The brother duo VÆB are ready to make waves for Iceland, when they bring their song ‘RÓA’ to the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.

Plain sailing to Eurovision

When it comes to choosing a Eurovision song, Iceland don’t mess around. They opened the final of the 2025 edition of their pre-selection Söngvakeppnin with an Icelandic-language version of Another Day of Sun from the film La La Land, filmed backstage. And before long, the 6 competing acts had showed the world their songs.

VÆB burst onto the stage with big energy, dressed all in silver. They smashed their performance of RÓA (which means row) and had the whole of Iceland up and dancing . Think electro-pop sea shanty. But there were 5 other acts in with a chance of that precious ticket to Basel.

Iceland’s Eurovision artist from 2010 and 2024 Hera Björk gave a mid-show performance, including an incredible version of her 2010 song Je Ne Sais Quoi. And then it was time for the decision.

When the votes came in, VÆB sailed right through. They got the most votes from both the international jury and the Icelandic public, and they were off to Eurovision. Haul away!

Double trouble

Behind VÆB are two brothers, Matthías Davíð Matthíasson and Hálfdán Helgi Matthíasson, who come from a very musical family. Their father plays the organ, teaches the saxophone, and directs a choir, and their mother is a singer and singing teacher.

Before long, Hálfdán was playing the drums and Matthías was learning the trumpet. Hálfdán even won a televised Icelandic children’s singing contest at the age of 12.

The pair first became VÆB after they posted a comedic song on TikTok, Aron Can (borðar kál) , which means “Aron Can eating cabbage.” They got so much attention, that they decided to release it on Spotify.

After recording a few more songs, they met the songwriter and producer Ingi Þór Garðarsson, or Ingi Bauer, who is one of the brains behind RÓA. The song is all about moving forward in life, no matter what is going on in the turbulent seas.

As well as entering Söngvakeppnin for the 2025 Contest, they also competed the year before. They sang Bíómynd (A Movie), wearing their trademark silver with dark sunglasses. They had an astronaut, a princess, and a trumpet-playing gorilla, as well as rap verses and a catchy chorus. But alas, they were missing that magic sea-shanty ingredient that would earn them victory a year later. Although they finished in 4th place, their song became a hit in Iceland, and the siblings went on to perform across the country.

They said that one of the weirdest concerts they’ve ever given was as a support act at a record publishing party for another artist. The thing that was so weird about it, was that no-one turned up. But “nothing’s ever stopping” VÆB, and they performed anyway.

The Eurovision crew

The brothers have fond memories of watching Yohanna take second place for Iceland at Eurovision 2009 with the song Is It True. She lost out to the unforgettable Alexander Rybak from Norway with Fairytale.

But their Eurovision hero has to be someone who can match their energy, who is just as eccentric, and who is completely iconic. It can only be the Epic Sax Guy, part of the Sunstroke Project & Olia Tira song Run Away which represented Moldova in the 2010 Content.

When we asked who would play VÆB in a movie about their lives, they gave the only correct answer – Jedward. For anyone whose memory needs refreshing, Jedward are identical twins from Ireland who competed in Eurovision in 2011 with the song Lipstick, and again the following year with Waterline. They also look remarkably similar to the VÆB brothers. Has anyone ever seen them all in the same room?...

Beyond sea shanties

VÆB listen to a lot of rap, dance, and electronic music. Some of their favourite songs include Eminem’s Without Me, Icelandic rap-rock band Quarashi’s Stun Gun, and Norwegian group Ballinciaga’s Beklager – a song that will always get them up and dancing. Although from what we’ve seen so far, they don’t need much encouragement.

Sweden’s Eurovision 2024 act Marcus & Martinus also make VÆB’s list of top tunes. From one set of Nordic brothers to another, VAEB are big fans of Unforgettable.

Their favourite karaoke song is Don’t Look Back in Anger by Oasis. Is it possible to put an order in for an electro-sea shanty Oasis cover? Europe might not be ready.

Switzerland ahoy!

VAEB are putting on their waterproof boots, ready for their voyage to Switzerland – or at least to a nearby country that isn’t landlocked.

They say they can’t wait to meet fellow participant Tommy Cash from Estonia, so that they can suggest making a song together. They also say they’d like to treat Tommy to lunch (he’ll have the Espresso Macchiato ).

Just watch out Tommy. These brothers have admitted to their most disgusting habit. They say: “We slap, drool, and eat with our hands, like true Icelandic Vikings.”

Listen out for VAEB on the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast .

You can learn more about VAEB from Iceland right here .