Sweden: Jacqline and Cazzi Opeia are the two direct finalists of the Third Heat of Melodifestivalen 2024!
Ninety minutes ago, the show for the Third Heat of Melodifestivalen 2024, started off on SVT and SVT Play. And we are here to share the results of the night with you!
The two numbers that qualify directly to the finals are Jacqline and Cazzi Opeia which we will get to see perform their songs live, on the 9th of March, when the finals will take place at Friends Arena.
The experts
New in Melodifestivalen this year is the participation of a couple of really knowledgeable music and Mello-experts – radio and TV profile Tina Mehrafzoon and Mello-oracle Ronny Larsson. During both the races and the final, they analyze the evening’s line-up and give their opinion on how they are doing.
The show
Carina Berg is the host of all the shows of the tour this year! With the next show of the contest on Saturday February the 17th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Växjö, then Eskilstuna follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 9th of March.
Carina Berg has Christine Meltzer and Carolina Gynning on stage this week. They had written a new lyric for The Ark‘s “Calleth You, Cometh I“, which is now called “Ringer du kommer vi” (If you call and we will come).
After the intro, Carina presented this show’s contestants!
The numbers
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- “Effortless” – Jacqline
We get a professional, “Effortless” performance, great production, great staging. She reminds me of a mix of Dua Lipa, songs of Little Mix and Alicia Keys vocals. She has a big rectangular prop, red is dominating the staging. At some point she lies down, goes on stage, then again back on the prop and holds herself while the prop lifts up. It is the most advanced production and most extensive camera work I’ve seen in the contest. Equivalent to Maria Sur’s, but red and more mainstream pop, less dance pop. Jacqline was the runner-up of Idol in 2021 and now it’s her time to shine!
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
- “Aldrig mer” – Clara Klingenström
Clara has a large prop behind and above her. I would be scared as if it would fall down on me. She has issues with her lows, as she would have in her two previous rehearsals. “Aldrig mer” is not my favourite of all her participations.
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
- “Take My Breath Away” – Kim Cesarion
Despite the technical issues in this weeks show, now I can say that Kim got the sleek camera-shots he deserves. His staging, reminds me a bit of Robin Bengtsson‘s 2017 stagings, especially the moment when the dancers enter. His performance gives me The Weeknd vibes, much improved with his vocals. He is holding back a tiny bit for tomorrow I think. It doesn’t sound like his style of music but he does it good. He has Marvin Asante and Greg Curtis as his chorus on stage and one of the writers of the song William Segerdahl off stage. That means that he will need to reduce the number of people on stage, should he get selected this year. He dances too, here come the disco moves.
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
- “För dig” – Klaudy
Klaudy has restored the wetlands and has put them right on stage. If you can recall, last year, someone wanted to restore the wetlands. A guy stormed onto the stage when Loreen was performing her song in the fourth heat in Malmö. A pleasant song, in Swedish. I would listen to it on the radio, or on a road trip.
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
- “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – Gunilla Persson
La La Gunilla is a superstar. She shines in the wild west, which is the theme of her staging. Her teeth shine too and we learned she had a dentist appointment when we had the press conference today. The whole package is a mess. It is uber-trash. But maybe people like this. She is a big thing in Sweden and I am unsure for what reason. Her vocals are very bad, but very much improved than her previous rehearsals. She at least now sounds in sync with the instrumental. The crowd cheers, not as hard as I would expect. If I had to decide, I would disqualify her.
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
- “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Moa (Cazzi‘s name), has a very strong trademark sound. You listen to her music you know it’s her. As when I first listened to Loreen‘s Tattoo I immediately knew she had to do with the “Tattoo-oo-oooo” part. Not as distinctive as “I can’t get enough” but people love it. She begins singing inside a large keyhole prop, uses a dimple camera effect and kaleidoscope I kinda got dizzy. She wears a fluffy pink suit which is totally her and I love to see this. Her vocals are amazing. This is fun, crazy and has the amount of kitsch that we need and as much as we can all handle. The LED backdrop shows a heart in yellow and pink.
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
The Intervals
Also, today in Växjö, the director, screenwriter and commentator Edward af Sillén is awarded the Hall of Fame award. From now on, he is also a member of this well-known group of artists, hits and creators who have all been of great importance to Melodifestivalen over the years.
Christine Meltzer goes up on stage and does an impersonation of Gunilla Persson, who is competing at this week’s Melodifestivalen show. She wears the same dress as Gunilla and then the real Gunilla joins her and compliment’s Christine as a fantastic body double.
Then a short video of Björn Gustafsson with the CEO of Sveriges Television Hanna Stjärne.
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The Direct Qualifiers
First voting round winner: “Effortless” – Jacqline
Second voting round winner: “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Semi-Finalists
Second voting round 2nd place: “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – Gunilla Persson
Second voting round 3rd place: “För dig” – Klaudy
Second voting round results
Age-band 3-9 years old winner: “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Age-band 10-15 years old winner: “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – Gunilla Persson
Age-band 16-29 years old winner: “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – Gunilla Persson
Age-band 30-44 years old winner: “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Age-band 45-59 years old winner: “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Age-band 60-74 years old winner: “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Age-band 75+ years old winner: “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Televoting winner: “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Melodifestivalen Finalists
- “Heroes Are Calling“ – Smash Into Pieces
- “Awful Liar“ – Lisa Ajax
- “Dragon“ – Liamoo
- “When I’m Gone“ – Maria Sur
- “Effortless“ – Jacqline
- “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Acts that remain in the competition
- “Forever Yours“ – Elisa Lindström
- “Supernatural“ – Adam Woods
- “The Silence After You“ – Dear Sara
- “Unga & fria“ – Fröken Snusk
- “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – Gunilla Persson
- “För dig” – Klaudy
Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2024 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2024!
Source: SVT
Photos: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
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