It’s the island that has spent the past four years in the Eurovision semi-finals.
But despite mixed fortunes, Iceland remains focused on Eurovision success. And now broadcaster RUV has announced the acts for Söngvakeppnin 2019 will be revealed on January 26.
?Myndataka af keppendum í gangi… okkur líst mjöööög vel á þá! Við kynnum þau svo fyrir ykkur 26. janúar kl.19:45. Takið kvöldið frá!?
Posted by Söngvakeppnin on Tuesday, January 8, 2019
The news came through Söngvakeppnin’s official Facebook page.
Ten semi-finalists will be unveiled from 19:45pm, although how and where they’ll be revealed remains to be seen.
The announcement features three RUV staffers looking at a laptop screen and reveals they “really like” the semi-finalists.
Last year the announcement was made by televised broadcast.
Changes to Söngvakeppnin 2019?
RUV has made changes to the rules and format for Söngvakeppnin 2019.
For starters two places in the semi-finals have been cut. Only two songs will advance from each-semi final, meaning the final lineup will consist of only four songs. However, producers will reserve the right to throw one act a lifeline and have them advance as a wildcard entry, if they deem it to be necessary.
Moreover, a new emphasis has been placed on staging, with British choreographer Lee Proud drafted in to help up Iceland’s game.
The biggest change however is how songs themselves have been selected. Public submission hasn’t been the only gateway to the competition this year.
On top of that avenue, RUV held a songwriting camp and invited several experienced songwriters to compose songs for the competition.
The two semi-finals will take place on February 9 and February 16. A grand final will then follow on March 2, during one of the national final season’s “Super Saturdays” where multiple nations select their Eurovision acts at the same time.
RUV will hope the changes are enough to make it out of the Eurovision semi-finals in Tel Aviv in May.
As mentioned Iceland has been out in the cold at Eurovision since 2015.
Four acts in a row have failed to advance, despite fan hype around several Icelandic entries including, Maria Olafs in 2015 and Greta Salome in 2016.
What do you make of the changes to the selection? Are you excited to hear Iceland’s songs? Let us know in the comments below!
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You’ve got a typo – the Final is on March 2nd 🙂
Eurovision 1989 22th ( last place with 0 point)
Eurovision 1999 2nd place ( Host country Israel )
Eurovision 2009 2nd place
Eurovision 2019 2nd place again? or last place in semi or final?
I hope 2nd place again.
I hope winner at last 🙂 One of my favourite countries at ESC.
I hope they’d finally try something different. Iceland has great alternative music scene and many amazing artists. It’s sad that none of them tried Eurovision
Greta Salomé deserved the top 3, but thier other 2015- 2018 were dreadful. I really hope Iceland can make it to the final this year. 2019 is (at least in my eyes) going to be the year in which the small countries fail and the big ones soar again. Russia, Armenia, Australia, Sweden, Romania, Poland and Azerbaijan look very promising this year, whilst Czech Republic, Latvia, San Marino, Switzerland and Austria are not looking too promising this year :/
Switzerland and Austria could qualify, because we don’t know a single thing about their entry. CZ has chances with a revamp and good staging, I think Space Sushi could qualify,,, Latvia could qualify with Markus Riva maybe since he is also famous in Russia, Belarus, Lithuania and Ukraine… Agree about San Marino though, but we don’t know if they are actually going to pick Ken or that Russian girl… Agree about the stronger acts, but Romania won’t qualify I think..
Armmm, what ?! Lithuanians haven’t heard *anything* about Markus Riva at all, he is completely unknown there
Estonia, Latvia,France, Czeczh Republic, Spain, Hungary, Romania, Albania is out for win Eurovision 2019 with song in their national selection and selected song. I think that Tamta dont have chance to be like Eleni to be strong contender for win. My prediction winner will be one of nordick countries. Nordic won in 1999 ,2000, 2006,2009,2012,2013,2015 . In 1999 Sweden won, in 2009 Norway, maybe this year Denmark , Finland or Iceland (they are 2 time 2nd in 1999,2009)
Too soon to say anything…
It’s impossible to be making predictions right now, especially considering some of the countries you listed haven’t revealed ANYTHING regarding their entry
They will definitely make a better choice than last year. The person they choose cannot be worse than San Marino’s possible representatives. There’s no possible way.
I wanna see Aron Hannes doing a banger. Something like Tonight, but better
It’s about time to “get it downright right”.
I swear iceland made a big mistake by not choosing kust og faejo.
Another country that should ditch its national selection. It clearly doesn’t work.
It worked just fine until 2014 though.
“Battleline” was Iceland’s only good chance to at least avoid finishing near bottom in what was a highly competitive 1st semifinal last year.
Not at all. Just as worthy of a 43rd place.
lol so safe they came 43rd.
I’m always filled with hope when it comes to Iceland because of my soft spot for the country itself. Even last year’s total atrocity can’t prevent me from looking forward to this year’s revealing of the songs and participants. Áfram Ísland. 🙂