Denmark prepares for Melodi Grand Prix 2021: 8 songs in a TV studio
Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021 will be held on 6 March live from DR's studios in DR Byen, Copenhagen. 8 songs will be selected an expert committee
The Danish selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2021 will be affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time since Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 1999, the final will be held in a TV studio, more specific DR's studio 5.
All songs will be performed with live backing vocals on 6 March 2021, despite the new Eurovision regulations that allow pre-recorded vocals in Rotterdam.
Eight songs will be selected by an expert committee, and the submission of songs for DMGP 2021 has opened with a deadline on 20 November 2020 .
Either a composer, lyricist or the artist must have residence in Denmark for a number of years, married or in a relationship with a Dane or similar. Danes residing in the Faroe Islands or Greenland can also participate in the competition.
COVID-19 and Melodi Grand Prix
Denmark held its national selection Melodi Grand Prix 2020 in an empty Royal Arena in Copenhagen on 7 March 2020. The contest was the only national selection for Eurovision 2020 that was held without audience due to COVID-19.
DR's Gustav Lützhøft, spokesperson for Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2021, says to DR:
– Like so many other major events, we have of course adapted to the conditions. We need to organize with a timely care a show that makes sense in the current situation. We will not risk being in the same situation as last time with a large, empty arena.
Gustav Lützhøft assures that DR will produce a great show despite the smaller conditions:
– We are not unfamiliar with producing great shows from our own studios, and we still have ambitions to be able to deliver Denmark's largest music party for the whole country. Now that we can not invite as many people to a physical music party to help us create the atmosphere, we will strive to reach out to the Danes, wherever they now take part in the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix out in the country, says Gustav Lützhøft.
Denmark in Eurovision Song Contest
Denmark has been participating in Eurovision Song Contest 48 times. Since its debut in 1957, Denmark has won the contest 3 times:
Worst result was in 2002 (last). Since the introduction of the Semi-finals in Eurovision in 2004, Denmark has qualified for the Grand Final 12 out of 16 times.
