Sweden: Mariette returns, ethnic-pop duo debuts and more rumored acts for Melodifestivalen 2023!

A few days before the official announcement by the Swedish Public Broadcaster SVT, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet continues unveiling the participants of Melodifestivalen 2023, the winner of which, will represent Sweden in Eurovision 2023. Let’s take a look at the new names added to the list:

Mariette

Returning for the 5th time, 39 year old Mariette will be part of the Melodifestivalen 2023, according to the newspaper. Her best placing was on her debut in 2015 with the song “Don’t stop Believing”. She returns with a song written by veteran composers Thomas G:son and Jimmy Jansson.

Ethnic pop returns to Melodifestivalen

A new girl duo will compete at this year’s edition of Melodifestivalen singing an ethnic pop song, the first time after many years we’ll see such a song being part of the show. The duo is comprised by two sisters who will debut at the contest and are granddaughters of a famous Swedish artist. Aftonbladet sources could not reveal the names of the artists.

Not confirmed rumors

SVT will announce the complete the artist lineup for Melodifestivalen 2023 during digital press conferences on November 29 and 30.

So far, Aftonbladet has confirmed 24 out of the 28 competing acts for Melodifestivalen 2023. The latest article mentions rumored names which could not be confirmed if they will participate. The remaining acts could potentially be among these artists:

1. Tareq Taylor (Winner of “Masked Singer” with a country song)
2. Jon Henrik Fjällgren (Participated three times, last year his song was rejected)
3. Anton Hagman (He advanced over Loreen to the final during Melodifestivalen 2017)
4. Eric Saade (won Melodifestivalen 2011 and has participated 4 times in total)
5. An artist from the  “The Ten Guy” record label (Benjamin Ingrosso, Felix Sandman, Bishara, Danny Saucedo, Omar Rudberg, Oscar Enestad)
6. Cazzi Opeia (she wants to return)

Despite the rumors, these artists confirmed they will not take part:

1. Carola
2. Amadeus Sogaard
3. Cissi Wallin
4. David Lindgren
5. Charlotte Perrelli
6. Jessica Andersson
7. Lina Hedlund  
8. Linda Bengtzing
9. Shirley Clamp
10. Nanne & Peter Grönvall
11. Maria Rådsten
12. David Lindgren

The artists that seem to be confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2023

1. Nordman
2. Loulou Lamotte
3. Wiktoria Johansson
4. Marcus & Martinus
5. Emil Henrohn
6. Theoz
7. Melanie Wehbe
8. “Smash into pieces”
9. Panetoz
10. Tennessee Tears
11. Elov & Beny
12. Paul Rey
13. Maris Sur
14. Ida-Lova
15. Victor Crone
16. Loreen
17. Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos
18. Axel Schylström
19. Laurell Barker
20. Tone Sekelius
21. Kiana Blanckert
22. Rejhan Bellani
23. Mariette
24. ethnic-pop duet

The dates of Melodifestivalen 2023

• Heat 1: Gothenburg – Saturday 4 February 2023 (Scandinavium)
• Heat 2: Linköping – Saturday 11 February 2023 (Saab Arena)
• Heat 3: Lidköping – Saturday 18 February 2023 (Sparbanken Arena)
• Heat 4: Malmö – Saturday 25 February 2023 (Malmö Arena)
• Semi-final: Örnsköldsvik – Saturday 4 March 2023 (Hägglunds Arena)
• Final: Stockholm – Satuday 11 March 2023 (Friends Arena)

We remind you that Melodifestivalen 2023 is scheduled to take place between February 4th to March 11th and will be hosted by Jesper Rönndahl and Farah Abadi.

Melodifestivalen 2022 was won by Cornelia Jacobs with the song “Hold Me Closer”, representing Sweden in Eurovision 2022 and coming 4th with 438 points.

Source: Aftonbladet 1,2