The eleventh semi final of the Icelandic selection for the Eurovision Song Contest is about to take place. You can watch the webcast by following the link below.
Live coverage by Bjarni Heiðar Halldórsson.
This article will be constantly updated.
Ragnhildur Steinunn the host of Laugardagslögin steps on stage dressed in an elegant black dress. There is a recap of last week's winneing song Don't wake me up by Ragnheiður Gröndal.
Andrea Gylfadóttir (performer and composer) – Flower of fire got the wildcard for the second chance round.
1. Ali Mobli, Harold Burr, Hildur Guðný Þórhallsdóttir, Sigurður Þór Óskarsson, Soffía Karlsdóttir (composer: Barði Jóhannsson) – Friður á þessari jörð (Peace on earth)
Barði Jóhannsson's song Ho ho ho we say hey hey hey has already reached the final. His last attempt is a rather strange song performed by the five singers who are all dressed in black and white.There are – probably – some African elements but the overall entry is rather monotone even if it can hardly be forgotten.
When Ragnhildur asks Þorvaldur Bjarni how he liked the song, he decides to ask her what she thinks. Ragnhildur, the host admits that's not nearly energetic enough. Erpur thinks it's not exaggerated enough to be funny and honestly thinks that this song was a satanic ritual of some kind. Selma says that the stage show built around Barði's songs gets less and less with every time a song of him is performed. Which she compliments as it lets the song stand out… but she says that this song is nowhere close to the standard he showed with Ho ho ho we say hey hey hey. In general, the jury doesn't seem all that pleased with the song.
2. Hrund Ósk Árnadóttir (Composer: Magnús Eiríksson) – Í rússíbana (On a roller coaster)
Magnús Eiríksson has already reached the final with his previous two songs: Leigubílar and Hvað var það sem þú sást í honum?. The performer is studying opera singing and is asked to show of demostration of her learnings. Sheis actually one of the performers of Leigubílar so if she were to get to the final tonight she'll be the only artist performingtwo songs in the final. The entry is a typical pop song with very strong vocals.
Erpur loves the song and says that it's Magnús' best attempt so far. Selma says she that she just loves the works of Magnús and is fascinated by the eastern mood set by this song. Þorvaldur has a similiar oppinion saying that he feels as if it's a Russian party song! He says that he thourougly enjoyed the song and adds that he was very pleased with Hrund's performance.
3. Haffi Haff (Composer: Svala Björgvinsdóttir) – The wiggle wiggle song
This is actually Haffi Haff's first performance in front of crowd. He admits that his only experience comes from singing into a shampoo bottle in his bathroom. Svala Björgvinsdóttir has no song in the final so far. The songrides on atechno-pop drumline and is very similiar to the work of a certain Ms. Britney Spears. Haffi Haff's performance actually makes you wonder if this is Britney dressed up in a costume. He's accompanied by 6 dancers on stage, all dressed in black.
Selma says she's crazy about the song, the choreography and the performer Haffi Haff. Erpur comments that Haffi has to be the gayest person on the planet earth, but he loves it. Selma DEMANDS that this song goes straight to Serbia! Þorvaldur says that this choreography was the best he's ever seen on Icelandic TV. They all agree that the performance was very professional and refuse to believe that this is his first performance in front of a crowd. All members of the jury agree that they absolutely loved the song, the choreograpy, the performance AND the performer.
