Iceland: First semi-final of Söngvakeppnin 2018

Iceland failed to qualify to the Grand Final the last three years, but this year they want to change that! The Icelandic broadcaster RÚV held the first semi-final of Söngvakeppnin 2018 tonight.

The six artists who competed tonight were narrowed down to three finalists.

The next semi-final of Söngvakeppnin 2018 takes place on 17 February, with another six songs competing to qualify for the final on 3 March 2018.

All the songs will be performed in Icelandic language in the Semi-finals. In the final it's optional for each singer if he/she will perform the song in Icelandic or in English.

Söngvakeppnin 2018 – Semi-final 1 results

• Ari Ólafsson – "Heim"
• Heimilistónar – "Kúst og fæjó"
• Fókus – "Aldrei gefast upp"
• Þórunn Antonía – "Ég mun skína"
• Guðmundur Þórarinsson – "Litir"
• Tómas & Sólborg – "Ég og þú"

Söngvakeppnin 2018

Söngvakeppnin 2018 consists of two semi-finals and one final. The semi-finals will be held in Háskólabíó and the final in Laugardalshöll.

• Semi-final 1: 10 February 2018
• Semi-final 2: 17 February 2018
• Final: 3 March 2018

12 songs has been picked to compete in Söngvakeppnin 2018 – Six songs for each Semi-final. Three songs from each Semi-final will qualify to the Final, decided by televoting.

In the Final of Söngvakeppnin 2018 a combination of 50/50 televoting/jury will select two songs for the Super Final. The two super finalists will perform their songs again, and here the winner will be decided solely by televoting.

All three shows are broadcast live.

Iceland in Eurovision Song Contest

Iceland's debut in Eurovision Song Contest was back in 1986, and has been participating 30 times since. Best result are two second-places with Yohanna in 2009 and Selma in 1999.

Since the introduction of Semi-finals in 2004 Iceland qualified to the Grand Final 8 out of 14 times.

Iceland is the only Northern European country that has yet to win the Eurovision Song Contest.