Following the success of Denmark’s Emmelie de Forest in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, a record number of Danes have submitted entries for the country’s national final, the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014. Broadcaster DR revealed that there have been 872 songs submitted this year, with the fact the Scandinavian country is playing host in 2014 an apparent draw.
Head of entertainment at the TV station Rasmus Ladefoged described the number as incredibly amazing.
Denmark has experienced a year-on-year rise in the number of entrants for a number of years now, but this year stands out in particular as there have been 180 more submissions than last year.
Ladefoged explained that Denmark hosting the event has encouraged song producers to submit even more entries as they want to help the country repeat last year’s victory this time out in Copenhagen in May.
He noted that the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix appears to be even more special this year because the winner will have the opportunity to perform in front of a home crowd. He also praised DR for its work in modernising the event, saying the broadcaster has made a considerable difference over the years.
In the build up to the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, which will be held in Odense, organisers have put together a secret panel of judges, made up of renowned music personalities, who are tasked with choosing the participants that will perform at the event on 8 March, 2014.
Ladefoged said both professionals and amateurs have submitted entries, and that they will also consider wildcards, or professional musicians, invited by DR.
Whichever act is victorious at the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2014 will be given the honour of representing Denmark at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest on 10 May, 2014.