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Iceland: Songs submissions for Söngvakeppnin 2025 begin!

Söngvakeppnin 2025 songs submissions process for Eurovision 2025 begins!

Iceland’s national broadcaster RÚV is starting the song submission process today for Söngvakeppnin 2025, the televised competition through which the Arctic Circle nation selects its entry to the Eurovision Song Contest. The process followed in recent years is expected to be followed, with Söngvakeppnin taking place sometime in February 2025.

10 songs are going to compete to represent Iceland at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, selected by a special jury. The aim is to make changes to the Icelandic competition with the aim of promoting a more inclusive programme. Different versions of the winning song are also considered.

The process of submitting entries is expected to end on Sunday, October 13.

Source: RÚV

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Iceland: The decision about Eurovision 2025 postponed for next week!

The decision of Iceland to participate in the 69th Eurovision Song Contest 2025, in Basel, Switzerland, was postponed!

As we informed you in our previous article (here), the decision of Iceland’s national broadcaster, RÚV, regarding participation in Eurovision 2025 and the country’s national festival Söngvakeppnin was initially expected to be published yesterday, the 5th of September.

However, this ultimately did not happen as the decision was postponed until next week. The Head of Delegation of Iceland, Rúnar Freyr Gíslason said:

“We are still reviewing the issues, including a meeting that our representatives and the other nations will attend with the representatives of Eurovision after the weekend. The deadline to confirm participation in Eurovision is September 15th. We will announce our decision before then”

Source: visir.is

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Iceland: Tomorrow the announcement of whether Iceland will participate in Eurovision 2025!

Tomorrow, RÚV, the national broadcaster, will announce whether Iceland will participate in Eurovision in Basel next year. The Head of Delegation of Iceland said after this year’s competition that he expected Iceland to participate again next year, but nothing was set in stone.

There was great dissatisfaction among parts of the nation after Iceland’s participation in the competition this year. RÚV and other television stations were urged to withdraw from the competition because of Israel’s participation, and the EBU asked people to stop harassing contestants because of their participation.

Rúnar Freyr Gíslason said that the Israeli participation had a negative impact on the competition. It was not the unifying platform it should be. He said that he expects Iceland to participate again next year, but that has not been confirmed yet.

Rúnar said today in an interview with the news agency that the decision of RÚV on Iceland’s participation in Eurovision will be presented to the nation tomorrow. The format of the Söngvakeppnin will also be announced and presumably the dates for when artists can submit acts and more.

This year Iceland was represented for the second time by Hera Björk and the song “Scared of Heights” but failed to qualify for the final as it finished in 15th and last place of the first semi-final with just three points.

https://youtu.be/VChBgcycVl8

Source: visir.is

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Iceland: Will Söngvakeppninn be changed for Eurovision 2025!

After the Icelandic delegation returned from Malmö, Rúnar Freyr, the Head of Delegation, talked about their disappointing result in Sweden, and their future plans. Read more

Eurovision 2024: The viewers of the second semi-final in Spain, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Iceland and Austria!

The second semi-final of Eurovision 2024 took place yesterday with ten more countries getting the ticket to the Grand Final of Saturday.

Read more

Eurovision 2024: Family Show of the First Semifinal- Live Commentary (Updated Live)

The family show of the Eurovision 2024 First Semi-Final in Malmö at the Malmö Arena! We are just a couple of hours before the First Semifinal kicks in but, before we get to know the first results the artists competing in the First Semifinal will perform once again for the Family Show.  The Family Show is more financially convenient, identical to the live one for families and takes place earlier on the same day of the Semifinal. EurovisionFun will be watching all the shows live both at the on-site press centre in Malmöä and at the online press centre and will be commenting on the full performances of the 15 participating countries and the United Kingdom, Germany, and Sweden.  This year we will watch the automatic qualifiers perform their entire songs as part of the Semifinal

 

This article gets updated in real time, all you need to do is hit the refresh button on your browser!

So stay tuned to this article as we update it with all the details, preparing you for what you will see in the Semi-Final today May 7th, at 21:00 CEST.

The Show

The show opens with the iconic Cyprus representative Eleni Foureira singing her 2018 Eurovision song, Fuego! She is performing an oriental-inspired version of Fuego. After Eleni, Eric Saade comes to the stage to sing Popular in an explosive performance. Last but not least, Chanel rocks the stage.  The 2022 Spanish representative sings SloMo with a different dance performance than what we saw in Turin two years ago. An amazing way to start this year’s Eurovision Season!

The host of the show is Petra Mede who is familiar to Eurofans as she has hosted the contest twice before in 2013 and 2016.  She is joined by actress Malin Åkerman. The female duo are dressed in pink and orange neon suits that are suitable for the LED background.

Petra welcomes us back in Sweden and she made a joke about her voting for Finland last year. They also thank last year’s organizers for hosting an incredible show back in 2023. Malin praises Petra for hosting for a third time the contest and Petra said that she never tried to host with a woman and she was thrilled about this experience.

The hosts are explaining the voting process in English AND French this year.  We’ve missed so much Petra speaking French!! Malmo are we ready? Let the Eurovision Song Contest begin!

The Competing Countries – LIVE COMMENTARY

Cyprus: Silia Kapsis – Liar

Silia becomes the youngest artist to open a Eurovision Song Contest.  With 17 years Silia opened the First Semi-final! She’s joined by 4 male dancers all in white t-shirts which they removed by the end of the song. The LED’s are mostly in neon turquoise colours. Silia has improved her vocals from her previous attempts. She danced in the whole performance. The dancebreak looks better than the second rehearsal, the camera shots are improved by a lot!! In the last 20 seconds, the colours of the LED turn red.

Serbia: Teya Dora – Ramonda

Following Teya Dora brings a Serbian ballad.  Teya Dora is standing and sitting on a rock during the performance.  The performance is introspective and very emotional.   The LED screens show thunders and a flower by the end of the song and the atmosphere is dark throughout the performance.  Will this be enough for Teya Dora to get to the Grand Final?

Lithuania: Silvester Belt – Luktelk

Lithuania is next with Luktelk! His performance has most of the elements from their national final one. The LED’s are based in red and blue colours. Silvester enjoys his performance and is very energetic. A sure qualifier!

Ireland: Bambie Thug – Doomsday Blue

Bambie Thug has grown in the weeks.  The change from her national final to Malmö is incredible. Bambie really knows how to pull a live performance with their voice and their face expressions. They are accompanied by a shirtless dancer who seems that he is their lover in the performance. The dancer dresses off Bambie revealing a very thin suit. On the bridge of the song, the candles rise upwards, and the lighting turns red. At the end of the song they scream and the performance is finished with a LED phrase “Crown The Witch”. The crowd was clapping for a long time.  Ireland is back in the game!

Break

Petra Mede interacts with the audience.  She is tested on her Eurovision knowledge from previous songs but fails.

United Kingdom: Olly Alexander – Dizzy (not competing)

Olly is the first of the Big 5 plus Sweden to sing live in one of the Semifinals.  He is performing in a Box that has a shower.  He is accompanied by 4 male dancers in boxer shorts. The whole performance is very physical and sensual. The choreography increases this sexual tension. In the last chorus, he leaves the box with his dancers and he’s performing in the front part of the stage. Olly’s vocals were not the best.

Ukraine: alyona alyona & Jerry Heil – Teresa & Maria

The folk duo is next to perform. In the first chorus the shots are from above with the LED floor being in grey and blue colours making a hurricane. Aliona comes to the stage for her rap part and she is vocally perfect. After that, we can see Jerry in the LED wall being as mother Teresa.  The images on the LED screens and the light work elevates this song. At the end of the performance, Jerry and alyona are lying on the floor and the LED is full of women.   A very moving performance that could give Ukraine another victory!

Poland: Luna – The Tower

Luna honors the name of her song with a floor that resembles a chessboard and two towers onstage.  Luna is surrounded by two dancers dressed in black and white as chess pieces. Then, a red figure appears forming the shadow of the singer. At the final point of the song, the two towers come together and change color to red, while we also have fireworks.  Overall it is not a very impressive performance.  It seems to me that Poland risks not qualifying this year.

Croatia: Baby Lasagna – Rim Tim Tagi Dim

The fan and bookers favourite is next on the stage.  We start with smoke and a setup resembling a rock concert. There are fireworks, and the lights are in various colors with alternations. At the last chorus we can see many smoke and many fireworks also. In general, the dancers and the choreography is an upgraded version of the national final. The crowd went crazy with Croatia’s performance you can listen them joining the chorus.

Iceland: Hera Björk – Scared Of Heights

Eurovision legend Hera Björk, started her performance with her standing at the top of some stairs. The LED backdrop is in golden colours and it suits her iconic dress of the same color. Vocally Hera never disappoints. At the middle of her performance, the colours are transformed in red colours. Up until the second chorus, she is alone on stage, and then her backing singers joined her. The platform rises, and we see fireworks as well. It seems that she enjoyed the performance by 100%!

Break

Malin Åkerman shares her love for Swedish cinema as well as Eurovision music.  A segment that mixes classic Swedish movies such as “The Seventh Deal” and “Fanny Alexander” with Eurovision songs entries.

Germany: ISAAK – Always On The Run (not competing)

The performance starts in an apartment with a fire in a barrel. In the chorus, the whole living room catches on fire, and Isaak stands in the middle. In the end, we see the backing vocalists on stage, while the fires go out.  Isaak’s vocals are impeccable but he risks going unnoticed by the audience in the final.

Slovenia: Raiven – Veronika

After Germany, next on stage is Raiven. She is dressed in a transparent bodysuit, at the beginning of the performance she is laid on the floor by herself, and then in the chorus, she is accompanied by her dancers wearing light beige underwear.  The choreography is good but the whole work is not as impactful.  At the end of the song, the LED floor is in blue colours like they are floating in the sea.

Finland: Windows95man – No Rules!

Windows95man takes his UMK concept including the jean egg for Malmö. Windows95Man emerges from the egg. The dancers have a 1990-2000s style, and the shots are framed to create an illusion of nudity. In the end, he wears denim shorts with fireworks.  A novelty act that could go either way.  You either love it or hate it.  Windows95man and Henri Piispanen vocals did not sound as good as in UMK.

Moldova: Natalia Barbu – In The Middle

The Malmö version of In The Middle is a much polished one from Natalia’s national final. Natalia’s vocals are really good but the stage feels empty during most of the performance which plays against her. There are images of flowers, a tree, bubbles and butterflies. When Natalia plays the violin the angel wings are displayed.

Sweden: Marcus & Martinus – Unforgetable (not competing)

Twins Marcus & Martinus represent the host country. The performance does not change the concept from Melodifestivalen but expands it. It feels like the inside of a club with flashing lights and dancers. A very professional presentation that will surely do well in the Final.

Azerbaijan: Fahree feat. Ilkin Dovlatov – Özünlə apar

Next act on the stage is the male duo from Azerbaijan, the LED wall displays an unknown character in silver waving his hands and performing some movements.  In the middle of the performance, two huge hand props were revealed on the stage. Overall, the performance is not very memorable.  Azerbaijan may not qualify for a second year.

Australia: Electric Feilds – One Mikali (One Blood)

Electric Fields is the next onstage.  The camera shots are good but there is nothing particularly impressive. “On the LED screens, we see scenes from the video. Then three dancers-vocalists appear, and in the second chorus, the didgeridoo appears, and the title of the song is written on the wall.  In fact the second half of the performance is more eye-catching and colourful.  Will this be enough for Australia to qualify?

Portugal: Iolanda – Grito

Portugal is bringing art to the stage!  A classy performance with an impressive, minimalistic choreography. The vocals of Iolanda are on point and the camera frames and shots are perfect. One of the floating cubes is lower the whole performance based on the other three. The performance is based on white colours as we already saw at Festival da Cançao.

Luxembourg: Tali – Fighter

Luxembourg had not competed in Eurovision since the 90s and is closing the First Semifinal with a French/English pop song, which is unusual based on the previous representatives. Tali is good vocaly but the camera shots are weak. The performance is based on purple and golden colours as well as images of tigers roaring. She has changed her braids from the first rehearsal. There is fog on the stage and shots towards the audience. In the last chorus, we also have fireworks, and the word ‘Fighter’ appears on the LED screens.

A recap of all the entries follows.

Interval Act

Petra Mede present us in a really special interval act the double Irish winner Johnny Logan! Johnny sings Loreen’s Euphoria with a live orchestra. A beautiful performance!

We are now watching a video with the turquoise carpet. Petra jokes that according to social media, “it was the best turquoise carpet ever”.

A recap of all the entries follows.

We go from lighthearted humor to a sad moment. In addition to reminding the audience that Nicole and Hugo were the first performers to dance and sing together for Eurovision, Malin also briefly remembers that Nicole who passed away the previous year.  A compilation of Eurovision dance acts as a tribute to the Belgium representatives in 1973 follows.

Second Interval act for the semi-final one is Benjamin Ingrosso in an amazing medley of three songs.

The hosts highlight the several nations and languages that have participated in the show right before the results are announced, and another video compilation is presented.

Certain Qualifiers

Cyprus

Lithuania

Ireland

Ukraine

Croatia

Finland

Portugal

Luxembourg

Borderline Qualifiers

Serbia

Poland

Slovenia

Australia

Non-Qualifiers

Iceland

Moldova

Azerbaijan

The Results

The green room is behind the stage and the LED wall opens so we can see the contestants behind it. Martin Osterdahl executive producer of Eurovision Song Contest 2024, declares that he is happy to see that we now have a valid result!

Here we have a big change, as the 15 competing acts stand on stage, without their delegations, waiting for the result. The camera shows them one by one, as the presenters announce the qualifiers. After the first 5 qualifiers are announced, Alesha interviews them backstage and then we learn the 5 remaining qualifiers.

The ten countries that (virtually) qualified for the finals for rehearsal purposes only were the following:

  • Australia
  • Ireland
  • Iceland
  • Moldova
  • Finland
  • Croatia
  • Serbia
  • Slovenia
  • Luxembourg
  • Ukraine

Closing the televised show, we will get to watch a recap of the ten finalist songs.

You can watch our live reaction from the Family Show of the First Semi-Final on our YouTube channel:

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Eurovision 2024: Watch the exclusive TV footage from today’s second rehearsals!

The fifth day of technical rehearsals for the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö is now over, and the preparations are heating up. Following their first technical rehearsals, the 15 countries competing in the first semi-final took the stage of Malmö Arena for their second round of rehearsals.

The second rehearsals allowed the delegations to iron out any issues from the first round of rehearsals and gave the artists a greater sense of security and comfort on the Eurovision main stage.

We know very little about what this year’s artists have prepared for the Eurovision stage because accredited journalists are not permitted to watch both the first and second rehearsals. The EBU has just posted a recap of today’s rehearsals on YouTube via the official Eurovision channel. More precisely, we’ll get to see the exclusive TV footage of today’s rehearsals.

The countries that had their second rehearsals today were the following:

  1. Cyprus
  2. Serbia
  3. Lithuania
  4. Ireland
  5. Ukraine
  6. Poland
  7. Croatia
  8. Iceland
  9. Slovenia
  10. Finland
  11. Moldova
  12. Azerbaijan
  13. Australia
  14. Portugal
  15. Luxembourg

You can watch the recap of today’s rehearsals below:


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Eurovision 2024: Iceland’s First Rehearsal!

After yesterday’s successful first day of rehearsals, today we continue with the rest of the countries that will compete in the First Semi-Final of this year’s Eurovision. The Malmö Arena opened its doors and the curtain for today is opened by Iceland with Hera Björk and the song “Scared of Heights”.

Who is Hera Björk?
Hera Björk won the hearts of Europe when she represented Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with her song “Je Ne Sais Quoi”.

Before representing the country however, Hera has been on vocals for Iceland several times and in 2009 she was in the national final for Denmark, failing to get a ticket to the Eurovision stage.

Her talents have shone brightly in various competitions and events, including her famous anthem Feel the Love Tonight for LGBTQ+ pride events in 2011, her triumphant victory with “Because We Can” at the Viña del Mar festival, the largest Latin music festival America in 2013.

The rehearsal:
First up today is Hera Björk, who is no stranger to the Eurovision scene, having previously represented Iceland in 2010. She is a legendary pop diva both at home in Iceland and among Eurovision fans.

Hera has swapped Söngvakeppnin’s red sparkly dress for a gold and VERY sparkly dress, which sounds We heard it weighs 6kg, but we’ll confirm!

It begins on a black plinth backed by five singers. It looks a lot like Söngvakeppnin, only on a Malmö scale – lots of gold graphics and silhouettes of dancers on the LED wall make it feel like a big old party.

No fireworks for Iceland in this first rehearsal!

Hera Björk Eurovision 2024 – Iceland’s First Rehearsal

 

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Below you can watch a snippet from the Icelandic first rehearsal:

@eurovision All that glitters is indeed gold when it comes to Eurovision royalty @Hera Björk #Eurovision2024 ♬ original sound – Eurovision

Iceland’s second rehearsal will take place on Wednesday 1/5 so we will have a better idea of what we will see on the stage of the competition.

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source: eurovision.tv

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Listen to the performances of Ireland, Denmark and Iceland in “A Little Bit More”!

Just like last year, some time before the first rehearsals of the countries, the show called “A Little Bit More” aired on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.

So, for all this time before the rehearsals, Eurovision TV will upload different performances of the artists, like different versions of their songs, or covers of songs from other artists.

In today’s videos, you can listen to an Intimate version of Ireland’s entry “Doomsday Blue” by Bambie Thug as well as the acoustic version of Denmark’s entry,“SAND” performed by Saba:
You can also listen to Hera Björk performing her fan-favourite Eurovision 2010 song, “Je Ne Sais Quoi” in a “Candlelight” version:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYP–eTfN3k

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Iceland: Gunna Dís Emilsdóttir is RÚV’s commentator for Eurovision 2024!

After a recent change in the Head of Delegation, it’s now time for Iceland, to select the new commentator, that will comment the show on behalf of the Icelandic public broadcaster, RÚV.

In detail, Gunna Dís Emilsdóttir, will be the Icelandic commentator this year, after Gísli Marteinn stepped down from his role. Gunna Dís has many years of experience behind her, having worked both as a TV and Radio producer.

After RÚV’s announcement, she said:

“I have followed Eurovision from a young age and am fascinated by the cultural diversity that the competition shows. I realize that I am taking on this job under challenging circumstances. There have been different opinions about this year’s competition, and all of these opinions are fully justified. I’m on my way to Malmö on behalf of RÚV and I’m going to do my best to describe what’s going to happen on the big stage in May.”

Gísli Marteinn Baldursson, Iceland’s commentator since 2003, stepped down, due to the ongoing war in the Middle East, and the Contest’s reaction to it, or to the no reaction at all, according to RÚV.

This year, Iceland is represented by Hera Björk and her song “Scared of Heights” and she will take part in the first semi-final:

https://youtu.be/OouUsCZ3xkM

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Icelandic participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

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