For the first time in 15 years, Iceland’s entry to the Eurovision song contest will be sung in the national language. Eyþór Ingi Valgeir Magnusson has been chosen to represent the country, and with this year’s contest hosted in a Sweden, he hopes his chances will be boosted.
Eyþór came to the attention of talent scouts after winning a TV talent show in 2008 and since has been singing in various bands and musicals to hone his skill. He sings with rich emotion, with his voice described as ‘beautifully melancholic’.
He will be up against 40 other contests who will be belting it out on stage next week for a chance in the finals on18 May in Malmö, Sweden. In the 26 appearances that Iceland has made, it has twice been a runner up, but never a victor, and by extension has never hosted one of the world’s most watched talent shows.
Eyþór will be singing the song Ég Á Líf, specially composed for him by Örlygur Smári and Pétur Örn Guðmundsson. Castings in local productions of Oliver and the Rocky Horror Picture Show have helped to boost his confidence, with the talent having started acting and singing professionally at age 15, just five years ago.