Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has unveiled the ten acts and songs competing in Söngvakeppnin 2024.
The contestants have been split into two semi-finals — taking place on 17 and 24 February. The grand final is scheduled for 2 March.
As per the usual rules of Söngvakeppnin, each act must perform their song in Icelandic during the semi-finals. They then have the option of switching to English should they make it to the grand final, though not all acts have submitted an English version of their song.
RÚV recently announced they were severing ties between Söngvakeppnin and Eurovision as an official selection. Instead, the winner will get to choose if they want to represent Iceland in Malmö or not. The decision was made due to building criticism in the country over Israel’s participation at Eurovision following the ongoing events in Gaza.
The Söngvakeppnin 2024 line-up includes Eurovision alum Hera Björk, who represented Iceland in 2010. Palestinian singer-songwriter Bashar Murad also has a small Eurovision connection, having previously collaborated with Iceland’s 2019 representatives, Hatari, on the song “Klefi / Samed”.
Söngvakeppnin 2024: Competing acts and songs
Semi-final 1
CeaseTone – “Ró” / “Flow”
Music: Hafsteinn Þráinsson og Halldór Eldjárn
Icelandic text: Una Torfadóttir
English text: Hafsteinn Þráinsson
Blankiflúr – “Sjá þig” / “Love You
Music: FIMM (Hólmfríður Sigurðardóttir, Páll Axel Sigurðsson, Kristín Sigurðardóttir, Albert Sigurðsson og Sólveig Sigurðardóttir)
Icelandic text: FIMM
English text: FIMM
ANITA – “Stingum af” / “Downfall”
Music: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir og Jake Tench
Icelandic text: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir
English text: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir og Jake Tench
Sunny – “Fiðrildi”
Music: Nikulás Nikulásson og Sunna Kristinsdóttir
English text: Sunna Kristinsdóttir
VÆB – “Bíómynd” / “Movie Scene”
Music: Matthías Davíð Matthíasson og Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson
Icelandic text: Matthías Davíð Matthíasson og Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson
English text: Matthías Davíð Matthíasson, Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson og Drífa Nadía Thoroddsen Mechiat
Semi-final 2
Hera Björk – “Við förum hærra” / “Scared of Heights”
Music: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir, Michael Burek, Jaro Omar og Ferras Alqaisi
Icelandic text: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir
English text: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir, Michael Burek, Jaro Omar og Ferras Alqaisi
Heiðrún Anna – “Þjakaður af ást”
Music: Heiðrún Anna Björnsdóttir
English text: Heiðrún Anna Björnsdóttir og Rut Ríkey Tryggvadóttir
Bashar Murad – “Vestrið villt” / “Wild West”
Music: Bashar Murad og Einar Hrafn Stefánsson
Icelandic text: Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson
English text: Bashar Murad og Einar Hrafn Stefánsson
Sigga Ózk – “Um allan alheiminn” / “Into the Atmosphere”
Music: Sigga Ózk, Birkir Blær og TRIBBS
Icelandic text: Sigga Ózk og ónefndur aðili
English text: Sigga Ózk og Birkir Blær#
MAIAA – “Fljúga burt”
Music: Baldvin Snær Hlynsson
Icelandic text: Baldvin Snær Hlynsson og María Agnesardóttir
English text: Baldvin Snær Hlynsson, Helga Soffía Ólafsdóttir og María Agnesardóttir
Which song is your favourite? Who do you think has a chance of winning Söngvakeppnin 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
1944 song was political.
Wild west is not.
So Let Me Get It Strait … If The Artist Is From Izrael Then Its Great That They Will Reprent A Nother Nation But If Its A Palestinian Its Bad ??? Where Is This Ennerge For Tali Luxemburg ????
Tbh, I was expecting more from Murad. If you are going to win the Icelandic selection and win the whole Eurovision because of the war, at least do it with a good song. Ukraine winning back in 2022 wasn’t fair but at least “Stefania” was original and far more interesting than this one.
In fact, I don’t really think it could even qualify from the Eurovision SF.
Jeez, Wiwibloggs really need to hire a moderator for the comment sections.
The Israeli trolls have been triggered by Bashar. Quite disturbing.
As if someone would have asked all sionazis to rise their hands. (Facepalm)
Welcom To My Life Here , The Izraeli Trolls Love To DownWote Me And Harass . I Can See They Are Already DownWoting You
I’m Arab but please Iceland don’t send Bashar. As much as i would love arab representation in the contest, his song is not good and doesn’t reflect arab culture at all. Iceland will just be making drama for a mid song.
There is no rule that says a singer of Arab ethnicity has to send a song that is Arabic in content.
Bashar doesn’t have bad song imo. It’s got a hook and I like the vibe.
Now rate it if the artist wasn’t Palestinian…
Anyone else thinks it’s really petty of Iceland to not only include a Palestinian singer in the line-up for the NF, he was also announced way before anyone else? It feels like Iceland tries to say “Hey, we have this guy, he’s Palestinian, if you want Israel to F off, pick this guy!”
…And then the song drops and nothing really stands out. You disappoint me, Iceland
It’s only petty to bigots. Are you a bigot?
Am already tired of this drama. It’s simply not fun anymore when even non european conflicts lead to mediocre songs amassing succes. 1944 was atleast breathtaking from first listen.
I strongly feel like Iceland should have internally selected Hatari, not only because it would have made a statement, but also because their songs are legitamately good and even worse ones better than the majority of the selection.
We’ll have to see how these songs translate live but I can see Murad significantly improving the song on the big stage.
I’m sitting listening to the songs and focussing on the music. Reasonable songs this year, nothing stands out as a winner, but they are a comprehensive bunch and a pleasant playlist. Then reading the comments below, wow we are becoming hounded by those who are very upset in Israel. Please please please give it a rest! It’s like you’re forcing people to adopt your ideologies and opinions over and over and over again. Whether this is propaganda or individual opinions I am starting to get fed up with the trolls who are hounding people and you are spoiling the interest… Read more »
Can’t agree more,kudos to you!
Well said. I just think that people who bring politics into these MUSIC comment spaces are just frustrated people and they should vomit their frustrations elsewhere.
If we talk purely music the best semi IMO is the second one. Heiðrún Anna and Bashar Murad are my clear favs. Heiðrún Annas song is a mesmerizing and beautiful pop tune. Maybe the most beautiful pop song this season so far. I can see it doing very well in Malmö if selected. I also appreciate that she’ll perform it in Icelandic all the way, like Systur two years ago. Bashar Murads song stands out among the pop songs here, it’s more western than I expected, but I really like it, there are some haunting elements here. Sad for Hera… Read more »
With the songs being released, can we please stop acting as if Iceland would win now? Bashar Murad’s song is nothing the juries would even consider giving high points to, so not even a landslide televoting victory could crown him champion. Käärijä just proved it for you.
Now if everybody could calm down and get back to actually discussing music, that would be great.
It depends. He could change the song live or give it a brilliant staging. It’s got a chance even if not political.
Still I’d say it’s just not strong enough musically. And its genre isn’t jury bait either.
New nazis=iceland
They are not “new” and they are proud to be that way. They are lame… attention h0es.
Nah, I’m Israeli and I won’t support that statement.
People that dont accept your right to self defense, people that didnt condemn octiber 7 want you dead, same as the nazis, not in actions cause they cant, but definately in their ideology…sc ums is a nice word for these bad and clueless people
And they are proud of that… they are l@me…
I suggest you stop your ridiculous rhetoric, focus on the music and take your politics to CNN or the BBC or whoever. We are all very fed up with this kind of rant and accusation. This is a very very racist comment to make about the people of Iceland. Unacceptable and disgraceful. This should also be reported.
But its true unfortunately…you think people are stupid? Suddenly iceland sending palestinian to eurovision? Who is inserting politics to eurovision if not the nazis from iceland?
Hatrid Mun Sigra
i think you have gone to far with this comment
….
but from the other hand, that HATARI guy singing hate will prevail…reminded me a little a guy name Adolph…
If ha mas would kill all jews and not just 1200 plus 250 hostages, iceland would still celebrate it so for me they are nazis
You went too far..
As an Israeli I don’t accept this statement .
Eurovision is political. It has been proven millions of times throughout history. I remember my own country’s entry with Mariza Koch protesting against the invasion in Cyprus in 1976. The Portuguese song of 1974 was used during the Carnation Revolution against Salazar. Ukraine won the contest due to political reasons 2 times. And many many more examples exist. Whether we like it or not, politics shape and affect humans’ lives: and as a result humans’ artistic creation. That’s the result of living in organised societies. It’s good to be against propaganda in the contest but you can’t act like it… Read more »
How Isr@el want to do gen0side if they could erase G@za in 1 min? If they wanted to do that this war could have ended on oct 8. But you are a sheep like all the others that support that claim.
That’s rich coming from a Z!onist xD
A proud one…
Nothing more to talk about here
Zionist=jew thank you for admitting for being jews haters, hitler send you thank you, be proud at yourself sc um
Zionist is not equal to Jew my dear friend. And I think the vast majority of Jewish people all around the globe would be disgusted by your statement.
As a jew, dont teach me what is zionist, there is no such thing real jew that is not a zionist otherwise he would be considered a traitor in israel…i told you already that you stu pid in iceland and talking about things you know nothing about…what is a zionist? A jew that wants to build and inhabit his ancient homeland, izs a positive term…i guess that you dont even know the huge history of the jews on this land, history that starts way befor 1948 you stu pid fu ck
A traitor because Israel is ran by a government. Not all Jews answer to them and there are plenty of Jews in Europe and America.
You can be Jewish and not a Zionist. Isn’t it reasonable to want to allow Jews into your own country? Why should we segregate them? Isn’t that what Hitler wanted, to put all the Jews into one place? That’s putting a serious target on their heads that I don’t support.
As i tild already there is no such thing real jew that is not zionist, any israeli would tell you that, its better to sh ut up then talk on things you dont understand…someine brainwashed you really well…
Especially considering how interesting and different Bashar’s song is. It could actually glow up live.
I agree with your points and I personally believe Ukraine, Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan and Israel should be removed. If Iceland’s gonna make a political statement, then fair enough, they should go but that’s ignoring the political statements Israel and Azerbaijan make every few years.
Whats up te rror supporters?
All songs are bad so send the palestinian sc um which is actually an israeli arab with blue id, educated in israel, you at least get some pity votes from muslims and stu pid people like you in iceland
People like to hate… it is very “cool” right now to be in the palestinians side… there will be always hate against the jews.. but it doesnt matter. Israel will be in Esc and will be in the top 5 at least! Dont worry, Israel have a lot of supporters around the world. Dont worry. The media love to show only the haters.
Smart people know whi are the goods guys, clueless and stu pid people dont….and you dont have to be smart to know, fir stu pid icelandic people apparently it is…same is with irish people, not by mistake there is only 1 letter diffetence between them
Hahaha so you are claiming people hate Jews but then call all Icelandic and Irish people stupid. Awk it’s sad your one brain cell thought up this ridiculous comment.
Being pro-Palestine does not mean antisemitism, nor does it mean supporting H@m@s or terr0rism.
Iceland can send the palestinian dude and win Eurovision, because he will get pity votes. You know what to do Iceland ….
You forget the juries… dont worry they will not let it happen…
Well it didn’t help with Ukraine’s victory
you can’t compare
Their song was good tho.. and thats not the same thing here…
Kalush Orchestra came 4th with the juries because they had a fairly decent song that would have been in the Top 10 in any other year, too. Can’t say that about Bashar Murad’s song, can you?
I dont know, we’ll have to see it live…plus it sounds very Eastern inspired which could increase song diversity in the grand final.
I hope you are right, because it disgust me if he win just because he is from Palestine
Dont count them out just yet…
Look at this xD
https://themedialine.org/mideast-daily-news/palestinian-activists-ban-concert-for-lgbtq-community-in-ramallah/
Even the Palestinians don’t want him.
And funnily enough, those who managed to cancel that concert have a connection with H@mas themselves.
Bashar has an Israeli ID and he was even educated here.
At this point, he’s more Israeli than Palestinian, but Iceland will show him as their toy to get more political points, showing the gay Palestinian singer.
RUV, shame on you.
You don’t really upset me lol. The case is that he will get pity votes because he is a palestinian guy
When it’s convenient for him he is a Palestinian.
Heiðrún Anna – “Þjakaður af ást”: Such a hypnotizing and classy song! I could seriously see this go top 5 in Malmö if it comes alive on stage as well.
Oh this is a much stronger selection than last year. The songs actually have character. I can’t wait to see how they do live!
Having Palestinian representing Iceland is the sofisticated way of protesting instead if a boycott.
I agree. It’s better to be there and state your case rather than stay home. It’s certainly more effective.
Give him a good song and he will do decently well.
I find Bashar’s song good but nothing extraordinary. Of course we will have to wait for the live performance because he can certainly elevate it there.
It is lame tho… and the EBU will nit ket him talk sh!t about Israel.. they can withdraw him for that kind of behavior… 🙂
Not let him*
Omg see you in Iceland next year. We have a winner here. I know why they top the odds.
Bashar’s song is sooo good!! Yaaas queen!!!
Stop lying to yourself hahahaha
I actually like the western/country vibe of Bashar Murad’s entry, unironically, not even for political reasons, his entry is my favorite of this selection. Really shows how low the quality level of Söngvankeppninn has fallen. Incredibly weak selection overall, I see NQs everywhere I turn my head to. And the winner will of course be used as a political tool (we all know Bashar is winning) which absolutely disgusts me.
Bashar’s song is not political if you read the lyrics so what is disgusting is your assertion that he will win just because of his ethnicity.
Don’t blame me for that. Blame the televote results in a couple of weeks. I already said that I like his entry the most. But the reasons behind his victory I’m afraid will be entirely political and that’s what I don’t like at all. I mean, I’ve read from a link shared in this forum that the Icelandic broadcaster already announced Bashar’s participation about three days before the rest of the competitors, Iceland immediately jumped from 20th to 2nd (now first) in the odds overnight, how is this even fair? Don’t I have the right to assume that they’re playing… Read more »
Yes, for anyone who hasn’t seen it:
https://www.ruv.is/english/2024-01-24-palestinian-singer-in-songvakeppnin-403317
Announcing him on the 24th when all others were revealed on the 27th.
When you look at the betting odds, it went from 20th to 18th before the announcement, then 8th right after, 2nd and 1st as of today, 28th…
Super political and the EBU must take action.
Disqualify him? Disqualifying Iceland? Financial sanctions? Whatever.
Why the two faces now? When Kalush won and people pointed out the obvious reason for their victory – sympathy votes due to Ukraine being attacked by Russia – the majority of his supporters said, “But it’s a good song”. As in, because the song was good, political motives for the trophy were irrelevant back then. Now, you say the song is the best of the selection based on your preferences, but smh, you believe Bashar is incapable of fighting for the trophy without politics dragged into it. Whether he is or not, that’s not what I’m referring to. Kalush… Read more »
I see what you mean but I also wanted Kalush to win neither contest back then, my favorite Vidbir entry was that of Alina Pash. And, to this day, I believe that the last two winners of the contest were utterly staged, Ukraine due to war won the public vote by a landslide (which means, people probably didn’t take the song itself in account) and Sweden due to Loreen returning and the jurors burying Kaarija’s entry on purpose to give Sweden their 7th victory for “iconic” reasons, since Euphoria has become this contest’s anthem at this point. (his song contained… Read more »
Hera thought she’ll serve us ‘Embers’ again and we won’t notice? 😛
Fun fact: Bashar Murad’s song is written by Hatari!
Hatari and Bashar had a huge hit in Europe with KLEFI/SAMED which amassed 2.3 million Youtube hits. They have a history.
Btw, among many others, the former Eurovision participants Pall Oskar, Greta Salome, Svala and Daniel August have signed an open letter supporting the boycott of Eurovision if Israel stays. Which is their right. But considering that Greta Salome herself had no issues competing on Azerbaijani ground where locals were literally deported from their homes, it seems like a very phony thing to do. Pall Oskar wanted Iceland to boycott ESC 2012 already, so at least he is consistent.
It’s also the people who wish to boycott because of Israel but not always…
In both 2012 and 2016 she took part alongside the Israeli delegations, then it was ok?
People are just hypocrites and they will only speak about it when everyone is speaking about it…
Same goes for Pall Oskar, I don’t recall Israel being so loved back in his days.
Being deported is one thing (not that it’s right), slaughtering 26,000+ Pa1i’s is another. I adore Svala. The epitome of cool and chic!
Go Bashar!
No winning songs here so one thing left to do ….. CUE MR PALESTINE
Iceland putting politics in the contest.
Announcing the Palestinian artist 3 day ahead of all others, giving him an advantage and the focus, especially after they’ve spoken about boycotting.
Jumping in the odds from 18th to 8th right after announcing Bashar is competing, to 2nd and then 1st place.
The EBU should take action against attempts at politicizing the contest like those and keep it as clean as possible.
Don’t get me wrong, the problem isn’t Bashar, but RUV trying to ride on those anti-Israel votes.
EBU should expel Israel from the competition just as it did with Russia, don’t get me wrong but economic interest and the fear of not agreeing and being called anti-Semitic weighs heavily.
The cases are completely different and that’s why Israel is still in.
Very simple really. You might have your opinions regarding the Israeli ways of action in the war, but no one can deny it’s justified or claim it’s the same like Russia.
Hmm… Iceland won’t be the winner, that’s for sure. Even they willsend the palestinian… the juries will bury it…
There was a time when the Icelandic NF gave me several special songs in a year to listen to. Sadly, those days seem gone for now. All very middle-of-the-road. A modern production doesn’t make up for everything else that’s missing. However, I like VÆB and CeaseTone so there are options and I sincerely hope Iceland doesn’t go political.
When you say “I sincerely hope Iceland doesn’t go political” what youre really saying is you don’t want them to choose a Pa1estinian which is ridiculously racist. I’m assuming youre either from Israel or a Jew.
Oh, grow up, the “you’re being racist” card has been so overused out of context that it has basically lost its original meaning at this point.
I was with you right until you started assuming things about people’s religion over the “no politics” bs. Most jewish people outside of israel dont support what that government is doing (and a good chunk of those in israel have been protesting and refusing the draft etc.). Anybody can be racist, and you dont fix that by being antisemetic back. Come on now.
Why can’t Icelandic people have an Icelandic person represent them without being called racist?
People have gone through true racism in history (and nowadays) and your use of racism for anything just makes it cheap.
Go look at how RUV promoted Bashar ahead of all others to jump in the betting odds.