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More details of the Danish final revealed

02 January 2013 at 13:44 CET

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix is one of the oldest and most prestigious national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest. The show has changed significantly in the last few years, with more focus being on modern, popular music from many more genres than previously. Also, we have seen some of Denmark's biggest names take part in the competition either as artists or composers, and indeed in some instances, both!

This year's Dansk Melodi Grand Prix will once again take place in the town of Herning in western Jutland, just as it did in 2001 and 2009. This time, however, it will take place at the Boxen arena, which is one of Denmark's largest indoor concert facilities. As such, this will be the biggest ever edition of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. Below you can see a picture of the arena.

As well as boasting a new new stage design (see below), broadcaster DR have announced that three previous winners of the Eurovision Song Contest will perform in the show: Brotherhood of Man (United Kingdom 1976), The Herreys (Sweden 1984) and Johnny Logan (Ireland 1980, 1987 and the composer of the winning entry in 1992).


New stage design

A lot of excitement surrounds the stage design for Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and broadcaster DR rarely disappoint, using the competition as a way to showcase innovative designs. In the last few years we have seen some excellent stage designs and this year's will be equally impressive.

Stage designer, Claus Zier explained that this year's stage will be the biggest in the competition's history to go with it being hosted in a new a large arena in Herning.

"This year we are using money on size; we need to do something to fill Boxen. The stage is made up of window shapes, rising diagonally upwards", explains Claus Zier who also compares the structure to the Opera House in Oslo, Norway.

The Green Room is another innovative feature of this year's competition, where like previous years it will form an integral part of the stage design.

"We are going all out with the Green Room this year. Previously we didn't dare to make it entirely green but we are daring now. There will be green sofas and litt window shaped walls. This will then result in a large LED screen to the rear of stage that looks like a huge paper aeroplane", Claus went on to explain.

Further elements of the stage design include advanced lighting and allowing the audience to get up close and personal with the stage, performers and presenters as seating will be place all around the Green Room area and the stage. This trend has also been reflected in other national selections including the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix and of course the Eurovision Song Contest.

Three iconic guest performances

Whilst the votes are being counted at this year's Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, the audiences at home and in the arena will be in for a real treat; namely, three previous winners of Europe's favourite TV show have been asked to perform as the interval act.

Winning for the United Kingdom in 1976, Brotherhood of Man are still together and their song Save All Your Kisses For Me is still a favourite of the contest.

Joining them in Herning will be none other than Johnny Logan who won for Ireland in 1980, 1987 and 1992 with What's Another Year, Hold Me Now and Why Me, the latter performed by Linda Martin. Also on the guest list is the group The Herreys who brought home Sweden's second victory in 1984 with the song Diggi-loo Diggi-ley.


Johnny Logan. Photo: Bjarne Bergius Hermansen (DR). 

Jørgen de Mylius in the professional jury 

Jørgen de Mylius has a background of over 30 years in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix having had roles as a presenter, organiser and commentator spanning decades. Now he is entering into a new role as part of the professional jury that will help to decide the outcome of the show.

"This is the first time I have been able to influence the show in this way and I am really looking forward to it. I am looking forward to a large, great show, being together with all those involved and the euphoria that always occurs around Dansk Melodi Grand Prix", he said to the official website of Danmarks Radio (DR).


Jørgen de Mylius. Photo: Bjarne Bergius Hermansen (DR). 

Further details of this year's national selection in Denmark will be released soon, as well as more information about the other members of the professional jury.

DR have informed Eurovision.tv that the participants will be revealed on the 16th of January.

It was previously decided that Denmark will participate in the first Semi-Final of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden on the 14th of May. Denmark has also been in every Grand Final since 2008 and has an impressive track record in the recent history of the competition.

Stay tuned to Eurovision.tv for more information as we get it!