Iceland: Söngvakeppnin kicks off with the first semi-final!

Iceland have begun the search to find their next Eurovision act, starting off with the first of two semi-finals. The show was held in Háskólabíó in Reykjavik, and hosted by Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir. In both semi-finals, the artists will perform their songs in Icelandic, and if they are to qualify to the final, they will have the choice as to whether they would like to continue in Icelandic, or change to the English versions of each of their songs.

The first semi-finalists were:

1. Hildur –  Bammbaramm

2. Erna Mist – Skuggamynd

3. Arnar Jónsson & Rakel Pálsdóttir – Til mín

4. Júlí Heiðar Halldórsson & Þórdís Birna Borgarsdóttir – Heim til þín

5. Rúnar Eff – Mér við hlið

6. Aron Hannes – Nótt

Only three songs qualified through to the final, and it was chosen through televote only. The three top songs of the night were:

• Arnar Jónsson & Rakel Pálsdóttir – Til mín

• Rúnar Eff – Mér við hlið

• Aron Hannes – Nótt

These three qualifiers will join the next three from semi-final two in the final which will be held on the 11th of March.