Report / Entertainment | Danish Drama & Nordic Noir on ‘Higher Ground’.

Last night saw the final of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix and within the ranks of a star-studded lineup, Denmark selected its entry to the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.

Higher Ground, written by Niclas Arn and Karl Eurén, performed by Rasmussen, saw off the competition with a formidable 50% of the vote and will represent the Scandinavian nation.

This grandiose, near-cinematic piece would not be out of place on the West End. Setting the scene with vikings on storm-hewn seas, Higher Ground is like a musical version of ‘Game Of Thrones’, and every bit as dramatic. It’s also something that the lead singer slightly resembles Tormund Giantsbane, the leader of the Free Folk.

Anthemic and rousing, the song is a decided throwback to Eurovision of the early noughties. It evokes the same Scandi-ethnic vibes of Alvedansen (Norway 2006) & When Spirits Are Calling My Name (Sweden 2000) as well as old-school Melodifestivalen entries like Magnus Bäcklund’s In The Name Of Love, Nordman’s I Lågornas Sken and Timoteij’s iconic Kom. And little wonder, for its the same team behind the latter that have written Higher Ground.

Contemporary-cool and Spotify-friendly this most definitely is not. However, it’s epic ‘West End Showstopper’ sensibility will be an almost welcome respite to other countries’ more modern, swaggier offerings. It will also make for a more varied, well-rounded line up.

And ultimately, its been far too long since we’ve had a good serving of marching, fist-in-the-air, flag-waving cheese at Eurovision.