Submissions have opened for Eesti Laul 2024, which sees some major changes incoming.
“We are waiting for songs for the competition that would represent Estonia in the best way in front of the whole of Europe.” These are the words of Eesti Laul Editor-in-Chief Karmel Killandi, as the Estonian broadcaster confirms the submissions window has opened for Eesti Laul 2024, closing on October 23rd at 12:00pm EET. Alongside this news, the broadcaster has also confirmed that major changes are coming to next years show.
Singers, songwriters and composers who are either native Estonians, foreign residents of Estonia or non-residents of Estonia, can submit a maximum of five songs. The fee for submitting songs in Estonian is 50 euros, and for foreign language / multi language songs, it’s 100 euros.
Any songs submitted within the last few days before the deadline will incur a 100 euro fee for Estonian songs and a 200 euro fee for foreign language / multi language songs. All submissions must be uploaded to the official ERR website.
All change here!
The Estonian broadcaster has also confirmed format changes for Eesti Laul 2024. Next years edition will see just one semi final and one grand final. From the submissions, a jury panel made up of professionals and ordinary people, will select 20 songs to compete in Eesti Laul 2024, of which five will be chosen as automatic qualifiers for the final.
The remaining 15 acts will compete in the semi final, where five songs will advance to the final after two rounds of voting. The qualifiers from the first round of voting will be decided by jury vote and televotes. The qualifiers from the second round of voting will be decided by televote alone.
The two rounds of voting will remain for the final too, just as in previous years. The first round, comprised of 50% jury vote and 50% televote, will determine the acts which will advance to the super final. The winner of the super final will be decided by 100% televoting.
The semi final, on January 20th, will be broadcast live from Tartu, the European Capital of Culture 2024, as Eesti Laul’s Editor-in-Chief, Karmel Killandi explains: “Considering the changing world and the complex economic environment, we are also holding back, but we are bringing new Estonian music to the fore in the best possible way. And what better place to look for a song heading to Europe than Tartu, the European capital of culture in 2024.”
Eesti Laul’s most recent winner, Alika, went on to achieve one of Estonia’s better Eurovision results this year in Liverpool. She brought Estonia their 9th semi final qualification since 2004 and went on to finish in 8th place in the final with 168 points.
Are you excited for Eesti Laul 2024? What are your thoughts on the format changes for next years show? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Photo credit: Corrine Cummings / EBU
