Last week, Iceland’s Eurovision 2021 delegation went into isolation following a positive COVID-19 test. Now, a member of Daði Freyr’s on-stage band Gangamagnið has tested positive for the virus.
As a result, the group will not attend Wednesday’s rehearsal and jury show. Instead, Daði og Gagnamagnið will compete using a backup recording from their second rehearsal earlier in the week.
One member of Daði og Gagnamagnið tests positive for COVID-19
Icelandic broadcaster RÚV confirmed the news in a press release on Wednesday morning.
“One member of Gagnamagnið has been diagnosed with the COVID-19 infection. This was revealed when eight of the Icelandic group were screened for the virus this morning.
Thus, it is unlikely that Daði og Gagnamagnið will take part in the rehearsal tonight and it is unlikely that the band will take the stage in a live broadcast the next evening, but will have to use a recording.
It is uncertain whether Daði og Gagnamagnið can take part in the final night on Saturday if the song continues.”
Rúnar Freyr Gíslason of the Icelandic delegation described the news as “a big blow.”
Soon after, Daði Freyr himself confirmed the news on Twitter. “Unfortunately this probably means that we will not take part in the rehearsal today or live show tomorrow”, he said.
A member of Gagnamagnið got a positive test result this morning. Unfortunately this probably means that we will not take part in the rehearsal today or live show tomorrow and a recording from our second rehearsal will be used in stead. pic.twitter.com/93yravOHSY
— Daði Freyr ? (@dadimakesmusic) May 19, 2021
The EBU have also issued a statement. They confirm that:
“In close collaboration with the EBU and the host broadcaster, Daði og Gagnamagnið have taken the difficult decision to withdraw from performing in this year’s live Eurovision Song Contest shows, as they only want to perform together as a group.
“Their song will remain in the competition and we will broadcast their rehearsal performance, recorded on the stage on 13 May.”
Gagnamagnið member Jóhann Sigurður shares his heartbreak
Gagnamagnið keyboard dancer Jóhann Sigurður has confirmed that he is the group member who has tested positive. In an emotional series of Instagram stories, Jóhann shared news of the diagnosis, saying:
“Hi, I guess you heard by now that one member of Gagnamagnið has been diagnosed with COVID. I just want to let you know that that member is me. I’m pretty shocked and disappointed and generally just really sad about the whole situation.”
His voice breaking with emotion, Jóhann went on to say, “It’s difficult because we’ve worked so hard and I really wanted this.”
He also added, “We are really proud of our second rehearsal. It went really well and I am hoping we will make you proud, make Icelanders proud and make our supporters proud.”
I’m devastated ??? pic.twitter.com/CBlCgznnw3
— Common Eurofan Girl (@CommonESCGirl) May 19, 2021
Iceland at Eurovision 2021: COVID-19 contingency plan
Last week, the whole Icelandic delegation at Eurovision 2021 were forced into isolation following a positive COVID-19 case within their cohort. This meant the “10 Years” performers missed out on the Eurovision 2021 opening ceremony Turquoise Carpet event. This positive case did not come from Daði og Gagnamagnið themselves.
It was previously reported that Daði og Gagnamagnið had tested negative for COVID-19 and would be permitted to attend rehearsals inside the Rotterdam Ahoy should they be able to provide another negative test.
In the event of a performer or delegation member becoming infected, the EBU have implemented a series of strict health and safety measures to ensure Eurovision can continue as intended. This included requiring all participating acts to record a backup live-on-tape performance in the event of being unable to travel to Rotterdam.
We wish Jóhann a swift recovery and we wish good health to the whole Icelandic delegation for the remainder of their stay in Rotterdam and beyond.
My dream are to see Iceland winn ESC. I loce Iceland but not whit this song
So, when it’s Ireland’s turn to perform, will they show a 20 seconds clip or will they show it only during the voting? I’m confused
I still think they should have cancelled eurovision song contest this year as well as Covid-19 is on the rise lives of people are more important than the show. If the show cancelled last year and while Covid-19 is on the rise going with the show this year it doesn’t make sense to me, very risky business.
Before anyone criticise my comment, zitti e buoni (be quiet and behave) unless you wanna make shum (noise) bit of joke to keep morale since I am feeling sad about Covid-19, I had it last year I know how it feels. Sad
I’m sorry you had the disease. I hope you’re fully recovered now. It’s certainly a valid point, no need for the downvotes. Like the joke!
Yes I am fully recovered..it was beginning of last year, those of us had Covid-19 understand better how unpleasant the virus is because we had it we felt it…I respect people missing eurovision as it was postponed last year but it was done for good reason and the situation remains same with Covid-19 even getting worst so I don’t see the point of having contest done, that’s my opinion my concern, sorry
i feel sorry for you having covid, it must have been tough 🙁
but cancelling eurovision song contest again is a big no no for me. People need something like this. if they do this two years in a row it’s going to probably result in a negative impact on the whole contest and fandom.
Oh well rest and enjoy watching your own performance of rehearsal. Lol, best of luck though, and speed recovery to those with covid
Oh, by the way I had covid as well last year
The is terribly sad. They’ve given two years of their lives to this and to have it snatched away at the last minute like this is awful. Best wishes to all.
Nobody deserves this,nobody!! Let us vote for Iceland in the semi-final and hope they will perform on Saturday!
as I understand they wont be allowed for Saturday even if they make it, that’s the worst part it’s game over for them 🙁
Let’s hope noone else gets it 🙁
I’d love to see Iceland winning but we shouldn’t be voting out of sympathy (which is no different to political voting).
We should be voting on quality and merit.
People should vote because they like the song, not because they feel sorry for them.
You are so sweet!! Thank you!!!!!! 🙂 We have to send Björk next year and win this Júróvisíjón 😉
Björk at Eurovision would be wonderful!
I feel so incredibly sad for them 🙁
That’s so sweet and sincere of Jóhann to make a personal video as a way of taking responsibility. I’m really sad that Iceland won’t be doing it live now. Wishing the team a speedy recovering.
Heartbroken and hoping that Jóhann recovers soon.
Also hoping everyone else in the delegation is without infection (mostly Árný and her baby).
And wishing intensely this doesn’t affect their result tomorrow and may we listen to their amazing song again in the Grand Final.
:'(((((
I believe Jóhann isn’t ill, they only found him via a routine testing.
This is heartbreaking. I hope nobody else has caught it and that Jóhann is asymptomatic. They worked so hard for it and waited so long to perform in Eurovision. I wouldn’t fear about they qualifying though, they’re crowdpleasers and their rehearsal was universally acclaimed, they’ll be in the final. But sadly for quarantine rules I imagine we’ll never see it live on the big stage with an audience as intended. I hope they change their minds about this being their last gig as a group.
I hope they will change their mind if they qualified for the finals at least 🙁
I just wonder … might there be a small chance that he could test negative in time for the final? (assuming Iceland make it). I worked on the European Indoor Athletics in March and people were getting positives one day and negatives the next. Also, wouldn’t he have been vaccinated before travelling?
Here in Holland you have to stay at least 5 days in quarantaine when a PCR test result is positive…. So I’m afraid they won’t be able to perform live
When did they actually take the test? If he took it this past Saturday, and a subsequent test came up negative, he could possibly be cleared for the stage this Saturday, yes?
None of the vaccines currently available are 100% effective, and with most of them, it takes about three to four weeks after the final dose for your immune system to fully developed the antibodies necessary to fight SARS-CoV 2. They don’t protect against the new strains either.
False negatives are a lot more common than false positives in PCR-tests, since the test reacts to COVID-RNA, which is almost impossible to happen if that RNA isn’t there. This means that if you test positive once and then negative, it is assumed you are actually positive but it failed to register on the second test due to a low amounts of virus particles in your nose (which is often the case for asymptomatic carriers). I suppose you could test someone 10 times and if it gives 9 negatives you can reasonably be assumed to be safe. But the protocol… Read more »
2020 no live ESC, 2021 no live winner on stage (maybe?)
Hopefully hahahaha
I also saw @ruvgram’s IG story, the card on the flower bouquet, it hasn’t written that they wishing a speedy recovery!
Sorry that I misspelled “hasn’t” though, it’s actually “has”.
You can edit your post.
I’m sorry, I can’t. Minutes later, they don’t allow me to edit my comments 🙁
I actually don’t think they should worry. It’s not like Australia at all. Australia was never a favourite to begin with and it was very obvious they weren’t there. Iceland has a good song that people like and they are there on stage, just not live. I think the audience won’t see a difference..
Audience will see the difference. At the end of Australia’s performance, the big screen in the stage was focused, letting know that it was a live recorded performance. Chances are, they will show the same take with Iceland.
Difference here is that they actually are on stage, so I don’t think they will focus. And even so in Australia’s case it was very obvious it wasn’t live, the focus wasn’t necessary. Here it won’t be as obvious. I doubt Iceland won’t qualify.
But if there’s one think the national commentator will say about the performance, it will be that it was pre-recorded. So even if they don’t see a difference, most televoters will know.
Difference is again, Iceland has a better song that people like. I don’t think people will be put off voting because they aren’t live, I really don’t.Neither do I think juries won’t votethem becasue of not being there. They will have staging, just not live
Subjective.
We have to send them love and light. And don’t forget to vote 🙂
GET HIM THE ONE-SHOT VACCINE QUICK! Better yet, get everyone the Johnson & Johnson vaccine right now! Can they go with 5 on stage?
This is absolutely VERY not good. They are my #4 going into this competition, with a devastatingly great chance of stealing the title if any of my top 3 (SUI, BUL, FRA) or ITA (my #5 and the bookies’ #1) crack up.
If they qualify for the final, 5 would be helpful too, the band might be sing for Jóhann, this might help in the grand final for their courage
Vaccines don’t work that fast.
They don’t make you immune from the virus. Moreover, you can pass the virus to other people, e.g. those who can’t have vaccines for medical reasons.
Whole Icelandic delegation got a shot of J&J before they arrived to Rotterdam. Remember, effectiveness of J&J is only ~70%. :/
Yeah; I know how slow or lacking in effectiveness it is. But I still got a shot of J&J last month, because I didn’t want to wait another month for a 2nd shot. I wanted to get it over with right there and then.
Did the Rotterdam staff all get their shots before this show began? If they did, they should be well-protected if they get too close to this group. I don’t want to pop up at this site again to read that Dadi and his band had to withdraw. 🙁
I don’t want the band to withdraw either! 🙁
Are they still testing Johann? Suppose they qualify, and he comes up negative all day Thursday and Friday, AND Saturday morning? Could he possibly be cleared in time to take the stage for the final? We can’t lose Iceland like this. >:-(
Fingers crossed for wishing Jóhann for a speedy recovery to be able to perform if Iceland qualifies for the grand final!
Any news from Poland?
They are out of quarantine and they will perform live.
Everyone is worthy of love and support.
i really really really hope this qualifies. after Montaigne not qualifying, this is my favorite in this semi final. also wish Johann for a speedy recovery and if they do qualify (please lord) , circumstances let them perform on stage.
I hope it happens, dear lord
I don’t know how much of Technicolour being an live-on-tape performance hurt it, but I can see where it didn’t work even if Montaigne had gone to Rotterdam. It’s a pretty polarizing song that you either love or hate, but I didn’t like the filter the tape used because it was really blurry and hurt my eyes, and that may have put off of televoters from voting for it. I don’t know if that would have been done with a live performance, but it probably didn’t help it. It’s also not a very jury friendly song and despite Australia’s tight… Read more »
I’m pretty sure Slovenia ranked last
We’ll have to see once the results are out.
Of course, I can’t wait 😉
Here’s my speculation where the non-qualifiers landed:
11th-12th–Croatia and Australia (or vice versa)
13th-14th–Slovenia and North Macedonia
15th-16th–Ireland and Romania (because of bad vocals)
yeah . but at least people won’t say that they receive special treatment from juries. I think they genuinely enjoyed all Australian entries till now. more so on the fact that in 2017, Isaiah might have done very well in the jury final , but messed up in the semi.
Even if Montaigne had been able to go to Rotterdam, I don’t think her song would have scored well with juries anyway. This is definitely Australia’s first flop.
I think the quality of the staging for Australia’s live recording did nothing to help their chances. I wasn’t a fan of the song but the broadcasting company had a blank canvas and didn’t take advantage of it, when you consider how much effort was put into it’s 2019 entry this year looked like they couldn’t be bothered.
I’ll pray to all the Gods out there, ask the Elves for help and hope for a miracle. These sweethearts deserve a nice result in the final. Actually, all of the contestants from ’20-’21 deserve a trophy for giving us music, positivity and solace in these times.
Yeah, Australia was something you either loved or hated. Someone here said it sounded like 2 different songs welded together, I think it sounded like 4 or 5 different songs.
I also feel that some people confuse being cookie and trying to be different for the sake of it as real talent.
Very nice of them to decide to not perform at all, because they want all the group together in the stage.
That is nice and fair.
I’m gutted.
They (this guy in particular) should have been extra careful but it is what it is
Yes. We should also consider that Iceland has had very hard travel restrictions and very few cases. They kept the spread outside the island, just like Australia. So it’s really a death trap for them to go to another country where the spread has been so much higher
Doesn’t Dadi live in Germany?
What? No!
No, he lives in Finland.
He lives in Berlin but was in Iceland for several weeks shooting the video for the song and other pre-Eurovision stuff
According to all info I can find, including his Twitter bio, he lives in Berlin.
https://twitter.com/dadimakesmusic?s=21
as I understand they were living in the same hotel as Polish delegation and was isolating when Poland tested positive (missing out the Turquoise carpet event). So it’s likely they got it from hotel…
If only one person is positive, surely the rest can perform on Saturday? I understand quarantining them today and tomorrow, bit if they all test negative on Friday or Saturday, it should be pretty clear they are negative and can attend.
I don’t think so. If they had contact with the person when they were positive (which they probably had) then they are a contact person, which requires for them to quarantine for 10-14 days. At least this is how it is in Austria.
In Sweden if someone has the virus the person have to stay at least 3 days at home after the last day with symptoms. All person that have been in close contact with that person for a longer time also need to be in quarantine for 7 days even if they don’t show any symptoms. I guess the others in the band have been in close contact with him.
I hope it happens on Friday on Saturday to attending!
Why is everyone worrying about their qualification? The audience will see no difference in their performance. The only sad thing about this that they won’t be able to have this experience.
They are most likely not going to be able to perform on the grand final! What happens if they win? It will be so awkward.
We are in pandemic times…nothing is normal anymore
Good point ?
There must be a cure to end the pandemic!
I guess the only difference will be the empty audience, and i guess the production team will help with some crowd cheer and pre recorded clapping. Besides, their second rehearsal was supposed to be very good.
They need the elfves asap
Indeed!
I watched Fire Saga last night and while I really enjoyed it I think if I was Icelandic I’d be a bit annoyed as it portrayed them all as being a bit simple and stupid.
I will be shocked if Iceland doesn’t qualify as the situation affects their results! I am so worried if they robbed! 🙁
Not really…
It’s like performing on stage with your props, backgrounds and everything, just not live
What do you mean? I’m scared if they don’t qualify! 🙁
The audience at home won’t see any difference, 2nd rehearsal clip will be used
It was a so qualifier before all of this….if it does not qualify now, then something more underhand is afoot…ie….sabotaged.
There won’t be an audience in the 2nd rehearsal clip, unless they somehow edit one in.
luckily the main part of a eurovision performance is the performers and not random shots of the audience
Evil eyes on all over Iceland. Last year they were this close to win now they are the only country that Ms. Rona slapped.
Technically yes because Montaigne didn’t have the virus, the government was just overprotective…
ok but that is dumb- only 1 tested positive so keep the rest of the group in quarantine and test them right before the show. saying that “they want to perform as a group,” is dumb because if i was the guy who tested positive, i would be selfless and say “do it without me.”
Even if they test negative now, doesn’t mean they don’t have the virus and can’t spread it to others in the venue. They were in close contact with a sick person so there is enough chance that some of them caught it as well and the test might not show it YET.
They might have to contact EBU to let them perform, that would be the solution too!
Well, for all we know, Johann may have said «do it without me», and the rest of the band decided not to go on without him. Maybe the rest of the band are the ones being selfless?
that’s how I understand it
From what I’ve heard, their choreography probably won’t be possible with one person fewer. I mean, you can’t make a circle out of two keyboards.
It is a bit much to ask the team to come up with a new routine only hours before going on stage. Whatever they’d come up with would not look as good as the recording from the 2nd rehearsal that they had months to prep
– No
– No
– No
– No
– No
– No
– No
– Clearly they showed no respect if they chose horrible Hatari over Fridrik, or this “act” over DIMMA
– Not in recent years
Dude, it’s not nice to say that, especially to Hatari!
NOOO! Don’t you dare say anything bad about Hatari or Daði Freyr og Gagnamagnið. You just can’t see how wonderful and precious they are!
Yes, they really are! It’s not nice that Daniel to say like that to these good-hearted, kind and caring performers!
Hatari were 1000 times better than Fridrik
I agree!
Agree about Fridrik, but Dimma were terribile, while Dadi & Co. Are quirky and original, but still calling an act horrible is not respectful
Yes, it’s very rude to saying “horrible” to an act.
Gracias pero no Daniel
We all love Hatari and the made the show here so much more fun! Mostly for the children here in Iceland, the all dressed up in gimp suit for the night, or most of them and Daði og gagnamagnið have the same affect on children and families minus the chains and leather. This is a family show here so we send nice and family friendly songs with meaningful lyrics we can all relate to 🙂 Dimma and Friðrik Þór just did not do it for us that year, but maybe Dimma can write better text next time and add some… Read more »
Wow, 114 dislikes lol
I’ve watched 5 seconds of their Instastory and bursted out into tears because I feel so sorry for that poor guy. Getting your dream destroyed by this is just so unbelievable unfair ??
What account, let me to know! 🙁
It’s @gagnamagnid
Thanks!
Please don’t go there. I’m telling you this as an Israeli. He’s a great artist. He chose to protest in a non-violent way. He has the right to do so. We need more people like him to open a real discussion instead of the endless violence and name calling fomented by those powerful people above us who gain a lot from this misery. And no, I don’t live in a bubble, I just had to run to a shelter a short while ago because of the rockets fired to TLV area, I have family members and friends suffering from war… Read more »
Kudos to you Eyal.
Well done for speaking out and saying it as it is
Sending you so much love from Iceland!
Hope this gets solved asap!
There is no hate here against Israel or Palestine we just all wish that the could live in peace, there should be a place for every one on this earth to feel safe and at home.
oh but there is. My very good friend from Jordan, told me he had watched Eurovision with his Dutch friend in Netherlands and that he is sooooo mad because he voted for Israel. Unfortunately people do mix song contest with politics. Look at some of the amazing Russian artist that was booed at, for instance the amazing Polina Gagarina in 2015 with million voices. People booed at her and she didn’t deserve this at all 🙁 Same this year with Israel the singer is so cute and amazing person and do not deserve any hate from people disagreeing with politics… Read more »
Why don’t they find a replacement for Johann in the Grand Final? He doesn’t play a crucial role in the performance at all… the Icelandic Head of Delegation could even stand in for him.
The thing is that they wanted to do this together or not at all, which I understand
Maybe they don’t want to? Maybe they disagree with your assesment that, «he doesn’t play a crucial role», and feel like it’s not right to go on without him.
I’ve always had the impression that this lot are really close. If anything, they probably can’t stand the thought of their friend being left out. If that’s the case, it would probably feel worse to replace him with someone else.
Because they are stationed in the hotel together. That means if one person tested positive, others may as well have coronavirus that’s still undetectable (up to a few days since infection).
At least they are able to use their rehearsal footage on the night and not the live on tape. Still very sad 🙁
So sad. Let’s hope that one way or another this won’t affect their chances at tonight’s show and tomorrow. Get well soon, Johann.
We wish him to get well for to perform! Surely it’s sad news from Iceland 🙁
I don’t want Iceland to be eliminated for the Grand Final, fingers crossed to perform! Sad news from Iceland and it’s heartbreaking they unable to perform!
NOOOO NOT JOHANN, HE’S MY FAVOURITE
Why, out of all the acts competing, should especially Australia and Iceland have their live-on-tape/rehearsal shown? They’re both among my favourites!
May I invite you to help me for one day on the Covid department, intensive care. Maybe you think twice before you say something so stupid again. I’ve seen and I still see what this virus can do. And statements like this just makes me angry!!!
Now she will play the antisemitism card, wait and see
For your information I am a nurse. So I know what I’m talking about! And I really don’t wish this on anyone. So keep your stupid comments to yourself!
I don’t think they were referring to you, wiwi-editors removed the original comment so yours became an autonomous thread
I’m sad for them. It’s so f’d up. Hope they manage to perform live in the final even if it’s not all of them on stage. They’re really good.
It also the same thing happened to Salvador Sobral, the winner of Eurovision 2017, he wasn’t on the stage for the rehearsals due to his disease, his sister replaced for him as a stand-in.
It’s not the same because he did attend the jury show. He only missed the first technical rehearsals. But it doesn’t matter much. The rehearsal footage is probably good enough. I don’t think they are contenders for the win or anything so it’s not really a big deal.
They probably are contenders now.
If it’s not, that’s OK, though
not really the same bc salvador was available to perform live during jury shows and semi/final. iceland will not be given that opporunity and will have to use a rehearsal clip for both the jury and semi 2. and if they make it to final, they will also have to use the rehearsal clip due to the covid quarantine protocols. Saturday is only 4 days away and he will need to be quarantined longer than that. if anything, ukraine this year was similar to portugal 2017 in that they had a stand in during the rehearsals but the actual performer… Read more »
I wonder if they make the final how many points Israel will give them considering he made it loud and clear he wanted the contest to be boycotted in 2019
Nobody cares who wanted to be boycott what. I wanted the Icelandic fans and football team to boycott the world cup in Russia. Yet they went there without a problem. So those calls of boycott are useless anyway.
Because of the war? I mean, it’s like expecting Armenia to give points to Azerbaijan, so no big deal
Why would they not give points to Azerbaijan? Just to show hostility? It would be immature and unfair of them, to say the least. Jesus…
That’s the point….they have never given them points
Not giving points to a country doesn’t mean they’re hostile, are you new to Eurovision? It’s just the fact that some countries are fond of some countries more and some others less…
To give another example to make myself clearer, obviously you’ve seen Greece giving points to Cyprus but they’ve hardly ever given any points to Turkey and vice versa
Turkey, Greece and Cyprus exchanged points between each other so many times, even 8, 10 an 12.
Oh no!!
This is so unfair :/
Good luck Iceland you will rock that stage even using a rehearsal!
I’m sorry, karma for what?
At least we get to know how will it look like on stage in Rotterdam. Johann is absolutely devastaded, you have to feel for him. Hope he gets well soon and wish him a speedy recovery!
How so? I lost family members to this horrible disease. How could anyone wish this for another?
What karma?
I think you’re the one boycotting here. Eurovision is lucky to have such talented and kind artists like these Icelanders. They’re a great example to all.
No, you’re just a disgusting human being.
Oh, no! I wish all of them the very best.
Really really hope that the issues for the Icelandic team resolve as quickly as possible, so that Daði og Gagnamagnið can perform live in Rotterdam, if not on Thursday then certainly at the Grand Final.
I really don’t get this. Why didn’t the EBU just procure 1000 vaccine doses and vaccinated every member of the 38 delegations when they arrived. They could have prevented this from ever happening and saved themselves a lot of extra problems. Now there will always be questions of the eventual winner as to whether they performed on an even playing field with everyone else.
They were all vaccinated before they arrived
Only Lithuania was fully vaccinsted as far as I’ve read
All Icelandic band members were Vaccinated too..
You can still test positive for covid after you have been vaccinated….just less chance of passing it on.
The vaccines are scarce and thus it is putting other more vulnerable people in danger when young healthy persons get the vaccine before them. A music competition is not more important than human health.
I am so sad now. We all know how amazing this rehearsal footage is, and I have no doubts that they’ll qualify for the GF regardless. Still, having this live experience would have been amazing. I send them good wishes, and for the affected member to have a speedy recovery. I hope it’s not Arny, cause she’s pregnant. All the best, you amazing Icelandic heroes.
At least I hope they take a stand-in for the finals (someone from The Fire Saga movie would’ve been awesome).
I hadn’t thought of the Fire Saga potential for any stand-ins! That would be quite something – though I doubt Dadi would want to come any tiny fraction closer to another request to play Ja Ja Ding Dong.
It has been confirmed that it’s Jóhann, he posted a reallu touching and heartbreaking story on Gagnamagnið’s instagram
I saw it now. It really is heartbreaking. At least he looks asymptomatic / with mild symptoms. I hope he makes a quick and full recovery.
We love you, Johann! Thanks you for your music, and your video game skills.