Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix has been entertaining us for weeks. After Blåsemafian feat. Hazel, Raylee and Emmy won the first three semis, we landed in Oslo (well, digitally) once more for Semi-Final 4. Four acts sang on the impressive Fornebu stage. After two duels and a final showdown, KiiM emerged victorious with “My Lonely Voice”.

Norway: Melodi Grand Prix 2021 Semi-Final 4 Results

The concept of the semi-finals is as follows: The four semi-finalists are split into two duels, which is determined by an on-stage draw. The winners of both duels then face off in the final duel, where the winner advances directly to the MGP 2021 final. The remainder of the acts go to the wildcard round (siste sjanse, or final chance) on February 15.

The competing songs and artists of the third semi-final were: “Pages” from Marianne Pentha & Mikkel Gaup, “Alt det der” from Landeveiens Helter, “My Lonely Voice” from KiiM and “Circus” from Royane.

Duel 1: Marianne Pentha & Mikkel Gaup vs Landeveiens Helter

The Sámi duo performed their emotional number “Pages” in a cloud of white fog. Marianne looked stunning in a fitted white pair of trousers with billowing top, which complemented Mikkel’s traditional Sámi outfit perfectly. His joiking felt spiritual and gave this song something extra special on Sámi National Day. Landeveiens Helter — most definitely not Norway’s newest boy band — gave us the feel of a live concert. But the utter lack of staging made them seem like a drunken cover act or tribute band rather than a new group ready to take Oslo by storm. Marianne & Mikkel turned a page and advanced to the next duel, while Landeveiens Helter will have to wait until Siste sjanse to see if they’ll sing another day.

Duel 2: KiiM vs Royane

KiiM let his voice do all the talking. He wore a burgundy coloured suit amid no-frills dark staging. He had us drunk with feels as he worked the full range of his register and his heart. Royane, on the other hand, brought the kitchen sink and the entire circus. She moved from fortune teller to ringmaster amid fire and people dressed as animals. It was entertaining. But ultimately understatement won the day and KiiM advanced to the next duel.

At this point, Atle Pettersen released his Melodi Grand Prix 2021 entry “World On Fire”. He opted for an all-red outfit with red lighting to convey his fire.

Final duel: Marianne & Mikkel vs KiiM

The two qualifiers from the first heat then battled for the tenth ticket to the MGP final. KiiM won a spot in the grand final, while Marianne & Mikkel took the ticket to Siste sjanse.

What do you think of the results? How will this “XX” fare in the grand final?

39 Comments
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Bamborough
Bamborough
3 years ago

Circus robbed. Monument FTW

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

Thanks. That’s good insight. Mine are quite different opinions to yours, but it is good to read a different opinion.

Colin
Colin
3 years ago

I was wary of the ”uuuu” part of the chorus, because if that was performed wrong, it could have been very silly and bring the whole thing down like a house of cards. However, Kiim did an emotional performance and he deserved to qualify.

Marianne and Mikkel were quite good too. Their staging was very creative and brought that spiritual component.

Royane’s staging was amazing! I thought that the song was kinda messy on the audio, but it was spot on in live.

Landeveiens Helter weren’t really interesting on stage. My focus soon went away.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago
Reply to  Colin

Yeah I agree with most of those observations. However, I didn’t like “Pages” because to came across as a cover of Jon-Henrik Fjällgren’s Melfest stuff, and I also thought the “bulb staging” was flat. (Sorry.)
Landeveiens Helter are a lot of fun, just nothing we haven’t seen before at MGP really. The rest of my notes aligned with yours.

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

Probably the strongest entry from the SFs so far. Kiim’s voice is definitely standout and was the obvious winner once he had performed. Still don’t think any of them are going to give the pre-qualified acts much competition but this is probably the most competitive one.

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
3 years ago

Great performance by Kiim and flawless singing!
Also, Royane delivered a fantastic staging and attitude, she would be my wildcard pick so far.

Stef
Stef
3 years ago

Royane was robbed!

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago

Decent, professional performances tonight from Kiim and Atle—it’s going to be a busy grand final on Feb 20.

KEiiNO and Monument are still far far ahead in my view. The song, vocals and performance are on another level.

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

KiiM and “My Lonely Voice” – that’s another special moment for this year’s MGP. I really like this song, and his voice has a stunning range. Also amazing to see Johnny Logan supporting KiiM on the show – wow! I am beginning to get very excited for the final and I would normally urge other countries to pick some of these songs up (cough, UK) if they were out of ideas. (But, travel restrictions etc. will probably make that impossible.) I also enjoyed Atle Pettersen tonight, mainly for wearing one of the best outfits I have ever seen in a… Read more »

Jimmy Smit
Jimmy Smit
3 years ago
Reply to  Purple Mask

Quite the compliment for Atle!

During Kim’s performance, I half thought the man in the strings might move forward so that they could kiss at the end!

Last edited 3 years ago by Jimmy Smit
Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago

Another interesting semi along with mello. I really enjoyed the heat tonight, I was really rooting for pages. I think it’s been the first heat when I have been looking forward to the songs being performed a second time. Wish pages won, and hope they win second chance, but not disappointed with Kim getting through.

I was quite opposed to circus before tonight, but royane really performed well and was nice to see an electic bunch on the stage, for someone I perceived as quite ‘image’ focused.

Good semi.

Stian F
Stian F
3 years ago

My favorite songs of this semi was by far “Pages” and “Circus”, though Marianne really didnt sing as well as i expected she would so i was left a bit underwhelmed unfortunately. “Circus” was just a pure joy to both look at and hear. So surprised her vocals managed to stay so good when putting on what probably was the best staging at MGP ever. “Circus” forever!!! Kiim did an amazing job though. Such a great voice, and the staging was fine as well. But i didnt like the way he was expressing himself on stage though… As someone said,… Read more »

Lena
Lena
3 years ago

wow

Gavin
3 years ago

I liked it but I only heard the doctor who theme in the chorus…. woooohooooOoooo

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago
Reply to  Gavin

Where?

Andi
Andi
3 years ago

Wow wow wow, what a semi. Expected the “worst” of the 4 held so far, but I was very surprised in the end. Would even say that this was the best. Very well sung by all participants (was this really live?), just flawless!
By the way, can anyone explain the bubbles in the right bottom corner flying into the MPG logo? Do they represent likes or something like that?

Shixian
Shixian
3 years ago
Reply to  Andi

The bubbles represent applause given by the people voting.

Andi
Andi
3 years ago
Reply to  Shixian

Thanks for the info.
So it’s quite a spoiler 😉

Helene
Helene
3 years ago
Reply to  Andi

It’s not really a spoiler, because the people can give lots of applause to multiple acts, but they can only vote once per duel I think

Miguel
Miguel
3 years ago

Wow, I am very impressed with the quality of MGP this year, my favorite so far!
The lineup in the final is already impressive! I love “Hero” and Atle’s song is a grower (he is so cute as well)

Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago

I was actually rooting for “Pages”, but KiiM’s vocals will add something special to the final. Atle’s performance was fine, though in my opinion not enough to elevate it to a contender.

Janet
Janet
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

I agree. His facial expressions seemed kinda fake too. A nice addition to the final but nothing more. I expect he will open the final and that’s the last we will hear of him

Last edited 3 years ago by Janet
Sabrina
Sabrina
3 years ago
Reply to  Janet

I’ve noticed those exaggerated facial expressions too, like he was trying to sell more than he has to offer. He can really dance though. Too bad the staging doesn’t make enough use of this asset.

Last edited 3 years ago by Sabrina
Kalla
Kalla
3 years ago
Reply to  Sabrina

Hmmm I took the expressions as a real desperation to hit those notes lol!

Kosey
Kosey
3 years ago

I really enjoyed Pages, there was something spiritual and mystical about it. KiiM has got some great lungs on him but I didn’t emotionally connect with the song. Another great production from Norway, they really know how to knock it out of the park.

Janet
Janet
3 years ago
Reply to  Kosey

I agree. Everyone is saying melfest has awful production because of covid. But if covid is causing awful production then how on earth is mgp still so strong?!

Ffs
Ffs
3 years ago

drama queen …

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
3 years ago

I have to say, I like the prequalified song more than the other songs in the semi.

Nikki
Nikki
3 years ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

Same, I really think the winner it’s going to be a Prequalified song.

Janet
Janet
3 years ago
Reply to  Nikki

I reckon monument will win

Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
3 years ago
Reply to  Nikki

Yeah, I strongly suspect Keiino will win again. I got really spoiled by Monument that nothing else has really measured up for another possible winner. I wasn’t too keen on this semi final and we still have two more weeks of this BS before we get our winner. Thank God, Lithuania’s NF is over and good luck to the Roop!

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Badwoolfgirl

Try not to be so disrespectful to the efforts that NRK and the performers are making to put on a great show for us at such a horrible time. If you don’t like it, don’t watch.

Edu
Edu
3 years ago

Nice voice but boring song. Pages deserved better.
And sad Royane was out, Circus was my fav of the night.

Thanos
Thanos
3 years ago

Kiim gave a wonderful performance! Pages was also cool.

Héctor
Héctor
3 years ago

Absolutely deserved it. Gave me chills. Only “bad” thing I could say is his performance is too diva-ish. Kind of remind me to Michael with those hand gestures. Other than that I think he is a contender.

Jofty
Jofty
3 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

Speaking of Michael, I thought this sounded like a John Lundvik composition (but it’s not)

Jonas
Jonas
3 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

That’s called homophobia. He can move his hands however he likes.

Hellooooo
Hellooooo
3 years ago

Not a surprise. prefered Pages though

Idksmth
Idksmth
3 years ago

Well that was something that I expected. I really wish that Royane was put in the other battle because she really impressed me. But this is a good song and well performed and the male competitor for last week’s Kaja Rode.