Háskólabíó was jam-packed with excitement tonight when the second semi-final of Söngvakeppnin 2020 took place. Five acts battled for the two remaining spots in the finals on 29 February, and in the end, the public sent Ivá and Daði og Gagnamagnið onward to Laugardalshöll Arena.
Last week, two vastly different acts made the cut. Metal band DIMMA and duet Ísold & Helga are on opposite sides when it comes to music genres, but in the spirit of Eurovision, the Icelandic public celebrated diversity and did so again tonight when IVA and Daði og Gagnamagnið were announced as qualifiers. RÚV also announced that Nína and “Echo” had received the jury wild card, and therefore we’ll see the magic number five again in Laugardalshöll in two weeks time.
Daði og Gagnamagnið – “Gagnamagnið/Think about things”
Daði and his band Gagnamagnið exploded onto the Icelandic music scene in Söngvakeppnin 2017.
The song “Gagnamagnið” or “Think about things” was written specifically for Söngvakeppnin, as oppose to “This is love”, which Daði claims was just a prototype and he never imagined or expected the love they received from Iceland.
He originally composed the song in English, and dedicates the lyrics to his daughter Áróra. But according to the rules of Söngvakeppnin, there must also be an Icelandic lyric, so Daði just whipped out a silly but fun lyric about Gagnamagnið coming from the future to save mankind. “I’ve never spent so much time on a song”, Daði said in an interview with RÚV. “Last time it was a fluke, this time we really, really want to represent Iceland in Eurovision!” And judging by the reaction of the public, Daði and Gagnamagnið might get their wish fulfilled this time around.
Ivá – “Oculis Videre”
Íva Marín Adrichem or Ivá, is a multi talented musician who has steadily risen to fame in Iceland. The half Icelandic, half Dutch beauty wrote “Oculis Videre” along with Richard Cameron, and finds it a bit unreal to be competing in Söngvakeppnin, being only 21 years of age.
“I still feel like I´m such a kid!” she said laughing.
Íva and her mesmerizing tune “Oculis Videre” have been generating interest and gaining support among her fellow Icelanders as well as the international fanbase, and many predict that she will be the chosen one in the end. And she definitely is closer than ever to the chance of joining her two native countries on stage in her hometown of Rotterdam. Fun fact: There is an Icelandic movie called “Reykjavík:Rotterdam”. Coincidence or prediction?
Nína – “Ekkó/Echo”
Nína may only be 20 years old, but she has been involved with Eurovision since the day she was born, as her mother Rúna Stefánsdóttir has competed in Söngvakeppnin on several occasions and was one of Selma´s back up singers in Jerusalem in 1999. She is a big fan of the contest, and says that every year, there is a party at her house, whilst Eurovision is on.
“I’m so proud of this, because mum was part of the team that got us to second place”. But the other silver queen, Yohanna, is also a great inspiration for Nína, who vividly remembers “Is it true” and the staging in Moscow. And maybe it will be Nína´s turn to write her name down in the Eurovision books, and carry on the family legacy to Rotterdam on 29 February.
So, now we have the full line-up for the grand finals of Söngvakeppnin. From metal to haunting latin infuced classical, the variety is endless.
Did you agree with the Icelandic public and the wild card? What were your choices? Please sound off in the comment section below.
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Photo Credit: Visir
“Oculis Videre” sounds good but I wouldn’t say it is a Eurovision winner. You all are overrating it. The winner isn’t with us yet.
Íva is wonderful, although she was probably a little nervous. I really like the song too, but I’m not very happy with what I just saw. They definitely need to change the staging/visuals/camerawork and make it feel less static and give it some flow to follow the melody of the song. Also ditch this dark opening and this creepy choreography of the backing singers please. This needs more of a ‘Rändajad’ approach I think.
the backing singers need to volume up
Still haven’t forgiven Dadi for his anti semitic boycott of Israel last year, but congratulations to everyone else!
it wasn’t anti-semitic. it was a protest against Israel’s disgusting treatment of a certain people that I am not allowed to mention lest wiwibloggs deletes my comment
In my eyes crititcs on Israel and being anti semitic are not the same. Dadi is much more reflected and not anti semitic if you watch interviews with hin about that.
I like both of the qualifiers. I’d prefer Oculis Videre, which has an out-of-this-world quality to it already (I thought immediately of one of my favorite winners, The Voice – a song that, ironically enough, Iceland didn’t vote for), but there’s fun to be had with Talking About Things. I will say though, if he gets the ticket to Rotterdam, one of the band members will have to sit it out since there are seven of them.
There are six members of the band, or am I missing something? And well, Iceland gave 12 points to “Nocturne” the year before, another similar song.
Huh. You’re right. I’m crazy.
Iva is still my favourite, and there’s enough in the staging that I believe they can up it just enough for eurovision if she wins. Daði’s performance is fun (although I wasnt following songvakeppnin in 2017 so idk if its uninspired/samey as some ppl say), but the song is bland and I can see this doing poorly in the semis, or maybe if everything goes their way being the surprise qualifier
I sure hope it’s Nina, Iva or another gal who wins. After Hatari’s win last year, many wondered if Iceland would have enough hotel rooms to accomodate the contestants, spectators, and media covering the 2020 contest.
Iva’s song is still my favourite to win, but I thought she was a bit nervous while singing, and the performance was not that impressive. Meanwhile, Dadi’s song is so damn catchy and the staging and choreography are, while silly, very entertaining.
Iceland has surprised us in recent years with some of their choices. I can see that happen again this time to be honest
Iva was nervous, she would know that she is overwhelming fan favourite and maybe fear of expectation was there, but it did not effect her vocal at all, staging looked like priestesses in a Roman temple, it fit, but there is plenty of time to work on that and elevate the staging when she wins.
People wet themselves over the Icelandic language. Take away that and Nina’s song is nothing. The stagings suck for both Nina and Iva.. The end. And people complain over Melfest.. This is million times worse!! After this I can’t reallly take anything seriously. It’s such hypocracy!
I’m sorry, did you just compare Melodiplastic with “Oculis videre”? Are you special?
Trolls gotta troll.
iva was just amazing, like i expected. she truly has a different vibe from everything else, i’d describe it as… medieval celtic. honestly, just wonderful. if she wins, hatari will have a respectable successor. i’ve heard she’s now considering keeping it in icelandic <3
People wet themselves over the Icelandic language! Nina’s song and staging suck if you take away the language. Iva’s performance is really boring. And why is she in the dark half of the time? Beautiful song, but winning material in Rotterdam?? And you say Melfest having bad stagings?? Go and …. youself!
Yourself
iva is blind and her song is specifically about not being able to see. the darkness on stage represents this. be a bit more compassionate please : )
Owe, Thank you for explaining this. i didnt know. Now i understand those eyes!! Nevermind!! She has a beautifull song and can sing it. It All about including Everybody this years ESC !! OPEN UP
Great, now we have to stand creepy peddoface and his horrible sweaters one more night 😐
At least Íva and Nina qualified, I’m happy for them.
Matti Matt had no chance to qualify, and his terrible performance only buried his chances even deeper. And what was the other song? I can’t remember.
DIMMA vs Íva for the title :3
So correct me if I’m wrong but Daði og Gagnamagnið used the same outfits, very similar choreography and basically the same song he did in 2017. Talk about uninspired.
I loved the choreo and outfits then so I dont mind lol
I think it’s just their style. I wouldn’t say “Is This Love?” and “Think About Things” are that similar, personally I find the latter a lot more coherent and memorable, but hey, it’s just my opinion.
Yes, but while Eurofans and Icelanders will recognise this style for most of the Eurovision audience it will still be completely new and I imagine the quirkiness could make this do very well
So I listened to Oculis Videre both, studio and live and sorry, I just can‘t connect to this song.
As I said earlier, this might be a three horse race now, which path will Iceland choose? Metal song that will maximum get around place 15 but appeals to a niche fan group? The funny but also charming performers that might pull a result like Lake Malawi? Or some classical mystical sound?
Isold & Helga and Nina won‘t get far I guess.
Once again I agree 100% with the Icelandic public. And I trust we’ll keep agreeing, because I believe Iva will win. But I must say I was sleeping on Daði og Gagnamagnið. Such a lovely song and they were just adorable on the stage. Hildur Vala gave a great performance, but a national final without a single radiofriendly pop song would be weird, so it makes sense giving Nína the wildcard.
I’m not a huge fan of Iva her song. I hope Nina wins!
Iva was great, but Daði og Gagnamagnið have just become my favourites. Their performance is just SO much fun! It’s exactly that kind of cool quirkiness I enjoy the most. It really looks like we’re gonna have a two-horse race on February 29.
So glad Iva made it to the final, she sounded amazing live. The staging left something desired… a bit simplistic(not that they need to go crazy complex but something needs to be added I think… maybe different camera shots or something I dunno just something was missing). Nonetheless great job. I loved Nina’s performance I’ll say I thought she was the best of the night… she looked so good and sounded great. I know she’ll probably sing in English at the final but this song was so pretty in Icelandic. Great job. Anyways congratulations to all three qualifiers and good… Read more »
Iva’s performance is so beautiful, magical, like from Tolkien’s books, she was simply amazing <3
Really happy for Nina to get through. It meant a lot to her and she has a good song.
Iceland got this completely right. There were no bad songs tonight but the contenders all got through.
The winner HAS to come from this SF, right?
DIMMA is very popular. I think they make the superfinal vote with Íva.
I am loving Isold and Helga as well, Meet Me Halfway will sound great in the final. And the metal song is pretty good too. All in all, I think Iceland have a brilliant final.
I think I’m in love with Nina help.
Do the have nice hotels in Iceland? Iva is in it to win it
Iceland is on a roll. Last year Hatari, and this year two gems in Gagnamagnið and Oculis videre. I’d be happy with either of these two winning.
Iva, she is so beautiful. Even though the staging needs to improve, the song got me teared up.
Iva is the only choice.
(I am so embarrassed for Dadi. Won’t someone tell him how bad he is?)
I think you missed the point.
You can dislike his style, but you can’t deny the quality. He’s an amazing vocalist, has a quirky and likable personality and a creative vision.
He is so into himself (and children, it seems) that he won’t catch it even with big letters.
I want to see Oculis Videre represent and perform well, but I highly doubt a song like this can win Eurovision anymore. The last song like this that won was what… The Voice in 1996? We only had juries back then
Then you might be surprised, are you not reading the room and seeing the International love for Oculis Videre?
Unfortunately Iva was very nervous live. And the staging was rather unispired and weak, from the visuals in the background to her dress. It needs A LOT of work.
Two words, Zero Gravity.
Don’t wanna be nasty, but Oculis Videre sounds like a church song!!!!
I much prefer Daði
Haha is Iva part of some pagan cult love it,that stageing and song have a lot of potential
Three very deserved qualifiers, could see either of Dadi and Iva in the grand final in Rotterdam. And I agree with others here that Iva is a potential Eurovision winner
Iva needs to keep her song in Icelandic!
she most probably sing it in icelandic
https://escbubble.com/2020/02/iva-i-am-seriously-considering-to-perform-the-song-in-icelandic-if-we-get-to-the-finals/
Oh I think she will. Worked last year!
Iva, totally amazing, what a performance! The visual was just as dramatic as the song – exactly what it needed. Totally blown away by this!
Good stuff Iceland. Three strong acts into their final. Strong year for that show. I honestly like all three of them. It’ll be a good final.
I’ve never voted in eurovision but Iva might be the reason why I do it for the first time. Please Iceland, you have one job!
Lots of love from Greece!
If Iva doesn’t win the whole thing I will be shocked! And mad!
If IVA goes to Eurovision, she’ll 100% be top 5.
With Netflix behind Iceland she will win 100`%.
On a sidenote, after Lithuania selecting The Roop, it would be risky for Iceland to choose Daði. Similar quirkiness. And that would play in The Roop’s favor, IMO
Lithuania and Iceland are in different semis, so we only really need to worry about them cancelling each other out if they both qualify.
Gagnamagnid is amazing, the best song ever on earth. Better than Lordi, Loreen,Måns, Salvador, Netta, Duncan Laurence and all other winners!! Amazing.
It will became a legendary meme song!
Okay?
Iva is so damn good – love it ?