It’s the Eurovision down season, and don’t you for a second think we’re going to stop speculating, arguing, and pushing our heated opinions. Our latest series will look at the national finals of Eurovision, and discussing how we would reform the national finals of Eurovision. Today we’re having a look at Söngvakeppnin.
In part two of this series Kittens, Angus, and Daniel discuss what changes they’d make to Iceland’s NF.
What is Söngvakeppnin?
Usually one of the later national finals in the calendar, Iceland’s selection Söngvakeppnin has taken place since 1981, and since 2006 has been in a format of semi finals leading towards a final. Under current competition rules, all semi-final songs must be in Icelandic, with the option there to translate the song to English should they reach the final, since the current rules were adopted in 2015, all but two winners of the selection chose to do this.
Do we like what the NF does so far, and do we think there’s a chance of it producing a winner?
Kittens
It’s been a bit mixed the last few years, but Iceland does generally have a good feel for Eurovision. They’ve not produced a winner yet but there’s been a lot of potential and seemingly good use of the music scene in the country. I feel like the majority of problems are not the music, although their output is varied, but the surrounding show and voting.
Daniel
We need to put this into context. Iceland has less people than my home county, it would be a miracle if they were consistently churning out winner material. That being said, they’ve come very close a number of times and are certainly punching above their weight, but I don’t think it’s the competition format that’s to thank for the likes of Daði Freyr or Yohanna.
Angus
Iceland’s RÚV is doing, on average, a great job with getting exciting acts to apply for and participate in Söngvakeppnin. Most of the time the selected artist also has been a good choice (regardless of whether it was my favourite choice). Could a winner come out of it? Sure, Iceland has had some exceptionally competitive entries go to Eurovision over the last decade and a bit, but as Daniel said: that’s more thanks to Iceland’s musical output rather than the national final itself.
What changes would we make to the National Final?
Kittens
It’s very hard to not come screaming into this shouting ‘scrap the superfinal’ but they should definitely scrap the superfinal. Organisationally, it’s one of the shows that really makes the least sense : three shows for only 10 songs, a random choice of an act that just gets flung in there last minute, messy as hell voting (and of course, the superfinal). Simplify, simplify, simplify. Take it down to one, or two shows at a push. Or, if you have more artists, same amount of shows for more artists! But organisationally this needs a rethink, it feels incredibly messy for no good reason.
Daniel
Söngvakeppnin Superfinal, thank you so much for Systur, but it’s time to go. I very much agree with Kittens that the whole thing just feels a bit messy – I understand, and support, the desire to have songs in the Icelandic language, but if the vast majority are going to get translated for the final anyway (sometimes to their detriment, looking at you, Diljá) it just feels like a box ticking exercise rather than actual representation for the language. I’d rather they let people who want to sing in English (or any other language from the get go) do so – but have at least 50% of the songs in the show be Icelandic. Scrap the tiny 5 song finals with two qualifiers and instead have one 8-10 song show with a single round.
Angus
Not to repeat what everyone has been saying, but the Superfinal has got to go. I think beyond that some tinkering couldn’t hurt. Experiment with presentation, selection, anything and everything! Try a year with just one show, another without such a strict language rule, another year where you hold a vote so an unselected entry can get a wildcard to the actual shows, and so on. Would any of these be good and stick? Probably not! But it’s good to try some things and see what people like. Beyond that, a bit of an upgrade to the presentation would be nice. I like watching Söngvakeppnin but it is far from the most exciting or interesting NF during the times where artists aren’t performing.
Do we think any reforms are likely to happen to this NF?
Kittens
I think after what happened last year with controversy about voting, it would be nice to see it addressed. I can’t help but think there will be a distinct possibility of no change or only lipservice change occurring. It’s a shame because I feel it’s very much in need of reform, and needs to be looked at seriously.
Daniel
A lot of really nasty stuff went down in the last edition of the show, whilst I don’t think I could see RÚV entirely scrapping the super final, I think we may see it change slightly.
Angus
I don’t think RÚV is likely to make any actual changes to Söngvakeppnin. The format has gone fairly unchanged for a while, as has the presentation thereof. Unless we get a long NQ streak or a collapse in the quantity and quality of entries I don’t see the broadcaster having any incentive to change anything.
Iceland’s Eurovision Journey
Iceland made its debut on the Eurovision stage in 1986, finishing 16th with the song “Gleðibankinn” (Bank of Fun) by ICY. In their 35 appearances, Iceland has finished in top 10 an impressive 7 times. Their best result to date is second place, which they have achieved twice. The first time was in 1999, where Selma Björnsdóttir received 146 points for her performance of “All Out of Luck”. The second time was in 2009, with Yohanna singing “Is It True” and receiving 218 points.
2010 returnee Hera Björk represented Iceland with “Scared of Heights” at the 2024 contest. She placed last in the first semifinal, scoring only three points.
What do you think about our reforms? As always, let us know what you think by commenting down below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: RÚV
Tim J