Icelandic broadcaster RÚV has unveiled the ten acts and songs competing in Söngvakeppninn 2024.
The contestants have been split into two semi-finals — taking place on 17 and 24 February. The grand final is scheduled for 2 March.
As per the usual rules of Söngvakeppninn, each act must perform their song in Icelandic during the semi-finals. They then have the option of switching to English should they make it to the grand final, though not all acts have submitted an English version of their song.
RÚV recently announced they were severing ties between Söngvakeppninn and Eurovision as an official selection. Instead, the winner will get to choose if they want to represent Iceland in Malmö or not. The decision was made due to building criticism in the country over Israel’s participation at Eurovision following the ongoing events in Gaza.
The Söngvakeppninn 2024 line-up includes Eurovision alum Hera Björk, who represented Iceland in 2010. Palestinian singer-songwriter Bashar Murad also has a small Eurovision connection, having previously collaborated with Iceland’s 2019 representatives, Hatari, on the song “Klefi / Samed”.
Söngvakeppninn 2024: Competing acts and songs
Semi-final 1
CeaseTone – “Ró” / “Flow”
Music: Hafsteinn Þráinsson og Halldór Eldjárn
Icelandic text: Una Torfadóttir
English text: Hafsteinn Þráinsson
Blankiflúr – “Sjá þig” / “Love You
Music: FIMM (Hólmfríður Sigurðardóttir, Páll Axel Sigurðsson, Kristín Sigurðardóttir, Albert Sigurðsson og Sólveig Sigurðardóttir)
Icelandic text: FIMM
English text: FIMM
ANITA – “Stingum af” / “Downfall”
Music: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir og Jake Tench
Icelandic text: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir
English text: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir og Jake Tench
Sunny – “Fiðrildi”
Music: Nikulás Nikulásson og Sunna Kristinsdóttir
English text: Sunna Kristinsdóttir
VÆB – “Bíómynd” / “Movie Scene”
Music: Matthías Davíð Matthíasson og Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson
Icelandic text: Matthías Davíð Matthíasson og Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson
English text: Matthías Davíð Matthíasson, Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson og Drífa Nadía Thoroddsen Mechiat
Semi-final 2
Hera Björk – “Við förum hærra” / “Scared of Heights”
Music: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir, Michael Burek, Jaro Omar og Ferras Alqaisi
Icelandic text: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir
English text: Ásdís María Viðarsdóttir, Michael Burek, Jaro Omar og Ferras Alqaisi
Heiðrún Anna – “Þjakaður af ást”
Music: Heiðrún Anna Björnsdóttir
English text: Heiðrún Anna Björnsdóttir og Rut Ríkey Tryggvadóttir
Bashar Murad – “Vestrið villt” / “Wild West”
Music: Bashar Murad og Einar Hrafn Stefánsson
Icelandic text: Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson
English text: Bashar Murad og Einar Hrafn Stefánsson
Sigga Ózk – “Um allan alheiminn” / “Into the Atmosphere”
Music: Sigga Ózk, Birkir Blær og TRIBBS
Icelandic text: Sigga Ózk og ónefndur aðili
English text: Sigga Ózk og Birkir Blær#
MAIAA – “Fljúga burt”
Music: Baldvin Snær Hlynsson
Icelandic text: Baldvin Snær Hlynsson og María Agnesardóttir
English text: Baldvin Snær Hlynsson, Helga Soffía Ólafsdóttir og María Agnesardóttir
Which song is your favourite? Who do you think has a chance of winning Söngvakeppninn 2024? Let us know in the comments below.
