A few minutes ago, Iceland revealed the 10 participants and songs titles that will take part in the national selection “Söngvakeppnin 2020″.
Iceland will select its act for Rotterdam, both song and artist, via the traditional national selection “Söngvakeppnin”. The Icelandic Broadcaster RÚV has received 157 songs to the contest – 20% more songs than last year.
A panel of 7 Icelandic music experts will choose only 10 songs to compete in the national final. RÚV has invited some popular Icelandic composers and songwriters to write some of the songs as well. The format of the national final will be identical to last year Söngvakeppnin 2019.
The 10 chosen songs will be split into two semi-finals. 5 artists will compete in each semi-final, and the top2 will qualify for the final. The broadcaster may use a “wildcard” to join the four selected qualifiers. In other words, 4-5 songs will complete the final lineup. a combined decision of public voting and a jury panel will select the semi-finals qualifiers and the grand final winner. the dates for the show are:
The first semi-final will be held on the 8th of February 2020.
The second semi-final will be held on the 15th of February 2020.
The final will be held on the 29th of February 2020.
Traditionally, all the contenders will perform their songs in the Icelandic language in the semi-finals. In the final, each artist is allowed to sing in English or Icelandic.
The 10 competing acts are:
#1 Brynja Mary – Augun þín / In Your Eyes
#2 DaðiFreyr – Gagnamagnið / Think About Things
#3. IMMA – Almyrkvi
#4. Elísabet Ormslev– Elta þig / Haunting
#5. Hildur Vala – Fellibylur
#6. Iva – Oculis Videre / Oculis Videre
#7. Ísold & Helga – Klukkan tifar / Meet Me Halfway
#8. Kid Isak – Ævintýri
#9. Matti Matt – Dreyma
#10. Nína – Ekkó / Echo
The songs will be released tonight on 20:45 CET
As we can observe, 6 of the artists will release two versions of their entry: Icelandic version for the semi-final and English version for the final.
Among the participants, there are at least 3 familiar names:
#1. Elísabet Ormslev participated in “Söngvakeppnin 2016”. She ended in 5th place in the final
#2. DaðiFreyr participated in “Söngvakeppnin 2017”. They ended in the second place in the final, just behind Svala
#3. Matti Matt (Matthías Matthíasson) participated in Eurovision 2011 as a member of the band Sjonni’s Friends. They finished in 20th place in the final.
