It’s the news that many fans longed for — Daði og Gagnamagnið will represent Iceland at Eurovision 2021. While this is, of course, a source of celebration for many, it also means that the perenially popular Söngvakeppnin will not take place in 2021.
Söngvakeppnin will not take place in 2021
The long-running national selection will be rested for one year with Daði and the group opting to compose their own entry without any external input.
That means no open call for submissions, no expert panels and no public voting. “I have come up with some ideas about the song, but nothing has been decided. I actually know what the music video will be like and have some key points that need to be made in the staging, so I will compose the song around it”, says the “Think About Things” crooner. “I will try to compose a song that fits the scene but not the other way around, Eurovision is something special. But this will be a happy song, it is quite clear!”
As such, the Söngvakeppnin format is redundant for 2021. Commenting on the decision, broadcaster RUV says: “It is therefore clear that there will be no Söngvakeppnin next year. The competition has been one of the biggest TV events in the country in recent years, but Skarphéðinn asks fans of the competition not to panic. “Of course we will have a strong music program in February and March, at the time when Söngvakeppnin would have taken place and that program will to some extent be related to Söngvakeppnin and Eurovision,” he says. Preparations have already begun for a successful program where music and entertainment will be paramount”.
Further details on this new programme have yet to be revealed.
Iceland’s history with internal selections
To many, Söngvakeppnin will feel like a permanent fixture on the Eurovision calendar. And while that’s mostly true, this is not the first time that Iceland has rested the format and gone internal.
For five years between 1995 and 1999, the country chose internally. This period saw the nation send such iconic entries as Paul Oscar’s “Minn hinsti dans” and Selma’s “All Out Of Luck”. The internal route was taken again in 2004 and 2005.
What do you think of Iceland’s decision to go internal? Will you miss Söngvakeppnin? Let us know below.
To say it if you wanna like to hear it – or not: The ESC 2021 will be like the JESC 2020 this year ….. a pre-recorded video contest – because look around you here in Europe. 40000+ new infections within 24h in France, 20000+ in the UK, 14000 in Germany ….. there will be no ESC 2021 as usual next year – but better a video contest than no contest. So I think it is okay that Söngvakeppnin will rest for 1 year.
Can I hire you to to predict my future?
The contest is in May 2021, no one knows what the situation will be like then. Making predictions like that is useless.
I’m quite late to the party, but happy that Dadi and his band will be in Eurovision 2021. Also I’m very grateful for all the countries that honored the 2020’s class and I believe we’ll have still a few more joining the movement. Of course I’ll miss Söngvakeppnin, but it’s for a good cause. And it’s not like we won’t have a fair amount of national selections still going on.
is everyone gonna forget about how he had a petition and wanted to boycott the contest in israel
Israel doesn’t exist though, Dadi does not recognize them as a country
I think it’s a common position in Iceland to have. Moreover, signing a petition and not trying out in 2019 is the kind of reasonable respectful protest that I’m sure Israelis would prefer to waving a Palestinian flag during the broadcast itself.
Eurovision is a SONG contest, Not a POLITICAL contest (Even though nowadays, there are a lot of politics in eurovision).
So what?
Everyone can express their opinions.
if it was being hosted in israel this year he’d want the contest to be cancelled ?
And another national final bites the dust…however by this rate avid fans will be able to watch all of the remaining NFs in real time because it’ll be far more manageable!
True, but MGP and UMK are already scheduled for the same day and time. Nordic countries love to make us crazy by switching tabs or using 2 devices at the same time!
Well, it‘s Dadi Freyr, he can do that. Like having the english lyrics ready for Think About Things and then, just because of the rules, make completely different lyrics for the icelandic versions.
The idea for a song can come from millions of places. Inspiration is drawn also from millions of places, often ideational or visual/physical. It doesn’t always have to start with a drumbeat or lyrics.
Eurovision 2021 will be so exciting, interesting and unique year! It will be so funny to see what 2020 artists will come with and to compare their 2021 songs to their 2020 songs (I know the negative aspects of it tho), but also to see who will represent the countries that decided to go with national final. 🙂
Thank God! It is better he makes his own song, because that’s what we love about him,
his amazing songs.
Let’s hope for better than this years so called effort such a silly childish song,
I’m one of the few Eurofans who actually prefers internal selections (except San Remo and Melfest). So I’m happy about this decision.
Fair enough. I’d rather he pick a song for himself that he’s happy with above all else.
A bit disappointing but expected. Here’s hoping Songvakeppnin returns for 2022.
no Hatari internally next year
Congratulations to Dadi. It ‘s fair that he ‘s represents his country again in 2021. I hope for a great song. Good Luck in advance !!