The line-up for the final of Supernova 2018, the Latvian selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 has been completed.
The final seven artists took to the stage of the third semi-final of Supernova this evening in Riga, all vying for a spot in the final next weekend. Just two singers could make it through to next weeks final, with the qualifiers determined by public voting and jury voting.
The results were as follows:
- Jenny May – “Soledad”
- Ed Rallidae – “What I Had With You”
- Katrine Lukins – “Running Red Lights”
- Lauris Valters – “Lovers Bliss” – Qualifier
- MIONIA – “You”
- Kris & Oz – “Morning Flight”
- Laura Rizzotto – “Funny Girl” – Qualifier
The full line-up for the final is as follows:
- Edgar Kreilis – Younger Days
- Liene Greifāne – Walk The Talk
- MADARA – Esamība
- Markus Riva – This Time
- Ritvars – Who’s Counting?
Supernova was first used to select the Latvian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2015. It proved successful, as the act chosen that year, Aminata Savadogo, finished 7th in the final with “Love Injected”. That was Latvia’s first appearance in the final since 2008 and first top 10 placing since 2005.
Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest
Latvia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000, being the last of the Baltic nations to join the contest. On their debut, Brainstorm finished in 3rd place with the song “My Star”. Latvia won the contest for the first and only time in 2002, with Marie N’s “I Wanna”. Latvia only participated in 2002 thanks to the withdrawal of Portugal from the contest, as Latvia’s poor result in 2001 had relegated them from the 2002 contest. Latvia struggled in to the contest after 2002, failing to qualify for the final for six years between 2009 and 2014. In 2015 and 2016 Latvia has finished 6th and 15th in the final respectively.