With the first live show only a week away, it has been confirmed in Norwegian media that autotune will continue to be allowed in Melodi Grand Prix 2024.
Autotune here to stay for Melodi Grand Prix 2024
The use of autotune in Melodi Grand Prix has faced criticism in Norway. Morten Thomasson the president of the Melodi Grand Prix club said to Norwegian outlet TV2 he asked them to stop using autotune on behalf of the fans. This however has not been taken on board by NRK.
However, some fans of Melodi Grand Prix take a different stance on autotune in the national final. Martin Phillip Fjellanger of Eurovision outlet Eurovision Norway, said the following:
I think, unlike many others in the MGP environment, that autotune in MGP is going perfectly well, and that the debate last year was perhaps a little bigger than necessary. Autotune is just a tiny correction, which as far as I know is also used in all other major music productions
Martin Phillip Fjellanger on autotune in Melodi Grand Prix.
Autotune is not allowed in Eurovision. All main vocals have to be raw vocals, with no enhancements. Pre-recorded backing vocals however like Melodi Grand Prix, are allowed in the Eurovision Song Contest.
What we know about Melodi Grand Prix 2024
As was previously reported, Melodi Grand Prix will include three semifinals and one grand final. The semi-finals will take place on the 13th, 20th and 27th of January 2024 at the Marienlyst in Oslo. The final will then take place on the 3rd of February at the Trondheim Spektrum in Trondheim. All shows will be broadcast on NRK1 and NRK TV.
This year, Melodi Grand Prix will feature a total of 18 artists. Six will take part in each semi-final, with three advancing to the grand final. While the artists will not be publicly revealed until January 5th, Norwegian head of delegation Stig Karlsen promises a “very high level” of artists, both established and new, across a variety of genres. You can see the artist and songs confirmed to take part in the tables below:
Heat One – 13th January 2024
| Artist | Entry | Songwriter(s) |
| Margaret Berger | “Oblivion” | Anders Kjær, Margaret Berger, Monika Engeseth, Sivert Hagtvet Hjeltenes |
| Myra | “Heart on Fire” | David Atarodyan, Svein Hermansen, Regina Tucker |
| Ingrid Jasmin | “Eya” | Ingrid Jasmin Vogt, Jonas Kroon |
| Gothminister | “We Come Alive” | Bjørn Alexander Brerm |
| Fredrik Halland | “Stranded” | Fredrik Halland, Jenson Vaughan, Ruthy Raba |
| Mathilde SPZ ft. Chris Archer & Slam Dunk | “Woman Show” | Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen, Silje Montsko Blandkjenn, Emmy Kristine Guttulsrud Kristiansen, Linda Dale, Christopher Colin Archer, Mathilde Espeseth |
Heat Two – 20th January 2024
| Artist | Entry | Songwriter(s) |
| Gåte | “Ulveham” | Sveinung Eklo Sundli, Ronny Graff Janssen, Marit Jensen Lillebuen, Gunnhild Sundli, Magnus Børmark, Jon Even Schärer |
| Erika Norwich & Super Rob | “My AI” | Lars Horn Lavik, Super Rob, Erika Norwich & Kristian Liljan |
| Mileo | “You’re Mine” | Miles Curtis Sesselmann |
| Eli Kristin | “Touch of Venus” | Ronny Graff Janssen, Eli Kristin Hanssveen |
| Dag Erik & Anne | “Judge Tenderly of Me” | Dag Erik Oksvold, Alexander Pettersen, Anne Fagermo |
| Farida | “Heartache” | Farida Louise Bolseth Benounis, Kristian Wiik, Ilja Erikson, Olav Tokerud |
Heat Three – 27th January 2024
| Artist | Entry | Songwriter(s) |
| KEiiNO | “Damdiggida” | Alexandre Rotan, Fred Buljo, Tom Hugo Hermansen, Alexander Olsson, Jakob Redtzer |
| MIIA | “Green Lights” | Benjamin Dan Ravn Fahre, Mia Virik Kristensen, Mugoshi David Nhonzi, Emelie Hollow, Ida Botten |
| Annprincess | “Save Me” | Annprincess Johnson |
| Thomas Jenssen | “Take Me To Heaven” | Thomas Jenssen, Ricky Hanley, David Fremberg, Jonas Holteberg Jensen |
| Mistra | “Waltz of Death” | Benedicte Adrian, Anders Odden |
| Vidar Villa | “Mer” | Vidar Mohaugen, Jonas Thomassen, Martin Thomassen, Mathias Nilsen |
What is Melodi Grand Prix?
Melodi Grand Prix is the Norwegian method of selection for Eurovision. This national final selection method is over 60 years old. The only year where Melodi Grand Prix has not taken place was 2002, when Norway were relegated from the Eurovision Song Contest. Melodi Grand Prix had undertaken a few different formats. The changes in format have mainly taken place in the last few years, since 2020.
Norway’s Eurovision Journey
The Scandinavian nation made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960, with Nora Brockstedt and the song “Voi Voi”, which placed 4th. Since their debut, they have participated 61 times, and made the Grand Final 58 of these. In addition, Norway has won the competition three times – in 1985, 1995, and 2009.
Norway’s latest Eurovision participation saw them being represented by Alessandra with the song “Queen of Kings”. After qualifying for the final, Norway placed 5th in the Grand Final, receiving 268 points, 52 of which from the jury and 216 from televoters.
Are you excited about Melodi Grand Prix 2024? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we start getting ready for Eurovision 2024!
News Source: TV2
Photo Credit: Julia Marie Naglestad / NRK
Rory Gannon