Iceland didn’t compete in the finals of Eurovision since 2014, but this year they’re having a good chance to make it past the semi-finals. RUV have chosen Hatari to be Iceland’s representative in Israel this year.
The techno punk band from Reykjavik is unlike anything you’ve ever seen at Eurovision before. They are queer, they love BDSM, and they should be a big talking point at the competition.
Formed in 2015, Hatari consists of Klemens Nikulásson Hannigan, Matthías Tryggvi Haraldsson and Einar Hrafn Stefánsson. The band beat out five other performers in a local competition to gain the honor.
Iceland is the only Nordic country to never win the contest. While they’ve released a few singles, this is the biggest platform Hatari has ever had. They will be performing Hatrid Mun Sigra.
An Israeli organization has asked the government to prevent the Icelandic entrant into the Eurovision Song Contest being allowed in the country over alleged claims that Hatari intended to use its time on stage to express support for the Palestinians.
Israel is hosting the competition this year after its 2018 entrant Netta Barzilai claimed the trophy with her song “Toy.” The live final of the contest is set to take place in Tel Aviv on May 18.
