Norway: Tarjei Strøm to be the new music director of MGP

An era ends for Stig Karlsen at MGP as he resigns from his position. His successor is Tarjei Strøm, known in the Norwegian music industry and a former contestant of MGP.

The NRK announces the new appointment in a press release.

“I am humble and grateful for this incredibly exciting opportunity. This is truly the job of my dreams, and I cannot wait to get started,” said Strøm.

He previously participated in Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) with his band Datarock in 2013.

“I know the world of MGP very well, both from the inside and the outside. Now, I look forward to combining my love for MGP, my network in the Norwegian music scene, and my passion for Norwegian music with the country’s largest music competition,” Strøm stated.

Strøm will take on the task of selecting and developing the music for the country’s biggest music show, in close collaboration with the editorial team and the music community at NRK.

Much of his work will involve outreach in the music industry, evaluating submissions for the competition, and assembling new musical constellations that will shine on Norway’s largest music stage, according to the state broadcaster.

Strøm is known for his own bands, such as Datarock and Ralph Myerz & The Jack Herren Band, and he has performed and played with some of Norway’s biggest artists.

NRK also informs that, given that the process of selecting songs for Melodi Grand Prix is long-term and occurs throughout the year, Stig Karlsen will select the songs that will participate in the 2025 competition.

Mads Tørklep has also taken on a new role and will be the head of the Norwegian delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest. This means he will be responsible for the MGP winner and the team participating in the international competition to be held in Basel in May.

Tørklep already has the role of project manager for Melodi Grand Prix and is also a producer.

“I love this ‘circus.’ Eurovision is the largest music competition in the world, and Melodi Grand Prix is Norway’s most talked-about and endlessly debated TV broadcast. This work is demanding but incredibly rewarding,” Tørklep stated.

This year’s Eurovision was marked by several scandals. It was after these events that Stig Karlsen stepped down from his position. However, he emphasized that this was not the reason for his departure.

“The reason is this new opportunity that was offered to me. I believe that music and culture are bridges, and I am optimistic that the EBU will get the organization back on track.”

Karlsen will now work in communication and media alongside Jannicke Mikkelsen, Norway’s first female astronaut.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the latest updates!

Source: VG