Iceland’s national final, Söngvakeppnin, is back for 2024 and it will consist of two Semi-finals on 17 February and 24 February and a Final on 2 March.
Five songs will compete in each Semi-final, with Icelanders choosing two songs to progress to the Final by a public vote. There will also a wildcard allowed for the broadcaster, RÚV, to bring a fifth song into the Final if they so wish.
So to recap the 2nd Semi-final held on 24 February 2024....
The show itself was again hosted by Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson, Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir and Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson.
The five competing songs were:
Sigga Ózk – “Um allan alheiminn” (Into the Atmosphere)
Basic pop from yesteryear with Sigga giving a very “memorable” high note. Oh Tiffany!
https://youtu.be/Oa0G48fy6uA?si=cg5vSBMwrK1iDOPy
Heiðrún Anna – “Þjakaður af ást” (Tormented by Love)
The song went nowhere and the performance kind of matched. Dancing on the table at her age, I was a bit concerned.
https://youtu.be/FmJS1NAhJ1Y?si=GU-cskZojM0OtTyw
Bashar Murad – “Vestrið villt” (Wild West)
A pretty lame nod to country, Bashar is no Orville Peck. Not the worst though.
https://youtu.be/UQYZKrZOjAg?si=ybeSJEOyNmLUAMaO
Maiaa – “Fljúga burt” (Break Away)
A cute performance that struggled vocally in some parts.
https://youtu.be/I05UfjbNar4?si=NbpQhVhAy8W9QkUB
Hera Björk – “Við förum hærra” (Scared of Heights)
Crowd favourite and Eurovision royalty Hera delivered her trademark vocals with a confident performance. A “competent grandmother with wind machine” vibe.
https://youtu.be/93ZhyLj9GAA?si=WBHzpZizF_nJG9uE
And the two songs selected by the public were:
Bashar Murad – “Vestrið villt” (Wild West)
Hera Björk – “Við förum hærra” (Scared of Heights)
And winning through with the wildcard was:
Sigga Ózk – “Um allan alheiminn” (Into the Atmosphere)