Today Icelandic broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) announced the 10 artists and songs which will be competing in Söngvakeppnin 2020. Iceland has used a national final format since 2006 in selecting their Eurovision entry.
As per the previous year, this year will consist of two Semi Finals, which will be held in Háskólabíói, and a Final/Super Final held in Laugardalshöll.
The dates are as follows:
Semi Final 1 - 8 February 2020 in Europe and 9 February 2020 in Australia
Semi Final 2 - 15 February 2020 in Europe and 16 February 2020 in Australia
Final/Super Final - 29 February 2020 in Europe and 1 March 2020 in Australia
Five songs will be performed in each Semi Final where only two songs from each Semi Final progressing to the Final, these songs are selected fully by televoting. A wildcard entry will be selected by the producers to make it five entries that will compete in the Final.
In the Final two entries will be selected by 50/50 international jury, and televoting. They will proceed to the Super Final. The eventual winner will be chosen through televoting, and represent Iceland in Eurovision 2020.
All songs are performed in Icelandic for the Semi Finals. They are then to be performed in their intended language for Eurovision in the Final. Hence you will find an Icelandic and an English version of songs in some entries below.
Below are the full lists of artists with songs:
Brynja Mary ‘Augun þín’ (Your eyes) - English version ‘In Your Eyes’
Daði Freyr ‘Gagnamagnið’ (The amount of data) - English version ‘Think About Thinks”
DIMMA ‘Almyrkvi’ (Total eclipse)
Elísabet ‘Elta þig’ (Chase you) - English version ‘Haunting”
Hildur Vala ‘Fellibylur’ (Hurricane)
Ísold & Helga ‘Klukkan tifar’ (Clock is ticking) - English version ‘Meet Me Halfway.”
Iva ‘Oculis videre’ (Eyes can see) - English version ‘Oculis videre”
Kid Isak ‘Ævintýri’ (Adventure)
Matti Matt ‘Dreyma’ (Dream)
Nína ‘Ekkó’ (Echo) - English version ‘Echo’
There are some notable returns to Söngvakeppnin. Firstly Daði Freyr was runner up in Söngvakeppnin 2017 with ‘Is This Love?’, he lost to Svala Björgvinsdóttir who won with her song ‘Paper’ which reached in 15th place in the Eurovision Semi Final in Kyiv.
Another artist making their return is Elisabet, previous known as Elisabet Ormslev. She last participated in Söngvakeppnin 2016 with a song penned by Greta Salóme called ‘Á ny’. Interestingly that year Greta won the National Final and went on to represent Iceland in Eurovision in Stockholm with ‘Hear Them Calling’.
A previous Eurovision artist makes a comeback is Matti Matt, known as Mattías Mattiasson. He was the lead vocalist in the tribute band Sjonni’s Friends. They reached 20th place in the Eurovision Grand Final in 2011 with their heartfelt song ‘Coming Home’.
Other notable mentions include DIMMA a big rock / metal band from Reykjavík who released their first album in 2005 and have recorded four so far. Hildur Vala won Idol stjörnuleit, the equivalent of Pop Idol/Australian Idol, in the second season in 2004-2005. Iva and Ísold have previous auditioned for The Voice Iceland.