The first semi final of the Icelandic selection for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest is about to take place. Four acts will compete for two of the spots in the national final.
WEBCAST
The webcast can be found here. If the link doesn't work, copy
to your Windows Media Player (press Ctrl.+U first).
Participants
- Edgar Smári Atlason – The kiss we never kissed (Heimir Sindrason/Ari Harðarson)
- Heiða Ólafsdóttir – Dagur nýr (Halldór Guðjónsson/Íris Kristinsdóttir)
- Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir – Is it true (Óskar Páll Sveinsson)
- Ólöf Jara Skagfjörð – Hugur minn fylgir þér (Valgeir Skagfjörð)
LIVE
The show has started. The two hostesses create a warm feelingbeing casually clothed tonight.
1. Heiða Ólafsdóttir – Dagur nýr (A new day)
Current poll result: 22.4 (2nd)
We start with a confident performance of this ballad. Heiða's vocals are flawless and suit the style of this song and help making it more of an earworm than it actually is. Those who expected outstanding outfits afterlast year'squarter final are probably not disappointed: the singer wears a black net top and rather tight leatherette pants. Generally a strong opener that might have ggod chances to reach the final.
2. Ólöf Jara Skagfjörð – Hugur minn fylgir þér (My mind follows you)
Current poll result: 14.9% (4th)
The second ballad performed in Icelandic tonight. The accordion creates an interestin sea chanty atmosphere on stage thatworks well with the song. Ólöf's vocals areneither bad, nor outstanding. The red dress looks a bit out-of-place on stage and fits not in the overall performance (but might look nice in a folkloristic Eurovision Song Contest interval act). Generally a rather dated entry and probaly no hot favourite for Moscow.
3. Edgar Smári Atlason – The kiss we never kissed
Current poll result: 17.9% (3rd)
Edgar has again decided to go for casual black and sitting on bar stool most of the time, the performance is as simple as it can be. The vocals are rather strong and emotional, even if the singer seems to get a bit lost in the lyrics sometimes and mumbles some letters once in a while.This is the thirdballad in a row tonight and it will probably be a close running tonight which two will go forward to the final.
4. Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttir – Is it true
Current poll results: 44.8% (1st)
The fourth ballad tonight is probably the most memorable one. With her voice, Jóhanna manages to create a magical atmosphere an stage that works well with the overall entry. In the 1990s, this would have probably be a runaway Eurovision Song Contest winner. A very simple but classy performance that should easily makeit to the final. However,history has shown that Iceland has never done well in the contest with ballads.
Results:
Jóhanna Guðrún Jónsdóttirand Edgar Smári Atlason qualified for the final.
