🇼🇾 Road to Malmö: Iceland

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Iceland.

Hera Björk

Hera Björk ÞórhallsdĂłttir, an Icelandic powerhouse vocalist born on March 29, 1972. With a career kickstarting in childhood, Hera was already a familiar face in commercials and had recorded songs before turning twelve. Her musical journey gained momentum when she clinched a victory in a singing competition at sixteen. Hera’s debut in 1999 showcased her versatile talent, which spans across various albums that include traditional Icelandic tunes and international hits. Noteworthy albums from her early years include “Litla HryllingsbĂșðin,” “Ilmur af JĂłlum / The Scent of Christmas,” and “Disneylögin.”

Hera’s knack for collaboration and her solo ventures underscored her growing artistic maturity, evident in her prolific period from 2003 to 2009 with albums like “Í faðmi ĂŸĂ­num” and “Við gefum von.” Her 2010 Eurovision entry, “Je ne sais quoi,” catapulted her to European fame, while her victory at the 2013 Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile with “Because You Can” solidified her international acclaim. Hera continued to engage her fans with releases such as “Ilmur af jĂłlum 2” and made a notable return to Söngvakeppnin in 2019, securing fourth place with “Moving on.”

Beyond her international exploits, Hera Björk remains a stalwart in Iceland’s music scene, admired for her dynamic range and ability to traverse genres effortlessly. In 2024, Hera Björk was chosen to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest for a second time with the song “Scared of Heights”.

Söngvakeppnin

Söngvakeppnin is the Icelandic national final ever since Iceland first took part in the Eurovision Song Contest, back in 1986. The past few years, it contains two semifinals with 5 songs each. Two songs from each semifinal, ĂĄnd a wildcard, go through to the final. The favourite to win the contest this year was Palestinian Bashar Murad, who lives in East Jerusalem. Murad and Björk were the two contestants reaching the superfinal. Hera Björk won. However, there was some controversy as the voting app RÚV Stjörnur experienced a glitch during the superfinal. Icelandic broadcaster RÚV recognized this but stated that Björk’s victory was beyond doubt.

Bashar Murad

Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest

In 1986, Iceland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest, reaching the 16th place with Icy and their “Gledibankinn”. “Scared of Heights” will be the 36th Icelandic entry. Iceland never won the contest yet. However, there was a 2nd place for the island twice: in 1999 with Selma and het “All out of luck”, ten years later with Yohanna’s “Is it true?”.

The Bookmakers

Currently, the bookmakers give a 20th place for Hera Björk. That means, she would reach the final just like she did when she first participated in 2010.

The Song

This is the song:

 

 

Related news

Eurovision 2026

Road to Vienna: Denmark

Road to Vienna: Denmark As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Denmark SĂžren Torpegaard Lund: Danish Pop & Musical Star SĂžren Torpegaard Lund, born on 23 December 1998 in Gudme, Denmark, discovered his passion for performing at a young age. Drawn to musical theatre, he gained early acting experience in short films before pursuing formal training. From 2016 to 2019, he studied at Den Danske Scenekunstskole in Fredericia, earning a bachelor’s degree in musical performance. This foundation shaped his versatile career as both a singer and stage performer. Breakthrough in Music Lund gained national recognition in 2023 through Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with his ballad “Lige her.” Although he didn’t reach the final, his vocal performance stood out. He later released an English version, “In a Perfect World,” expanding his international reach. In the same year, Lund debuted as a songwriter with “Stor Kunst,” collaborating with Tim Schou. He continued building momentum in 2024 with tracks like “De ting, jeg hvisker” and “En dreng som mig,” the latter connected to the musical Matador. His debut EP Øjesten, released in October 2024, blends contemporary pop with theatrical storytelling. Theatre Career & Achievements Alongside his music career, Lund has established himself in Danish musical theatre. He has performed in major productions including Oliver!, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Kinky Boots, and Jersey Boys. A career highlight came in 2022 when he played Tony in West Side Story at the Copenhagen Opera House. His talent earned him the prestigious Reumert Talent Prize in 2021. Lund has also performed at major national events, including Denmark’s televised Christmas show and Queen Margrethe II’s 50-year jubilee concert. In addition to stage work, he has appeared in the TV series Sommerdahl. As an openly queer artist, he received a nomination for Artist of the Year at the Danish Rainbow Awards 2024. Eurovision 2026 Journey In 2026, Lund returned to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with “FĂžr vi gĂ„r hjem,” an upbeat pop track he co-wrote. His dynamic performance secured victory, beating strong competition and earning him the chance to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Musical Style & Future Outlook SĂžren Torpegaard Lund’s music combines modern pop with theatrical influences, reflecting his stage background. With growing recognition in both music and theatre, he is quickly becoming one of Denmark’s most promising artists to watch on the international stage. FĂžr Vi GĂ„r Hjem: Love, Temptation & Late-Night Emotion “FĂžr Vi GĂ„r Hjem” explores the intensity of attraction and the struggle between emotion and self-control. The song follows someone who knows they should walk away, yet feels pulled back by a powerful connection. This push-and-pull creates a relatable narrative about love, temptation, and emotional conflict. Capturing the Nightlife Atmosphere Set against a vivid late-night backdrop, the track highlights the thrill of living in the moment. It focuses on passion, closeness, and the excitement of giving in to feelings—despite the awareness that regret may come later. This tension between pleasure and consequence drives the song’s emotional depth. A Relatable Modern Love Story With its mix of intimacy and realism, the song delivers a compelling message about connection and the fragile balance between excitement and reality—making it resonate strongly with today’s listeners. Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest Denmark has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 52 times since its debut in 1957. The country has won the contest three times: in 1963 with “Dansevise” by Grethe and JĂžrgen Ingmann, in 2000 with “Fly on the Wings of Love” by the Olsen Brothers, and in 2013 with “Only Teardrops” by Emmelie de Forest.  The Bookmakers Denmark is currently ranked 3rd by the bookmakers and 2nd in the semi-final odds — things are looking strong. SĂžren says he’s coming to win
 and who knows, he just might.        

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

Road to Vienna: Denmark

Road to Vienna: Denmark As the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna approaches, we continue our daily spotlight on this year’s contestants. Road to Vienna: Denmark SĂžren Torpegaard Lund: Danish Pop & Musical Star SĂžren Torpegaard Lund, born on 23 December 1998 in Gudme, Denmark, discovered his passion for performing at a young age. Drawn to musical theatre, he gained early acting experience in short films before pursuing formal training. From 2016 to 2019, he studied at Den Danske Scenekunstskole in Fredericia, earning a bachelor’s degree in musical performance. This foundation shaped his versatile career as both a singer and stage performer. Breakthrough in Music Lund gained national recognition in 2023 through Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with his ballad “Lige her.” Although he didn’t reach the final, his vocal performance stood out. He later released an English version, “In a Perfect World,” expanding his international reach. In the same year, Lund debuted as a songwriter with “Stor Kunst,” collaborating with Tim Schou. He continued building momentum in 2024 with tracks like “De ting, jeg hvisker” and “En dreng som mig,” the latter connected to the musical Matador. His debut EP Øjesten, released in October 2024, blends contemporary pop with theatrical storytelling. Theatre Career & Achievements Alongside his music career, Lund has established himself in Danish musical theatre. He has performed in major productions including Oliver!, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Kinky Boots, and Jersey Boys. A career highlight came in 2022 when he played Tony in West Side Story at the Copenhagen Opera House. His talent earned him the prestigious Reumert Talent Prize in 2021. Lund has also performed at major national events, including Denmark’s televised Christmas show and Queen Margrethe II’s 50-year jubilee concert. In addition to stage work, he has appeared in the TV series Sommerdahl. As an openly queer artist, he received a nomination for Artist of the Year at the Danish Rainbow Awards 2024. Eurovision 2026 Journey In 2026, Lund returned to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with “FĂžr vi gĂ„r hjem,” an upbeat pop track he co-wrote. His dynamic performance secured victory, beating strong competition and earning him the chance to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. Musical Style & Future Outlook SĂžren Torpegaard Lund’s music combines modern pop with theatrical influences, reflecting his stage background. With growing recognition in both music and theatre, he is quickly becoming one of Denmark’s most promising artists to watch on the international stage. FĂžr Vi GĂ„r Hjem: Love, Temptation & Late-Night Emotion “FĂžr Vi GĂ„r Hjem” explores the intensity of attraction and the struggle between emotion and self-control. The song follows someone who knows they should walk away, yet feels pulled back by a powerful connection. This push-and-pull creates a relatable narrative about love, temptation, and emotional conflict. Capturing the Nightlife Atmosphere Set against a vivid late-night backdrop, the track highlights the thrill of living in the moment. It focuses on passion, closeness, and the excitement of giving in to feelings—despite the awareness that regret may come later. This tension between pleasure and consequence drives the song’s emotional depth. A Relatable Modern Love Story With its mix of intimacy and realism, the song delivers a compelling message about connection and the fragile balance between excitement and reality—making it resonate strongly with today’s listeners. Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest Denmark has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 52 times since its debut in 1957. The country has won the contest three times: in 1963 with “Dansevise” by Grethe and JĂžrgen Ingmann, in 2000 with “Fly on the Wings of Love” by the Olsen Brothers, and in 2013 with “Only Teardrops” by Emmelie de Forest.  The Bookmakers Denmark is currently ranked 3rd by the bookmakers and 2nd in the semi-final odds — things are looking strong. SĂžren says he’s coming to win
 and who knows, he just might.        

Read More »
Follow Us: