Already in Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix 2021 semi-finals, four acts have earned a place in the grand final and five automatic finalists have performed their songs. Now broadcaster NRK has revealed the final four acts who will face the vote this Saturday’s fifth and final semi-final of MGP 2021. The competing acts are Ane.Fin, TuVeia, IMERIKA and RIVER.
Melodi Grand Prix 2021: Semi-Final 5 artists
Ane.Fin – “Walking In My Sleep”
Songwriters: Ane Caroline Finstad (Ane.Fin), Niklas Rosström, Espen Andreas Fjeld, Kim Rune Hagen and Vebjørn Jernberg
From a background in a choir and as an event singer, Ane Caroline Finstad eventually started focusing on her own music. She has studied at the acclaimed LIMPI music school in Lillehammer, where she gained the confidence to express herself in English. Ane.Fin has released several singles, including the recent release “Hurts”. One of the songwriters on her MGP entry “Walking In My Sleep” is semi-final four winner KIIM. Of her MGP experience, Ane.Fi says “MGP should be fun and you should enjoy the music. I’m going to enjoy myself!”
TuVeia – “Bli med meg på gar’n”
Songwriters: Kristian Galaaen Bredalslien, Roar Galaaen Bredalslien, Bendik Johnsen, Torgeir Ryssevik, Carl-Henrik Wahl, Jonas Holteberg Jensen, Sindre Timberlid Jenssen and Sarah A. V. Johnston
TuVeia is a three-piece rap group made up of Roar Galaaen Bredalslien, Kristian Galaaen Bredalslien, Bendik Johnsen, together since 2013. Their song title translates as “Join me at the farm”. It promises to be mix of hip-hop farmers, an EDM producer, autotuned cow sounds, harmonica and a “unique Norwegian dialect”.
IMERIKA – “I Can’t Escape”
Songwriters: Erika Dahlen (IMERIKA), Bjørn Olav Edvardsen, Morten Franck and Ben Adams
Erika Dahlen already has a presence in MGP – she’s one of the songwriters on “Feel Again”, by directly qualified act Kaja Rode. Erika previously studied at Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Institute for the Performing Arts and now performs under the name IMERIKA. Her MGP entry “I Can’t Escape” looks at the struggles of moving on after a break-up. She says, “It felt right to participate with this song, and it is an interesting mismatch with me on this MGP stage.”
RIVER – “Coming Home”
Songwrtiers: Thomas Heiland, Lennart Karlsen, Magnus Claussen, Simen Meland Handeland and Tommy La Vardi
RIVER is a pop-country band and is made up of Thomas Heiland and Lennart Karlsen — father-in-law and son-in-law. Each of the men have long careers as singers, musicians and songwriters. Of their collaboration, Thomas says, “It was natural to work together. Lennart is an experienced musician and we clicked right away — we have done that since day one.”
Automatic qualifier: Rein Alexander – “Eyes Wide Open”
Songwriters: Rein Alexander Korshamn, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Kjetil Mørland
One of the fan favourites from MGP 2020, Rein Alexander will perform his grand final song for 2021, “Eyes Wide Open”. The song has been co-written along with Kjetil Mørland, who represented Norway at Eurovision 2015.
The winner from the fifth semi-final will join the winners of the other semi-finals and the pre-qualified finalists in the grand final on 20 February:
- Atle Pettersen – “World on Fire”
- Blåsemafian feat. Hazel – “Let Loose”
- Emmy – “Witch Woods”
- Kaja Rode – “Feel Again”
- KEiiNO – “Monument”
- KiiM – “My Lonely Voice”
- Raylee – “Hero”
- Rein Alexander – “Eyes Wide Open”
- Stavangerkameratene – “Barndomsgater”
- TIX – “Ut av mørket”
As well, the 15 non-qualifying acts from the semi-finals will have one more chance to make the final with the wildcard special on 15 February.
What do you think? Which of the four semi-final 4 songs do you like? Should any of these songs be Norway’s pick for Eurovision 2021? Sound off below!
With all due respect to the other entries, just listen to the other songs and tell me IMERIKA isn’t gonna win the semi final.
IMERIKA IS AMAZING, hope she wins <3333
IMERIKA is the obvious winner here and i could see her winning the entire MGP. tuveia is so bad yet so good at the same time.. definitely a huge guilty pleasure for me
This was actually an easy call, because “I Can’t Escape” had immediate impact on me. If IMERIKA delivers a good performance she will become an alternative to KEiiNO in my personal preference. Though it’s true that in Eurovision a song like this could cross the path of Montaigne, Roxen and Victoria and maybe won’t stand out as much as stands in MGP.
“Coming Home” sounds like something that could do well in the US country chart. Some Nashville people could even be surprised that this comes from Norway.
It’s IMERIKA for me. If he can pull it live this will easily win this SF. A tasteful, minimalistic, atmospheric performance would make it perfect. May challenge the favourites in this MGP.
RIVER is good too, but sounds more generic. I mean “Coming Home” and a country vibe. I’ve heard that a lot of times. Enjoyable though.
Imerika is a female artist.
I Can’t Escape is fantastic! Definitely the standout for me. Quite the fun bunch of songs overall.
TuVeia is absolutely aweful in every way. Its as bad as “Leto Svet” from 2008 (Estonia)… Cant believe its in the competition at all!!! Oh well.
“I Cant Escape” is quite nice though and the style and production reminds a bit of Maria Menas music. It is by far the best song this week.
“Coming Home” is also pleasant but the country dance pop style is a bit overused now… Makes me think of Victor Croone, which was a better entry…
“Walking In My Sleep” is a mess of a pop song. Dont like it…
Who r the TuVeia fans downvoting my comment? Anyone with ears can hear its the worst of the year… Of A_N_Y national final so far.
I love the production on ‘Walking In My Sleep’. Love it. Sleek, and that off-beat is awesome. ‘Coming Home’, ugh, not bad, but we’ve heard it million times before. Echos of songs from Victor Crone, Suri, Avicii, Anna Berengdhal amongst others. It would be a filler on a CD. ‘I Can’t Escape’ is beautiful. TuVeia, I believe is a fun act. Respectable. If I had to choose – ‘Walking In My Sleep’ – I would listen to it on YT, on the radio, can imagine a good video to it, cannot really picture it on ESC stage. ‘Coming Home’, radio,… Read more »
“Coming Home” is lovely, but it would also be the third Eurovision song called “Coming Home” and if I’m being honest none of them have been better than Sjonni’s Friends.
My favorite is IMERIKA – “I Can’t Escape”
I don ‘t like the other 3 songs.
This is gonna sound hyperbolic, but “I Can’t Escape” gives me serious winner vibes – and I don’t just mean Melodi Grand Prix winner vibes, I mean EUROVISION winner vibes. I got the same feeling I had when I heard “Arcade” for the first time. I’m now very conflicted because either it or “Monument” would be a good choice, but I like this one just a bit more and I think they could get a really good result if they send it.
Its a mix of Maria Menas music (a famous Norwegian singer) and Victoria from Bulgaria I feel… Yes it is a good song ?
Honestly, I feel the exact same way about this song. Don’t get me wrong monument is a very good song (coming from someone who wasn’t a particular fan of Spirit in the Sky) but like you said, I got a winner vibe from this song and I also had a similar reaction to when I first heard Arcade and Répondez moi. I feel like this is a proper contender to win MGP and possibly top 5 at Esc (obviously depending on the quality of other entries). I feel like I need to see this live to see whether the build-up… Read more »
when i first saw the artists, i was a little worried, but wow im surprised. IMERIKA – WOW. Just wow. This is probaly my favorite song this year. I would love to see this one represent Norway. I really hope it will qualify. I am exited for the staging on it. I hope they can fix something unique, but not “an over the top” staging! Wow, im exited for this! If she makes it to the final i am exited to see her compete against KEINO, Raylee and TIX. Anna.fin – it is an okay pop song, wouldnt be sad… Read more »
Strongest heat since the first one; I like all of these (yes even the hip-hop barn song XD). If I were to predict a winner, it will probably be IMERIKA.
I Cant Escape could bring a great result to Norway
Imerika is a standout. That song is excellent!
Imerika is my favourite of all the participants so far. Wow! Beautiful song! Just waiting to hear what Rein Alexander brings to the table now. Great meaningful lyric. Melodically on point and current. Very much in the Roxen and Victoria camp in terms of styling of the song. Which is not a bad thing. This could be an interesting option for Norway.
It’s like a less pop-y version of what they were trying to do last year.
Wow, MGP is so strong this year, I’m really surprised. I’m constantly listening to Kaja, Atle, Raylee, KEiiNO & TIX.
When I was younger I started watching Melodifestivalen, but over the years I personally feel that the entries in MGP are more qualitative.
Is IMERIKA the girl with coloured hair? These Billie Eilish look alikes seem to do the same music from Norway to Bulgaria!
I agree on your comment comparing Imerika and Kaja Rode. On first listening of the former, it’s a better song. Also, I am very curious how ”Bli med meg på gar’n” will be staged in live. I remember how much I enjoyed ”En godt stekt pizza” in 2015. MGP allows this totally bonkers songs to go all the way.
Me in 2019: Wow, Poland is sending a group called “Tulia.” That’s so similar to my name.
Norway in 2021: here’s a cow-humor rap group called Tuveia.
I’m sorry, I love humor and this silly song is amazing. I realize it won’t win, but it brings the comic relief that we all need.
Why every artists name is starting to sound like the average username in RuneScape!!
It should be renamed “marathon grand prix”, it lasts forever!
Just kidding, enjoying so much the quality Norway is bringing this year
All of them are good except for TuVeia, but for me Imerka is the best, she deserves to qualify.
Does anyone know what will happen during the wildcard show? Do all songs compete? Or do we just get a recap of the songs then it’s announced? Or will we be shown the pre recorded songs? Surely they won’t get 15 artists together just for 1 to advance?
Imerika, she’ gonna win it all. What a song, what a voice.
Keiino will win it. Like in 2018, when Alexander won by MILES simply because he has won esc before . Keiino have an excellent song so I don’t mind at all, but even if they had a bad song, I think they would have won.
alexander had an awful song in 2018 and won by almost 200.000 votes more than Rebecca
don’t be so sure. I don’t know how much those bubbles mean, but looking at them they got way less reactions than for example Tix and Raylee… Atle and Imerika could also do a surprise win.
think you’re wildly underestimating how massive an artist TIX is in Norway. Ut av Mørket hasn’t left the Norwegian top 10 charts since the first semi final.
Streaming = \ = People voting for it. Tix is an already popular artist so it would be weirder if it DIDN’T do well on Spotify and it wouldn’t surprise me if a lot of them don’t realise or don’t care if it’s an MGP entry yet
he’s been promoting the fact it’s MGP. It’s typically Norwegian to be all “oh, I’m not really a fan of eurovision or MGP. I mean, yes I watch it every year, yes both of them, but I’m not really a fan. Now excuse me while I get drunk and start singing obscure entries from years past.” Especially in a pandemic year, I think it’s pretty unlikely people don’t realise it’s in MGP.
That’s SO true. We have the same thing in the UK. So many closet ESC fans around here :^)
Ok that doesn’t mean it’ll do well. I’m not underestimating it at all and I know how high he is, but will he really get that many votes? I highly doubt it
For a father and son in law they do look a lot like each other.
waw Imerika is probably my fave so far. Doubt there is any chance of her winning, but it’s by far the most interesting song and also modern in MGP this year.
“Walking In My Sleep” works for me as a studio track. Quite excited to see if she can deliver it live. It would easily be my choice for the qualifier based on what I’ve heard.”Coming Home” and “I Can’t Escape” aren’t bad but ultimately, not very exciting. They’re kinda just there, being ok.
“Bli med meg på gar’n” might actually be fun on stage. I think I’ll enjoy it more than “Witch Woods” or “Circus” at least. 😉
Another good selection of songs Norway! Walking in my Sleep is instantly catchy and memorable, TuVeia’s sadly doesn’t do it for me on first listen – it reminds me of a wonky version of Dadi Freyr. I think Imerika is going to be my favourite – a very different and engaging production. And River is solid – reminds me of those American road movies.
I am really not sure which one will make it through to the grand final – if I was forced to choose, I would go with Imerika on first listen.
Walking In My Sleep: Really nice. Very cool production and a good vocal with some nice but a touch forgettable melodies. Bli Med Meg Pa Gar’n: This is actually not bad at all until that horrendously annoying hook, it is far and away the worst part. But some of the instrumental parts are really good. I Can’t Escape: A very nice and touching ballad. Just good all-around. Coming Home: I immediately like this a lot. Very uplifting and pleasant. Like last semi, I can’t choose who I’d want to advance. I’d just keep Bli Med Meg Pa Gar’n in the… Read more »