Sweden: Heat 3 of Melodifestivalen 2023 tonight!

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Melodifestivalen 2023 continues tonight, with the third heat of this year’s Swedish national selection. Four heats, one semi-final and the grand final will keep us company from today until March 11, when we will officially find out the representative of Sweden in Eurovision 2023.

In tonight’s third heat, seven entries claim the two tickets to the final, while two more entries will have the chance to compete in the semi-final on March 4th.

Participants

  1. Paul Rey – Royals
  2. Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka
  3. Melanie Wehbe – For The Show
  4. Nordman – Släpp alla sorger
  5. Laurell – Sober
  6. Ida-Lova – Låt hela stan se på
  7. Marcus & Martinus – Air 

Finalists

From the first two heats, four artists have secured their presence in the grand final of the Swedish national selection. These artists are:

From the first two heats, four artists will claim through the semi-final their presence in the grand final of the Swedish national selection. These artists are:

Format

Two songs will directly qualify to the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2023, which will take place on the 11th of March. The songs that will place third and fourth will have to compete again, at the semi-final, held on the 4th of March. There will be four heats in total.

As we have already informed you, the voting system of Melodifestivalen has changed following the announced changes by EBU regarding the voting format in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool!

The broadcaster now scraps the group division at the fifth show, known as the semi-final and all eight contestants will now have to face each other. Points will be awarded from the viewing groups and the four entries with the highest points will advance to the final!

The dates of Melodifestivalen 2023

  • Heat 1: Göteborg – 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)

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

The third heat of Melodifestivalen 2023 will start at 20:00 CET and will last one and a half hour. You can watch it through the SVT frequency by clicking HERE.

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2023 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2023!

Iceland: First Söngvakeppnin 2023 Semi-Final tonight!

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First semi-final today for Söngvakeppnin 2023, the process through which Iceland is called upon to select its entry for the upcoming Eurovision 2023.

Broadcast live from the RVK studios, the land of ice and fire is called upon to choose the top two finalists to get the magical ticket to the Söngvakeppnin 2023 grand final.

Participants

Five artists take part in tonight’s first semi-final of Söngvakeppnin 2023, vying for one of two tickets to the grand final of the Icelandic national selection. These artists are:

  1. BRAGI – Stundum snýst heimurinn gegn þér/ Sometimes the World´s Against You
  2. MÓA – Glötuð ást / Loose this dream
  3. Benedikt – Þora / Brave Face
  4. Celebs – Dómsdagsdans / Doomsday Dancing
  5. Diljá – Lifandi inni í mér / Power

Format

A total of 10 songs will take part in Söngvakeppnin 2023 after being selected by the relevant RÚV jury. Five songs will take part in each of the two semi-finals, with the best two from each semi-final advancing to the Grand Final. After the semi-finals, the judges have the right to use a wildcard, on one of the six artists who did not qualify.

In the two semi-finals, the result will be decided solely by public vote, while in the final there will be a combined public and jury vote to decide the two songs that will advance to the Super Final. There, the Icelandic public has the ultimate say in choosing the country’s next representative.

The presenters of Söngvakeppnin 2023 are Unnsteinn Manuel Stefánsson, Ragnhildur Steinunn Jónsdóttir and Sigurður Þorri Gunnarsson.

The first semi-final of Söngvakeppnin 2023 will start at 20:45 CET and will last one and a half hours. You can watch it through the RÚV website by clicking HERE.

Until we find out who will represent Iceland at Eurovision 2023, let’s remember the country’s participation in last year’s contest. The previous winners of Söngvakeppnin and Iceland’s Eurovision 2022 representative were Systur with the song “Með sárkandi sól” and they finished in 23rd place in the Grand Final:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G71c48O3j-s

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the developments concerning Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest!

Cyprus: Andrew’s Lambrou song will be released on the 2nd of March!

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According to INFE Greece, Andrew Lambrou, the Cypriot representative for Eurovision 2023, has visited Athens to film his entry’s videoclip and has announced that the Cypriot entry will be officially released and known to public on the 2nd of March!

According to the initial plans, RIK, the Cypriot broadcaster, was planning to release the Cypriot entry on late January. Although, the plans were abandoned due to the national elections. At the moment, the video clip is on the making, including shooting both outdoors and inside a studio.

The videoclip’s director is Yiorgos Mpenioudakis, a director who has worked with many famous Greek artists, such as the former Eurostar, Eleni Foureira. The artistic director of this year’s Cypriot entry will be Marvin Dietmann, who has a big experience and has been involved with many Eurovision entries the past years, such as the two precedent Cypriot entries(Elena Tsagkrinou,Andromache). Marvin Dietmann along with Ross Nicholson, who belongs to Black Skull, the worldwide-known team of directors, will be in charge of Andrew’s Lambrou stage performance on Liverpool.

The Cypriot team is willing for a great result in this year’s contest, which slowly reflects on the betting odds, hoping for the rise to continue also after the release of the song.

Cyprus: The surprise with Andrew Lambrou’s stage presentation in Liverpool!

This year’s Cypriot entry is signed by the following composers all of them having a big experience working for Eurovision entries:

  • Thomas Stengaard : Denmark 2013, Germany 2018, Germany 2019, San Marino 2021, Cyprus 2021, Azerbaijan 2022
  • Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt : Sweden 2021, San Marino 2021, Cyprus 2021
  • Jimmy Jansson : Denmark 2020
  • Marcus Winther-John : Andorra 2009

Source: INFE Greece

Stay tuned on EurovisionFun for more!

 

 

Sweden: The general rehearsal of the Third Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat! (Live)

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The general rehearsal of the Third Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat has just started. We are happy to be watching it live, at

Sparbanken Arena in Lidköping, Sweden. We will be covering this rehearsal, describing in detail what is happening during the show, for you to follow the entire process.

This article is being updated in real-time, all you need to do is hit the refresh button on your browser and all the rest is on us!

We will keep you up to date with all the latest information and images off this semi-final rehearsal, allowing you to get a glimpse of what you will get to see tomorrow February 18, at 20:00 CET, when you watch the actual show of the heat, on SVT and SVT Play.

The show

Jesper Rönndahl and Farah Abadi will present Melodifestivalen 2023. The heats are following the touring concept again, after SVT had pulled back last year due to health restrictions in Sweden, with the finals being held at Friends Arena! With the next show of the contest on Saturday February the 18th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Lidköping, then Malmö and Örnsköldsvik follow and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 11th of March.

Jesper and Farah are at the arena and everything is ready to begin! It’s time to face the music!

Initially they go through the direct finalists and the semi-finalists and then they show us this show’s contestants! 

Dolly Style now perform their song “Habibi“, past Melodifestivalen entry, with Farah joining them with a colourful wig. So funny!

The numbers

  • Paul Rey – Royals

First up on stage, Paul Rey with his song “Royals”.

His song is a pop anthemic song, that doesn’t require any superb vocals, however, Paul delivers. He delivers voice, stage presence, some moves maybe and some fireworks in the process.

The staging is dark but features bright strobe lights and a led backdrop that shows words from the song lyrics, yellow rectangles, abstract art making Paul blend in with his jacket that is in black and white stripes. Dancers join him with a simple but powerful choreography.

According to my personal taste, this would be a song that I would have on my daily playlist. But would that qualify directly to the finals? I think it’s highly unlikely. He’s gonna be a semi-finalist or a NQ most likely.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka

Next up, Casanovas with their song “Så kommer känslorna tillbaka”.

Their song is a typical Swedish schlager song, all five of them are on stage, each of them on a platform with spotlights all around. Vocally they’re all quite good I must admit.

Stagewise, there’s a backdrop video shown on the LED, initially shows their band name, reminding a Las Vegas sign in mainland US. The staging is nice and nostalgic of other times. However I don’t see this qualifying either to the finals or the semi-final show.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Melanie Wehbe – For The Show

Third on stage, it’s Melanie Wehbe with her song “For The Show”.

For the show is a mid-tempo power ballad, that you could easily listen to the radio, on your headphones while you’re on the move. Vocally she’s not that bad, but definitely could do much better. She pulled off the high note though, quite nicely and effortlessly.

Stage-wise, she is alone on stage, with a large light prop that at the end of her performance splits up into two pieces and the backdrop LED screen, showing octagon shapes, matching the prop. Quite simplistic but visually pleasing.

Would she now qualify? Not to the finals, but maybe to the semi? Who knows!

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

Next up on stage, Nordman with their song “Släpp alla sorger”. Nordman have a powerful, pop, EDM with some folklore elements song, that reminds me of sound that I have listened in some Avicii songs. The song could have a crowd effect, but they are a bit static.

Regarding the staging, there’s a vulture at the back for starters, then there’s more birds, a scenery and more strobe lights and a green background. As a whole, this performance looks powerful and gives me DTF vibes. Let’s see.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Laurell – Sober

Now Laurell takes over the stage with her number, singing “Sober“.

After an SVT emergency meeting, the Canadian Laurel Barker had to change part of the lyrics of her song, so that she doesn’t mention a famous brand of vodka, as brands are not allowed to be promoted directly or indirectly by any of the performances.

Her signature Laurell Barker sound is now conquering the stage in Lidköping, with a nice uptempo and joyfull song, nice and spot-on vocals.

Stage-wise, there’s a galore of neon and colours, a video on the backdrop showing funky images, probably depicting how one feels when they’re high and delusional.

Now would she qualify? Sadly, I don’t think so. Next time, cause there will be a next time. Once you pop, you can’t stop with mello. 😉

Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Ida-Lova – Låt hela stan se på

Next up on stage Ida-Lova  with the song “Låt hela stan se på“!

Now that’s a ballad entirely in Swedish, but full of sentiment that she puts through her eyes. Vocally she is impeccable. Nice high note there Ida, she did it!

Regarding the staging, it’s super simple but aesthetically pleasing. Nothing much is going on, either than herself performing and a large piece of fabric hanging off the stage ceiling. Many strobe lights that give room to more lights as she proceeds to the song.

Maybe this one qualifies to the semi-final, the crowd really enjoyed it and gave it a big round of applause.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Marcus & Martinus – Air

Last (but sure not least), the worldwide known duo Marcus & Martinus with their song “Air”.

This song is for me like the air that I’m breathing! I LOVE IT! I WANT IT! The song is a pop EDM banger, that one could vibe all day and night long! Both the guys are great vocally, except one tiny part of improvised adlibs. But other than that, this number is pure PERFECTION!

Stage-wise, I think it is a hybrid of Eric Saade’s “Every Minute” and last year’s entry “Bluffin” by LIAMOO, but in blue. The lights play an important role and make it even more visually pleasing, while the twins follow a light choreography with some contemporary dance moves.

This is definitely a DTF number! If this doesn’t qualify to the finals, it would be very very strange! A big contender for the win (at least till next heat in Malmö, when Loreen participates).

Alma Bengtsson / SVT

After all the performances are complete, the presenters interview the contestants and after that there’s a recap of all the numbers of the show, as usual. Afro-Dite were the performers before the announcement of the direct finalist!

The first voting round

The virtual direct qualifier to the finals is: Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka

Second voting round

Virtual winner of the age-band 3-9 years old is: Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

Virtual winner of the age-band 10-15 years old is: Marcus & Martinus – Air

Virtual winner of the age-band 16-29 years old is: Paul Rey – Royals

Virtual winner of the age-band 30-44 years old is: Melanie Wehbe – For The Show

Virtual winner of the age-band 45-59 years old is: Laurell – Sober

Virtual winner of the age-band 60-74 years old is: Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

Virtual winner of the age-band 75+ years old is: Marcus & Martinus – Air

Virtual winner of the televoting is: Paul Rey – Royals

A prediction

I believe that Marcus & Martinus and Nordman  will directly qualify to the finals. For the semi-final qualifiers, it will probably be Paul Rey, Melanie Wehbe or Ida-Lova (these are in random order). There’s only one day left, we’re less than 24 hours away from the actual show!

Which two of today’s competing artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals, on the 11th of March?

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2023 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2023!

Source: SVT
Photos: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

Slovenia: First details regarding Joker Out’s live performance!

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Joker Out, Slovenia’s representatives at Eurovision 2023, were invited on the official Eurovision Channel podcast, and were asked by podcast host Steve Holden what they thought about their stage performance. They gave some insight into what they want to present on the Liverpool stage.

Specifically, Bojan Cvjetićanin, frontman of the band, stated the following:

We are a live band and enjoy playing live music, so that we were excited when we saw that the stage for this year’s contest would have a live audience directly beneath it. This would enable us to perform a three minute concert of Joker Out, and we promise a good show should we are able to use the energy of a live concert on stage.

Slovenia has been allocated in the second half of the second semi-final which is scheduled on 11th of May.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the updates around the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest!

Source: Eurovoix 

Eurovision 2023: Kalush Orchestra live in Liverpool!

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Kalush Orchestra will perform live at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, which is going to be held in Liverpool, United Kingdom the coming May.

In a press conference held in Strasbourg, France, the Kalush Orchestra confirmed that they will appear live on stage at Eurovision 2023, as is customary with the previous year’s winner.

In his statement after a visit to the European Parliament, the band’s lead singer Oleg Psyuk said:

Yes, Eurovision will be held in the UK, but we really hope that it will be taken into account and there will be some kind of our Ukrainian identity. And I think that there will be a pretty good atmosphere for us. I know that Ukrainians will also perform there. And, in fact, we are. Therefore, we really hope that everything will be fine, and we hope that Ukraine will perform like this this year, that next year we will host Eurovision in Ukraine.

Kalush Orchestra also confirmed that they will be releasing a new song in early March.

The group represented Ukraine last year in Turin, Italy, managing to bring the third victory to this long-suffering country of Eastern Europe.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the updates around the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest!

Source: Eurovoix

Sweden: Watch clips from the rehearsals of the third Melodifestivalen 2023 heat!

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As usual, a few hours before each Melodifestivalen heat, SVT published the rehearsal clips of all seven competing artists of the third heat of February the 18th, taking place in Lidköping.

A while ago, the first 30 third rehearsal clips of the upcoming heat got published! You can watch the published clips, by clicking on the song title links below:

  1. Paul Rey – Royals
  2. Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka
  3. Melanie Wehbe – For The Show
  4. Nordman – Släpp alla sorger
  5. Laurell – Sober
  6. Ida-Lova – Låt hela stan se på
  7. Marcus & Martinus – Air

The lyrics of the songs are already published and you can have a look in more detail, in our corresponding article.

The process

Two songs will directly qualify to the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2023, which will take place on the 11th of March. The songs that will place third and fourth will have to compete again, at the fifth semi-final, held on the 4th of March. There will be four heats in total.

As we have already informed you, the voting system of Melodifestivalen has changed following the announced changes by EBU regarding the voting format in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool!

The broadcaster now scraps the group division at the fifth show, known as the semi-final and all eight contestants will now have to face each other. Points will be awarded from the viewing groups and the four entries with the highest points will advance to the final!

The dates of Melodifestivalen 2023

  • Heat 1: Göteborg – 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)

Which two of the above artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals, on the 11th of March?

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2023 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2023!

Source/Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

Georgia: Iru Khechanovi is working on her entry for Eurovision 2023!

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In a recent interview, Iru Khechanovi confirmed that she is preparing her song for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. She mentioned that the song will be released soon.

She also clarified that she will not be able to reveal more information about the song. She also collaborates with Giga Kukhiadnidze, who has written all three of Georgia’s Junior Eurovision winning songs.

About Iru Khechanovi:

Iru Khechanovi was born in Tbilisi, Georgia and is 23 years old. She is known for her participation in Junior Eurovision 2011 with the band Candy and the song “Candy Music” where they won with 108 points.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Cs5XeJJlsQ

Georgia‘s previous representatives at Eurovision 2022  were Circus Mircus  with the song  “Lock Me In”  and they finished in last place in the Second Semi-Final, continuing  the country’s elimination streak for the fifth year:

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

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all the news about Georgia’s participation in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in May in the UK.

Source: Eurovoix

Savo Perović:”Υou can expect explosive energy from me on stage” | Exclusive Interview |

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The national final of Serbia for Eurovision 2023, Pesma za Evroviziju 2023 is coming again this year! One of the contestants that definitely stood out is Savo Perović with the song “Presidente“! After announcing his participation in this year’s national final, Savo Perović speaks exclusively to Eurovisionfun and Matamis Apostolis!

 

Can you tell our readers a little bit about yourself?

“My name is Savo Perovic and I am 32 years old.  I was born in Prishtina, Kosovo, grew up in Montenegro and have been living in Belgrade, Serbia for the past 12 years. I have been singing professionally since 2016 and have more than 6 singles. I’m 172 tall with 65 kg, a baby of a man or as they call me brat.”

What made you decide to participate in the national final of Serbia this year?

“Well, first of all, it was my wish since I was a child, and then the whole concept of that competition in our country has been changed, especially with the victory of KONSTRAKTA last year, and therefore I got the desire to show myself on that stage!”

Tell us a bit more your entry “Presidente”! Was the song written especially for Eurovision?

“Well, this song was specially made for this competition, which I even think can be heard!”

What should we expect from you on the stage of the national final?

“You can expect anything from me, I’m very unpredictable! But what you can certainly expect is a good and explosive energy!“

Do you have a favorite song among the other entries from Pesma za Evroviziju ’23?

“There are a lot of songs this year that are good, and I wouldn’t single out any of them because there are at least 5/6 songs that are really interesting to me.”

Do you follow Eurovision and do you have a favorite song from the contest?

“Of course I follow Eurovison and I can even say that I am a fan of it. I can say that my favorite song is “Euphoria” by Loreen, as well as Sakis Rouvas with “Shake it””

In the end, I want to thank you for your time and please, if you have a message for your fans and our readers here on Eurovisionfun!

“I’d like to say to all my fans out there, thanks for the support! Stay with me during the contest and enjoy my song PRESIDENTE as much as I do!”

Βelow you can enjoy “PRESIDENTE” from Savo Perovic:

Οf course we also talked with him and here’s a message from Savo to all of you:

We would like to thanks Savo for this interview and wish him best of luck!

Stay tuned to EurovisionFun for all developments regarding Serbia’s participation in Eurovision 2023!

 

Sweden: Listen to the song snippets of the third heat of Melodifestivalen 2023!

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As usual, a couple of days before each Melodifestivalen heat, SVT publishes snippets of all seven competing songs of the heat. A while ago, the song snippets of the third heat got released.

The competing songs of the third heat:

  1. Paul Rey – Royals CLICK TO LISTEN
  2. Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka CLICK TO LISTEN
  3. Melanie Wehbe – For The Show CLICK TO LISTEN
  4. Nordman – Släpp alla sorger CLICK TO LISTEN
  5. Laurell – Sober CLICK TO LISTEN
  6. Ida-Lova – Låt hela stan se på CLICK TO LISTEN
  7. Marcus & Martinus – Air CLICK TO LISTEN

In the meantime, you can read through the lyrics of all seven competing songs of this heat in our previous article.

The process

Two songs will directly qualify to the grand final of Melodifestivalen 2023, which will take place on the 11th of March. The songs that will place third and fourth will have to compete again, at the fifth semi-final, held on the 4th of March. There will be four heats in total.

As we have already informed you, the voting system of Melodifestivalen has changed following the announced changes by EBU regarding the voting format in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool!

The broadcaster now scraps the group division at the fifth show, known as the semi-final and all eight contestants will now have to face each other. Points will be awarded from the viewing groups and the four entries with the highest points will advance to the final!

The dates of Melodifestivalen 2023

  • Heat 1: Göteborg – 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)

Which two of the above artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals, on the 11th of March?