Norway MGP 2021: Artists for Heat 1 + Pre-qualified finalists revealed
The Norwegian broadcaster NRK has revealed the four artists for Heat 1 of MGP 2021 as well as the six pre-qualified finalists. Listen to the songs here
The Norwegian selection for Eurovision, Melodi Grand Prix, or just "MGP", is back and will select the next representative with a format similar to last year. Melodi Grand Prix 2020 was in its 60th Anniversary so it was decided to revamp with a big event: A total of six shows which were broadcasted live during six Saturdays.
Now Norway is ready for the 2021 season. Melodi Grand Prix 2021 will feature a total of 26 songs in 6 shows.
The first heat of MGP 2021 takes place on Saturday 16 January with four songs competing for one spot in the final. The three others will still have a chance to get a wildcard for the Norwegian final. The wildcard will be awarded one of the non-qualifiers from the five heats.
Heat 1 – Lineup
Pre-qualifed finalists
20 February 2021
- Atle Pettersen – "World On Fire"
- Kaja Rode – "Feel Again"
- KEiiNO – "Monument"
- Rein Alexander – "Eyes Wide Open"
- Stavangerkameratene – "Barndomsgater"
- TIX – "Ut Av Mørket"
Melodi Grand Prix 2021
Melodi Grand Prix 2021 will select the artist and song that will represent Norway at Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam.
There will be a total of seven shows from 16 January to 20 February 2021:
- 16 January 2021: Heat 1 (songs released 11 January)
- 23 January 2021: Heat 2 (songs released 18 January)
- 30 January 2021: Heat 3 (songs released 25 January)
- 6 February 2021: Heat 4 (songs released 1 February)
- 13 February 2021: Heat 5 (songs released 8 February)
- 15 February 2021: Last Chance
- 20 February 2021: Final
There will be a total of 26 songs in MGP 2021.
12 songs will compete in the final:
- 6 pre-qualified songs
- 5 winners from the heats
- 1 wildcard from the heats
On 15 February 2021, one artist will get the Wildcard in the Last Chance round for the Final of MGP which will be selected in a live broadcast on the radio and at NRK.no.
This year’s grand final will have 12 finalists, instead of the regular ten. Like last year, half of the finalists will be internally selected (pre-qualified) and half chosen through the heats.
All Heats as well as the Final will be broadcasted from the H3 Arena at Fornebu outside of Oslo. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic this will unfortunately take place without any audience.
Norway in Eurovision Song Contest
Since the debut in 1960 Norway has participated 58 times in Eurovision. They have won the competition three times:
In 2009, Alexander Rybak's Fairytale was the song that has received most points with the old voting system: 387 points – got 12 points from 16 countries. But Norway holds another Eurovision record: The country that ended last most times – 10 last places!
Since the introduction of Semi-finals in 2004, Norway has been very succesful with qualification to the Grand Final 13 out of 16 times.
