Besides the recent confirmation that broadcaster RUV will participate in Eurovision 2021, it’s been all quiet on the Icelandic front. There’s been no news regarding Söngvakeppnin, its annual national selection, nor any details about song submissions or dates. And that’s got fans asking one big question: Are Eurovision 2020 favourites Daði Freyr Pétursson and his band Gagnamagnið potentially working on songs behind-the-scenes for an internal selection?
The latest fuel being thrown into the fire comes following Friday’s news that Daði is rescheduling his European tour, cancelling a series of dates this autumn and pushing them back to spring 2021.
This is highly understandable. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to upend gatherings — from small weddings to massive conventions — artists across the board have had to cancel concerts.
Tour announcement!!!
Thank you for everything, stay safe and see you soon <3https://t.co/PANo6oLKS2 pic.twitter.com/vAtJBCaR1U— Daði Freyr ? (@dadimakesmusic) October 2, 2020
Hopefully by the spring Covid-19 will be well and truly under control, and systems will be in place to make sure events can happen safely once more. We are definitely ready to enjoy some glorious music from the North Atlantic!
Has Iceland’s Daði Freyr been internally selected for Eurovision 2021?
Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that Daði Freyr cleared out his schedule for the entire month of May, sending the rumour mill into overdrive. His tour concludes on the 30th of April, which means that if Iceland reselects (or has already re-selected!) Daði Freyr, he will have time to complete the tour and make it to Rotterdam in time for Eurovision rehearsals.
Some might say his gigs in April will be problematic with the ESC pre-party schedule. No matter. You’ll remember that Loreen didn’t attend any pre-party events either. Of course, the Icelandic star does NOT have anything booked for 10 April — the provisional date of Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam.
When a fan asked Daði why he cleared out his entire schedule in May, he joked that he needed some time for himself.
me-time
— Daði Freyr ? (@dadimakesmusic) October 2, 2020
Daði Freyr has previously clarified that he is open to representing Iceland at Eurovision 2021 with Gagnamagnið — if the Icelandic broadcaster RUV “wants to invite us.”
Daði suggested strongly that he would not be open to competing in the national final in 2021, writing on Twitter: “It would just feel weird to me to compete in Söngvakeppnin again.”
Will you be attending Daði Freyr’s Europe tour? What do you think it says about his chances of returning to Eurovision in 2021? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Oh yuk, no thanks
It would be great to see Daði represent Iceland in 2021, especially given the success of Think About Things. The lack of information from RÚV (at this time) regarding a national selection for next year would suggest that Daði has been selected as Iceland’s representative for 2021. However, on a personal level there would be a concern that the potential song(s?) could try to replicate Think About Things, which would impact the authenticity and ‘heart’ of the entry
Yes, I think people would get stressed if the song/s was materially different from Think About Things. I can’t see him going for a Schlager number or a power ballad. Unlucky to have dropped in 2020, for me it was a one-off contribution and would almost be like Lordi or Verka Serduchka coming back. I do hope Iceland win soon though!
Fake news. I think the EBU will regret not having a “virtual” 2020 contest; we will never hear the end of some of these people and what might have been with their songs. I feel the 2021 minority newbies will be overshadowed.
If Iceland decided to maintain the national final, they would open the submissions in mid-September. The same stands for Serbia.
good to hear that iceland is going to practice some realpolitik by sending reselecting what has definitely been their most popular entrant so far. dadi might not be sure to win if he’s chosen, but with his talent for songwriting and charisma, iceland is atleast sure for a top 10
Honestly, I think fans should stop expecting contestants to drop everything to take part in ESC. ESC isn’t their highest priority, they have a career. They can’t focus every planning on one week in May. Right now they priority is probably on doing tours and releasing new music. Besides it wouldn’t be fair either since fans would only compare their 2021 entry to 2020 entry and argue which one is better! Not to mention there is the question of when there are so many artists out there who wants a platform, is it right to give it to a former… Read more »
How can they have been a contestant of a contest that never happened?
“Besides it wouldn’t be fair either since fans would only compare their 2021 entry to 2020 entry and argue which one is better!”
That may happen any time and any year that a former entrant returns to ESC. It may even be preferable if someone returns with something that they think is better than, or expands their music beyond, their previous entry.
Whatever they choose, it will be compared with this year’s song. I fear it will be very difficult to recreate the hype.
I suppose it can only mean one thing? Otherwise he would be changing his schedule, but also the schedule of every ticket-buyer, for what?
Wait, I think the headline of this article put me off a bit – it’s only the November and December dates that have changed…there’s no change in their late April/May dates…so there’s not really any Eurovision conclusion to be made.
The article also says he has cleared his schedule for the entire month of May, with the tour finishing on 30th April. It actually finishes on 6th May in Munich.
Sorry, the 5th May. I’ll stop now.
Please don’t. This is great 😛
Oh, you are right…except I wasn’t misreading, they had it the wrong way around on the tweet – month first and date second, the American way. I should have known from the April ones, though…my bad. Apologies, especially to Esma!