Following two consecutive semi-final eliminations and a 20th place this year in Kyiv, it seems that Denmark is quite desirous of leaving totally behind these poor recent Eurovision results and go on with a powerful Eurovision entry and a Top 10 placing in Lisbon. That’s all we’ve understood from the statements of the DR entertainment manager, Jan Lagermand Lundme. 

Is the public the best judge?

As the preparations for their national selection show Dansk Melodi Grand Prix (DMGP) are in full swing, the broadcaster is now trying to find the best 10 songs which will be competing for the ticket to Lisbon. The show is going to take place on 10 February at Gigantium in Aalborg city, as the ticket sales began yesterday.

As with last year, the pre-selection process will take place in a relatively open to the public way. Last Wednesday, DR hosted a show with invited guests having the opportunity to give their opinion on some of the submitted songs. These were DMGP fans, music experts and ordinary music lovers.

Regarding this process, Jan Lagermand Lundme, had to say:

Last year, we decided to do everything we could to open up the process, and we’ll do that again this year. By listening to a wide array of fans, people from the music industry and ordinary Danes, we hear the opinions of many people and ensure that we select the top 10 songs.

Following his successful career in DR and Eurovision, the EBU recently appointed the Danish man as an EBU Reference Group member.

Listeners speak openly

There were show guests who shared their impressions after listening to several candidate songs. One of them was a long term DMGP fan, Morten Madsen. Morten made the following statement:

Everything was very thorough and kept a relatively high level. There were especially three to four songs where I got some pictures in my head and visually could tell me how to do something that the rest of Europe does not do.

Linda Andrews, a woman who has taken the Eurovision stage, being a backing vocalist for DMGP 2017 winner Anja Nissen in May, also expressed her views:

I think there were some really exciting and powerful candidate songs. Songs that reflect what’s happening in the music that’s up to date – for example, the country element that we heard of. I especially had three songs, which I think will do very well in Eurovision, so I hope, of course, that my favorites come along.

After all, we are undoubtedly looking forward to the announcement of the 10 hopefuls in the coming weeks!

Are the Danes going for their 4th victory in Portugal?