Melodi Grand Prix 2020

Melodi Grand Prix 2020 was the 58th edition of the Norwegian music competition Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) and served as the country's preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The competition was organized by NRK between 11 January 2020 and 15 February 2020, and a total of 25 songs participated – the highest number in the history of the competition.

Melodi Grand Prix 2020
Dates
Semi-final
  • 11 January 2020
  • 18 January 2020
  • 25 January 2020
  • 1 February 2020
  • 8 February 2020
Grand final15 February 2020
Host
Venue
Presenter(s)
  • Ronny Brede Aase
  • Kåre Magnus Bergh
  • Ingrid Gjessing Linhave
Host broadcasterNRK
Participants
Number of entries25
Vote
Winning song"Attention" by Ulrikke Brandstorp

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of Norway's debut in the Eurovision Song Contest, five heats and a final were organised instead of a single final. Each region in Norway was assigned its own heat, in which four acts from that region competed for a spot in the final on 15 February 2020. In addition, five pre-qualified finalists had been selected by the broadcaster.[1][2] The heats were held in the H3 Arena in Fornebu, while the final took place in Trondheim Spektrum. This is the first time Trondheim is hosting a Melodi Grand Prix final, and it is the first time since 1989 that the final is not held in Oslo.[3]

Kåre Magnus Bergh hosted Melodi Grand Prix for the sixth time, while Ronny Brede Aase and Ingrid Gjessing Linhave debuted as presenters of the competition. In the final, the pre-qualified entry "Attention" by Ulrikke Brandstorp received the most votes and was selected to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Format

Song submissions

As in previous years, NRK had invited Norwegian and foreign musicians to submit songs for the competition. Registration for Melodi Grand Prix 2020 opened on 2 March 2019, with the deadline being 31 July of the same year. Each submission had to have at least one Norwegian songwriter, and each songwriter could submit a maximum of three contributions.[4] These changes to the rules led to a significant decrease in the number of songs submitted. In total, the broadcaster received about 800 submissions, compared to about 1,000 in previous years.[5] A total of 25 songs were selected to participate in the competition: 20 songs were divided over the five heats, and five songs qualified directly for the final.

Shows

2020 marked the 60th anniversary of Norway's debut in the Eurovision Song Contest 1960 with the song "Voi Voi" by Nora Brockstedt. On the occasion of the anniversary, NRK decided to expand the competition with five heats.[6] This is the first time since 2014 that NRK organised heats ahead of the finals.[7]

Each of the five heats was centered around one of Norway's geographical regions: Northern, Central, Western, Southern and Eastern Norway. Four acts from each of these regions competed in their respective heats for a spot in the final on 15 February. The heats were broadcast directly from the H3 Arena in Fornebu, while the final was hosted by Trondheim Spektrum.[5] This was the third time a Melodi Grand Prix final had been held outside of Oslo, and the first time since 1989. It was also the first time that Trondheim hosted the final.

The competition was hosted by three presenters. Kåre Magnus Bergh hosted for the sixth time, whereas Ronny Brede Aase and Ingrid Gjessing Linhave hosted the show for the first time.[8][9]

Show Date Region Venue
Heat 1 11 January 2020 Southern Norway H3 Arena, Fornebu
Heat 2 18 January 2020 Eastern Norway
Heat 3 25 January 2020 Central Norway
Heat 4 1 February 2020 Western Norway
Heat 5 8 February 2020 Northern Norway
Final 15 February 2020 N/A Trondheim Spektrum

Voting

The audience could vote for the competing acts in each heat, with the act that received most votes after two rounds proceeding to the final. A jury led by Stig Karlsen, the Norwegian head of delegation for the Eurovision Song Contest, selected the five pre-qualified finalists.[6] In each heat, one of the pre-qualified finalists performed to ensure equal broadcasting time for all ten finalists. Viewers could only vote through the broadcaster's website nrk.no.[10]

In the final, the same method of online voting was used to determine the winner of the competition. Due to excessive server load caused by the emoji reaction function of the app, the four gold finalists were determined by a thirty-member backup demoscopic panel as the NRK website was down.[11][12]

Competing entries

The competing acts were announced during a press conference in Oslo on 6 January.[13]

Artist Song Composer(s)
Akuvi "Som du er" Andreas "Stone" Johansson, Costa Leon, Amin Zana, Beatrice Akuvi Kumordzie
Alexandru "Pink Jacket" Ruben Markussen, Tormod Løkling
Didrik & Emil Solli-Tangen "Out Of Air" Fredrik Boström, Mats Tärnfors, Niclas Lundin, Didrik Solli-Tangen
Elin & The Woods "We Are As One" Robin Lynch, Elin Kåven, Ylva Persson, Linda Persson
Geirmund "Come Alive" Eric Lumiere, Jonas H. Jensen, Niklas Rosström
Hege Bjerk "Pang" Martin Bjerkreim, Trygve Stakkeland, Hege Bjerkreim
Anna Jæger "How About Mars" Roel Rats, Synne Vorkinn, Chris Wortley, Sindre T. Jenssen
Jenny Jenssen "Mr. Hello" Mats Larsson, Jørgen Andson, Jenny Jenssen
Kevin Boine "Stem på mæ" Henning Olerud, Stanley Ferdinandez
Kim André Rysstad "Rainbow" Knut Bjørnar Asphol, Kim André Rysstad
Kim Wigaard & Maria Mohn "Fool For Love" Torbjørn Raae, Arve Furset, Kim Wigaard Johansen, Maria Mohn
Kristin Husøy "Pray For Me" Galeyn Tenhaeff, Neil Hollyn, Marcia Sondeijker, Roel Rats, Kristin Husøy
Lisa Børud "Talking About Us" Jimmy Jansson, Anderz Wrethov, Maia Wright, Laurell Barker
Liza Vassilieva "I Am Gay" Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen, Stian Nyhammer Olsen, Myrtoula Røe, Liza Vassilieva
Magnus Bokn "Over The Sea" Alexander Rybak, Joakim With Steen, Magnus Bokn
Nordic Tenors "In This Special Place" Einar Kristiansen Five, Jan-Tore Saltnes
Oda Loves You "Love Who We Love" Magnus Bertelsen, Oda Evjen Gjøvåg
Raylee "Wild" Andreas "Stone" Johansson, Anderz Wrethov, Laurell Barker
Rein Alexander "One Last Time" Erik Smaaland, Kristoffer Tømmerbakke, Rein Alexander
Sie Gubba "Kjære du" Petter Øien, Magne Almås
Sondrey "Take My Time" Ola Frøyen, Eric Lumiere, Terchi Pippuri
Thomas Løseth & Erika Norwich "Vertigo" Idar Sørensen
Tone Damli "Hurts Sometimes" Helge Moen, Jim Bergsted, Jethro Fox, Tone Damli
Tore Petterson "The Start of Something New" Tore Petterson, Knut Bjørnar Asphol
Ulrikke Brandstorp "Attention" Christian Ingebrigtsen, Kjetil Mørland, Ulrikke Brandstorp

Heats

Heat 1 – Southern Norway

The first heat took place on 11 January 2020 at the H3 Arena in Fornebu.

Heat 1 – 11 January 2020
Duel Draw Artist Song Result
Duel 1
1
Geirmund "Come Alive" Eliminated
2
Lisa Børud "Talking About Us" Gold Duel
Duel 2
1
Kim André Rysstad "Rainbow" Eliminated
2
Raylee "Wild" Gold Duel
Promo
Sondrey "Take My Time" Pre-qualified
Gold Duel – 11 January 2020
Draw Artist Song Result
1
Lisa Børud "Talking About Us" Eliminated
2
Raylee "Wild" Finalist

Heat 2 – Eastern Norway

The second heat took place on 18 January 2020 at the H3 Arena in Fornebu.

Heat 2 – 18 January 2020
Duel Draw Artist Song Result
Duel 1
1
Tore Petterson "The Start of Something New" Eliminated
2
Kim Wigaard & Maria Mohn "Fool For Love" Gold Duel
Duel 2
1
Anna Jæger "How About Mars" Eliminated
2
Rein Alexander "One Last Time" Gold Duel
Promo
Didrik & Emil Solli-Tangen "Out Of Air" Pre-qualified
Gold Duel – 18 January 2020
Draw Artist Song Result
1
Kim Wigaard & Maria Mohn "Fool For Love" Eliminated
2
Rein Alexander "One Last Time" Finalist

Heat 3 – Central Norway

The third heat took place on 25 January 2020 at the H3 Arena in Fornebu.

Heat 3 – 25 January 2020
Duel Draw Artist Song Result
Duel 1
1
Alexandru "Pink Jacket" Eliminated
2
Sie Gubba "Kjære du" Gold Duel
Duel 2
1
Thomas Løseth & Erika Norwich "Vertigo" Eliminated
2
Kristin Husøy "Pray For Me" Gold Duel
Promo
Akuvi "Som du er" Pre-qualified
Gold Duel – 25 January 2020
Draw Artist Song Result
1
Sie Gubba "Kjære du" Eliminated
2
Kristin Husøy "Pray For Me" Finalist

Heat 4 – Western Norway

The fourth heat took place on 1 February 2020 at the H3 Arena in Fornebu.

Heat 4 – 1 February 2020
Duel Draw Artist Song Result
Duel 1
1
Magnus Bokn "Over The Sea" Gold Duel
2
Oda Loves You "Love Who We Love" Eliminated
Duel 2
1
Nordic Tenors "In This Special Place" Gold Duel
2
Hege Bjerk "Pang" Eliminated
Promo
Ulrikke Brandstorp "Attention" Pre-qualified
Gold Duel – 1 February 2020
Draw Artist Song Result
1
Magnus Bokn "Over The Sea" Finalist
2
Nordic Tenors "In This Special Place" Eliminated

Heat 5 – Northern Norway

The fifth heat will take place on 8 February 2020 at the H3 Arena in Fornebu.

Heat 5 – 8 February 2020
Duel Draw Artist Song Result
Duel 1
1
Jenny Jenssen "Mr. Hello" Eliminated
2
Elin & The Woods "We Are As One" Gold Duel
Duel 2
1
Kevin Boine "Stem på mæ" Eliminated
2
Liza Vassilieva "I Am Gay" Gold Duel
Promo
Tone Damli "Hurts Sometimes" Pre-qualified
Gold Duel – 8 February 2020
Draw Artist Song Result
1
Elin & The Woods "We Are As One" Eliminated
2
Liza Vassilieva "I Am Gay" Finalist

Final

Ten songs consisting of the five heat winners alongside the five pre-qualified songs competed in the final which was hosted by Trondheim Spektrum in Trondheim on 15 February 2020. The running order for the final was announced on 10 February 2020.[14] In the first round, all ten finalists performed once, after which the four best songs proceeded to the gold final. After a second voting round, the two best songs from the gold final proceeded to the gold duel. A third voting round then determined the winner of Melodi Grand Prix 2020.

After the gold duel, the results of the online voting were revealed by representatives of Norway's five regions, which led to the victory of "Attention" performed by Ulrikke Brandstorp.[15]

Final – 15 February 2020
Draw Artist Song Result
1 Raylee "Wild" Gold Final
2 Didrik & Emil Solli-Tangen "Out Of Air" Eliminated
3 Magnus Bokn "Over The Sea" Eliminated
4 Akuvi "Som du er" Eliminated
5 Kristin Husøy "Pray For Me" Gold Final
6 Rein Alexander "One Last Time" Eliminated
7 Tone Damli "Hurts Sometimes" Eliminated
8 Sondrey "Take My Time" Eliminated
9 Ulrikke Brandstorp "Attention" Gold Final
10 Liza Vassilieva "I Am Gay" Gold Final
Gold Final – 15 February 2020
Draw Artist Song Result
1 Kristin Husøy "Pray For Me" Gold Duel
2 Ulrikke Brandstorp "Attention" Gold Duel
3 Liza Vassilieva "I Am Gay" Eliminated
4 Raylee "Wild" Eliminated
Gold Duel – 15 February 2020
Draw Artist Song South Central North West East Total Place
Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes % Votes %
1 Kristin Husøy "Pray For Me" 16,756 45.77 51,176 70.16 19,932 53.75 37,107 48.82 69,696 40.44 194,667 49.28 2
2 Ulrikke Brandstorp "Attention" 19,854 54.23 21,770 29.84 17,152 46.25 38,906 51.18 102,663 59.56 200,345 50.72 1

Spokespersons

Ratings

Show Air date Viewers
(millions)
Share Ref.
Heat 1 11 January 2020 0.592 44% [16]
Final 15 February 2020 0.950 68% [17]

See also

References

  1. "Norsk finale i februar, etter fem delfinaler" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  2. "escNorge avslører: Slik blir delfinalene i MGP" (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  3. Thobroe, Grete (November 12, 2019). "Melodi Grand Prix-finalen arrangeres i Trondheim Spektrum i 2020". NRK.
  4. Hyttebakk, Jon Marius (March 2, 2019). "Nå kan du sende inn låter til MGP 2020". NRK.
  5. Sand, Camilla (November 12, 2019). "Melodi Grand Prix-finalen til Trondheim". NRK.
  6. Hyttebakk, Jon Marius (2019-03-19). "MGP utvides med fem semifinaler". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  7. "Melodi Grand Prix: Delfinalene tilbake". www.vg.no.
  8. Hagen, Knut-Øyvind (December 5, 2019). "Her er neste års programledere for Melodi Grand Prix". NRK.
  9. "Nye MGP-programledere: – Vi er alle like høylytte". www.vg.no (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2020-02-22.
  10. "Nå vil vinnerne bli stemt fram på NRK.no". NRK. January 5, 2020.
  11. Granger, Anthony (15 February 2020). "Norway: Emoji Reactions Caused Voting Failure According to NRK Producers". Eurovoix.
  12. Cobb, Ryan (15 February 2020). "🇳🇴 Norway's NRK responds to media row following "scandalous" online voting crash during Melodi Grand Prix". escxtra.
  13. Hyttebakk, Jon Marius (January 6, 2020). "Her er de første finalistene i MGP 2020". NRK.
  14. https://escxtra.com/2020/02/10/melodi-grand-prix-2020-final-running-order-revealed/
  15. Ten Veen, Renske (February 11, 2020). "Melodi Grand Prix 2020: Norway becomes first Scandinavian country to ditch traditional televoting in favour of online voting". Wiwibloggs.
  16. Granger, Anthony (14 January 2020). "Norway: 592,000 Viewers For Melodi Grand Prix Semi-Final One". Eurovoix. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
  17. Granger, Anthony (17 February 2020). "Norway: 950,000 Viewers For The Final of Melodi Grand Prix 2020". Eurovoix. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
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