Eesti Laul 2021 kicked off with Semi-final 1 on 18th February. It involved 12 songs battling it out for the first 6 positions in the Final. There are two rounds of voting with both jury and public being combined to pick the first four artists and then a further vote by the public to select an additional 2.
The hosts of the show were the returning Tõnis Niinemets and newbie Grete Kuld. Unfortunately, there was no audience due to the COVID pandemic…though rumour has it they may return for the Final.
The first 12 contenders were:
Song 1 - Tanja “Best Night Ever” https://youtu.be/OJzvjOqVcrU
You may remember Tanja, she represented Estonia at Eurovision in 2014 and had another go at Eesti Laul in 2019 as part The Swingers. Geez, Tanja really delivered on stage with a very energetic performance and her vocal was almost as tight as her spiral perm. Great start to the show.
Song 2 - Hans Nayna “One By One” https://youtu.be/jIjkCCbQ9dE
Hans is from Mauritius and is not an unattractive man. Probably one of the best commercial songs of the night which almost allows you to excuse his bare feet. Enunciation would help lift this.
Song 3 - WIIRALT “Tuuled” https://youtu.be/X6TDGzobuNE
Wiiralt is giving us some Estonian country and has the obligatory fake cacti on the stage. Watch for the disturbing belly reveal at the 2:20 mark. It’s competent, think Waylon but just a tad more authentic.
Song 4 - Kéa “Hypnotized” https://youtu.be/6z-uuo8SAgE
Kea had “Lonely Boy” in 2016 and finished 9th out of 10 in the Final. She had vocal issues then which have followed her into this 2021 entry. But she is looking very glam on her pink chaise lounge and really sells this easy listening nordic pop number.
Song 5 - Andrei Zevakin & Pluuto “Wingman” https://youtu.be/2n8MgM51MtA
The guys have staging based on their official video. It’s relaxed hip hop if that’s even a thing? Fireworks at 1:45 and all done by 2:30...at least they are efficient.
Song 6 - Karl Killing “Kiss Me” https://youtu.be/dO3A8UCmw9I
Karl kill’s quite a few notes along the way. We’ve seen and heard this solo boy with guitar thing many a time. Not much range.
Song 7 - Nika Marula “Calm Down” https://youtu.be/8pZb8wY8l5k
Nika has the song and performance of the night but unfortunately she’s missing one small thing...we”ll get to that later. It’s another short one at only 2:26 long but she soars high with a solid effort.
Song 8 - Egert Milder “Free Again” https://youtu.be/VU7aZirtBaQ
Egert finished 4th with his song “Georgia (On My Mind)” last year and “Free Again” draws from the same well. It’s all very Mumford and Sons with some interesting guitar thumping and dodgy vocals.
Song 9 - Tuuli Rand “Üks öö” https://youtu.be/Vna2kvydP5E
Tuuli is living her life...unfortunately we have to watch (and hear) her do it. Barbara Dex is snatched.
Song 10 - Koit Toome “We Could Have Been Beautiful” https://youtu.be/ZLL1-cOb_Fc
Koit’s a familiar face at Eurovision, representing Estonia in 1998 and 2017 (poor Verona). His vocal is mostly on point with a beautiful “flowy” song. Staging is A LOT and I think should be simplified going forward.
Song 11 - Kristin Kalnapenk “Find a Way” https://youtu.be/qP6Gzv1Q2uM
Kristin is well suited to this jazz club/whiskey bar number. It suits her voice. Simple staging to start until she decides to turn into an acrobat half way through. Strong!
Song 12 - Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova “Ma olen siin” https://youtu.be/qK4ck3DpZ-0
Well Ivo is still alive then. 5th at Eurovision in 1996 with Maarja-Liis Ilus and 5th at Eesti Laul in 2017. This time he’s brought his son along, perhaps handing over the baton once and for all. This song is all cool and moody…almost embarrassed to say that I like it.
So, getting through to the Final were:
First 4
Karl Killing “Kiss Me”
Egert Milder “Free Again”
Koit Toome “We Could Have Been Beautiful”
Ivo Linna, Robert Linna, Supernova “Ma olen siin”
Next 2
Hans Nayna “One By One”
Andrei Zevakin & Pluuto “Wingman”
Somehow Estonia managed to out-do the sausage fest from last year and ended up with an all male selection for the Final. Not a good look. Poor Nika.
Now it’s over to David for Semi-final 2.