Earlier last month, duo Ben & Tan won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020 with the song “Yes”. They therefore won the right to represent Denmark in Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam this May. However, due to the contest’s cancellation, their Eurovision journey was thrown into doubt. The broadcaster has now confirmed that they will not be internally selecting Ben & Tan for the 2021 contest.
Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2020 was a unique selection in this year’s season. Taking place in the first weekend of March, the show took place without an audience due to the Danish government restrictions on mass gatherings due to the ongoing pandemic. This of course was the reason for the contest’s eventual cancellation.
Upon receiving the news, Ben & Tan had expressed that they hope to be invited back to the final for next year’s edition. However, broadcaster DR have confirmed that they will be hosting an open selection once again for 2021.
Only after the corona crisis is over do we start to look at what the Danish Melody Grand Prix will look like next year. But, as I said, we choose to see the EBU show as the end of this year’s Melodi Grand Prix and will start on a fresh one from next year.
DR’s Entertainment Editor, Jan Lagermand Lundme, on DMGP 2021
Mr Lundme also confirmed that DR will be broadcasting the EBU’s “Europe Shine A Light” in May, which Ben & Tan will be featured in. Whether or not the duo will be involved in next year’s selection remains to be seen.
Eurovision 2021
At the end of March, we put together an article with everything we know about Eurovision 2021 so far. This includes the countries to confirm their participation, the returning national finals and the artists that have been internally-selected to participate next year. So far, the 13 confirmed artists are:
- 🇦🇺 Australia – Montaigne
- 🇦🇹 Austria – Vincent Bueno
- 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan – Efendi
- 🇧🇪 Belgium – Hooverphonic
- 🇧🇬 Bulgaria – VICTORIA
- 🇬🇪 Georgia – Tornike Kipiani
- 🇬🇷 Greece – Stefania
- 🇮🇱 Israel – Eden Alene
- 🇳🇱 Netherlands – Jeangu Macrooy
- 🇷🇴 Romania – Roxen
- 🇪🇸 Spain – Blas Cantó
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland – Gjon’s Tears
- 🇺🇦 Ukraine – GO_A
With 22 countries confirming their intentions/terms of participation for next year’s contest, this leaves 19 countries who were due to participate in the 2020 contest left. We expect that the remaining broadcasters will publish more information in the coming months, depending on the political climate.
In the meantime, be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our reactions to the over the coming months.
