Norway’s NRK have announced the participants in the upcoming Melodi Grand Prix. After major changes to the format were announced last year, we now know which 21 acts will fight for the right to represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool.
Four returning MGP winners, including Ulrikke
Many of the 21 acts partaking in Melodi Grand Prix in Norway are familiar names. Among the list, NRK have managed to get four previous winners back to the MGP stage. The first act revealed today was Ulrikke Brandstorp. She won the Eurovision ticket back in 2020, but the Covid pandemic stopped her from actually setting foot on the Eurovision stage. Jowst is also back to grab his moment yet again. This time, he’ll get freaky for the weekend alongside Byron Williams Jr.
Going back a little further in time: Stig van Eijk is also back. The winner of MGP 1999 is back with a reggae inspired track, called “Someday”. Back after an even longer absence is Kate Gulbrandsen. She will be singing “Tårer I Paradis” after already winning the competition in 1987 with “Mitt Liv”. Other notable entrants include Elsie Bay, Akuvi and Alejandro Fuentes.
| Semifinal One |
| Ulrikke – 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 ft. Kyle Alessandro, Kristian Haugstøyl & Magnus Winjum – Geronimo |
| Semifinal Two |
| 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 |
| Semifinal Three |
| 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 |
A new format for MGP
Last year, MGP had a format with pre-qualified finalists and semifinals alongside those. That has been scrapped for this year. Now, we have three semifinals and one big final. The semis will take place on 14, 21 and 28 January. The Grand Final will then follow on 4 February.
That day, we will know who will succeed Subwoolfer as Norway’s entrant in Eurovision. Last year, “Give That Wolf A Banana” finished top ten in Turin.
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