More details regarding the upcoming 2021 Melodi Grand Prix have been revealed by MGP project manager Stig Karlsen, including the exciting development that we will be having a huge 26 entries to enjoy! Speaking in a live webchat with website “escNorge”, Stig confirmed that the 2021 edition of MGP would also feature 12 finalists.
Following the completion of MGP 2020 this year it was announced that the show would return for 2021, and the song application process was open from May until August 16th. Following promises that the show would be “big and hefty” we now have some clarification on what this means for the contest.
2020’s model; designed to celebrate 60 years of MGP, is expanded for 2021 with 6 pre-qualifiers being guaranteed a place in the Grand Final, a further 5 coming from qualifying semi-finals, and a final bonus wildcard chosen from the acts who didn’t qualify from the semi-final duels. This means we will have a 12 song final!
The format of the semi-finals is largely similar to 2020 with 4 acts competing in 2 duels to determine which one song will progress to the final, however the acts will not be split into geographical regions like they were this year. The public will have a 100% say in the act that progresses. There will be 5 semi finals with the first one starting on 16th January. Two of the pre-qualified final acts will perform on that first show, followed by 1 finalist for the subsequent semi-finals.
Following the completion of the semi-finals we will have 11 finalists, 6 pre-qualified and the 5 duel winners. The 12th and final spot will go to an audience wildcard vote, where the public will vote for 1 of the 15 acts who were originally eliminated in the semi-finals to join the Grand Final on 20th February. This show is projected to take place on the Sunday following the last semi-final.
The first acts due to take part in MGP 2021 will be revealed on 11th January, these will include the 6 pre-qualified finalists as well as the 4 acts who will be taking part in the 1st Semi Final on 16th January. Like 2020, the acts for the remaining semi-finals will be revealed on the Monday preceding each Saturday show!
MGP boss Stig Karlsen is also promising a variety of genres and musical styles as well as a mix of well known names and exciting new artists. He also adds that he feels there are 4 songs that potentially have a good chance of performing at the very highest level when it comes to the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2021.
Melodi Grand Prix 2020 was won by Ulrikke Brandstorp with her song “Attention”, and although she will not be back competing in the show, she will be a big part of MGP 2021. Relive her performance here:
Let us know what you think of this expansion for 2021, are you excited to see the return of the duels and an even bigger final? We cannot wait until it kicks off in January!
