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Norway: Melodi Grand Prix 2023 First Heat tonight!

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The selection process for the Norwegian participation in the 67th Eurovision Song Contest is finally starting tonigh. Melodi Grand Prix 2023 will take place in Trondheim and will be broadcasted every Saturday for the next four weeks, with the winner artist getting the ticket to Liverpool!

Melodi Grand Prix’s hosts for this year is the TV host Arian Engebø and the singer Stian Thorbjørnsen who has also participated in MGP himself, back in 2015 and 2021.

The first Heat of Melodi Grand Prix 2023 will be broadcasted tonight in 19:50 CET and will last for about one and a half hour. You can watch it through NRK’s official website, by clicking HERE.

The Participants of the first Heat of Melodi Grand Prix 2023:

In the list below, you can see the seven artists and the songs, competing in the first heat of Melodi Grand Prix 2023 (You can listen to each song by clicking on their title):

  1. Alessandra Mele – “Queen of Kings“
  2. Erik Næss – “Wave“
  3. Rasmus Thall – “TRESKO“
  4. Kate Gullbrandsen – “Tårer i paradis“
  5. Umami Tsunami featuring Kyle Alessandro, Kristian Haugstøyl & Magnus Winjum – “Geronimo“
  6. Ulrikke Brandstorp – “Honestly“
  7. Byron Williams Jr & Jowst – “Freaky For The Weekend“

Melodi Grand Prix 2023

In total, 21 songs are going to take part in Melodi Grand Prix 2023, after being selected by NRK’s competent jury. Seven song will compete in each of the three heats, with the three best songs advancing for the Final.

In the three heats, the three best songs will qualify for the final solely based on the vote of the Norwegian public.

For the first time since 2019, an international jury that will determine 50% of the result will be featured in the final, while the rest 50% will be determined by the public vote.

One more thing we couldn’t let unmentioned, is that NRK decided to give the contestants the opportunity to use Auto-Tune in their performances, in order to be vocally in the best way possible.

The program of Melodi Grand Prix 2023

  • First Heat: January 14th
  • Second Heat: January 21st
  • Third Heat: January 28th
  • Grand Final: February 4th

Until we learn who is going to represent Norway in Eurovision 2023, lets remember their song for last year’s contest. Previous MGP winners and Norway’s representatives at Eurovision 2022 were Subwoolfer with their song “Give That Wolf a Banana” and finished 10th in the Grand Final, continuing the country’s qualification streak for the fifth year.

https://youtu.be/adCU2rQyDeY

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding Norway’s participation in Eurovision 2023, in Liverpool!

Norway: Listen to the songs of the first semi-final of Melodi Grand Prix 2023!

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Norway’s public television, NRK, is once again organizing the national final Melodi Grand Prix for the selection of its Eurovision entry in Liverpool this May. A few minutes ago, the songs of the artists of the first semi-final were released!

There will be nine finalists this year. The 21 total artists were divided into three semi-finals of seven with the top three from each semi-final receiving the ticket to the grand final of MGP 2023!

Timetable

  • Saturday, 14 January: First Semi-Final (Song Announcement on Monday, 9 January)
  • Saturday, 21 January: Second Semi-Final (Song Announcement on Monday, 16 January)
  • Saturday, 28 January: Third Semi-Final (Song Announcement on Monday, 23 January)
  • Saturday, 4 February: Grand Final

The participants of the first semi-final

The first three tickets for the grand final will be claimed by the following artists and songs:

Ulrikke Brandstorp – “Honestly”

Erik Næss – “Wave”

Kate Gullbrandsen – “Tårer i paradis”

Rasmus Thall – “TRESKO”

Alessandra Mele – “Queen of Kings”

Byron Williams Jr & Jowst – “Freaky For The Weekend”

Umami Tsunami featuring Kyle Alessandro, Kristian Haugstøyl & Magnus Winjum – “Geronimo”

We remind you that this year’s Melodi Gran Prix will be quite different from the previous ones, as there will be no duels or second chance round. In each semi-final, only the Norwegian television audience will be able to vote, while in the final, for the first time since 2019, there will also be an international jury that will determine 50% of the result.

The songs will be published every Monday before the semi-final in which they will compete. Melodi Grand Prix 2023 will take place at the Spectrum in Trondheim and will be hosted by Arian Engebø and Stian Thorbjørnsen.

What do you think of the first MGP 2023 songs? Do you think the winner might be amongst them? Tell us in the comments!

Norway: NRK adds Auto-Tune in Melodi Grand Prix 2023!

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For the first time in Melodi Grand Prix’s history, NRK gives to its contestants, the chance to compete without the fear of not being perfect vocally, as they are going to allow the use of Auto-Tune, a virtual tool that corrects the wrong tunes and lets the singer be in-tune.

If for example, Stig van Eijk, Kate Gulbrandsen or Atle Pettersen lose their tune, the tool will make the required adjustment to take the note to the necessary tune.

This is what NRK’s ​​Melodi GRand Prix general, Stig Karlsen said:

“MGP follows the development of the concert industry and music shows on TV, by allowing tuning of the lead vocal for MGP 2023”

Auto-Tune is a common production tool, especially in Hip-Hop and R&B music, from Cher’s “Believe” in 1998 to today’s Billie Eillish.

As of now, Auto-Tune is not allowed in the Eurovision Song Contest, but that does not change NRK’s ​​decision to add it to the national final:

“But therefore it is absolutely essential that the artists we select for MGP deliver at a high level, even without tuning. In those cases where we do not know the artist’s performance level live, they are invited to an audition. We set high standards for the vocalists’ performance level, but will help to perfect the quality of the sound production through the use of tuning. This is done to give the audience a similarly solid sound experience as in the rest of the industry”

The director of Melodi Grand Prix in NRK, Stig Karlsen, adds that this is what corresponds to what has happened in other music productions in TV in recent years:

“MGP is one of the last remaining music productions on TV that will now use sound production tools of this type. Using Auto-Tune does not make anyone a skilled vocalist, Karlsen points out. A good vocalist must deliver on communication skills, power, rhythm and timing, empathy, attitude and timbre. A vocalist is also carried by the individual character of the voice. Auto-Tune is just one of several tools for correcting and optimizing the sound experience.”

Stig Karlsen believes that throug the many years of using Auto-Tune, the public has become more discerning with the listening experience and that they automatically get used to the vocals being corrected to their best form:

“MGP therefore sees itself as having to follow developments in order to deliver the product expected by the public in 2023.”

Will the winner of Melodi Grand Prix 2020, Ulrikke be in need of Auto-Tune, in next Saturday’s First semi-final?

https://youtu.be/o9atJbnqhJU

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Norwegian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Source: vg.no

Norway: These are the contestants of Melodi Grand Prix 2023!

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A short while ago, Norway’s public television, NRK, announced the artists who are going to participate in this year’s Melodi Grand Prix in order to compete for the country’s representation at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool!

The 21 artists have been selected since November and have been divided into three semi-finals as follows:

First Semi-Final

  1. Ulrikke Brandstorp – “Honestly“
  2. Erik Næss – “Wave“
  3. Kate Gullbrandsen – “Tårer i paradis“
  4. Rasmus Thall – “TRESKO“
  5. Alessandra Mele – “Queen of Kings“
  6. Byron Williams Jr & Jowst – “Freaky For The Weekend“
  7. Umami Tsunami featuring Kyle Alessandro, Kristian Haugstøyl & Magnus Winjum – “Geronimo“

Second Semi-Final

  1. Sandra Lyng – “Drøm d bort“
  2. JONE – “Ekko Inni Meg“
  3. Swing’it – “Prohibition“
  4. Ella – “Waist“
  5. Alejandro Fuentes – “Fuego“
  6. Bjørn Olav Edvardsen – “Turn Off My Heart“
  7. Elsie Bay – “Love You in a Dream“

Third Semi-Final

  1. Skrellex – “Love Again“
  2. Tiril Beisland – “Break It“
  3. Akuvi – “Triumph“
  4. Atle Pettersen – “Masterpiece“
  5. Eline Thorp – “Not Meant to Be“
  6. Maria Celin – “Freya“
  7. Stig van Eijk – “Someday“

Among the artists we see MGP 2020 winner Ulrikke who had confirmed her return to the music competition a long ago, as well as MGP 1987 winner Kate Gullbrandsen, Elsie Bay who was one of the most talked about entries for MGP 2022 and MGP 1999 winner Stig van Eijk.

As a reminder, this year’s Melodi Gran Prix will be quite different from the previous ones, as there will be no duels or second chance rounds. Three artists will qualify from each semi-final in which only the Norwegian TV audience will vote, while the final will for the first time since 2019 feature an international jury that will determine 50% of the result.

The songs will be published each Monday before the semi-final in which they are to compete. Melodi Grand Prix 2023 will take place at the Spectrum in Trondheim with Arian Engebø and Stian Thorbjørnsen as presenters. The schedule is as follows:

  • First Semi-Final: January 14th
  • Second Semi-Final: January 21st
  • Third Semi-Final: January 28th
  • Grand Final: February 4th

Previous MGP winners and Norway’s representatives at Eurovision 2022 were Subwoolfer with their song “Give That Wolf a Banana” and finished 10th in the Grand Final, continuing the country’s qualification streak for the fifth year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adCU2rQyDeY

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding Norway’s participation in Eurovision 2023, in Liverpool!

Norway: The entries of Melodi Grand Prix 2023 have been selected!

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As confirmed by Norway’s head of delegation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Stig Karlsen, and also by Eurovision Norway, the 21 artists and songs that will compete in Melodi Grand Prix 2023 have already been selected.

The announcement of the 21 artists who will compete to represent Norway at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool will take place in early January.

Details on how Melodi Grand Prix 2023 will be held have yet to be announced, but it is expected to include three qualifying rounds and a Grand Final, hosted by Arianrhod Engebø and Staysman. According to previous statements by Stig Karlson, the inclusion of an international committee is likely, unlike in recent years, where the results of Melodi Grand Prix were determined solely by the television audience.

In Eurovision 2022, Norway was represented by Subwoolfer with “Give That Wolf a Banana”, finishing 10th in the Grand Final with 182 points.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments regarding Norway’s participation in Eurovision 2023, in Liverpool!

Source: Eurovision Norway, Stig Karlsen

Norway: First rumored acts for Melodi Grand Prix 2023!

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Many countries have already started their preparations for Eurovision 2023 which will take place in United Kingdom. Norway is among them, and there are already hints about the acts that can be featured on Melodi Grand Prix 2023, the country’s national final and among the most popular pre-selections in the Eurovision community.

During the last weeks, the Head of Delegation of Norway in the contest Stig Karlsen, has posted several posts and stories on social media from songwriting camps that take place, only a few weeks before the beginning of the submission period for Melodi Grand Prix 2023.

Artists that have competed in the past in the show and its possible to see them again this year are: Elsie Bay (2022), Oda Gondrosen (2022), Imerika (2021), Emmy (2021), Raylee (2020/2021) and Tone Damli. Artists that should also be mentioned are Alessandra Mele (The Voice Norge 2022), Lillen Stenberg (Idol 2017) and Magnus Winjlum (MGP jr 2017).

Notable singers/songwriters that can be spotted are Christian Ingebrigtsen (Participant 2022, composer- Attention, 2020), Åge Nilsen (winner MGP 2005), Eniar Kvaløy (Lights Off, Czech Republic 2022), Alan Roy Scott (Cleopatra, Azerbaijan 2020) Morten Franck (I Can’t Escape, 2021), Bjørn Edvardsen (I Can’t Escape, 2021), Ben Adams (I Can’t Escape, 2021), Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen (Ecstacy, 2022) and Jonas Jensen (Death of Us, 2022).

Below you can see a post by Morten Franck from the recent songwriting camp:

 

Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.

 

Η δημοσίευση κοινοποιήθηκε από το χρήστη Morten F (@mortenfr)

Norway was represented in Eurovision 2022 by Subwoolfer and the song Give That Wolf A Banana, coming 10th in the Grand Final.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adCU2rQyDeY

Norway: Is TIX the astronaut behind Subwoolfer?

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A few hours before the start of the first semi-final, the astronaut DJ who will represent Norway at Eurovision 2022 with Subwoolfer seems to have been revealed. TIX who represented Norway in last year’s Eurovision Song Contest with “Fallen Angel” seems to be the DJ accompanying Subwoolfer!

This is what Eurovision Norway’s journalist, Morten Westgaard said when he learned the DJ’s identity:

Insane! I’d never imagine that. There are probably a lot of people who are curious about who is behind Subwoolfer, but now we know that the DJ Astronaut is Andreas Haukeland, aka Tix.

Subwoolfer will compete in the 16th place of the first semi-final with “Give That Wolf A Banana“, you can listen to their entry here:

Follow us on all social media, so you do not miss a moment of what will happen in Turin:

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the updates regarding Eurovision 2022!

Source: nrk.no

Eurovision 2022: After Sweden, four more countries take a stance against Russia’s participation in Turin!

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The EBU‘s response about Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022 did not satisfy Norway, Denmark, Lithuania and the Netherlands which, after Sweden, ask the EBU to reconsider its decision and not allow Russia to participate in the competition.

Following the request of the Ukrainian public television for expulsion of the corresponding Russian from the EBU, the latter in a statement underlined the apolitical nature of the competition and that it has no authority to punish its members (public radio and television), for acts committed by governments of their countries.

The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political – cultural event that unites countries and celebrates differences through music. EBU members in both Russia and Ukraine have pledged to attend this year’s event in Turin and we intend to welcome them and let artists from both countries participate in May. Of course, we continue to monitor developments closely.

EBU

However, this response did not satisfy Sweden, which, through SVT CEO Hanna Stjärne, asked the EBU to reconsider its decision on Russia. Today, four more broadcasters have been added to the list, those of Lithuania, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands.

Lithuania‘s general director of public television, Monika Garbaciauskaite, said in a statement today that she would soon raise the issue of Russia’s participation with the EBU. Norwegian public broadcaster has also just released a statement taking a clear stance. In a similar climate, the Danish public television informed the EBU that it is opposed to Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022 and so did the dutch one AVROTROS a few minutes ago.

However, we have also had statements from the television of Finland, which, although they state that it is the responsibility of the EBU to make any decision regarding Russia’s participation, emphasize that they are closely monitoring the issue and will take a position on it soon.

Eurovision 2022 artists have also started taking a stance against Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022, as this year’s representatives of Latvia, Citi Zēni, have also personally asked the EBU not to allow the country that started a war in Europe to take part in the competition.

https://twitter.com/citi_zeni/status/1496959252925014017?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1496959252925014017%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Feurovisionfun.com%2F2022%2F02%2Feurovision-2022-CEBCCEB5CF84CEAC-CF84CEB7CEBD-CF83CEBFCF85CEB7CEB4CEAFCEB1-CEB4CEB1CEBDCEAFCEB1-CEBACEB1CEB9-CEBBCEB9CEB8CEBFCF85CEB1CEBD%2F

We are awaiting with interest the reactions from the other members of the EBU, but also for the final decision regarding Russia’s participation in Eurovision 2022.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all developments!

Norway: Who are the favourites to win according to odds?

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Tonight is Norway’s turn to select their representative for Eurovision 2022 in the Grand Final of the norwegian Melodi Grand Prix 2022 (MGP 2022). 10 finalists are vying for victory, which will lead them to Turin in May. So, with the norwegian final upon us, who are the bookmarkers’ favourites to win?

 

The odds

In a national final with a high level of songs, the Subwoolfer seem to be the biggest contender for the win, according to the odds. In the next places with much difference are Elsie Bay, Sofie Fjellvang and NorthKid.

 

The contestants

The running order of the MGP 2022 final is the following:

  1. Oda Gondrosen – Hammer of Thor
  2. NorthKid – Someone
  3. Anna-Lisa Kumoji – Queen Bees
  4. Farida – Dangerous
  5. Sofie Fjellvang – Made Of Glass
  6. Frode – Black Flowers
  7. Christian Ingebrigtsen – Wonder of the world
  8. Maria Mohn – Fly
  9. Subwoolfer – Give that wolf a banana
  10. Elsie Bay – Death of us

 

As opposed to the semi-finals, the grand final will be conducted with the presence of audience in the arena, while the result will come out based exclusively on televoting, after 3 rounds of voting. Firstly, the 4 songs with the highest score will pass to the second round. Thereafter, the scores of the first voting round will be erased and the public will vote again the 4 remaining songs. This time, the 2 songs with the highest amount of votes will be able to pass to the third voting round, the golden final. Then, the scores of the previous round will be erased once again and the public will choose, among the 2 remaining songs, the representative of Norway for Eurovision 2022.

The hosts of the show are Kåre Magnus Bergh, Annika Momrak και Mikkel Niva.

You can watch the Grand Final of MGP 2022 at 19:55 (CET) through the official website of the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK), clicking here.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the news related to Norway’s participation in Eurovision 2022!

Greece: Amanda will be a guest in the final of MGP 2022!

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As she revealed with a tweet a few minutes ago, the greek representative at Eurovision 2022, Amanda Georgiadis Tenfjord, will be a guest at MGP 2022, the national final of Norway, which takes place tonight.

Amanda will be the only guest in the Norwegian national final, which goes to show that she and her work are well respected in the country where she grew up and took her first steps as an artist. The greek team of course hopes that this will translate to some points as well in May, like it happened last year with Stefania and the Netherlands.

You can watch the final of MGP 2022 tonight at 19.55 (CET) clicking here.

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all news regarding the Greek entry at Eurovision 2022!