This weekend, it was Iceland’s turn to select their entrant for Eurovision. Six acts made it to the grand final of Söngvakeppnin 2025, but it was VÆB who ultimately walked away with that lucrative trip to Basel where they’ll perform the song “RÓA.”
Our hosts for the evening were be Benedikt Valsson, Guðrún Dís Emilsdóttir, and Fannar Sveinsson.
Söngvakeppnin 2025: Grand final results
In a change from the long-running tradition, the superfinal was ditched for Söngvakeppnin 2025. Iceland’s Eurovision entry was chosen by a 50:50 split between the scores of an international jury and the public vote.
Jury vote
- VÆB – 74 points
- Júlí & Dísa – 63 points
- Stebbi Jak – 57 points
- Tinna – 53 points
- Ágúst – 45 points
- Bjarni Arason – 44 points
Public vote
- VÆB – 93 points
- Stebbi Jak – 85 points
- Júlí & Dísa – 74 points
- Bjarni Arason – 39 points
- Ágúst – 23 points
- Tinna – 22 points
Overall result
- VÆB – 167 points
- Stebbi Jak – 142 points
- Júlí & Dísa – 137 points
- Bjarni Arason – 83 points
- Tinna – 75 points
- Ágúst – 68 points
Söngvakeppnin 2025: Grand final running order
- Ágúst – “Like You”
- Bjarni Arason – “Aðeins lengur”
- Júlí & Dísa – “Fire”
- VÆB – “RÓA”
- Tinna – “Words”
- Stebbi Jak – “Set Me Free”
Although all acts had to sing in Icelandic during the semi-finals, at the grand final they had to perform in the language they intended to use at Eurovision should they win. Four of the finalists chose to switch to English.
What are your thoughts on Söngvakeppnin 2025? Does Iceland have a shot at returning to the Eurovision grand final in May? Let us know in the comments below.
Copied from a popular Israeli song, not sure how this is allowed. There is taking inspiration but this is plain stealing
For a country that is so anti-Israeli, pretty rude to choose a song that is a copy of an Israeli hit.
Iceland 4/12
Best do far
This is actually a very Nordic banger!
The sound is very reminisicent of Norwegian russebusse songs, songs that teens listen to when graduating.
Or for that matter Swedish epadunk songs, same style
At least they stay Nordic. Very fun banger!
welcome back to the final Iceland. This is fun, not a winner but its appealing and catchy.
Language sound like Finish
Hmmm… is anyone going to look into the plagiarism?!?
This is not winning material, but I feel entertained for 3 minutes. Well done Iceland
One of my favourites so far
I like that they’ll be singing in Icelandic; the song isn’t my cup of tea but the rest of the songs were very weak. Might get a result like Estonia last year.
That’s what I thought as well, with the exception of the “not my cup of tea” part.
this one is naturally fun, nothing forced here, unlike other entries
This isn’t a winner but a lot of people tune into Eurovision every year for this kind of act so could be a surprise hit with the televote, hopefully this can get Iceland back into the final even if this ends up opening semi 1.
Also I feel like even 5 years ago, a song list this would have been performed in English instead, it’s so refreshing to see countries take more risks and embrace their national languages
Vaeb get the victory they deserved after being cruelly robbed last year! Hurray. The song is weaker but hey at least it’s in Icelandic, I’ll take it. It may be competing for the same Ra-Ra full-charge uptempo votes as Ireland. If this is to qualify my advice is to really focus on the stage show…the energy level is there (thanks to Vaeb) but let’s be honest there’s nothing else…so this is definitely in the TV delegation’s court to fix or fail.
Well, fortunately, Iceland and Ireland are not competing in the same semifinal this year. I think Ireland will also be an opener for semifinal two.
Fun song, catchy, the best choice of an unexciting final. They cleaned up the vocal a bit from the semifinal which is good to see. Birgo was absolutely robbed, would’ve been so strong for Iceland..
WOW ? nice performance ? don’t understand the lyrics but it sounds really good ?
LIKA silva
This performance sounds very cold..
Love it, great bit of Euro fun
Sorry, that´s horrible….
Iceland 0/12
An Icelandic Jedward……need I say anymore.
Deae
What I tried to say was. Dear lord….
Some teenagers shouting in a school festival. Nice touch (just a touch though) the Icelandic folklore, but no. Still better than some songs already released in a mediocre year
So noisy.
Pfff terrible
Predictable 3 minutes of 90’s Eurovision trash. Very thin voices, awful styling and a silly choreography.
Was this really the best Iceland had to offer?
No they had Storm Chaser which didn’t even qualify for the final. Shame on you Iceland.
I bet you, Iceland will be the semifinal one opener at Eurovision. I guarantee it, this feels like an opener.
I believe Poland will open SF1, just like 30 years ago. Such opportunity with the same artist won’t appear again.
I don’t know, I think Gaja is too intense to open up a semi final just because the artist singing it was the opening act for eurovision 30 years ago. I think it would be a better interest to put it on a little later within the first half to grab as many Polish viewers as possible to increase the ratings.
I really don’t mind this winning song. A cross between Jedward meets a sea shanty rhythm. Will it win the contest no. Will it entertain on stage yes.
this is officially the worst year in ages !
Certainly since I started watching in 2009. Hands down. I’ve only downloaded three songs so far! (And I am pretty sure I will delete one of them before the contest actually takes place. It’s not holding my interest much any more.
NQ. BIRGO should of been in this Final and should of won. This is yet another reason why Iceland should withdraw.
What a ridiculous thing to say. The Icelandic people pick the song THEY want to. It’s not for others to Decide. Icelandic tastes can differ. And in this case did differ from yours
Agree with the Birgo comment. There should have been a wildcard place for her. Don’t agree with them withdrawing though.
Maybe you should withdraw instead.
Jeez! Horrible!
Iceland did not have a lot of options to choose from, especially since Birgo was unfairly eliminated. This is the best they have for the final and I’m good with it.
Not a good final, guess they ended up with the song with which they are vibing the most. I like it but if they don’t do something good on stage I can see it as a NQ.
Good luck Iceland!
I don’t know how to feel about this one. The beat is kinda catchy but it’s dated, the outfits are terrible and they seem a bit annoying
So, typical Eurovision act. I’m just glad they don;t have huge chunks of the lead vocal on the ‘backing’ track. Several do. Again.
So many overcooked entries this year. Something more tasteful is going to win, and we haven’t heard it yet.
so Iceland choose the most controversial entry, the one with plagiarism issue against an Israeli song. This will struggle for sure how powerful the influence of Israel in ESC and they have vast audience as well. Iceland is burying their self with this entry. I do like this kind of genre but more likely NQ.
Is that Israel who entered a song in 2018 and denied any claims of Plagiarism? The song that now shares it’s writes royalties with Jack White of the White Stripes? Thise in glass house, and all of that!!
I get your point but please do we really expect them to know Israeli songs? The person that came out and said that clearly wants to have his name heard or he thinks that he is the great composer that anyone’s knows. The song is a typical Nordic silly party hit, bit not something innovative. It’s just Israelis bringing drama in the contest again.
They should worry about locking people up among who Children for months/years under very bad circumstances no light, hardly any food no water, without a trial under so called administrative detention, which they prolong each six months…
No one cares about Israel, move on
Israel won the second place in televote last year, I wouldn’t say it.
After a very intensive European promo campaign by the Israeli government, and after right wing politicians all over Europe, begged their followers to vote for Israel, the voting was rigged, don’t be naive.
Everytime Israel gets a high placement, the allegation of results being “rigged” are thrown into the air.
Why didn’t Israel rig the results back in 2011-2014? why Israel didn’t rig the results in 2022 when it was clear that Israel wouldn’t qualify? Why Israel didn’t rig the results in 2023 when Israel was a contender for the win?
No-one actually answer those questions.
Sorry, I don’t accept it. Looking at the geo-politics in Europe these days, I’d say that the support in Israel is high organically.
Check last years socials for example Geert Wilders his X-account?
Yes it is identical to the Israeli song. I’m
Amazed the song wasn’t pulled from the competition already. Identical. Not even just similar
Plz Israeli culture is built on stealing things, so we dont care
Really bad. Hello Iceland, goodbye Iceland!?
Doesn’t sound live at all. It’s half playback at the best.
Mans its half playback as well… Yes better vocals but he doesn’t sing half his song…
EBU really needs to eliminate the pre-recorded vocals. It made sense in 2020 and 2021. It doesn’t at all anymore. Now we are getting acts that focus more on the dancing they can post to tiktok instead of actually singing the song.
Five Jedwards. Or two and a half, at least.
Omg it’s Icelandic Jedward but worse
Having watched the show. I think it was the only one who I kinda liked, so, I’m good with it.
Why interval acts are being better this year than the competing acts? I vibed more with Kaarija than the rest of the night.
Anyway, I kida love the general vibe of the Northern countries this year- These guys, Erika, Kyle, Tommy…
Is Estonia a northern country. Answers on a postcard.
tbh this will struggle to qualify we have Estonia Poland we have Belgium for dance songs compare this to them its forgettable
Congratulations, i do hope they get rid of their silly outfits for Basel though.
I doubt it – it’s been part of their look from the start of the competition
I like the outfits
They will bring energy on stage in Basel, well done, congrats.
i mean it was the only song in the lineup that wasn’t DOA, so good choice. will need to have a proper good staging concept to make it anywhere up the table tho
Yes, I knew Vaeb would win! Congratulations! Roa stood out to me immediately as the one for Iceland at Eurovision, and I am so pleased that they are going. Plus, we get to hear Icelandic at Eurovision for the first time since 2022. Iceland is not going down without a fight.
One more time disappointment (
Stebbi Jak you was the best tonight!
Hera and Käärijä made my eve.
Congratulations to Væb. They’re going straight to number one in my list. They’re much fun, and rather Irish-sounding in places! They should definitely keep it in Icelandic.
So this year, Ireland is sending a Scandi-pop song and Iceland is sending a modern Irish jig. Hahaha.
I wouldn’t have minded Stebbi Jakk and think it would have had a decent chance but I love Róa and it makes me smile. So I’m happy seeing as Birgo didn’t make it this far
I await seeing drastically improved staging at Eurovision itself. Song is perfectly solid and has potential for the grand final but it needs a lot more budget than Songvakeppnin was giving.
Very true, needs some staging to give it a little extra. Let’s hope they at least make it to the finals night after it’s been a few years
That’s the Icelandic Prime Minister and two ministers! What the…
I can’t imagine a UK show dropping in on Downing Street on a Saturday night (unless it was for Theresa May) 🙂
Remember 1996, where a politician appeared before each song. Including future UN chief Antonio Gutteres. I believe it was Virginia Bottomley for the UK. Love that name.
OMG that’s a memory I had long forgotten. (But yes!)