Icelandic broadcaster RUV has confirmed the return of Iceland‘s national final competition Söngvakeppnin. And things will be extra special this time – 2016 marks the competition’s 30th anniversary.
Despite Maria Olafs failing to qualify for the final in Vienna, Iceland will be back for another year, using their tried and true national final format.
While Iceland has sometimes used internal selection, since its debut in 1986, most of Iceland’s Eurovision entries have been chosen by the Söngvakeppnin competition. It’s delivered everything from Daniel Ágúst‘s (undeserved) nil points in 1989 to Yohanna‘s (highly deserved) second place in 2009.
Söngvakeppnin 2015 had a significant rule change. While songs had to be entered with Icelandic lyrics, artists were permitted to perform the full English version in the final. That meant that while Maria Olafs performed “Lítil skref” in her semi-final, the song that took her to victory in the final was “Unbroken”.
A prize of one million króna (€7050) will go to the lucky winner of the competition in 2016. Entries are now open and will close on 2 November.
We came up with 10 artists we’d like to see represent Iceland at Eurovision. Do you agree? Who would you like to see follow in Maria’s golden footsteps? Leave your comments below.
I really want Of Monsters and Men, Maria Olafs or Hera Bjork to enter, they are possibly one of the million greatest Icelandic artists of this generation. Also, Asgeirs could enter, but that’s unlikely
@tvfan whoops… you’re right, I’ve noticed it now
MirkoJoshua : It’s the date for the submissions of songs, not the live shows on Icelandic TV.
I would love to see Of Monsters And Men with an epic song.
Or Páll Óskar’s comeback with a song like Líttu upp í ljós.
@Robyn: I just listened to Daniel’s 1989 performance. Without hearing the other 21, and having heard quite a few 1980s ESC performances beforehand, even I can’t see why he went home empty; and in that contest, the last performance won (Riva’s “Rock Me” for Yugoslavia), the last time it had ever been done. Maybe the anticipation for “Rock Me” deprived Daniel of whatever points he would have gotten, had Riva been elsewhere in the order. Or maybe it was harder for Iceland to publicize their entry back then. Suffice to say, he was just getting started. He got experienced quite… Read more »
I wish I was able to watch Söngvakeppni, but if it begins at 11.59 pm (I think that’s what’s written on the picture) it would be 1.59 am here, so…
That’s great! Söngvakeppnin is my favorite NF by far, and if last year was an avalanche of terrific candidates (Friðrik, CADEM, Elin, María) I can’t wait to see what Iceland will prepare for the 30th anniversary of the show.
Maybe a Páll Óskar comeback? <3
Not sure if Yohanna’s doing Songvakeppnin 2016 though, since she’s expecting a kid this month.
@Robyn: If they can get GusGus in this campaign, they have an excellent shot. I’m thinking the chances, that Of Monsters and Men will sign up, will be slimmer; but if they do, everybody else had better be on their A-game! I wouldn’t be surprised if Yohanna makes another attempt.
Oh i hope that Iceland will do really well in next year’s Vision 🙂 Iceland had at least 3 winner material songs:in 2008 with *Its My Life* <3,in 2009 with *Is It True* <3 & in 2012 with *Never Forget* <3 Really pity that this country still awaits of its debut maiden victory in our Vision.. The singers that i would like to see representing Iceland in the Vision of 2016 are.. ~ Yohanna <3 ~ Jonsi <3 ~ Regina Osk <3 {I loved her NF song *Aldrei Of Seint* 4 Vienna's Vision! <3 I can't believe that she didn't… Read more »
i want silvia night
I want someone to represent Iceland who can sing.