Go_A will release the final three-minute version of their 2021 Eurovision entry “Shum” on March 9th.
The final version of the Ukrainian entry for Eurovision 2021 is set to be revealed on March 9th at 19:00 EET. Speaking last week to UA:Ukrainian radio, Go_A confirmed that the final version of “Shum” has been recorded for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam.
Three songs were in the running to represent Ukraine, with the jury ultimately selecting the competing song. The jury unanimously selected “Shum”.
The original version of “Shum” was 4 minutes and 20 seconds long but the rules of the Eurovision Song Contest state all songs must be no longer than 3 minutes, which is why a shortened version was needed.
Ukrainian juror Yaroslav Lodygin has revealed Go_A have complete creative freedom to make any changes they feel necessary to their Eurovision 2021 entry. Meaning the new version could be changed in more ways than just song length.
Go_A lead singer Taras Shevchenko explained in the interview that:
the version we have now for Eurovision, it’s great. That is, it retains all the elements that make the song “Noise” interesting and cool.
Who are Go_A?
Go_A are a folktronica group who were formed in Kyiv in 2012. The band is made up of Kateryna Pavlenko (vocalist), Taras Shevchenko (multi-intrusentalist), Ihor Didenchuk (sopiklar) and Ivan Hrihoryak (guitar). They combine Ukrainian singing styles with modern dance beats, African drums and guitar.
They will perform in the first semi-final on May 18th. The original version of “Shum” is currently available to hear.
Image Source: UA:PBC/Anastasiia Mantach | Source: UA:
Ukraine first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, when Oleksandr Ponomariov performed “Hasta la vista”. The following year Ruslana brought the country their first win with the song “Wild Dances”. It was a feat that would be replicated in 2016 by Jamala with her song “1944”; her emotionally charged song scored a record 534 points to take victory in Stockholm. In 2017 O.Torvald represented the country on home soil with the song “Time”. The group finished in 24th place, Ukraine’s worst result at the contest to date.
