Almost there

The third semi-final of Söngvakeppni started off with the contestants having a great big sing-song in the green room. It was a wonderful sight to see, given the circumstances that we’re all aware of, and it was clear that everyone was determined to have an up-beat show.

Buff’s entry was introduced with a tour of Pétur Örm Guðmundsson’s DVD collection, which took up a good couple of minutes. Pétur likes a lot of films. The song, a meandering rock’n'roll ballad, demonstrated his great vocal strength, but wasn’t our cup of coffee.

The strongest – and most Schlagerfiasko – song in the contest was Jógvan Hansen’s Ég lofa (I promise). A nervous start quickly led into confident, soaring vocals over the rocky chorus. Unsurprisingly, it went through, and is definitely going to be a contender in the final.

Magni Ásgeirsson is very tall. So tall, in fact, that he can pick up Jógvan’s microphone stand and it barely reaches his knee. The simplest of performances saw Magni perform with just a single back-up singer on stage with him. Confident vocals and presence saw him get his ticket to the final. Could he be a surprise winner? Stranger things have happened…

Georg Alexander Valgerisson stuck to his stool for his number, with a trio of Blues Brothers (Blues Triplets!) behind him taking care of the moving. Then, in a shock twist, he got off the stool and moved a few steps. The weakest performance of the night, it was all a bit forced. Georg would clearly have preferred to stay on that stool, while the Blues Triplets danced and waved their arms around, taking off their jackets and generally being a massive distraction. A shame.

The song everyone was waiting for started off with Sjónni Brink’s interview where he talked about his ponies and, heartbreakingly, looked a picture of health. Aftur heim (Almost Home) was performed by six of his friends, including Matti Matt – aka Matthías Matthíasson, competing with Eldgos. Big cheers greeted the song, while the singers took turns with the lines. A great performance of a song that isn’t to our taste, apart from the big Weimar ending, which is fabulous. Aftur heim is through to the final.

Just a note on the Söngvakeppni hosts, with whom we’re slightly obsessed. Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir and Guðmundur Gunnarsson have both been fantastic, and they’re both stunning. We fancy Guðmundur more than is healthy. Silly Schlagerfiasko.