Norway will record its back-up performance for Eurovision 2021 at the end of February following Melodi Grand Prix.
The Norwegian Head of Delegation, Stig Karlsen, has confirmed that quickly after the final of Melodi Grand Prix, the nation will record its back up performance for Eurovision 2021. He told VG that:
In any case, we will go into the studio fairly immediately after the Norwegian final on February 20 with our winner to record the song live on tape, monitored by the EBU, as all participating countries are required to do
All forty-one participating countries are required by the European Broadcasting Union to pre-record a performance for Eurovision 2021. This pre-recorded performance is required in the event that an act were to fall ill due to COVID-19 or if a delegation cannot travel to Rotterdam for the contest in May.
Melodi Grand Prix 2021 will commence on January 16 and run for six weeks culminating in the Grand Final on February 20. The dates of the selection are as follows:
- Semi-Final One – January 16
- Semi-Final Two – January 23
- Semi-Final Three – January 30
- Semi-Final Four – February 6
- Semi-Final Five – February 13
- Second Chance – February 14
- Final – February 20
Image Source: Eurovision.tv – Thomas Hanses/ Source: VG
Norway debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1960 and have won the contest three times – in 1985, 1995 and 2009. The country has the dubious record of finishing last the most times, eleven in total, and have received nul points four times. Norway last won the contest in 2009 when Alexander Rybak broke all records with his song “Fairytale”. He scored 387 points in the final, receiving 16 sets of 12 points and scoring points from every country.
