In 2005, they brought glam rock extravagance to Eurovision. Now Norwegian band Wig Wam have announced they will be reuniting to play a rock festival next summer. But it’s also got fans wondering if the band will be making a detour via Melodi Grand Prix 2020.
The band confirmed news of their reunion to the Norwegian newspaper VG. The band are reuniting to play at Tons of Rock, a rock and metal festival due to take place in June 2020.
Wig Wam last performed together in 2013, but suddenly broke up midway through a tour. However, the group’s flamboyant frontman Åge Sten Nilsen felt the call of spandex and mascara. He told the newspaper that his Wig Wam stage persona Glam “has applied to rent my body again.”
The band competed at Eurovision 2005, where they placed ninth in the grand final with their extravagant performance of “In My Dreams”.
Åge spoke about the pressures of touring that led to the band’s last split, taking its toll on both physical and mental health. But he is refreshed and ready to embrace the glam rock life once more.
The frontman revealed that “It’s nice to move on with Wig Wam and look back a little, both for us and the fans, and remember the good times. The band is an important chapter in our lives, he says.
The Melodi Grand Prix connection
Åge credits Melodi Grand Prix boss Stig Karlsen for getting the reunion going. The MGP connection has fans wondering if Wig Wam will also be one of the competing acts in Norway’s 2020 national final.
Åge last competed in Melodifestivalen 2017, as part of his other rock band Ammunition. Their loud and hearty song “Wrecking Crew” made it to the Gold Final where it narrowly lost to Jowst’s “Grab the Moment”.
There’s no word from broadcaster NRK of who the acts for MGP 2020 will be. But there will be plenty of room to add Wig Wam to the list.
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of MGP, NRK has expanded the format. The show will involve five semi-finals, each based around acts from different regions of Norway. 25 acts will compete in the show with ten qualifying for the grand final, either through public vote or jury selection.
Stig Karlsen has said that MGP 2020 will focus on quality over quantity. He earlier told escNorge that “Some of the songs submitted are insanely good!”
The first weekly semi-final of Melodi Grand Prix 2020 will take place on 11 January, and will run until the grand final on 15 February 2020.
What do you think? Would you like to see Wig Wam back at MGP? What other acts should compete? Share your thoughts below!
Wig Wam were my favourite in 2005, I’d love to see them at MGP this year!
Really hope so, Ammunition was robbed badly in 2017. They would have gotten a top 10 Finish.
To be fair, JOWST and Aleksander Walmann did finish in Top 10, but Ammunition might have been higher.
Rock in my favourite Scandi? Give me!
Åge was great with Ammunition, sad they didnt win MGP in 2017.
As I prefer more rock, I‘d absolutely love the idea of Wig Wam returning.
And second lucky charm, listened to Anonymous, days later article with a possible return of Andorra. Also I listened to Ammunition and now this, maybe I should listen to System of a Down next…
please no
I’m always up for more rock in Eurovision!
Yes, i prefer rock and metal, these beautiful genres are in short supply on ESC
I’d sell my soul to get to hear the metal version of the Way ay ay ay song
I need them for Norway and Carla’s Dreams for Moldova. Russian secret services may have rigged USA elections, but no matter how much they have tryed they couldn’t find Carla’s Dreams real identities. And why not Avantasia for Germany? They wanted in 2016.
Yes. “Wrecking Crew” was my winner in the 2017 Norwegian NF. They way they are developing the Norwegian NF sounds like it won’t just be another Eurovision selection but a distinctly Norwegian show for the local market to enjoy. If so, I hope this will become a permanent thing because such shows have a bigger potential of producing numerous good songs instead of just fillers.
Denmark should attempt the same, to be honest. They’re really going downhill with their songs.
I loved them in 2005!
Love these guys Definitely would be great to see them in Grand Prix
yes please, i love them !
They kicked butt in 2005 and helped pave the way for Finland to sweep it the next year so I hope this rumor is true.
Very true. Great Band Loved the Ammunition