The search to find out who will follow in Alexander Rybak's footsteps and represent Norway at this year's Eurovision begins this evening. The first 'semi' final comes from Ørland. Seven acts are competing for 2 spaces in the Final, with the songs coming 3rd and 4th going through to a Second Chance Round.
Having listened to the seven songs, we think Norway is easing us in gently, as all of the entries are reasonably good, but none really sounds like a song that will actually make it to May's Eurovision. Big hitters, like A1, Mira Craig and Maria Arredondo, are coming up in the next two 'semis'.
The name that stands out tonight is Maria Haukaas Storeng (pictured below), but unfortunately You Make My Day is not a patch on Hold On Be Strong, Norway's entry in 2008. It's pleasant, but not a winner. That said, it has a good chance of going straight to the Final.
Our favourites this evening are probably Bjørn Johan Muri's Yes man, Elisabeth Carew's Rocketfuel and we think Gaute Ormåsen could surprise people and qualify with the only song in the Norwegian language, Synk eller svøm which has a strong oom-pah-pah feel to it.
But if we had to stake our mortgage on which song will definitely get through to the Norwegian Final, we'd have to plump for rock/thrash/metal group Keep of Kalessin (pictured above) with The Dragontower. It's not our cup of tea, but we're sure the stage act will be spectacular, and it's likely to stand out amongst the six other more laid back entries.
You can watch the show from 19.40 (CET) here
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