Blåsemafian and Hazel are heading to the Final of Melodi Grand Prix 2021

The first Semi-Final saw 4 acts take the stage and battle in 3 duels, all vying for a chance to compete in the Norwegian national final. But in the end, only 1 act could secure a spot and Blåsemafian feat. Hazel, with the song Let Loose won the “Gold Duel”, cementing their place and a chance to represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The public voted via the Norwegian broadcaster’s website, nrk.no.

Here are the artists who performed in tonight's first Semi-Final:

Duel 1

• Stina Talling - Elevate (winner)
• Beady Belle - Playing With Fire

Duel 2

• Jorn - Faith Bloody Faith
• Blåsemafian feat. Hazel - Let Loose (winner)

“Gold Duel”

• Stina Talling - Elevate
• Blåsemafian feat. Hazel - Let Loose (winner)

During the show, 2 of the 6 songs with a direct pass to the final also premiered their performances: Monument by KEiiNO (who represented Norway in 2019) and TIX with the song Ut Av Mørket.

The second MGP Semi-Final will take place on Saturday 23 January at 19:50 CET.

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Posted 16 January 2020 at 10:00 CET

Get ready for Norway's Melodi Grand Prix 2021

Norway has released the first 10 artists and songs competing in 'Melodi Grand Prix' (MGP) 2021. Just like last year, there will be 5 Semi Finals. Let's find out who's taking the stage!

Norway's national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) will kick off off its 2021 edition with the first Semi Final on Saturday 16 January and you can watch here at 19:50 CET. These are the 4 artists competing in the first Semi Final:

• Beady Belle - Playing With Fire
• Blåsemafian - Let Loose
• Jorn - Faith Bloody Faith
• Stina Talling - Elevate

Only 1 act from each Semi Final will qualify for the Final which will be held on 20 February. Once all 5 Semi Final shows have taken place, the audience will get to choose a ‘wild card’ act that will go on to compete in the Final. Additionally, 6 acts were chosen internally to compete in the Final and two of these direct finalists will perform as guests in Semi Final 1.

The 5 Semi Finals winners plus the 6 internally chosen participants, and audience-selected 'wild card' means there will be 12 participating acts in the Final. They will go on to decide who'll represent Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.

Eurovision fans will also be delighted to know that KEiiNO are returning to their country's national selection this year in the hopes they can represent Norway again in 2021. They will also perform as one of the two guest finalists in Saturday's show.

KEiiNO competed in the Eurovision Song Contest back 2019 when it was hosted in Tel Aviv. They went on to win the popular vote and finish in 6th place in the Grand Final with their song Spirit In The Sky. They'll compete in MGP 2021 with their new song Monument which they say is about the traces we leave behind, the experiences you remember, and the strong relationships in life. The other finalist performing in Semi Final 1 is TIX with the song Ut Av Mørket

All six songs to be performed in Semi Final 1 are available for streaming now so go and check them out!

These are the other 4 acts that have also been chosen internally to compete in the Final:

• Stavangerkameratene - Barndomsgater

  The song will be released on Friday 22 January and will be performed during Semi Final 2 on 23 January.

• Kaja Rode - Feel Again

  The song will be released on Friday 29 January and will be performed during Semi Final 3 on 30 January.

• Atle Petterson - Word On Fire

  The song will be released on Friday 5 January and will be performed during Semi Final 4 on 6 February.

• Rein Alexander - Eyes Wide Open

  The song will be released on Friday 12 February and will be performed during Semi FInal 5 on 13 February.

The acts for Semi Final 2 will be released by NRK on Monday 18 January at 08:00, so you'll have to hold on tight until then!