalu – Keep running Koit Toome & Laura – Verona  WINNER Karl-Kristjan & Whogaux feat. Maian – Have you now  (4TH) Lenna Kuurmaa – Slingshot Daniel Levi – All I need Elina Born – In or out Ivo Linna – Suur loterii Rasmus R...

Estonia's Eesti laul 2017 second semifinal takes place tonight. Again five songs will make the final after 50-50 televote-juryvote. This one includes among others fan favorites Koit & Laura and Kerli, something that wouldn't be out of place in Kuunkuiskaajat album(Antsud) and a hippie anti-war anthem (Alvistar) that namedrops every country possible and is so weird it's already quite fantastic! Watch here from 20.35 CET Rasmus Ränvee - This love Angeelia - We ride with our flow Daniel Levi - All I need Antsud - Vihm Koit Toome & Laura - Verona Kerli - Spirit animal Close to Infinity feat. Ian Karell - Sounds like home Liis Lemsalu - Keep running Alvistar Funk Association - Make love, not war Almost Natural - Electric

Estonia has had the most exciting and indipendent selections the past few years but this year it seems it has taken a step back going to the UMK direction (that is isnoired by Eesti laul anyways) and throws in some Melodfestivalen. Rather middle of the road entries (still way better than the most songs in MF anyways) and no real smash hit with the first hearing but I'm sure they can make ost of them work wonders on stage. The most alternative ones seems to be Kerli, Close to Infinity and Alvistar but they are smooth pop compared to Winny Puhh.... This blogger was left rather unmoved and a bit disappointed with the offering at first listening as the names promised so much. However, I did like Laura & Koit, Adriane and Almost Natural and many other songs are nice, just not strong enough I think. All the time I was expecting something wonderfully weird and crazy to come up and it didn't materialize but some Kuunkuiskaajat wannabes and something Toyah could have done in the ...

Oh my, Estonia Eesti laul 2017 line up is epic. This is going to be so good it seems! Lenna, Rasmus, Elina, Daniel, Laura, Koit, Ivo, Kerli, Liis... they are all in! How can one choose? Lenna Kuurmaa - "Slingshot" Lenna Kuurmaa, Nicolas Rebscher, Michelle Leonard Rasmus Rändvee - "This Love" Bert Prinkenfeld, Stewart James Brock, Ewert Sundja, Rasmus Rändvee Angeelia - "We Ride With Our Flow" Angeelia Maasik, Andres Kõpper Elina Born - "In or Out" Stig Rästa, Vallo Kikas, Fred Krieger Leemet Onno - "Hurricane" Leemet Onno, Ed Struijlaart Laura Prits - "Hey Kiddo" Tara Nabi, Laura Prits, Andres Kõpper Daniel Levi - "All I Need" Ago Teppand, Daniel Levi Viinalass Antsud - "Vihm" Aile Alveus-Krautmann Ariadne - "Feel Me Now" Margus Piik, Tomi Rahula, Anni Rahula Koit Toome ja Laura - "Verona" Sven Lõhmus Kerli - "Spirit Animal" Ker...

Estonia has its line up for the final next Saturday after two semifinal that I admit I didn't follow at all this year. So here goes, my little review. This may be the first time we have a swing on stage thanks to Luisa . Her song is quite nice but not really going anywhere so the swing is very fitting prop for it. Strangely the running order has the songs in Estonian first and Maia offers a beautiful midtempo. Simple and effective but maybe not strong enough, is it? Oddly next in the line up is the biggest international favorite by Elina and Stig and indeed, I fell n love with this song the first time I heard it. It has a bit of classic Kylie Minogue & Nick Cave thing going on. In a good and different way. This must win. Period. Kali & co has quite an interesting song but doesn't really take the flight live either. Robin has already been to Eurovision and was much more interesting back then than this big band transformation. Daniel is the pretty boy of the sea...

Estonia continues Eesti laul 2015 tonight with the second semifinal. I must admit I have been so occupied with Sanremo I haven't quite got to know these songs yet, I will make it up when the final line up is ready. As long as Goodbye to yesterday gets to the final I am happy as for now. Wilhelm - Light up your mind Kruuv -  Tiiu talu tütreke Demie feat. Janice - Kuum NimmerSchmidt - Kellega ma tutvusin? Elina Born & Stig Rästa - Goodbye to yesterday Daniel Levi - Burning lights Triin Niitoja & John4 - This is our choice Kali Briis Band - Idiot Luisa Värk - Minu pälke Mari - Kolm päeva tagasi UPDATE: The finalists are Elina & Stig, Triin & John4, Kali Briis Band, Daniel and Luisa

Estonian television has published here all the songs taking part in Eestilaul 2015. This national final once again proves to be the most alternative and independent of the all national selections not really caring much about the so called "Eurovision formula" and thus rather entertaining and interesting affair in all. Ten out of 18 songs are in Estonian, which is also very refreshing. Several familiar names among the artists from previous Eestilauls and even one winner and Eurovision veteran, Robin Juhkental aka Malcom Lincoln (2010 with Siren ). Once again I have no clue who could win this. It may become easier to predict after hearing and seeing them on stage, and after the semifinal results and seeing who did pull the rights strings with the voters. Elisa Kolk, Maia Vahtramäe, Demie feat. Janice, Daniel Levi, Triin Niitoja & John4 and Luisa Värk may have the most Eurovision friendly songs but it doesn't mean they would have the best songs or be the best cho...

Estonian televion has announced the 20 semifinalist for Eesti Laul 2015 , the most alternative and weird - in a good way - national final there is. This year seems no exception judging the song titles and band names; there's everything from Idiot to Superlove and coffeecups. Among the artists some familiar names like NimmerSchmidt, Liis Lemsalu, Wilhelm, Luisa Värk and most of all Eurovision veteran Robin Juhkental .  Eesti Laul 2015 will take place in February with two semifinals and the grand final on 21st in Tallinn.  The song were selected by a record of 219 submitted songs by a 11 member jury including singers Lenna Kuurmaa and Anne Veski. 1. Burning Lights - Daniel Levi (Daniel Levi Viinalass) 2. Exceptional - The Blurry Lane (Kristina Bianca Rantala) 3. Goodbye to Yesterday - Elina Born and Stig Rästa (Stig Rästa) 4. Hold On - Liis Lemsalu & Egert Milder (Liis Lemsalu, Madis Lett, Egert Milder, Henri Kuusk, Rob Montes) 5. Idiot...