More broadcasters have announced their plans for the 2021 contest. NRK has confirmed that ‘Melodi Grand Prix’ will return next year. NRK has now opened their submission period to find their song for next year’s contest which is due to take place in Rotterdam.
Continuing with the 2020 Format
In 2019, it was announced that the format for the 2020 edition of ‘Melodi Grand Prix’ will change for it’s Jubilee anniversary, which saw the format revert back to a multi-week selection. The success of the 2020 edition of the contest saw NRK confirm that the new format will continue on in 2021.
The submissions for Melodi Grand Prix opened at May 15, and will be open until the 16th August. As with their search in 2019, Norway is looking at the quality of the submissions and not quality:
The key words are quality ahead of quantity. In addition to the open submission, there is targeted research and direct dialogue with the music industry.
Norway’s Head of Delegation Stig Karlsen on MGP submissions (translated)
As well as this focus, its mentioned that the competition is anyone who writes songs. It’s also mentioned that entries must have at least one Norwegian songwriter as the competition mainly promotes the Norwegian music scene.
The invitation is open to anyone who writes songs. This is a unique opportunity to try to capture a place in the world’s biggest music competition. We are open to all kinds of music within a broad understanding of the pop genre. It can be anything from hard rock, to pink gum pop, and everything in between.
As well as meeting the Eurovision rules, the requirement for submission is as follows:
- Only three songs per song. composer / producer / artist
- It is encouraged that the entered contributions have at least one Norwegian songwriter, as MGP wants to prioritize and promote the Norwegian music scene.
- The participating artist must have turned 16 in April 2021.
If you are interested in submitting an entry for Melodi Grand Prix 2021. you can do so by clicking right here.
Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest
The Scandinavian nation debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960 with Nora Brockstedt and her song ‘Voi Voi’, which placed fourth. Since their debut, Norway has managed to win three times (1985, 1995 & 2009).
In 2020, Ulrikke won Melodi Grand Prix with her song ‘Attention’. Norway was set to perform in the First Semi-Final of this year’s contest before it was cancelled. NRK has confirmed that it has offered Ulrikke has been offered a direct qualification for the 2021 final; but declined the offer.
Who would you like to see to participate in next year’s Melodi Grand Prix? Let us know! 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 news in the upcoming months.
Seriously, I think we can all agree here that the only artist we want is Ulrikke.