Georgian contenders of 2018 Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), members of Ethno Jazz Band IRIAO dropped out of the race in the Second Semi-final of music competition. Georgian band performed the song For You. The 63rd edition of ESC has been held in Lisbon, Portugal.

IRIAO is ethno-fusion band founded in Tbilisi, Georgia. In overall, the band repertoire is based on Georgian polyphonic music and harmony(recognized as intangible cultural heritage, by UNESCO), saturated with jazz and modern music elements and improvisation. David Malazonia, the band leader, wasone of the first composers introducing this direction of music in Georgia.

IRIAO’s debut performance took place in 2013 in Tbilisi and ever since gained recognition internationally. The band has been invited and performed in a number of jazz and world music festivals: Java Jazz Festival in Indonesia, Borneo Jazz Festival in Malaysia, Alfa Jazz Festival in Ukraine as well as important music festivals in Poland, Baltics and Austria.

Video clip of the entry For You

Author of the Georgian entry song is Davit Malazonia, arrangement belongs to Mikheil Mdinaradze, lyrics – Irina Sanikidze. Director of the video clip is Zaza Orashvili. He selected a historic location in Saguramo – First Cosmic Object – as the shooting stage. Designer Megi Gabunia created five different costumes for the shooting. Dancers of Erisioni Ensemble are taking part in the video clip.