For the last few years, Denmark has been in a slump at Eurovision. They haven’t qualified since the beginning of the decade, with Fyr og Flamme coming the closest in 2021 with “Øve Os På Hinanden“. Despite coming in seventh with the televote, their low jury score nullified that, leaving them in eleventh in their semi-final. Denmark’s three-year NQ streak is currently the longest of their Eurovision tenure.
And with the 2024 version of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, we have a new set of contestants who want to take up the challenge, and hopefully end that streak!
One of the bigger names taking part in the competition is Aura Dirone, the stage name of Maria Louise Joensen. Born to hippies, she traveled around the world and has made her name in Denmark and Germany. Her song, “Geronimo“, became a number one hit in Denmark, and won her Hit of the Year in 2012! With “Mirrorball of Hope”, Aura Dirone not only wants to throw her name back in the ring again, but also to showcase her colorful aesthetic.
Ten years after he represented the home nation at Eurovision 2014, Basim is back, but with a completely different tune in “Johnny”. Showing off his songwriting skills, which he has refined over the past decade, it talks about a man and how he lived his life, inspired by someone Basim met at a hospice.
Dansk Melodi Grand Prix has its international influences, particularly with rapper ChuChu and actress Saba. Born to half-Danish, half-Chinese parents, ChuChu lived in China, the Netherlands, and Canada, and sees hip-hop as her way of expressing herself. Meanwhile, Saba and her twin sister were born in Ethiopia, before getting adopted by Danish parents at eight months old. Saba has made her name through modeling, entrepreneurship, and musical theater, most recently performing in “Hair” after her sister became pregnant.
Following the footsteps of Reiley, Janus Wiberg also wants to showcase the Faroese Islands, but with an acoustic song, “I Need Your Love”. He has slowly garnered his place in the mainland, performing on TV and radio, but one unexpected country where he has found fame is in Greece!
Another contestant who has made her name abroad is RoseeLu. Dropping out of high school to pursue a music career, she moved to Los Angeles to help write songs for international artists. Her mix of vintage influences and modern pop also work with her own music, which have been played on radio stations all across Europe. Her entry, “Real Love”, incorporates acoustics as she wonders where a relationship is going.
Born in the same year as the Olsen Brothers’ victory in 2000, Stella has made her way from the small western town of Assens to Copenhagen to become a star. The theme traces itself through “Sign Here”, co-written by Tim Schou–the former lead singer of A Friend in London–deals with the insecurities throughout that process of growing up. In addition, it taps into Stella’s own introverted nature.
Finally, there’s the only group amongst the mix–UBLU! Claiming to be “ABBA for goths“, they have a sound and aesthetic of their own. They embrace the queerness through their two EPs, and “Planetary Hearts” hopes to do the same for the audience! However, another interesting thing is that they were amongst 400 artists who signed a petition in the hopes of Denmark taking action against Israel’s participation at Eurovision. Time will tell how the results of this national final go, and who would be willing to take up the challenge.