Sweden: Watch clips from the rehearsals of the Melodifestivalen 2024 second heat!

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As usual, a few hours before each Melodifestivalen heat, SVT published the rehearsal clips of all six competing artists of the second heat of February the 10th, taking place in Göteborg.

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

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

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 10th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Göteborg, then Växjö follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 9th of March.

The schedule for the six shows of the Melodifestivalen 2024 tour

  • Heat 1: Saturday 3 February 2024, Malmö Arena, Malmö
  • Heat 2: Saturday 10 February 2024, Scandinavium, Göteborg
  • Heat 3: Saturday 17 February 2024, Vida Arena, Växjö
  • Heat 4: Saturday 24 February 2024, Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna
  • Heat 5: Saturday 2 March 2024, Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad
  • Final: Saturday 9 March 2024, Friends Arena, Stockholm – Solna

Which two of the above artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals?

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2024 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2024!

 

 

C-Joe: “What I like about Melodifestivalen is that we are together, united by music, and it’s amazing!” | Exclusive Interview

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Andreas Papayiannakis and EurovisionFun is accredited by SVT to follow the Melodifestivalen tour for a third year in-a-row. In Göteborg we got the chance to meet a few people involved in this year’s Melodifestivalen. Among those was C-Joe who had us over at Clarion Hotel Post, the appointed artist hotel in Göteborg on an extensive interview.

C-Joe is another debutant at Melodifestivalen 2024, an afrobeat/afropop artist with the song “Ahumma” that is definitely gonna keep the audience up and dancing. His rehearsals yesterday went well and he felt good, he thinks that it will look good on screen and live at the venue. He described his song for those that haven’t listened to the snippet yet:

“My song is a very, very feel-good song. And it’s about actually working on your inner peace, you know. And “Ahumma” itself, it’s inspired from the word Ahum. When you do yoga or meditation, a lot of people sit there and go -Ahum- you know. So that’s where it gets the inspiration from.”

As I previously mentioned, C-Joe is expected to be engaging the crowd in the arena. He comments on this:

“Yeah, I think my presence and the song itself and also the whole setting is going to engage the crowd, you know. And also from my previous tours and performances, for me it’s important to engage the crowd.”

As a debutant, many people in other countries will see C-Joe for the first time, from the platform of Melodifestivalen, not only Sweden but also internationally. What does he think about this?

“I want my music, my sound to make people happy and just getting a good vibe you know whether you want to relax you can play my song because I have those type of vibes as well you know. Whether you want to dance, you want to move I have those type of songs as well. And also for me I can I’m actually like versatile meaning I can do different styles and I like to fuse music. So my background it is Afrobeat, Afropop but from my previous work and my upcoming work I will definitely be doing like fusions.”

He has been around, experimenting with music, for a long time since around 2005.

“I started experimenting with music like around 2005-2006. At that time I was just doing hip-hop, just experimenting but then around 2007-2008 that’s when it got serious because that’s when I started to perform at schools and leisure centers and then at bigger stages. Melodifestivalen and Eurovision is the biggest thing I’ve done in music.”

How has he developed as an artist throughout the years, since he first started doing music a bit less than 20 years ago?

“I think every step that I’ve been taking has just prepared me for moments like this and I feel like I’ve evolved and I feel like I’m developing every day musically. It’s a constant evolvement, I never stop developing and I never feel like I’m well developed.”

But how did he decide to take part in Melodifestivalen? He explains how the process was:

“When I did the song, this is crazy, when I did the song “Ahumma”, I had the base of it already. When I was doing the song, something just told me, my intuitions were just telling me this is a song for Melodifestivalen. It sounds crazy, but it’s like I had a vision. And then just getting contact with my team and then we worked it out.”

Is there any of his songs that he has released up to now that is close to what his participating song sounds like?

“I think the closest to this sound that I have, is my song Friendzone. I think that is very close to the sound of “Ahumma”, so check it out. “

Finally C-Joe gave a message to all those that will get the chance to see him perform for the first time this Saturday:

“I just want to say shout out to you guys all for watching and traveling all over the world to come and be with us on this special day. We are together, united by music, and it’s amazing. So, shout out to you guys for doing what you do and listening and participating to create this special moment for us, the artists, and go check my stuff out.”

You can watch our exclusive interview with C-Joe at the video down below:

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun and don’t miss out on anything regarding this year’s Melodifestivalen!

Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not miss anything regarding the your favourite national selection process:

 

Dear Sara: “I hope that people will find some comfort in my song!” | Exclusive Interview

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Andreas Papayiannakis and EurovisionFun is accredited by SVT to follow the Melodifestivalen tour for a third year in-a-row. In Göteborg we got the chance to meet a few people involved in this year’s Melodifestivalen. Among those was Dear Sara who had us over at Clarion Hotel Post, the appointed artist hotel in Göteborg on an extensive interview.

Sara Nutti or as she is known by her stage name Dear Sara, is a Sámi artist that made her breakthrough back in 2012 when she took part in the Swedish version of XFactor. She is debuting this year at Melodifestivalen with her song “The Silence After You“. She sometimes includes Sámi elements in her music, but what about this time?

“Sometimes, but not this time. This time it’s more of a pop song with a lot of power. It has some soft parts, but also a lot of power, it’s like a pop ballad”

Regarding her staging she confessed that she will be standing alone on stage and there aren’t any props or other dancers around her:

“I’m going to stand there alone on the stage. And that’s a little bit scary to be depending on myself but also I think that it suits the song, that it’s just me there trying to like tell you guys a story.”

Compared to herself back in 2012 when she got known by participating in X-Factor, she now thinks she is more mature, she knows what she wants.

“I think it’s good that I got the chance to grow up before I came to this Melodifestivalen world. So I think that I’m more confident now, maybe, and that I have more to tell.”

She doesn’t think too much about the outcome, she tries to live in the moment:

“Right now I’m just trying to be in the moment, just be like happy that I’m here and be, I’m very thankful about that. And yeah, but I hope that the people will find some, you know, comfort in my song, that they will feel like it can maybe, you know, give them something.”

As for her expectations about her participation in Melodifestivalen, she expects that people will get to know her and her music better and that it would be a boost to her career.

“I hope I can reach out to more people and to do this thing that I love. To Stand on stage, to write songs. So that’s what I’m hoping for right now, that more people find me and more people will want to listen to me”

A song that her new fans should listen to, in order to get to know Dear Sara better as an artist, is “Something You Should Know“.

“I think that song it really Describes me somehow and it’s also about my home village. So It means a lot to me. And there’s also a music video to that that I recorded at my hometown. My dad is a very good joiker and he recorded a joik and sent it to me. So you can actually hear him joik at the beginning and the end of the song.”

Finally she gave a heartwarming message to all her fans in Sweden and her future fans internationally:

“I hope they like the song that I’m going to perform with and by listening to it feel that even if something can be hard right now that, you can rise up and believe in yourself.”

You can watch our exclusive interview with Dear Sara at the video down below:

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun and don’t miss out on anything regarding this year’s Melodifestivalen!

Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not miss anything regarding the your favourite national selection process:

 

 

Sweden: Listen to the song snippets of the second Heat of Melodifestivalen 2024!

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

The competing songs of the second heat:

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

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 3rd, Melodifestivalen will take place in Malmö, then Göteborg follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 9th of March.

The schedule for the six shows of the Melodifestivalen 2024 tour

  • Heat 1: Saturday 3 February 2024, Malmö Arena, Malmö
  • Heat 2: Saturday 10 February 2024, Scandinavium, Göteborg
  • Heat 3: Saturday 17 February 2024, Vida Arena, Växjö
  • Heat 4: Saturday 24 February 2024, Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna
  • Heat 5: Saturday 2 March 2024, Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad
  • Final: Saturday 9 March 2024, Friends Arena, Stockholm – Solna

Which two of the above artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals?

 

 

 

 

Sweden: Insight into the Melodifestivalen 2024 2nd heat songs! | SVT Pre-Listening Event

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Melodifestivalen 2024 second show is on the forthcoming Saturday, February the 10th, which will take place at Scandinavium, in Göteborg.

The Pre-listening Process

This year, we are invited to the pre-listening event that SVT holds every Tuesday at 10am CET, before each of the five heats of Melodifestivalen 2024, or as it is called “Förhandslyssningen“. Approximately 50 people, carefully selected by SVT are invited to listen the entire songs of each heat in the pre-listening events. So, we had the chance to listen to the entire running order of this week’s heat twice.

But how do the songs of this heat sound like?

  • “When I’m Gone” – Maria Sur

Totally different than “Never Give Up”. A POP Dance banger with a hint of melancholy! I would compare it to Adam’s song in style, but it is totally a Maria Sur song. If this is choreographed, it will be fire!

  • “Norrland” – Engmans Kapell

If you mix Swedish folk with a beat then you got Norrland. I wouldn’t say I am impressed by this kind of song, probably will not qualify.

  • “The Silence After You” – Dear Sara

A mid tempo song for Dear Sara, sounds familiar. It is sort of a ballad, could listen to it to a roadtrip. Pleasantly.

  • “Ahumma” – C-Joe

Aftobeat vibes are here but in a pop way to do it! The crowd will love it! I would compare it to last year’s “I’m on my way”! Hoping to see a staging that will keep the crowd involved and engaged!

  • “Dragon” – LIAMOO

Now imagine LIAMOO’s kind of songs mixed with Imagine Dragons. The intro sounds very familiar, kind of reminds me of Gary Jules’ “Mad World”. For me, he will DTF.

  • “Unga & fria“– Fröken Snusk

A mix of epadunk with Swedish folk, if you listen to it you will know what I mean. Fröken Snusk is very popular and will be a favourite among the younger age-bands.

Our thoughts

What I want is different from what I think will happen. I would love to see LIAMOO and Maria Sur to qualify directly to the finals and then Fröken Snusk and C-Joe to remain in the competition. But I actually think that Fröken Snusk is too popular not to directly qualify to the finals. Let’s see.

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 10th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Göteborg, then Växjö follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 9th of March.

The schedule for the six shows of the Melodifestivalen 2024 tour

  • Heat 1: Saturday 3 February 2024, Malmö Arena, Malmö
  • Heat 2: Saturday 10 February 2024, Scandinavium, Göteborg
  • Heat 3: Saturday 17 February 2024, Vida Arena, Växjö
  • Heat 4: Saturday 24 February 2024, Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna
  • Heat 5: Saturday 2 March 2024, Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad
  • Final: Saturday 9 March 2024, Friends Arena, Stockholm – Solna

Which two of the above artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals? Let us know in the comments section below.

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2024 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2024!

Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not miss anything regarding the your favourite national selection process: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sweden: The lyrics of the songs competing at the second heat of Melodifestivalen 2024!

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The upcoming heat of Melodifestivalen 2024 will take place next Saturday, February the 10th and will take place at Scandinavium in Göteborg.

A while ago, SVT, the Swedish national broadcaster released the lyrics of all six competing songs, of this upcoming heat.

You can read the lyrics of the competing songs down below:

  •  When I’m Gone – Maria Sur

You’re just like a river

Flowing through the night

Feel my body shiver

I’m so bad at goodbyes

I’ve been running all

running all

running all night

I’ve been living on

living on

living on a lie

Now I’m coming a-

coming a-

coming a-

coming alive

Coz I gave it my all

But I don’t even think of you

Now I rave on my own

And I don’t even think of you

Will you lo-o-o-o-o-o-o o-o-o-o

love me when I’m gone

Will you lo-o-o-o-o-o-o o-o-o-o

love me when I’m gone

Love me when I’m gone

I’m just like an island

Waves are rolling in

I’m aching but I’m smiling

I can’t hold it in

I’ve been running all

running all

running all night

I’ve been living on

living on

living on a lie

Now I’m coming a-

coming a-

coming a-

coming alive

Coz I gave it my all

But I don’t even think of you

Now I rave on my own

And I don’t even think of you

Will you lo-o-o-o-o-o-o o-o-o-o

love me when I’m gone

Will you lo-o-o-o-o-o-o o-o-o-o

love me when I’m gone

Love me when I’m gone

Will you love

me when I’m gone

Coz I gave it my all

But I don’t even think of you

Now I rave on my own

And I don’t even think of you

Will you lo-o-o-o-o-o-o o-o-o-o

love me when I’m gone

Will you lo-o-o-o-o-o-o o-o-o-o

love me when I’m gone

Love me when I’m gone

  • Norrland – Engmans Kapell

Jag packade min ryggsäck i så unga år

För äventyret väntade någonstans

Visst blev jag fascinerad av allt nytt jag såg

Men sökte något som kanske aldrig fanns

Jag jobbade ett tag i London på en bar

Och ägaren bad mig snälla stanna kvar

Men jag sa

No-no-no-no-no-no

Norrland

Jag saknar Norrland

Jag längtar hem

Tillbaks till

No-no-no-no-no-no

Norrland

Ta mig till Norrland

Ja, ta mig hem

I djupaste Sahara i en värld av sand

Stod jag vid en oas och längtade hem

Med vinden kom en doft ifrån ett fjärran land

Men Norrlandsvinden, inget är som den

När guiden började prata om en karavan

Då tänkte jag på älvar, berg och gran

Och jag sa

No-no-no-no-no-no

Norrland

Jag saknar Norrland

Jag längtar hem

Tillbaks till

No-no-no-no-no-no

Norrland

Ta mig till Norrland

Ja, ta mig hem

Och så en dag kom jag tillbaks till Norrland

Med tomma händer stod jag där igen

Och vinden var så skön som den kan vara ibland

Det var som om den sa välkommen hem

Tillbaks till

No-no-no-no-no-no

No-no-no-no-no-no

No-no-no-no-no-no

Norrland

Jag saknar Norrland

Jag längtar hem

Tillbaks till

No-no-no-no-no-no

Norrland

Ta mig till Norrland

Ja, ta mig hem

Ta mig till Norrland

Ja, ta mig hem

Ta mig till Norrland

Ta mig hem

  • The Silence After You – Dear Sara

Darkness came without warning

Now it’s worst in the morning

When the dreams dissolve

When the dreams dissolve

I’m still sick but I’m better

Started climbing the ladder

They say “don’t look down”

So I don’t look down

All eyes on you

Gonna rise up from this burning ground

Gonna raise my voice and shout it out

Cause I know you wanted me to drown

In the silence

The silence

I’ve been broken down by compromise

Gonna face the music in my eyes

Now I hear my voice is coming through

In the silence

The silence after you

I know fate will deliver

So I flow with the river

Let it carry me

Let it carry me

Gonna rise up from this burning ground

Gonna raise my voice and shout it out

Cause I know you wanted me to drown

In the silence

The silence

I’ve been broken down by compromise

Gonna face the music in my eyes

Now I hear my voice is coming through

In the silence

The silence after you

Oh-oh oh

Now I hear my voice is coming through

In the silence

The silence after you

Through the scars and the blisters

There’s a future that whispers

“Now you’re on your way”

“Now you’re on your way”

Gonna rise up from this burning ground

Gonna raise my voice and shout it out

Cause I know you wanted me to drown

In the silence

The silence

I’ve been broken down by compromise

Gonna face the music in my eyes

Now I hear my voice is coming through

In the silence

The silence after you

  • Ahumma – C-Joe

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

When you wake up in the night and feeling like you’re lonely

Just wait ’til the morning light and you won’t be down

We all wanna be alright

We all have our inner fight

When you wake up in the nights now don’t be afraid, no

So be careful how you live your life

It will go better for you tomorrow

Oh tomorrow

Anything you read or see on TV

You not forget to swallow, not to swallow

Ahumma ah yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

I wonder how life would be if we had no worries

I wonder what we would do when all sorrows go

We all wanna be okay

We all want the perfect day

I wonder how life would be if I made you smile

So be careful how you live your life

It will go better for you tomorrow

Oh tomorrow

Anything you read or see on TV

You not forget to swallow, not to swallow

Ahumma ah yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

You (you)

and me (and me)

We need each other

Into the light

I know (know)

You know (know)

We need each other

Into the light

Ahumma ah yeaah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Humma ma ma ma yeah

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

Come on shake’a ya body

Ahumma ma ma ma yeah

  • Dragon – LIAMOO

I was my own

Worst enemy

But I made

My fear

My energy

I found him in the darkest cave

He told me that I should be brave

Showed me what I’m really about

No matter what happens

I won’t slay my dragon

No won’t run away

I’m breathing fire

And I’m spreading my wings

They take me higher

I finally found that I am

Not not my enemy

Not not my enemy

Not not my enemy

Cause I found my dragon

I don’t need

No aid

Or remedy

Cause I finally found

My melody

Yeah, found him in the darkest cave

He told me that I should be brave

Showed me what I’m really about

No matter what happens

I won’t slay my dragon

No

I’m breathing fire

And I’m spreading my wings

They take me higher

I finally found that I am

Not not my enemy

Not not my enemy

Not not my enemy

Cause I found my dragon

I’m breathing fire

And I’m spreading my wings

Not not my enemy

Not not my enemy

Not not my enemy

Cause I found my dragon

  • Unga & fria – Fröken Snusk

Sjung en låt för sommaren

För vi är back igen

Och nu går säkringen

Vi gör historia igen

På alla ängarna

Står vi på händerna

För vi ska riva hela haket

Stampa fötterna på taket

Vi ska ropa högt så alla hör

Och vi kan göra nånting naket

Bara älska att få hatet

Ta min hand och sjung i kör

För vi ska leva varje dag

Väcka liv i hela stan

Dunka plåten och känna vi är fria

Och när morgondagen kom

Vill du bara somna om

Vi dunkade plåten och kände vi var fria

Och jag sa, du där

Kom som du är

Vi ska sjunga

Vi ska sjunga

Vi är fria

Och jag kan se dig

Vad är det med dig?

Vi ska sjunga

Vi ska sjunga

Vi är fria

Ingen täckning i vår bil

Så en kassett åker i

Med samma låt på repeat

Och det är öppna vägar här

Häng med på våran färd

Och vi kan sväva iväg

För vi ska riva hela haket

Stampa fötterna på taket

Vi ska ropa högt så alla hör

Och vi kan göra nånting naket

Bara älska att få hatet

Ta min hand och sjung i kör

För vi ska leva varje dag

Väcka liv i hela stan

Dunka plåten och känna vi är fria

Och när morgondagen kom

Vill du bara somna om

Vi dunkade plåten och kände vi var fria

Och jag sa, du där

Kom som du är

Vi ska sjunga

Vi ska sjunga

Vi är fria

Och jag kan se dig

Vad är det med dig?

Vi ska sjunga

Vi ska sjunga

Vi är fria

Här har ni vilda flickan

Som tycker om att kittlas

Och masken sitter på

Hör mig flämta

Hör mig flåsa

Alltid klädd i rosa

Det är fröken ni tittar på

För vi ska leva varje dag

Väcka liv i hela stan

Dunka plåten och känna vi är fria

Och när morgondagen kom

Vill du bara somna om

Vi dunkade plåten och kände vi var fria

Och jag sa, du där

Kom som du är

Vi ska sjunga

Vi ska sjunga

Vi är fria

Och jag kan se dig

Vad är det med dig?

Vi ska sjunga

Vi ska sjunga

Vi är fria

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 10rd, Melodifestivalen will take place in Göteborg, then Växjö follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 9th of March.

The schedule for the six shows of the Melodifestivalen 2024 tour

  • Heat 1: Saturday 3 February 2024, Malmö Arena, Malmö
  • Heat 2: Saturday 10 February 2024, Scandinavium, Göteborg
  • Heat 3: Saturday 17 February 2024, Vida Arena, Växjö
  • Heat 4: Saturday 24 February 2024, Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna
  • Heat 5: Saturday 2 March 2024, Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad
  • Final: Saturday 9 March 2024, Friends Arena, Stockholm – Solna

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Sweden’s entry for Eurovision 2024!

Source: SVT

 

 

 

 

Sweden: 2.7 million viewers for Melodifestivalen 2024!

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The first Heat of Melodifestivalen, took place last Saturday in Malmö, the host city of Eurovision 2024, with two artists getting the ticket for the Grand Final, and two more advancing to a qualifying round for a second chance.

The great Swedish music festival, was watched once again, by a great number of viewers, being the most watched TV show in Sweden in the last week. In detail, 2.7 million viewers tuned, in order to watch the beginning of the country’s national final.

Sweden: Smash Into Pieces and Lisa Ajax are the two direct finalists of the First Heat of Melodifestivalen 2024!

The two artists that the public voted to advance directly to the final are Smash Into Pieces and Lisa Ajax, while on the same time Elisa Lindström and Adam Woods, will take part in the second chance round, in order to qualify to the final.

Melodifestivalen, continues next Saturday, with the Second Heat and six more artists!

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun for all the news regarding the Swedish participation at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, in Malmö!

Source: aftonbladet.se

Eurovision 2024: Ukraine is now the frontrunner to win!

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As February, the most crucial month of the pre-Eurovision period, unfolds, national finals are multiplying week by week. Simultaneously, an increasing number of songs that will compete in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest are being revealed. For this reason, one of Eurovisionfun’s most beloved and discussed columns returns, featuring betting analyses for Eurovision 2024.

As you prepare for an “hot” Eurovision February with the reveals of most entries ahead of May, bookmakers are already hard at work. The section for the winner of Eurovision 2024 is already available at some companies. Let’s take this opportunity to present what has been observed so far for the upcoming competition.

Ukraine Emerges as a Strong Favorite

As mentioned in the introduction, February is the month of numerous national finals. The first “Super Saturday” of the year has already caused reshuffling in the betting odds. Ukraine stands far ahead in the first position. The Eastern European country, consistently at the top of the betting boards in recent weeks, is considered the major favorite by bookmakers to win in Malmo.

The triumph of Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil at Vidbir, where they convincingly outperformed their competitors, has significantly affected the odds for Ukraine‘s victory in the 68th Eurovision Song Contest. At present, Ukrainian victory returns up to 3.5 times the stake, compared to odds ranging from 5.7 to 7 just a few days ago.

With the widespread sympathy towards Ukraine due to the ongoing Russian invasion and the quality of Ukrainian entries in Eurovision, betting companies consider the fourth win for Ukraine in its twenty-year Eurovision history highly probable. The competition’s current odds have also been influenced by the relatively weak competition compared to previous years.

Top 5

The United Kingdom maintains its second position. The odds for the United Kingdom have dropped and are lower than they were ten days ago. The assignment to Olly Alexander and the expectations created by the BBC’s choice put pressure on the odds, ranging between 6 and 7. Currently, the United Kingdom appears as the most likely competitor to Ukraine based on bookmakers.

Italy retains the third position just a day before the highly anticipated Sanremo Festival, which boasts one of its strongest line-ups in its long history. The odds for Italy have slightly decreased, and the country is currently offered in odds between 8 and 10. The events in the small Ligurian town in the coming days are expected to influence Italy’s standing in the betting odds.

Iceland occupies the fourth position. Bashar Murad‘s song in Iceland’s national final did not convince bookmakers that it could secure the coveted victory in Reykjavik. Iceland has fallen to the fourth position with noticeably declining trends. The potential maiden victory for Iceland is currently being betted between 7 and 12 times the stake.

Sweden secures the fifth position. As the host country of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, Sweden is once again considered one of the major favorites. The odds for Sweden winning within its borders are between 11 and 13, showing a slight increase compared to the last analysis.

Top 10

In the sixth position is Israel, which sees its odds fluctuate but still maintains a relatively high position. The geopolitical reality and the war in Gaza keep Israel in contention, with victory odds ranging between 11 and 13.

From seventh place onward, significant deviations from the top six countries begin. Lithuania, in seventh place, has seen a considerable drop in odds, with the potential maiden victory returning up to 26 times the stake.

The same trend is observed for Norway, Ireland, and Croatia, which complete the top ten. All three are playing with odds above 20, with Norway‘s odds turning red after the Gåte‘s selection, while Ireland‘s turned green following the choice of Bambie Thug. Croatia‘s entry – most possibly – by Baby Lasagna and the artist’s popularity have brought Croatia into the top ten for the first time this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_8cNbF8FLI

Can Alyona Alyona & Jerry Heil make history in Malmo and give Ukraine its fourth victory in twenty years of Eurovision participation? Share your thoughts in the comments! Eurovisionfun will continue to provide updates and analyses as the Eurovision journey unfolds. Stay tuned for more exciting developments in the world of Eurovision 2024!

 

Eurovision 2024: Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman will present Eurovision Song Contest 2024!

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A Hollywood star and Eurovision veteran hosts the world’s biggest entertainment show in May. Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede accompany each other and the audience during the Eurovision Song Contest‘s three television broadcasts, direct from Malmö on May 7, 9 and 11.

Ebba Adielsson, Executive Producer for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, says:

“Malin Åkerman and Petra Mede in combination are nothing but an absolute dream duo. Malin, a wonderful personality and one of our most talented actors in Hollywood. Petra, an icon in the Eurovision context who has also been voted the best Eurovision host ever. I am incredibly proud and happy that these fantastic women will lead us through the Eurovision week in Malmö in May.”

It is the first time that Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman are working together and they are both looking forward to the collaboration.

Petra says:

“Imagine being able to lead Eurovision once again! It’s such an incredible honor. After first leading it alone and then with lovely Måns Zelmerlöw by my side, I am now so looking forward to working with Malin. We don’t know each other from before, but have seen each other a few times and I’m already completely sold. It will be a joy to work with her.”

Malin Åkerman has solid stage and film experience, but the Eurovision Song Contest is a completely new arena for her:

” can’t really describe my feeling about this. I’m so excited and a little nervous, but only in a positive way. I have always liked Eurovision and to be part of this amazing program, and that with Petra, is nothing but a dream. Besides, Petra is one of the funniest women I know.”

Who is Malin Åkerman

Malin Åkerman was born in Stockholm, but grew up in Canada. Nowadays she lives in Los Angeles with her family, but with a father living in Falsterbo, Malmö is still a familiar place . She has a great social commitment and was thinking of becoming a child psychologist. Malin Åkerman’s career as a photo model started as a five-year-old, and she pursued a modeling career as an adult but then switched to the acting profession. Her filmography includes the TV series The Comeback and Entourage and films such as The Heartbreak Kid and Watchmen. She has played opposite actors such as Tom Cruise, Jennifer Aniston, Sandra Bullock and The Rock. On Swedish screens, we have been able to see Malin Åkerman in the musical film En del av mitt hjärta, where she also got to show her singing talent, and now most recently in the audience hit Ett sista race.

Who is Petra Mede

Petra Mede’s public career took off after participating in an amateur stand-up comedy competition in the spring of 2005. Nowadays, she is one of our most popular presenters and comedians. Petra Mede has hosted the Melodifestivalen, the QX-gala and the Guldbaggegala, participated in numerous television programs and had her own – Petra Mede show, on TV3. She has made the Swedish people laugh in comedy programs such as Morning Sofa, Parlament, Help!, Cirkus Möller and Högklackat. In 2013, Petra Mede led the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, a task for which she was praised internationally. In 2016, she gained renewed confidence and then with Måns Zelmerlöw – together they presented, among other things, the equally humorous as well as bombastic interlude “Love, Love, Peace, Peace”. “They are the best damn Eurovision presenters ever”, wrote the American site Buzzfeed and the duo have also been voted best Eurovision presenters of all time.

Source: SVT Pressrummet
Photo: Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

Do you like the host of Eurovision Song Contest 2024? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Sweden: Smash Into Pieces and Lisa Ajax are the two direct finalists of the First Heat of Melodifestivalen 2024!

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Ninety minutes ago, the show for the First 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 Smash Into Piecesand Lisa Ajax which we will get to see perform their songs live, on the 9th of March, when the finals will take place at Friends Arena.

But how things developed during the night?

The show

The first week of competition arrived really fast. Today, Saturday, February 3, Melodifestivalen 2024 started from this year’s Eurovision city Malmö.

Carina Berg is the host of all the shows of the tour this year! After tonights show, Göteborg follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 9th of March.

The show started with an intro, Carina was chilling at home, then it all became like a musical with Carina singing and changing costumes throughout the number.

The experts make an first

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 numbers

  • “Supernatural” – Adam Woods

First up on stage Adam Woods. It’s an EDM pop, reminds me of Avicii, Alesso, Swedish House Mafia, in general Swedish dance bangers. Amazing vocals, great production, but everything is there for a reason. It is an immersive experience, Adam plays with the LED throughout his performance, on the floor and in the back LED screen. There are flowing projections on there that make you feel like you’re drowning in love, in combination to the song.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • “Hela världen väntar” – Samir & Viktor

Typical Samir & Viktor song in Swedish, of course an “oj oj oj” part would be there. This song got the crowds involved a lot. Vocally they seemed a bit off, the chorus part was okay since there were mainly the backing vocals. The staging also reminds me of concepts of Fokas Evangelinos. Large prop with stairs and projections of cities and natures at the back. In the first two rehearsals the colours were a bit more cold, now they kind of changed the tint of the background LED  screens to more earthy colours and a more vivid turquoise. By the end, glitter got thrown in the arena and the crowd started cheering manically. Pyro and fireworks also made their appearance.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • “Min melodi” – Melina Borglowe

It’s a guitar-based pop song with obvious indie elements. I can hear Thomas G:Son contribution to the song. Melina‘s voice is so sweet, but she sounded much more confident in her two first rehearsals, at some point she kind of lost it. It is this kind of Melfest entries, with a girl, a guitar, dark background and lights all around, very emotional and cute. A pleasant song overall. The audience clapped as they should but they didn’t go manic over this performance.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • “Forever Yours” – Elisa Lindström

Schlager party is the theme, if you know what I mean. Lots of pink, glitter, light, glow. Elisa shines, so you’d better wear sunglasses during this performance. Elisa does what Sweden knows to do best. High notes and an ear-candy key change! The staging reminds me kind of the one that Andromachihad with Cyprus back in 2022. But make it Swedish and put it 20 levels higher than what you saw. Four silver dancers, two girls and two boys. The audience went crazy, also fireworks made an entrance! Great great great!

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • “Awful Liar” – Lisa Ajax

A love power-ballad for Lisa this year. Reminds me of a Natalie Imbruglia ballad. Guitar and strings on the plate for a hapily sad song. Beautiful song. Moon behind her, a girl and a boy doing a contemporary dance routine around her. Her vocals are on point and she makes us all get relatable and get all the feels. We’ve all been there, where we have been betrayed, lied to, cheated on. You feel all of this by listening to this song.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • “Heroes Are Calling” – Smash Into Pieces

Their distinctive sound is there, the song in my opinion is stronger than their entry last year, expectedly with an amazing production to the last touch. Their staging now I think is a bit less than last year, I probably had more expectations since they did that great in 2023. The Apocalypse DJ is behind the led screens and can be seen in parts of their performance. A very cinematic presentation and as the guys said in their interview, the whole idea was that we are following Apoc in his own mission. Red laser beams and strobe lights add to the staging. Chris’ voice always sounds like the studio version, if not better. At the end it’s all about fireworks! Is this song a contender for the win? I think it is. Smash into Pieces make a great impact to the audience. But it is too early to say.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

After the six performances, Carina‘s husband footballer Erik Berg brings this year’s trophy, the Sångfågel, which has pink tiles on it

Photo: Stina Stjernkvist / SVT

These were the six numbers of this week, a recap follows to show the voting numbers for the contestants of the heat.

The Intervals

Photo: Stina Stjernkvist / SVT

Already in this round, the first of five, there is an interval with a capital I when the successful group A-Teens reunites to celebrate their 25th anniversary. For the first time in eighteen years, Marie Serneholt, Sara Lumholdt, Dhani Lennevald and Amit Paul will perform together, and will offer a sparkling medley with both their own and some of ABBA‘s songs. First song is ABBA‘s “Mamma Mia“. “Upside Down“ followed, which was released as first single from their second album, then “Floorfiller” backed by six dancers, lots of lights and laser beams. This is very impressive. Again on ABBA mode, with the song “Gimme, gimme, gimme (A Man After Midnight)“!

The Direct Qualifiers

First voting round winner: Smash Into Pieces
Second voting round winner: Lisa Ajax

 

Semi-Finalists

Second voting round 2nd place: Elisa Lindström
Second voting round 3rd place: Adam Woods

Second voting round results

Age-band 3-9 years old winner: Adam Woods

Age-band 10-15 years old winner: Lisa Ajax

Age-band 16-29 years old winner: Lisa Ajax

Age-band 30-44 years old winner: Lisa Ajax

Age-band 45-59 years old winner: Lisa Ajax

Age-band 60-74 years old winner: Elisa Lindström

Age-band 75+ years old winner: Elisa Lindström

Televoting winner: Elisa Lindström

See you next Saturday, at the next heat, when you will have the chance to be informed in detail about the show and the next two finalists, as soon as they are announced on TV!

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Melodifestivalen 2024 and the Swedish entry for Eurovision 2024!

Source: SVT
Photos: Andreas Papayiannakis / EurovisionFun, Stina Stjernkvist / SVT

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