In July 2023, Azerbaijan’s Ictimai TV confirmed the country’s participation at Eurovision 2024 and announced the launch of their selection process, to which they confirmed today that 214 entrants had responded.
In an Instagram post earlier today, Ictimai TV said that 214 songs were submitted, with “88 of them – local, 126 – are from foreign authors. Thanks to everyone for participation and wish you good luck!”
Though the method of selection has not been explicitly defined, it is likely that Ictimai will utilize an internal selection process using Azerbaijani musicians, performers and producers.
Azerbaijan have typically used some variation of internal selection to make their choice since 2015. In their earlier years, Azerbaijan did use song contests to pick the artist and later internally select a song, though Milli Seçim Turu 2013, which was won by Farid Mammadov’s “Hold Me,” remains the only national final to date.
Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2023 representatives, the twin indie-rockers TuralTuranX, were selected by a panel led by Eldar Gasimov, one half of the country’s Eurovision 2011 winning duet Ell & Nikki.
TuralTuranX’s “Tell Me More” failed to qualify for the Grand Final in Liverpool, United Kingdom, coming in 14th of 15 in Semi-Final 1 with 4 points from the 1st all-televote Semi-Final since 2007.
This was only Azerbaijan’s second non-qualification (Aisel’s “X My Heart” from Eurovision 2018 being the first) since the Caucasus nation’s debut at Eurovision 2008.
TuralTuranX’s “Tell Me More” was also the only all-Azerbaijani penned and produced entry since their debut (Elnur and Samir’s “Day After Day”), so it remains to be seen whether or not Ictimai sticks to an all locals approach.
No further details were provided about the selection process or the release day, though typically Azerbaijan is one of the countries to run close to the March deadline to reveal its entry.
What do #YOU want to hear from Azerbaijan in 2024? Do #YOU want another locally sourced entry or do #YOU mind if Azerbaijan hires foreigners to help them return to the Grand Final?
