Tag Archives: Melodifestivalen

2024 Eurovision song contest

NEW ARRANGEMENT FOR MELODIFESTIVALEN 2024

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ESC Covers received a press release from Asa Pauses, press office at STV about the new arrangement for Melodifestivalen 2024.

The Melodifestivalen is gearing up next year when the competition rules change and 30 entries will participate in the competition. The semi-final is converted into a fifth part competition which is extended and in the extension two more finalists are voted on.
– We always want to make Melodifestivalen even better and more exciting for our audience. With this completely new arrangement, we believe we can maintain viewers’ engagement throughout the season. It’s no secret that we’ve lost audiences in the semi-finals. Now we hope to keep the excitement up through all the programs, says Anders Wistbacka , project manager for Melodifestivalen.

Here’s how it works:
Six entries compete in each sub-competition, i.e. a total of 30 artists during the season. Two entries per sub-competition go directly to the final, two are still in the competition and two have finished competing. There are thus ten entries that directly qualify for the final from the sub-competitions.

The final will continue to have twelve competing entries and the last two finalists will be selected in an extension of the fifth part of the competition. Viewers then have the opportunity to distribute even more hearts via app and phone to their favorites among the ten remaining entries, i.e. those who came third and fourth in the five sub-competitions. All of these competing artists are in attendance and viewers get to watch a flash replay of their previous performances. The result is based on a tally of the number of votes in the sub-competitions and the number of votes in the extension of the fifth sub-competition.

The final looks like the previous one with twelve competing entries where the viewers account for half of the votes via app/phone and half of the votes are cast by an international jury.

Competition registration for Melodifestivalen 2024 is done by uploading the audio file of the competition contribution via www.melodifestivalen.se during the period 25 August at 09.00 – 15 September at 11.59.
2022 Eurovision Song Contest

SECOND BUNCH OF 14 ARTISTS FOR SWEDISH 2022 EUROVISION SELECTION

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Another 14 artists are ready to compete in the Melodifestivalen 2022 and thus the starting field is complete. Opera pop is re-entering and there will be even more rock, more previous winners are on stage and new artists are making their entrance. Names that have been added include Lisa Miskovsky, Tone Sekelius, Robin Bengtsson and Lancelot.
– The first 14 artists were released last week and now we add more previous winners, exciting reunions and a happy reunion. In addition, opera pop is making a comeback and new shooting stars will touch. It is a musical diversity that meets viewers and audiences in Mello 2022 – and that I long to see them all on stage, says competition producer Karin Gunnarsson .

Another 14 entries competing in the Melodifestivalen 2022
NOTE! The entries are listed in alphabetical order of the song title. Information about which sub-competition the entries compete in and which start number they have will be presented at a later time.

1) Bananas – Malou Prytz

Songwriters: Alice Gernandt, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb

2) Best to Come – Lisa  Miskovsky

Songwriter: Lisa Miskovsky, David Lindgren Zacharias

3 ) Face in the Crowd –  Browsing Collection

Songwriters: Carolina Karlsson, Mimi Brander, Moa Lenngren, Nora Lenngren, Sandra Bjurman, Jimmy Wahlsteen

4) Higher  Power – Anna Bergendahl

Songwriters: Anna Bergendahl, Thomas G: son, Bobby Ljunggren, Erik Bernholm

5) Into the fog – MEDINA

Songwriter: Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Sami Rekik, Dino Medanhodzic, Ali Jammali

6) Innocent  Love – Robin Bengtsson

Songwriter: David Lindgren Zacharias, Victor Sjöström, Victor Crone, Viktor Broberg, Sebastian Atas

7) La Stella – Tenori

Songwriters: Dan Sundquist, Kristian Lagerström, Marcos Ubeda, Bobby Ljunggren, Sarah Börjesson Wassberg

8) Let there be Angels – Shirley Clamp

Songwriter: Mats Tärnfors, Pelle Nylén, Shirley Clamp, Jakob Skarin

9) Happy ending – Lancelot

Songwriter: Lancelot Hedman, Niklas Carson Mattsson

10) My Way – Tone  Sekelius

Songwriter: Anderz Wrethov, Tone Sekelius

11) Suave – Alvaro  Estella

Songwriter: Linnea Deb, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Alvaro Estrella 

12) Too bad for you – Malin Christin

Songwriter: Jonathan Lavotha, Oliver Heinänen, Malin Christin

13) The End – Angelino

Songwriter: Angelino Markenhorn, Julie Aagaard, Melanie Wehbe , Thomas Steengaard

14) To Our Days Are Over – Little Sister

Songwriter: Jimmy Jansson, Palle Hammarlund, Ian-Paolo Lira, Martin Westerstrand

Statistics Melodifestivalen 2022 Origins A total of 84 authors, of which 30 are women and 54 are men. 41 people make their debut as songwriters and 43 have had at least one contribution before. 20 of 28 songs have a female origin.

Artists A total of 39 competing artists, of which 17 are women and 22 are men. 20 artists make their debut in the Melodifestivalen. Number of entries with Swedish text: 8 out of 28. A total of 2,530 songs were submitted to the competition.

Thanks to Madeleine from the SVT press department for this

 
Melodifestivalen/Sweden

Sweden: Melodifestivalen 2021 to have rule change

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The search for the 2021 Melodifestivalen songs in Sweden will begin in August. Interested songwriters / artists can submit their songs at www.melodifestalen.se .

There is a significant rule change for the 2021 entries. The broadcaster, SVT,  intend to have 50% of selected entries composed by female composers / copywriters or have both female and male composers / copywriters. They have confirmed that in 2022 they are intending to add a rule where if the song has multiple writers, they should have at least one female composer / writer.

Source: SVT; escxtra.com; ESC Covers

 

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

Melodifestivalen 2016 – Semi-Final 3 Tonight

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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

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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

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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.