A Norwegian Eurovision website is claiming that Icelandic broadcaster RÚV have changed their minds and are now intent on keeping the same format for their national selection, Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins as used in previous years.
According to the website, which claims to have an extremely reliable source within RÚV, a number of details have now been confirmed regarding the Icelandic selection process. RÚV first reported that they intended to stick with the format used in previous years which has brought them to the final every year now since 2008, with three semi finals culminating in a final. Then an announcement followed later that RÚV apparently had chosen to keep things simple, opting for just one final. According to the unnamed source, RÚV have now decided to stick with the original format of three semi finals each featuring 5 entries, of which 2 will be voted on to the final. A jury will also reportedly be having a say in the matter, selecting two of the nine unsuccesful candidates, giving them a kind of wildcard status, thus giving us a line up featuring 8 artists in the grand final.
The final has reportedly been confirmed as taking place on the 11th of February, the same date as the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix selection, which has been the case for the past few years. The semifinals will be held during January, also supposedly taking place on the same dates as the Norwegian selection (21st, 28th of January and the 4th of February), however this information is still awaiting official confirmation.
RÚV is also remaining very tight lipped with regards to artists, songwriters and composers who will be competing in the selection. Rumours however abound on the saga island, and one of the hottest tipped names of those competing is last year’s runner up, Magni. Results from the survey carried out by RÚV as to which artists the public would like to see participate in the selection produced such big names as Björk, Sigur Rós, Emiliana Torrini and Lay Low. Whether or not any of these artists would agree to an eventual participation is however another matter.
Names of several former participants have also been mentioned as potential candidates, including Páll Óskar, who performed the avant garde Minn Hinsti Dans for Iceland in 1997, Matthías Matthíasson, who participated in the national selections last year with Eldgos, as well as being one of the members of Sjónni’s Friends, performing Coming Home in Düsseldorf this year. Other well know names reportedly making another attempt at representing their country in Baku are Hera Björk, Icelandic diva behind the disco stomper from 2010, Je Ne Sais Quoi, Friðrik Ómar, who in addition to participating in Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins went on to represent the island together with Regina Ósk, performing huge fan favourite This Is My Life back in 2008. Faroeman Jógvan Hansen has also figured in the national selections the last few years and is also reported to be taking another attempt to represent Iceland next year. We’ll keep you posted with developments in the matter as and when they arise.
