Sweden: Tone Sekelius returns, two more debutants add-up to the lineup for Melodifestivalen 2023!

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A few moments ago, the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet  revealed three more acts, that will be joining the line-up of Melodifestivalen 2023.

Tone Sekelius

Tone Sekelius, after her success this year with her song “My Way“, is keen on joining the show for next year as well, showing that she was not a one hit wonder. According to Aftonbladet sources, the song is really strong and might probably surprise the audience.

Kiana Blanckert

Kiana was born in February 2007 in Australia and moved to Sweden when she was just 2 years old. She will turn 16 just in time next year, to debut at the contest by fulfilling the Melodifestivalen age rules which state the you must turn 16 the latest on the day Sweden competes at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Kiana became known with her participation to the TV4 talent show Talang 2021, where she placed in the top 3. Kiana was fellow contestant at Talang 2021 with another rumoured Melodifestivalen 2023 contestant, Rejhan Bellani.

Rejhan Bellani

Rejhan, also participated last year in Talang, along with Kiana. According to information to Aftonbladet, Rejhan will work together with the artist-songwriter-producer duo Albin Johnsén and Mattias Andréasson, but it is still unclear if they wrote his competition entry. Rejhan is 16 years old, making him and Kiana two of next year’s youngest participants in Melodifestivalen.

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

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

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, while SVT has received 2824 songs. The list of participants will be published in November or December 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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i777psA2gP4

Source: Aftonbladet

Who do you wanna see taking part in Melodifestivalen 2023? Tell us in the comments!

Norway: The entries of Melodi Grand Prix 2023 have been selected!

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As confirmed by Norway’s head of delegation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Stig Karlsen, and also by Eurovision Norway, the 21 artists and songs that will compete in Melodi Grand Prix 2023 have already been selected.

The announcement of the 21 artists who will compete to represent Norway at Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool will take place in early January.

Details on how Melodi Grand Prix 2023 will be held have yet to be announced, but it is expected to include three qualifying rounds and a Grand Final, hosted by Arianrhod Engebø and Staysman. According to previous statements by Stig Karlson, the inclusion of an international committee is likely, unlike in recent years, where the results of Melodi Grand Prix were determined solely by the television audience.

In Eurovision 2022, Norway was represented by Subwoolfer with “Give That Wolf a Banana”, finishing 10th in the Grand Final with 182 points.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments regarding Norway’s participation in Eurovision 2023, in Liverpool!

Source: Eurovision Norway, Stig Karlsen

Malta: These are the artists and songs competing in MESC 2023!

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The Maltese national television chanel TVM has released the forty names of the artists, as well as the titles of their songs, who have qualified for the quarter-finals of MESC 2023. Among the names we find artists who are no strangers to the competition, as they have already tried or even succeeded in taking part in Eurovision before.

The list of candidates is as follows:

Among the candidates there is Brooke, who has tried to represent the country in 2016, 2017 and 2018 but failed despite fans’ support. We find also two of last year’s MESC candidates, MATT BLXCK as well as fan favorite Aidan, who came in second to Emma Muscat. Finally, we find three previous Eurovision representatives, Fabrizio Faniello (Malta 2001 and 2006), Jessica (San Marino 2018) and Eliana Gomez Blanco, who represented her country in Junior Eurovision 2019.

Malta was represented by Emma Muscat last year with the song I Am What I Am, failing to qualify to the Grand Final.

Will Malta return to the Grand Final next year, and will it be with a familiar face? Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all developments!

Cyprus: Two of the creators of Andrew Lambrou’s entry were revealed!

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A while ago, the names of two of the creators of this year’s Cypriot entry were revealed on the official RIK account for the Eurovision contest. They are Jimmy Jansson and Thomas Stengaart, both with experience in the Eurovision contest and with several successes.

RIK has published a photo from the recording of its Eurovision entry, which was made by Andrew Lambrou in Stockholm and which you were informed about through Eurovisionfun.

As you can see, RIK declares itself ready for the 67th Eurovision Song Contest, preparing every detail much earlier this time.

This will be Thomas Stengaart‘s seventh entry in the contest, having co-written Denmark’s Eurovisin 2013 winning song, as well as Germany’s entries in 2018 and 2019, San Marino in 2021 and Azerbaijan in 2022. He was also one of the creators of El Diablo, the Cypriot participation in 2021.

Jimmy Jansson has clearly less experience, since in addition to his two participations in Melodifestivalen, he was one of the creators of Denmark in Eurovision 2020, which was however canceled due to the pandemic. So, it will essentially be his first time competing.

As the Cypriot mission informed us, Andrew Lambrou immediately after the end of the recording session in Stockholm will travel to Athens and from there to Cyprus. Thus, we will have the opportunity to see him in various media in the coming days.

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Croatia: Damir Kedžo submits an entry for Dora 2023!

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Damir Kedžo, took to social media to show that he had submitted a song to Dora 2023 in order to represent Croatia in Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool!

Damir Kedžo was due to represent Croatia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 before the contest was canceled due to COVID-19. Despite rumors that he would return to Dora the following year, he ultimately did not as he did not have the right song.

Dora 2023 is expected to be held in February, in Opatija, with many changes. In particular, the songs will be released earlier than in previous years, specifically in January, while the public will have time to listen to them several times, while there will also be a lot of playback from the media, digital platforms and social networks.

Another change is that the selection will be made through a competition of two semi-finals and one final.

However, the biggest innovation at this year’s edition will be the addition of Eurovision fans to the song selection jury for Dora 2023. Thus, the jury will be made up of both music professionals and HRT public broadcaster employees, with fans to give another note to the final selection.

Check out Damir Kedžo’s entry, “Divlji Vjetre” for Eurovision 2020 below:

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Croatian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Germany: More than 250 songs have already been submitted!

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Details of Germany’s selection process for its participation in the 67th Eurovision Song Contest were announced earlier. Artists can submit their songs online at eurovision.de until midnight on 28 November. Already according to what has become known, more than 250 songs have been submitted!

Germany’s public broadcaster (NDR) said it had held discussions with both the country’s delegation to the contest and representatives from Eurovision fan clubs about how to choose its singer and song for Eurovision 2023 in Liverpool.

8 to 10 songs will be selected to compete in the national final called “Unser Lied für Liverpool” (Our song for Liverpool). In addition, an entry will be selected via a TikTok-Challenge where artists can apply to represent Germany by uploading their entry on the platform with the hashtag #UnserLiedfürLiverpool. The November 28 deadline also applies to submissions via TikTok.

ESC kompakt also reports that during yesterday’s official Eurovision Club Germany meeting in Cologne, Stefan Leidner, who now works for the German television network NDR, revealed additional details about the selection process.

Leidner mentioned in his interview that over 250 songs have been submitted through the official submission platform. Reportedly, record companies have also been contacted and encouraged to submit songs to the national selection.

This year, Malik Harris represented Germany at the contest in Turin, Italy, with the song “Rockstars”. He finished last with just 6 points, all from televoting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BYIou-oWXA

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun for all the updates!

Source: ESC Kompakt

Montenegro: This would have been their entry for Eurovision 2023!

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Earlier tonight the American singer ENISA with roots from Montenegro and Albania, and the very first representative of New York at the American version of Eurovision, the American Song Contest, made some announcements regarding the participation that the Montengrin delegation was working on, which never moved on as the Balkan nation chose to withdraw for financial reasons.

Specifically, through her Twitter account, ENISA initially published that she had written her own song entitled OLÈ for this year’s 2022 FIFA World Cup, which is being held from today in Qatar, along with a short video where a snippet of the song can be heard.

Later she re-tweeted the original post adding that this song was intended to represent Montenegro at the Eurovision 2023 Contest in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Below you can listen to the short snippet of OLÈ

What would have been the result for Montenegro should they have chosen to participate in Liverpool in 2023? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the developments around the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest.

 

Albania: FiK61 songs will be presented directly through the Live Shows!

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Through her personal account on Instagram, Arbana Osmani, presenter of Festivali i Këngës 61, confirmed that the songs competing in Festivali i Këngës 61 will not be revealed until the live shows in December.

This means that after many years, the songs of the artists at FiK61, will be presented directly through the show nights, just like in Sanremo.

FiK 61 will take place on 19,20,21,22 of December 2022. The Albanian Public Broadcaster RTSH, revealed that for the first time, the act which is going to represent Albania in Eurovision will be decided entirely by a public vote, while a jury will vote to determine the results of the festival, but its verdict will not be considered for the act which will represent Albania.

This replaces the previous methods used at Festivali i Këngës, where a jury alone or a jury in combination with a televote would select the winner of Festivali i Këngës, who would represent Albania at Eurovision. This year will also see three different prizes awarded by the jury:

  • First, Second and Third in the jury vote
  • First for young artists and alternative groups
  • First for established artists

Popular singer Flori Mumajesi will be the artistic director of the 61st version of the festival. The artists that will take part are:

  • 2 Farm – “Atomike” (Atomic)
  • Alban Kondi & Lorela Karoshi – “Melodi” (Melody)
  • Albina Kelmendi – “Duje” (Prayer)
  • Anduel Kovaçi – “Malli” (Merchandise)
  • Aris Bako – “Sonte dua të jem me ty” (Tonight I want to be with you)
  • Melodajna Mancaku – “Gjysma e zemrës sime” (Half of my heart)
  • Elisa Lila – “Evita”
  • Enxhi Nasufi – “Burrë” (Man)
  • Erma Mici – “Kozmosi i dashurisë” (The cosmos of love)
  • Evi Reçi – “Ma kthe” (Give me back)
  • Fabian Basha – “Një gotë” (A glass)
  • Fifi (Filloreta Raçi) – “Stop”
  • Franc Koruni – “Në pritje” (Pending)
  • Genti Hoxha – “Ajër” (Air)
  • Gjergj Kaçinari – “Dje” (Yesterday)
  • Luna Causholli – “Jetën ta fal” (I forgive life)
  • LYNX – “Nëse ke besim” (If you have faith)
  • Manjola Nallbani – “Dua” (Love)
  • Permit of Stay – “Fobia” (Phobias)
  • Petrit Çarkaxhiu – “Emri yt mirësi” (Your name is good)
  • Rezearta Smaja – “N’Eden” (In Eden)
  • Rovena Dilo – “Motit” (Weather)
  • Sara Kapo – “Para teje” (Before you)
  • Serxhio Hajdini – “Vështirë” (Tough)
  • Urban Band – “Në çdo hap” (At every step)
  • Vanesa Soni – “Aroma jonë” (Our fragrence)

The previous version of the festival was won by Ronela Hajati with the song “Secret” which despite being high in the betting odds, placed 12th in the first semi-final of Eurovision 2022.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=_jWXmo0-ZjI&feature=emb_title

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Albanian participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, in Liverpool!

Sweden: Two returning acts and a surprising debutant added to the Melodifestivalen 2023 line up!

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Moments ago, the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet revealed three more acts that will take part in Melodifestivalen 2023, the popular show where its winner represents Sweden at Eurovision.

Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos

The duet of veterans Eva and Ewa participated in Melodifestivalen 2021 with the song “Rena Rama Ding Dong“ and even though they did not qualified to the final, their performance was well received by the Swedish audience. They are reportedly returning to the competition with a song similar to their previous entry, which you can watch below:

Axel Schylström 

Returning to the competition after his previous attempt in 2017 with the song “ När Ingen Ser“, which reached the second chance round, Axel was informed this week that he will be part of Melodifestivalen 2023. Last year he was one of the writers of the song “Som du Vill” which was sang by Theoz.

Laurell Barker

Having co-written 10 Melodifestivalen entries, songwriter Laurell Barker will reportedly make her debut in Melodifestivalen 2023 as a lead singer. In 2019, she managed to become the first songwriter to have three songs at the Eurovision Grand Final, for Germany, UK and Switzerland. Below you can listen one of her own songs:

These are the artists that are so far confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2023, according to Aftonbladet:

  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

The schedule of Melodifestivalen 2023

  • Heat 1: Gothenburg, February 4th 2023 (Scandinavium)
  • Heat 2: Linköping, Feburary 11th, 2023 (Saab Arena)
  • Heat 3: Lidköping, February 18th, 2023 (Sparbanken Arena)
  • Heat 4: Malmö, February 25th, 2023 (Malmö Arena)
  • Heat 5: Örnsköldsvik, March 4th, 2023 (Hägglunds Arena)
  • Grand Final: Stockholm, March 11th, 2023 (Friends Arena)

We remind you that Melodifestivalen 2023 is scheduled to happen from February 4th until March 11th, hosted by Jesper Rönndahl and Farah Abadi, while SVT has received 2824 songs. The final list of participants will be revealed during November or December.

In Eurovision 2022, Sweden was represented by Melodifestivalen 2022 winner, Cornelia Jacobs, with the song “Hold Me Closer” and finished fourth with 438 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i777psA2gP4

Source: Aftonbladet

Greece: Is ERT considering the public voting in song selection for Eurovision 2023?

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A publication that shakes up the current situation and, should it has a basis, overturns the developments regarding the selection of the Greek participation in Eurovision 2023. According to the Typologies, ERT is considering a proposal for public voting in the selection process of the song that will represent Greece in the 67th Eurovision Song Contest Eurovision!

In the Paron paper and more specifically in Typologies column, which is the most valid television column of the printed and electronic press, is mentioned that:

“There is a proposal and it is being seriously considered this year by the management of ERT to change the way of selecting the Greek participation in the Eurovision contest of Spring 2023 in the United Kingdom. The proposal is for the television audience to choose which of the songs that entered the final selection round will be the one that will represent the country at Eurovision. According to information, while this idea is considered “commercial” for television viewing, it stumbles in the financial part as additional funds will be required for the production.”

The above mentioned are strongly related to what Maria Kozakou stated after the end of this year’s competition in her television interview on ANT1 and on Grigoris Arnautoglou’s show, The Tonight Show

Maria Kozakou had stated that, after having put Eurovision things in a row, after having made suggestions like Stefania and Amanda in recent years, and since the public has been trained in some way, maybe we could also take into account the public voting in the selection.

“Little by little it [public voting] has to enter the process … the five or the ten best songs should be evaluated by people.”

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the developments regarding the participation of Greece in the upcoming 2023 Eurovision !