Norwegian broadcaster will be making a historical change at Melodi Grand Prix 2023, as for the first time in 61 year of shows existence the contestants will be having a chance to use auto-tune during their performances.
As Norwegian newspaper VG reports all of the 21 artists competing at Melodi Grand Prix 2023 will be having the opportunity to ensure the perfect vocals while performing their entries through the use of auto-tune. That was confirmed to them by Norwegian HoD Stig Karlsen. The use of auto-tune isn’t allowed at Eurovision Song Contest, and the wish of some contestants to use it at their performances at national selections already caused them to withdraw, like in Luna Ki’s case. Since Eurovision 2021 the pre-recorded backing vocals became something which is featured at every edition of the show as it also got green light for this years edition.
The fact that the use of auto-tune isn’t allowed at Eurovision doesn’t change the decision of NRK.
MGP follows the development of the concert industry and music shows on TV, by allowing the tuning of the lead vocal for MGP 2023. We’ve set high standards for the vocalists’ performance level, and will help to perfect the quality of the sound production through the use of tuning. This is done to give the audience a similarly solid sound experience as in the rest of the industry. On the other hand it is essential that the artists we select for MGP deliver at a high level, even without tuning. In the cases in which we do not know the level of their live performance the artist’s will be invited for an audition.
Stig Karlsen, Norway’s HoD for VG
After VG asked Karlsen whether the use of auto-tune removes the singer’s own personality, he pointed out that the use of auto-tune doesn’t make a skilled vocalist out of a singer and that the level of their performance also depends from their stage presence, power, rhythm, timing, timbre and attitude and finished by adding that this is just a tool for correcting and optimizing the sound experience.
On 4th of January, NRK has presented all of the 21 artists competing at the show, you can check more about them HERE. The list of the acts based of each semi-final is available below.
Semi-final 1 (14th of January)
- Ulrikke Brandstorp – “Honestly“
- Eirik Næss – “Wave“
- Kate Gulbrandsen – “Tårer i paradis“
- Rasmus Thall – “TRESKO“
- Alessandra Mele – “Queen Of Kings“
- Byron Williams Jr & Jowst – “Freaky For The Weekend“
- Umami Tsunami featuring Kyle Alessandro, Kristian Haugstøyl & Magnus Winjum- “Geronimo“
Semi-final 2 (21st of January)
- Sandra Lyng – “Drøm d bort“
- JONE – “Ekko Inni Meg“
- Swing’ it – “Prohibition“
- Ella – “Waist“
- Alejandro Fuentes – “Fuego“
- Bjørn Olav Edvardsen – “Turn Off My Heart“
- Elsie Bay – “Love You in a Dream“
Semi-final 3 (28th of January)
- Skrellex – “Love Again“
- Tiril Beisland – “Break It“
- Akuvi – “Triumph“
- Atle Pettersen – “Masterpiece“
- Eline Thorp – “Not Meant to Be“
- Maria Celin – “Freya“
- Stig van Eijk – “Someday“
The Grand Final will feature the three qualifiers from each of the semi-finals and it will be taking place in Trondheim Spektrum at 4th of February. The hosts of the show will be Stian “Staysman” Thorbjørnsen and Arianrhod “Arian” Engebø. The snippets of all of the entries are available only for the listeners from Norway – HERE, while the full song release for each semi-final will be happening every Monday ahead of the semi. The seven songs competing in the first semi-final will be released on 9th of January.
What are your thoughts of this change NRK made for Melodi Grand Prix 2023? Full release of which song excites you the most? Let us know in the comments below and at our social media @escbubble
