2010 host broadcaster NRK has been using the semi-final format for its national final since 2006 and will use the same format in 2011 with semi-finals taking place in Ørland, Florø and Skien on the 15th, 22nd and 29th of January respectively. The second chance round will take place in the town of Sarpsborg on the 5th of February with the final being held at Oslo Spektrum on the 12th of February.
However, today at 13:00 it became apparent that NRK had taken a slightly different approach to its song selection, with the first nine acts being revealed. Out of the nine, four will be performed in Norwegian, something that MGP pundit Per Sundnes said "must be a record in modern times!". Last year only one song was performed in the language and that was out of all the competitors.
With today's announcement, it seems that a wide genre of acts will compete for a place at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest in Düsseldorf, with a rap group, folk music singer, and schlager band amongst the budding hopefuls. Seven of the nine artists will perform in Ørland with two of the artists competing in Florø.
Below is a list of the artists and song titles revealed today. The remaining artists competing in Florø and Skien will be revealed at a later date.
Ørland
Carina Dahl - Guns & Boys
Use Me - Daisy
Sichelle - Trenger Mer
Sie Gubba - Alt Du Vil Ha
Åste & Rikke - Not That Easy
Helene Bøksle - Vardlokk
Gatas Parlament - Jobbe Litt Mindre Og Tjene Litt Mer
Florø
Mimi Blix - Allergic
Babel Fish - You Can Depend On Me
The winner of the Norwegian final will have the honour of representing their country at the 2011 edition of Europe's favourite TV show in Düsseldorf, Germany in one of the semi finals taking place on the 10th and 12th of May at the Espirit Arena. The final will take place on the 14th of May.
