Norway: The Grand Final of MGP 2025 is set for February 15!

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Norway has confirmed that the Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) will remain the country’s selection process for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.

The Melodi Grand Prix is Norway’s biggest music show and this year returns to the iconic Oslo Spektrum after six years. On February 15, audiences will witness a spectacular live final filled with stunning performances and a dazzling production to crown the country’s next Eurovision representative.

The event will be hosted by Marte Stokstad, Tete Lidbom, and Markus Neby, promising an unforgettable evening. The return of the show to the Oslo Spektrum is a special moment for fans, as the venue has hosted some of the MGP’s most iconic moments in the past.

Ten artists will compete for the coveted title and the ticket to Eurovision. They will be officially revealed during a grand press event on Thursday, January 16. Media invitations will be sent out early in the new year, adding to the anticipation of who will take the stage at the Oslo Spektrum.

For those eager to experience the magic live, ticket sales begin on Friday, November 22, at 12:00. This is a unique opportunity to witness the excitement and glamour of Norway’s largest music competition up close.

The countdown has begun, and MGP 2025 promises to be more thrilling than ever!

Last year’s MGP winners, Gåte, represented Norway in Malmö with their song “Ulveham”, finishing in last place.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the latest updates!

Source: kommunikasjon.ntb.no

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

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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

Norway: Tom Hugo from KEiiNO, wouldn’t rule out a Eurovision-related role in NRK!

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Tom Hugo, one-third of the band KEiiNO, was a guest in “The Eurotrip Podcast”, and he was asked about the Eurovision Song Contest, as well as the participation of Norway, his country in it.

The Norwegian Delegation, is going through a phase of internal changes, since Stig Karlsen, stepped down from his role as Head of Delegation, after a long and successful time.

So naturally, Tom Hugo, was asked whether he would accept the role of Head of Delegation in Norway:

“Not at the moment, no. I still have a lot of things to do with KEiiNO, and I really like producing music and writing music. However, at one point if a new head of delegation isn’t performing or suddenly withdraws, you never know.” 

However, he continued by saying that he is not sure if he is the most suitable for this role:

“Stig Karlsen has had so many tasks. It’s not just about finding music, it’s a long to-do list. There’s a lot of tasks and obligations for a Head of Delegation in Norway that I would not be the right person for. I could definitely have something to say when it comes to music and direction, but there’s a lot of things that aren’t my field.” 

The case of Hugo taking the position of head of delegation would be a similar case to that of Christer Björkman, who represented Sweden in 1992 and then worked at Melodifestivalen, but also as head of Sweden’s delegation.

Tom Hugo is part of the band KEiiNO, who represented Norway in 2019 with the song “Spirit in the Sky” and ended up in sixth place, winning the televote. They have attempted to return to Eurovision in 2021 and 2024, finishing second in the Melodi Grand Prix both times.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Norwegian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest!

Source: eurotrippodcast.com

Norway: MGP 2025 line-up is in the making!

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A month ago, it was announced that Stig Karlsen will resign from his roles as project manager for MGP and HoD for Noway after ten years, as he will handle Jannicke Mikkelsen’s communications and media during her SpaceX mission. Despite his resignation, he will remain in his position until September 30th and he is working for the upcoming edition of MGP, the Norwegian national selection for Eurovision.

He disclosed via his personal Instagram account that he has listened to every song submitted for this year’s competition. Now, the live castings will start and we then the lineup will be decided.

Gåte were crowned as the winners of MGP 2024 and therefore the representatives of Norway in Malmö. With their song “Ulveham“, the band placed last in the Grand Final with just sixteen points.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Norway: Stig Karlsen steps down as Head of Delegation!

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Stig Karlsen, one of the most prominent Eurovision figures of the past years, has announced his resignation from his roles as project manager for MGP and HoD for Noway after ten years.

Stig Karlsen made his choice in response to an offer of a new position. In particular, he will handle Jannicke Mikkelsen’s communications and media during her SpaceX mission, making history as the first female astronaut from Norway.

Regarding his choice to withdraw from the Eurovision project, Stig Karlsen mentions:

10 years is a decent length of time for a project, and now this fantastic offer came up with a Norwegian astronaut, so now the time had come.

It is because of this job offer that I got. I believe that music and culture are a bridge-builder, and I also believe that the EBU will get the event back in order.

By October 1st, Stig Karlsen will begin his new responsibilities. This implies that he will carry on working for NRK until then, and it is likely that he will choose the MGP lineup for the next edition.

Karlsen’s successor is currently being sought after, and it is a difficult task given the position’s high level of responsibility.

Only once under Karlsen’s leadership did Norway miss out on the Grand Final, while in 2019, KEiiNO and “Spirit in the Sky” won the public vote.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: NRK

Norway: The submission window for Melodi Grand Prix 2025 opened!

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The songs sumbission process in Norway for Melodi Grand Prix 2025 has opened!

Yesterday, the national broadcaster of Norway, NRK, announced the beginning of the songs submission process for Melodi Grand Prix 2025, the national final of the country, in order to choose the next entry of the Scandinavian kingdom at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in Switzerland!

The songs submission window opened on 6th of August and is about to remain opened until 1st of September.

This year Norway was represented in Malmö by the group Gåte and the song “Ulveham” and finished once again in the last place of the grand final receiving 16 points.

https://youtu.be/YBbL8ORqNVU

Source: eurovision.tv

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United Kingdom: A1 ready for Eurovision 2025?

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Even though the next Eurovision Song Contest is ten months away, the excitement remains high.

Another chart-topping band, just like Olly Alexander, is vying to represent the United Kingdom in Eurovision 2025. One of the biggest boybands of the 1990s, A1, is here to bring some nostalgia to the Eurovision stage.

A1 member Ben Adams stated in the Daily Star’s Hot TV column that:

It would be amazing to represent the UK. Eurovision is watched by so many people, and it has been a massive launch pad for so many acts.

We’ve got a song on our next album that I think would be flipping perfect for the UK to have. Hopefully, somebody gets in contact.

Ben Adams is no stranger to the Eurovision community. Along with Gaute Ormåsen and Carl-Henrik Wahl and under the name of “Subwoolfer” represented Norway in Eurovision 2022, finishing tenth. In fact, their identities remained hidden for a year following Eurovision, as they were performing wearing masks and went with the pseudonyms Keith, Jim and DJ Astronaut.

Meanwhile Ben Adams also stated that:

Fans in the UK are starting to appreciate Eurovision after the success Sam Ryder in 2022

The UK is catching up to the rest of Europe. It has become bigger and bigger. I’ve got the Eurovision bug. I love it!

Ben’s bandmates are also keen with the idea to represent the country in Eurovision:

“I would love us to do the contest. To be able to do it would be one of the highlights of our career“, said Mark Read.

“I’ve been saying to the others for a while that Eurovision is a big thing, and we should consider doing it”, mentioned Christian Ingebrigtsen.

Who are A1?

A1 is a British-Norwegian boy band that was founded in 1998. Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read, and Ben Adams made up the original lineup. The other members are from London, while Ingebrigtsen is originally from Oslo, Norway.

In mid-1999, “Be the First to Believe,” their debut single, peaked at number six on the UK singles chart. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, they were successful on charts in the UK and other countries, especially in Southeast Asia. They had six more top 10 hits in the UK, including two number ones that were written by the band. Furthermore, in 2001 they were awarded a Brit Award for “British Breakthrough Act.”

A1 also tried to represent Norway in Eurovision in 2010, with their song “Don’t Wanna Lose You Again”, placing second in the Norwegian national selection.

Olly Alexander represented the United Kingdom in Eurovision 2024 with his song “Dizzy“. Despite the high hopes he ended up in the eighteenth place, scoring nul points from the public.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news!

Source: metro.co.uk

Norway: Participation in Eurovision 2025 is confirmed!

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Since the final of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, questions have been aroused as to whether Norway will participate in next year’s major music competition. Now NRK has finally concluded after talks with the EBU and the new report that was published yesterday.

Now the EBU has recognized that they had problems this year and they are working to improve it. And what we’ve been told, in addition to what they’ve come out with publicly, sounds very good. So now we will work constructively and positively to get Norway into Eurovision in 2025. We will participate

says music manager for Melodi Grand Prix, Stig Karlsen.

He emphasizes that they have not received an answer to everything the EBU should do next, but that NRK’s ​​plan is now ready.

The registration deadline for next year’s competition is set for mid-September. There are so far around 16 countries registered for next year’s competition. Both Sweden and Denmark have already confirmed participation.

-We hope that the EBU ensures that the ESC is not used as a political tool, because there was quite a bit of this this year. It is also important that they become better at communicating, crisis management and security around the event.

Against the background of this year’s controversies and protests during the Eurovision Song Contest, the EBU, the organizer of the contest, promised a thorough evaluation and review of the event.

Yesterday, the EBU published a report in which they consider further measures to improve the safety of the artists. At the same time, they announced that they are creating new leadership positions in the Eurovision Song Contest, and that they have been recommended to create a crisis team that can prevent and handle crises.

We must communicate well with the artist and provide an understanding of what we do and how we handle this. It is very important that the artist has a good experience throughout.

Of the countries that are registered for next year we also find Israel. There were several demonstrations both in Norway and several other countries in Europe when they were allowed to participate in this year’s competition.

NRK has been clear that we do not engage in a cultural boycott. What is important to us is that Eurovision is not used as a platform for politics, and the EBU has not been able to follow this up as well. We cannot have countries that use the competition as a platform for propaganda.

source: nrk.no

Eurovision 2024: Six countries wanted to withdraw 25 minutes before the Grand Final!

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Two weeks after the Grand Final of Eurovision 2024, it became known from the Norwegian newspaper VG that six countries participating in the Saturday’s show wanted to withdraw up to twenty-five minutes before the start of the final.

The 11th of May was crucial for the contest, as reported by the newspaper, the EBU and SVT found themselves in a major critical meeting as six countries wanted to withdraw until they decided to participate.

The six countries that wanted to withdraw were the winning Switzerland, Ireland, Portugal, Norway, Greece and the United Kingdom.

Specifically, Magnus Børmark, a member of the Norwegian band Gåte, stated that:

We were considering withdrawing until the last moment. Many of us reacted to the fact that Israel had the opportunity to use Eurovision as its own political tool.

The reason the six countries wanted to withdraw was the participation of Israel and the exclusion of Joost Klein. VG writes that Israel’s participation, the extensive security measures, and the behavior of the Israeli delegation during the week were reasons for the protests,” adds Børmark:

Our common point was that we did not want to participate in Eurovision to be used and stigmatized in a war propaganda machine in Israel. We participated to create a space where we can unite in music – in a political situation where everyone chooses sides and hates each other.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding Eurovision Song Contest 2025!

Source: VG

Norway: Stig Karlsen to EBU “Stop Blaming Delegations and Artists”!

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Stig Karlsen, the Head of Delegation for Norway at Eurovision, has called on its organisers the EBU to “stop blaming” others for its own faults.

Eurovision 2024 was shrouded in controversy, with multiple countries complaining about a tense and unsafe environment at the contest. Speaking to Wiwibloggs after the Grand Final, Karlsen says that the EBU need to “be more humble and take responsibility for the damage done”.

Norway was reported to be one of several broadcasters that was threatening to withdraw from the contest this year. In an interview with Aftenposten, the guitarist of Norway’s entry for 2024, Gåte, said that “retiring was on the block until the last second”.

Karlsen, who is the man in charge of Norway’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest each year, says that the Norwegian broadcaster NRK is “already holding discussions” about what happened. The plan is to then “carry these discussions over to the EBU” when they can.

“There is no doubt that the reputation of the Eurovision Song Contest has been significantly damaged this year, and it is now crucial that the EBU quickly takes action. The EBU needs to stop blaming the delegations and artists for the scandals that surrounded Eurovision 2024, and acknowledge the core problem.”

“The reputation of Eurovision goes hand in hand with MGP and all the other national finals. What the EBU does now is crucial for the future of Eurovision and the national selections as well. However, they need to act quickly. Time is running out for the broadcasters that conduct national selections. Right now, it’s a tough task to get artists, songwriters, partners, and team members to engage and commit to the project.”

This is not the first time that Karlsen has said strong words after the end of a Eurovision. Last year, after the controversial result of Eurovision 2023, Karlsen called for the voting system at the contest to change.

Gåte represented Norway in Eurovision 2024. They qualified for the Grand Final, but finished in last place, scoring 16 points overall.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news about Eurovision 2024!

source: Wiwibloggs