Category Archives: Stockholm 2016

2016 Eurovision Song Contest, Melodifestival, Melodifestivalen 2016, Stockholm 2016, Sweden, Sweden Songs publisher 2016, Swedish composers, Uncategorized

Melodifestivalen 2016 – Final Tonight – Sweden Decides

12 March 2016 Cole Van Dais 1 Comment

Well we made it to the final at last. Here we are at Friends Arena in Stockholm to decide which of these 12 acts will represent Sweden in the 61st year of the Eurovision Song Contest which will also be hosted here in Stockholm but in the cozier Globen Arena. Tonight 28,000 people will attend Sweden’s most watched event, Melodifestivalen.

There is lots of speculation around who will win tonight but I still think it is anyone’s game. The bookies favourite originally was Molly Sandén but after the fourth semi-final all of the attention shifted to Frans and has remained there. The rankings amongst the pack below him has drastically changed almost daily. So it is anyone’s guess who will actually win. So here is my prediction for this evening’s result.

Panetoz – “Håll Om Mig Hart” (Hold My Heart Hard) – Predict 10th place
Lisa Ajax – “My Heart Wants Me Dead” – Predict 9th Place
David Lindgren – “We Are Your Tomorrow” – Predict 12th Place
SaRaha – “Kizunguzungu” (Dizziness) – Predict 6th Place
Oscar Zia – “Humans” – Predict 7th Place
Ace Wilder – “Don’t Worry” – Predict 8th Place
Robin Bengtsson – “Constellation Prize” – Predict 5th Place
Molly Sandén – “Youniverse” – Predict 4th Place
Boris René – “Put Your Love On Me” – Predict 11 Place
Frans – “If I Were Sorry” – Predict 2nd Place
Wiktoria – “Save Me” – Predict Winner
Samir & Viktor – “Bada Nakna” (Bathe Naked) – Predict 3rd Place

This year has been very difficult to predict as there are so many songs that could ultimately win. So what do you think?

Melodifestival, Melodifestivalen 2016, Stockholm 2016, Sweden

Melodifestivalen 2016 – Semi Final 4 Tonight

27 February 2016 Cole Van Dais 1 Comment

Welcome to the last week of semi finals before visiting next week’s Andra Chansen (Second Chance). This week we visit the Gavlerinken in Gävle to decide which two songs will qualify for the final on the 12 March and which two songs will go to the Andra Chansen on the 5 March. Gina Dirawi will be joined by Sarah Dawn Finer this week for hosting duties.

The fourth semi-final is packed full of returning participants but there are a few debut artists as well which make cause some upsets tonight.

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1 Eclipse “Runaways” – Predict Andra Chansen

This hard rock group has been going since 1999 and have released 6 albums so far. Their lead singer, Erik Mårtensson, has written their debut Melodifestivalen entry “Runaways.” The song is a typical rock number by very much a catchy one that you could sing along to after one listen. I think it is good enough tocarry on in the competition as their performance is solid but is it really Eurovision?

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2 Dolly Style “Rollercoaster” – Predict Andra Chansen

Who could forget “Hello Hi”, Dolly Style’s debut last year which just missed out on a place in the final. With only one of the three original members, Dolly Style is back this year with “Rollercoaster.” The is song is everything that Bubblegum Pop should be, instantly catchy, sickeningly sweet and repetitive but I feel the song and performance is missing something. Although with their popularity they should easily progress to Andra Chansen again this year.

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3 Martin Stenmarck “Du Tar Mig Tillbaks” (You Take Me Back) – Predict 7th Place

Former Melodifestivalen winner, Stenmarck is back for his third attempt with a Swedish language ballad. The only issue here the song feels dated and feels like an old Irish entry that has been translated. Compare that with a lacklustre performance and you go home unfortunately. This is Stenmarck’s weakest entry to date and will be very surprised if places higher than last.

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4 Linda Bengtzing “Killer Girl” – Predict 6th Place

I’m not sure if the semi final is about weak entries for returning artist or what but here we are again with Linda Bengtzing, sixth time entrant with possibly her weakest entry to date as well. “Killer Girl” has the potential to have been a Schlager classic but it just feels a bit recycled with an attempt to update the Schlager sound. I think she will struggle to qualify even with her fan base.

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5 Frans “If I Were Sorry” – Predict Finalist

Known for his football anthems, Frans has had little experience in the mainstream arena. His debut Melodifestivalen entry, “If I Were Sorry” has a real message behind the song and Frans delivers it with passion. One of the surprise favourites tonight due to his near spotless rehearsal could very well qualify for the final amongst so many big names. Although not my favourite style of music, I must give him credit as he has a song that could very well change his career.

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6 Panetoz “Håll Om Mig Hårt” (Hold Me Tight) – Predict 5th Place

Panetoz are back after a year break with their new entry “Håll Om Mig Hårt” which is stylistically like their music and first entry “Efter Solsken”, which finished in 9th place, but it doesn’t really bring anything new to the table. Their boy band African style dance fusion has done well in Sweden and even gave them a number one but they haven’t since matched that success. Tonight I feel that they won’t be making any further accomplishments to their career.

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7 Molly Sandén “Youniverse” – Predict Finalist

So onto the favourite, not only of the semi final but of the whole contest. Molly Sandén has participated twice before and has gone direct to the final both times. Why should the former Miss Eric Saade, now Miss Danny Saucedo, not qualify tonight as well. The song leaked due to a site giving a presale clip of the single but SVT allowed all the songs to be available for 24 hours to make it fair. Her rehearsal has been criticised but it was always going to be as she is the one everyone is watching. The song was co-written by her and Saucedo and I think the performance is good enough to get her direct to the final without worry.

What do you think?

2016 Eurovision Song Contest, Melodifestivalen 2016, Stockholm 2016, Sweden

Melodifestivalen 2016 – Semi-Final 3 Tonight

20 February 2016 Cole Van Dais 2 Comments

Another week and another scandal. This past week a clip of Molly Sandén’s song “Youniverse” leaked on a website where you could pre-order the download of the song which resulted in SVT allowing all the fourth Semi Final songs (just 30 second clips) to be available for 24 hours. I wonder if all these “issues” have been created for our enjoyment. This week we visit the Himmelstalundshallen in Norrköping to decide which two songs will qualify for the final on the 12 March and which two songs will go to the Andra Chansen on the 5 March. Gina Dirawi will be joined by Henrik Schyffert this week for hosting duties.

The third semi-final is packed full of debut participants but there are a few returning artists as well which make cause some upsets tonight.

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1 SaRaha “Kizunguzungu” (Dizziness) – Predict Finalist

Sara Larsson better known as SaRaha was actually born in Sweden but moved to Tanzania when she was young. She has performed on major television programmes in Africa but in 2014 actually had a song in the Swedish Charts “Mbele Kiza.” Now she is bringing her Swahili song “Kizunguzungu” which translates to Dizziness to the Swedish Selection. The very “Haba Haba” sounding song (Norweigian Eurovision 2011) is instantly catchy and should be in contention to qualify. In the past the Swedes have shunned songs in languages that aren’t Swedish or English but hopefully the beat will get them voting.

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2 Swingfly feat. Helena Gutarra “You Carved Your Name” – Predict Andra Chansen

This is Swingfly’s second attempt in Melodifestivalen with his first entry in 2011 “Me and My Drum” qualifying directly to the final and he finished 5th overall. His new song “You Carved Your Name” sounds very much like “Me and My Drum” without the catchy Boom, Boom, Boom. He is backed up by Helena Gutarra who was in The Voice Sweden in 2012 but has done little since then. With Swingfly’s popularity means he should do well but I’m not sure the song will be good enough this time to qualify directly to the final.

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3 SMILO “Weight of the World” – Predict 7th Place

This boy band have had several names in the short time they have been together; Smile, Smiling Swedes and SMILO. Typically known for their beach style music, their debut entry for Melodifestivalen is more commercial club style in my eyes. The band are standing around like they don’t know what they are doing. The song isn’t bad but the soulless performance will leave them out of the running tonight.

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4 After Dark “Kom ut som en Stjärna” (Come Out Like a Star) – Predict 6th Place

Thank you After Dark for giving us some typical Schlager! This is After Dark’s third attempt to represent Sweden and I love it but this style of music is now considered “out of fashion.” Even with a drag queen is a pink tasselled outfit, I don’t think the song is strong enough commercially to get the Swedes to vote for it. I hope I’m wrong but I think After Dark won’t be moving on any further in the competition.

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5 Lisa Ajax “My Heart Wants Me Dead” – Predict Andra Chansen

Being the winner of Idol 2014, you think that Lisa Ajax would be big artist but her winner’s single only charted at 48 in the Swedish Charts. Her song is pretty solid and has an early Loreen feeling to it. Her topless dancers won’t go amiss either. Her vocals during the rehearsal weren’t great so it will all depend on tonight’s performance. She should qualify to continue in the competition but not directly to the final unless she smashes it tonight.

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6 Boris René “Put Your Love on Me” – Predict 5th Place

This Swedish football player who happens to dabble in singing as well debuts tonight in Melodifestivalen with “Put Your Love on Me.” The song is pretty catchy actually but not sure the footballer’s live vocals are good enough to qualify. The song is very repetitive so it easy to sing along to after one verse but will his vocals put off voters? Again all depends on tonight’s performance.

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7 Oscar Zia “Human” – Predict Finalist

This is Oscar Zia’s third performance in Melodifestivalen and his second solo attempt. He lost out with Behrang Miri in the Andra Chansen stage in 2013 but qualified directly to the final with “Yes We Can” in 2014, finishing in eighth place overall. Zia is a very hot topic at the moment as he has recently come out as gay. With a combination of his popularity, the amount of media attention and the fact he’s written the song himself Zia should easily qualify for the final. The song is a mid tempo ballad with haunting tone similar to Mariette’s “Don’t Stop Believing.”

What do you think?

2016 Eurovision Song Contest, Melodifestival, Melodifestivalen 2016, Stockholm 2016

Melodifestivalen 2016 – Semi-Final 2 Tonight

13 February 2016 Cole Van Dais 1 Comment

This week we visit Malmö Arena to decide which two songs will qualify for the final on the 12 March and which two songs will go to the Andra Chansen on the 5 March. As Charlotte Perrelli has been demoted from host to guest performer, I imagine we will be seeing a lot more of Gina Dirawi. How will the jokes work with just one presenter, we will have to wait and see.

The second semi-final is packed full of past participants but there are a few debuts as well which make cause some upsets tonight.

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1 David Lindgren “We Are Your Tomorrow” – Predict Finalist

This is Lindgren’s third attempt at the crown with both of his previous entries qualifying directly to the final it is likely that his third will as well. Currently in the Swedish production of Jersey Boys, Lindgren has a green light laser show mid tempo number that is a great middle of the road entry that with his popularity will progress to Friends Arena.

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2 Victor och Natten “100%” – Predict 7th Place

This is Victor’s debut in Melodifestivalen and I’m not sure his presence will be long lived. He looks like a guy who has wondered in the studio by mistake and jumped on stage with a bunch of cheerleaders hoping for 15 minutes of fame, if he last the 3 minutes of the song I’d be surprised. The music style, performance and presentation of the song is all wrong and not even sure why SVT thought this was good enough to be in the contest.

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3 Molly Pettersson Hammar – “Hunger” – Predict Andra Chansen

Last year Hammar failed to qualify with “I’ll be Fine” which shocked and angered many fans but if you watch it back Hammar’s tuning and shouting was enough to count her out. Although I think “I’ll be Fine” is a better song than “Hunger”, her new found following should be enough to at least get her into Andra Chansen. Her tuning hasn’t been great during rehearsals either so it will all depend on her performance on the night.

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4 Isa “I Will Wait” – Predict Andra Chansen

Isa’s career has taken off since last year’s “Don’t Stop” finishing 7th in last year’s final. “I Will Wait” is a change in style and direction for Isa though. It is a powerful song and possibly a little too big for the 17 year old to pull off. Saying that it is great to have such a great young talent back in the contest but she may need to settle for Andra Chansen this time around.

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5 Krista Siegfrids “Faller” (Falling) – Predict 5th Place

Siegfrids Finnish entry in 2013 “Marry Me” was one of my favourties and so glad to see her back but why Sweden? Siegfrids mother tongue is Swedish and was born in the small part of Finland where Swedish is commonly spoken but will the Swedish public care? The Swedish public are fickle to say the least. I really like “Faller” but it isn’t good enough without a following to qualify, I’m afraid.

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6 Patrik Isaksson, Tommy Nilsson & Uno Svenningsson “Håll Mitt Hjärta Hårt” (Hold My Heart Hard) – Predict 6th Place

This trio of legends have all participated in Melodifestivalen in the past and collaborations of this kind have done well in the past but I don’t their song is good enough to advance. Hasse Andersson’s entry last year had that charm that captivated the audience even though it was terribly old fashion. This song lacks that charm and will struggle to qualify.

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7 Wiktoria “Save Me” – Predict Finalist

This is Wiktoria’s debut in Melodifestivalen but has been in the junior version, Lille Melodifestivalen, back in 2011. The song and the performance are surprisingly good, a mix of country and pop with a little bit of soul. With the use of special effects, Wiktoria’s outfit, which is a beige catsuit, miraculously becomes part of the visual presentation of the song. Not many debut artists qualify direct to the final these days but I believe Wiktoria has a very good chance this evening.

What do you think? …

Melodifestival, Melodifestivalen 2016, Stockholm 2016

Melodifestivalen 2016 – Semi Final 1 Tonight

6 February 2016 Cole Van Dais 1 Comment

Tonight the Eurovision Glitter ball descends on the Goteborg Scandinavium to decide which two songs will qualify for the final on the 12 March and which two songs will go to the Andra Chansen on the 5 March. Amongst a great deal of controversy already without the first show even airing yet, we’ve had a song disqualified and a host demoted to performer only. The one thing that is certain all eyes are on Sweden to see just what is going to happen now; more scandal or just great music?

I’ve been attending the Swedish selection for nine years now and you don’t come across many semi finals that you don’t know exactly what is going to happen. Of course there are always a surprise now and then but the air of uncertainty is definitely afoot.
1 Samir & Viktor “Bada Nakna” (Bathe Naked) – Predict Andra Chansen

Samir & Viktor’s second attempt Bada Nakna is fairly similar to their first attempt with Groupie. It’s a novelty song that will catch the public’s eye due to topless young performers dancing around in water which is perfect for the song title. Apart from the performance it is all about popularity with these guys. Every song these two have done have become social media viral hits but saying that I do think there are stronger performers and songs in this semi final.
2 Pernilla Andersson “Mitt Guld” (My Gold) – Predict Andra Chansen

Pernilla’s song Mitt Guld is also her second attempt in Melodifestivalen and like Samir & Viktor it isn’t that much different to her previous entry Desperados. This folk inspired song just feels out of place but the Swedish public love her and will be an older audience favourite. As with her 2011 song, which went to Andra Chansen, Andersson have a niche audience but not enough followers to take her to the top.
3 Mimi Werner “Ain’t No Good” – Predict 5th Place

Ain’t No Good is Mimi Werner’s debut to the Melodifestivalen stage. Although her style is more contemporary country her song is a hybrid pop country rock number that isn’t dissimilar to artists like Taylor Swift. The problem is Werner is fairly unknown she competed on a talent competition in Sweden which she reached the final but hasn’t done much since. I do love this song but it kills me to say that I don’t think Werner has the popularity to take it any further. I do hope I’m wrong.
4 Albin & Mattias “Rik” (Rich) – Predict 6th Place

Mattias is no stranger to the Melodifestivalen stage and his brother Albin is a popular artist in his own right. The problem with this duo is that their song is boring and their voices don’t complement each other. Like so many urban style collaborations, this just feels forced and not thought out very well. Their performance on the night could save it but I think it is unlikely.
5 Anna Book “Himmel för Två” (Heaven for Two) Disqualified

What an absolutely travesty. The only true Schlager song of the evening can’t even participate. I really loved the song and Anna Book is a true performer. It is a real shame that she wanted to celebrate her 30th anniversary of being in Melodifestivalen with her participation this year. At least she can perform the song if she is up to it. I hope she is as I don’t want to miss it.
6 Robin Bengtsson “Constellation Prize” – Predict Finalist

Another debut here with Robin Bengtsson which I believe is a very strong entry and performance. Bengtsson finished third place in Idol in 2008, and hasn’t really stopped recording and performing but he has never really hit the big time. This could very well be his chance. The only word I could use to describe his song and performance is quality. If he keeps doing want he does he should easily qualify for the final.
7 Ace Wilder “Don’t Worry” – Predict Finalist

Now I thought Ace Wilder would of come back last year but she is back after a year break. She nearly stole the crown from Sanna Nielsen in 2014 with Busy Doin’ Nothin’. This time around she hasn’t lost the attitude but has added a bit more style to her entry. Far and away the favourite this evening and is also one of the favourties to win the contest altogether. With the staging, the dancing and the repetitive song she should walk it.

Stockholm 2016

OGAE SWEDEN REPORT ON EURO FAN CAFE PLANS

26 January 2016 Roy van der Merwe 3 Comments

Hello fellow Eurovision fans – this is Stockholm calling!
We know that you are the ones that make the party. And we want to party with you in Stockholm in May!
In later years it has been customary that the host city hosts the Euroclub for accredited delegations, press and fans while the local OGAE club hosts a Euro Fan Café for non-accredited fans.
This year SVT and the City of Stockholm have changed this! Together with the City of Stockholm, SVT and OGAE International we have worked on a plan to bring all fan-activity under one roof. We are extremely happy about this and believe we couldn’t get a better start in fulfilling this year’s theme ”Come together”.
In 2016 the Euro Fan Café will be a fully integrated part of the Euroclub. There will be fan accreditations especially for OGAE members which will include access to Euroclub and the Euro Fan Café, both located in the two-storey high and 2800 square meters large custom-built venue right in front of the Royal Palace in Stockholm – the best location Stockholm can offer!
As soon as the practical solution for applying is ready we will let you know and provide more information.
Planning the schedule has just started but there will be the normal Fan Café activities, the annual OGAE party and so on. This will of course also be made public as we get closer to the contest.
A warm welcome and we will see you in Stockholm in May!
Ida Sandahl
President
Melodifestivalklubben OGAE Sweden
Press release from the City of Stockholm:
http://www.mynewsdesk.com/stockholmvisitorsboard/pressreleases/stockholm-hosts-a-two-week-festival-during-eurovision-song-contest-in-may-1299603

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