🇼🇾 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:

 

 

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In the Spotlight: SĂžren Torpegaard Lund

Tomorrow the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Wiener Stadshalle in Vienna . 15 countries compete for a spot in the final. One of them is Denmark, represented by SĂžren Torpegaard Lund But who is he? Let’s give him a spotlight Danish singer and musical theatre star SĂžren Torpegaard Lund is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names in Scandinavian entertainment. With a background deeply rooted in theatre and a growing catalogue of heartfelt pop songs, the Danish artist combines emotional storytelling with impressive stage presence. In 2026, his journey reached a new milestone when he won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and secured the ticket to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Early Life and Education SĂžren Torpegaard Lund was born on 23 December 1998 in Gudme, a small town on the Danish island of Funen. From an early age, it was clear that performing would play a major role in his life. As a teenager, he already appeared in short films, while musical theatre became his true passion. After completing secondary school, Lund decided to fully dedicate himself to the performing arts. Between 2016 and 2019, he studied at Den Danske Scenekunstskole in Fredericia, one of Denmark’s most respected performing arts academies. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in musical performance and developed the versatile style that would later define both his music and theatre career. Dansk Melodi Grand Prix Debut Lund first entered the Eurovision spotlight in 2023, when he competed in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with the emotional ballad “Lige her”. Although the song did not qualify for the final round, his performance stood out thanks to his warm vocals and sincere delivery. Eurovision fans quickly took notice of the young performer’s theatrical charisma. Following the competition, Lund released an English version of the song, titled “In a Perfect World”, introducing his music to an international audience. Later that same year, he released “Stor Kunst”, his first original single as a songwriter. The track, created together with Tim Schou, showcased a more contemporary pop sound while still maintaining the emotional depth that characterizes his work. In 2024, Lund continued building his musical identity with releases such as “De ting, jeg hvisker” and “En dreng som mig”. The latter originated from the Danish musical Matador, in which Lund also starred on stage. In October 2024, he released his debut EP Øjesten through the Little Yellow House label. A Rising Star in Musical Theatre Alongside his recording career, Lund has become a familiar face in Danish musical theatre. Shortly after graduating, he landed roles in several major productions, including Oliver!, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Kinky Boots and Jersey Boys. One of his most notable performances came in 2022, when he played Tony in West Side Story at the Copenhagen Opera House. The role further cemented his reputation as one of Denmark’s most promising musical theatre talents. Audiences also praised his portrayal of Daniel Skjern in the successful stage adaptation of Matador. It was during this production that he performed “En dreng som mig”, a song he would later officially record and release. His work in theatre has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, Lund received the prestigious Reumert Talent Prize, honoring exceptional emerging performers in Danish theatre. He later appeared as a featured soloist during Denmark’s nationally televised Christmas celebrations and at Queen Margrethe II’s 50-year jubilee concert. Outside the theatre world, Lund has also made occasional television appearances, including a guest role in the crime drama Sommerdahl. As an openly queer artist, he has become an important voice for visibility and representation in Danish entertainment. In 2024, he received a nomination for “Artist of the Year” at the Danish Rainbow Awards. Road to Eurovision 2026 After his first Dansk Melodi Grand Prix experience, Lund openly expressed his wish to return to the competition with a song he had personally helped create. That ambition finally became reality in 2026. Competing with the upbeat pop track “FĂžr vi gĂ„r hjem” (“Before We Go Home”), Lund delivered one of the evening’s most energetic performances during the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix final on 14 February 2026. Both the jury and the televoters embraced the performance, leading him to a surprise victory over strong favourite Sissal. Denmark’s entry is massively popular and currently ranked third with the bookmakers. The question is not whether SĂžren will qualify for the final — the real question is: just how far can he go once he gets there?        

Read More »
Eurovision 2026
Anja Kroeze

In the Spotlight: SĂžren Torpegaard Lund

Tomorrow the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Wiener Stadshalle in Vienna . 15 countries compete for a spot in the final. One of them is Denmark, represented by SĂžren Torpegaard Lund But who is he? Let’s give him a spotlight Danish singer and musical theatre star SĂžren Torpegaard Lund is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names in Scandinavian entertainment. With a background deeply rooted in theatre and a growing catalogue of heartfelt pop songs, the Danish artist combines emotional storytelling with impressive stage presence. In 2026, his journey reached a new milestone when he won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and secured the ticket to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Early Life and Education SĂžren Torpegaard Lund was born on 23 December 1998 in Gudme, a small town on the Danish island of Funen. From an early age, it was clear that performing would play a major role in his life. As a teenager, he already appeared in short films, while musical theatre became his true passion. After completing secondary school, Lund decided to fully dedicate himself to the performing arts. Between 2016 and 2019, he studied at Den Danske Scenekunstskole in Fredericia, one of Denmark’s most respected performing arts academies. There, he earned a bachelor’s degree in musical performance and developed the versatile style that would later define both his music and theatre career. Dansk Melodi Grand Prix Debut Lund first entered the Eurovision spotlight in 2023, when he competed in Dansk Melodi Grand Prix with the emotional ballad “Lige her”. Although the song did not qualify for the final round, his performance stood out thanks to his warm vocals and sincere delivery. Eurovision fans quickly took notice of the young performer’s theatrical charisma. Following the competition, Lund released an English version of the song, titled “In a Perfect World”, introducing his music to an international audience. Later that same year, he released “Stor Kunst”, his first original single as a songwriter. The track, created together with Tim Schou, showcased a more contemporary pop sound while still maintaining the emotional depth that characterizes his work. In 2024, Lund continued building his musical identity with releases such as “De ting, jeg hvisker” and “En dreng som mig”. The latter originated from the Danish musical Matador, in which Lund also starred on stage. In October 2024, he released his debut EP Øjesten through the Little Yellow House label. A Rising Star in Musical Theatre Alongside his recording career, Lund has become a familiar face in Danish musical theatre. Shortly after graduating, he landed roles in several major productions, including Oliver!, Grease, Dirty Dancing, Kinky Boots and Jersey Boys. One of his most notable performances came in 2022, when he played Tony in West Side Story at the Copenhagen Opera House. The role further cemented his reputation as one of Denmark’s most promising musical theatre talents. Audiences also praised his portrayal of Daniel Skjern in the successful stage adaptation of Matador. It was during this production that he performed “En dreng som mig”, a song he would later officially record and release. His work in theatre has not gone unnoticed. In 2021, Lund received the prestigious Reumert Talent Prize, honoring exceptional emerging performers in Danish theatre. He later appeared as a featured soloist during Denmark’s nationally televised Christmas celebrations and at Queen Margrethe II’s 50-year jubilee concert. Outside the theatre world, Lund has also made occasional television appearances, including a guest role in the crime drama Sommerdahl. As an openly queer artist, he has become an important voice for visibility and representation in Danish entertainment. In 2024, he received a nomination for “Artist of the Year” at the Danish Rainbow Awards. Road to Eurovision 2026 After his first Dansk Melodi Grand Prix experience, Lund openly expressed his wish to return to the competition with a song he had personally helped create. That ambition finally became reality in 2026. Competing with the upbeat pop track “FĂžr vi gĂ„r hjem” (“Before We Go Home”), Lund delivered one of the evening’s most energetic performances during the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix final on 14 February 2026. Both the jury and the televoters embraced the performance, leading him to a surprise victory over strong favourite Sissal. Denmark’s entry is massively popular and currently ranked third with the bookmakers. The question is not whether SĂžren will qualify for the final — the real question is: just how far can he go once he gets there?        

Read More »
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