15 acts will be competing for a place in the final at a later date, but as there is only one 'semi final' and not two as might normally be expected when the term 'semi final' is employed, Saturday's extravaganza might perhaps be better described as a 'preliminary final' or pre-emptive cull. In fact, only five acts will be eliminated in the 'semi final' and ten will proceed to the full, final final.
Those earning the right to another week of hope and those exiting via the trap door will be decided by a mixture of audience telephone votes and the decisions of what is described by the organizers as an expert jury. Unfortunately the composition of this jury is being kept secret until after the international Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö in May due to what are described only as "security reasons". Viewers are told only that it includes "Latvian music and show business industry [figures], television representatives, as well as foreign experts."
So, if you'd like to subject your eardrums to all fifteen of the contending songs ahead of Saturday's showdown, you ca do so thanks to the videos below.
1. Agnes Rakovska – "AI"
2. Patrīcija Spale – "Heaven's Raining Down on Me"
3. B/H – "Amsterdam"
4. Alekss Silvers – "For The Show"
5. Jar of Kings – Wildfire
6. Saint Levića – "Tick-Tock"
7. Sasha Sil – "Love Is A Language"
8. Papīra lidmašīnas – "Mind Breaker"
9. Avei – "Mine"
10. Ecto – "Outsider"
11. Dons – "Hollow"
12. Katrīna Gupalo – "The Cat's Song"
13. Funkinbiz – "Na Chystu Vodu"
14. Vēstulēs – "Kur?"
15. Edvards Strazdins – "Rock 'n' Roll Supernova"
The winner of the "Supernova" contest, which will be determined on February 10 by the jury and audience vote, will have the opportunity to represent Latvia at the international Eurovision Song Contest in the Swedish city of Malmö in May.