Iceland’s Söngvakeppnin began tonight, as five acts competed as part of the first semi-final in this year’s competition. Two acts have secured the places in this year’s final, making it one step closer to winning the ticket to represent Iceland in Liverpool at Eurovision 2023!
Söngvakeppnin Semi-Final 1 Results
| Running Order | Artist | Entry | Composer(s) | Lyricist(s) | Result |
| 1 | Benedikt | “Þora” / “Brave Face” | Benedikt Gylfason, Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir | Icelandic lyrics: Benedikt Gylfason, Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir, Una Torfadóttir English lyrics: Benedikt Gylfason, Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir | Out |
| 2 | Diljá | “Lifandi inni í mér” / “Power” | Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson, Diljá Pétursdóttir | Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson, Diljá Pétursdóttir | Qualified |
| 3 | Celebs | “Dómsdags dans” / “Doomsday Dancing” | Celebs | Celebs | Out |
| 4 | Bragi | “Stundum snýst heimurinn gegn þér” / “Sometimes The World’s Against You” | Bragi Bergsson, Joy Deb, Rasmus Palmgren, Aniela Eklund | Icelandic: Bragi Bergsson English: Bragi Bergsson, Aniela Eklund | Qualified |
| 5 | Móa | “Glötuð ást” / “Lose this dream” | Móeiður Júníusdóttir | Icelandic: Móeiður Júníusdóttir, Guðrún Guðlaugsdóttir English: Móeiður Júníusdóttir | Out |
All ten competing entries (in Icelandic and English versions) are available to listen to in full on RÚV’s website, YouTube channel and Spotify.
About Söngvakeppnin 2023
Söngvakeppnin 2023 will once again be hosted by TV presenter and Söngvakeppnin executive board member Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir. Joining her this year are musician Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson and Rás 2 music director Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson (also known as Siggi Gunnars), both of whom are making their Söngvakeppnin hosting debut.
Prior to tonight’s performances, RÚV has broadcasted preview show Lögin í Söngvakeppninni where the songs and artists were revealed for the first time. This was joined by #12Stig (“#12Points”) on 11th February, giving viewers an opportunity to get to know more about this year’s Söngvakeppnin artists.
The semi-finals of Söngvakeppnin 2023 will take place on the 18th and 25th of February, followed by the final on March 4th. The ten songs will compete for four places in the final, however, the jury reserves the right to select a fifth song to compete in the final after the semi-finals are complete. RÚV received 137 submissions for consideration in this edition of the contest.
The live shows will be hosted in the Söngvakeppnishöllin in Gufunesi. Tickets will be available to purchase from midday local time (13.00 CET) on 1st February at tix.is, and will be available for both semi-finals, the final dress rehearsal on 3rd March and the grand final on 4th March.
Iceland’s Eurovision journey
Iceland made its debut on the Eurovision stage in 1986, finishing 16th with the song “Gleðibankinn” by ICY. In its 34 appearances at the contest, Iceland has finished in the top ten an impressive seven times. Iceland’s best result to date is second place, achieved twice. The first time was in 1999, when Selma Björnsdóttir received 146 points for her performance of “All Out of Luck.” The second time was in 2009, with Yohanna’s “Is It True,” which received 218 points. Iceland’s most recent Eurovision representative was Systur, whose “Með hækkandi sól” placed 23rd with 20 points in 2022.
What did you think of the first semi-final of Söngvakeppnin? Who did you want to qualify? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok as we gear up for Eurovision 2023!
News Source: RÚV
Photo Credit: RÚV
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