Tonight Icelandic Television (RUV) broadcast the first of two semi-finals, in the hope of finding the act to give the country its first ever Eurovision win.
Six songs competed tonight in Söngvakeppnin 2018 with the top three heading direct to the final to be held on March 3 2018.
The Show
All of the songs had to be sung in Icelandic tonight. However the singers can choose whatever language they want, should they reach the final.
The Songs
Þórunn Antonía – Ég mun skína
This song starts of a little lightweight, although Þórunn has a very pleasing voice. A bit of electric drum steps up the beats, but basically, the song is quite a slow burner. Hard to see how this will stand out in a final, but enjoyable enough.
Tómas & Sólborg – Ég og þú
Our duo sing romantically into each other’s eyes. This is another low key song, obviously inspired by last years Eurovision winner. The harmonies together are very good, although Tomas is more powerful in a sort of Peters and Lee (look them up), kind of way.
Ari Ólafsson – Heim
This is a slow anthemic ballad starting with only a piano through the first verse. As the song progresses you know a drum and a big chorus is itching to come out. Sure enough, Ari belts out the chorus, with his powerful voice. For those who like bombastic ballads, you could do worse than this one. Ari does his best to screech out the highest notes he can.
Heimilistónar – Kúst og fæjó
Would it be cruel to describe this group as four elderly ladies? The lead lady sang the opening verse before being joined by her Calendar Gals. The song is a throwback to the eighties, no make that the sixties. A mouth organ adds to the instrumental break. Fun but not groundbreaking. The ladies could have been Pollaponks mothers, all dressed in their Teletubbies colours.
Fókus – Aldrei gefast uppg.
This three female, two male vocal group excelled in their harmonies. One of the ladies started the song quietly before being joined by one of the male counterparts. In fact, this is Iceland’s answer to Steps a little bit. There was no dancing in sync though. Another power ballad that builds to a rousing ending.
Guðmundur Þórarinsson – Litir
This is the Icelandic Ed Sheeran act, which every selection heat has this year. Guðmundur adds a bit of whistling after the chorus. The finger popping beat lifts this song up a bit, although Guðmundur’s voice is definitely on key. The song was performed mainly on a bench, with a winsome female on hand.
The Results
Between the jury and the public the three finalists are
Fókus – Aldrei gefast uppg
Ari Ólafsson – Heim
Heimilistónar – Kúst og fæjó
Iceland In The Eurovision Song Contest
Of course, Selma and Yohanna are the stars from Iceland, with their second place achievements in 1999 with All Out Of Love and 2009 with Is It True.
Iceland’s third highest placing was way back in 1990 with Stjórnin and Eitt lag enn.
Recently though Iceland hasn’t done too well in the contest. They have never mad the top 10 since 2009. Worse, in the last three years, they failed to qualify for the final. Let’s hope this year brings a change in their fortunes.
Below is the video one of tonight’s finalists Ari Ólafsson with Heim.
