The general rehearsal of the 3rd Heat of Melodifestivalen 2024 has just started. We are happy to be watching it live, at Vida Arena in Växjö, 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 17, at 20:00 CET, when you watch the actual show of the heat, on SVT and SVT Play.
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 is now at the arena and everything is ready to begin! It’s time to face the music!
Carina Berg has Christine Meltzer and Carolina Gynning on stage this week. They have 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 presents this show’s contestants!
The numbers
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. “Effortless” direct finalist.
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. I think she would struggle to qualify, not to mention remain in the competition. Could be a shocking non-qualifier.
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. Would he qualify? I am unsure. Both cases are possible.
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
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. Would he qualify? Let’s see.
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 four dancers are yellow and remind me of Kex choklad. 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. DTF for me.
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
Carina Berg ends up with a bearded type in the audience that looks like he came right out of Cast Away movie. There are cheers immediately. It’s amazing how much the audience loves Björn Gustafsson. Björn has asked not to reveal much about his part of the interval today that is the general rehearsal.
Now it’s time for the first virtual results.
Also, in Saturday‘s competition from 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.
The virtual Direct Qualifiers
First voting round virtual winner: “För dig” – Klaudy
The first voting round winner moves from the green room onto an intermediate small stage in the middle of the audience and sing their song.
Second voting round virtual winner: “Take My Breath Away” – Kim Cesarion
Those who virtually remain at the contest
Second voting round virtual 2nd place: “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – Gunilla Persson
Second voting round virtual 3rd place: “Aldrig mer” – Clara Klingenström
Second voting round results
Age-band 3-9 years old virtual winner: “Take My Breath Away” – Kim Cesarion
Age-band 10-15 years old virtual winner: “Take My Breath Away” – Kim Cesarion
Age-band 16-29 years old virtual winner: “Effortless” – Jacqline
Age-band 30-44 years old virtual winner: “Take My Breath Away” – Kim Cesarion
Age-band 45-59 years old virtual winner: “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – Gunilla Persson
Age-band 60-74 years old virtual winner: “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – Gunilla Persson
Age-band 75+ years old virtual winner: “Give My Heart A Break” – Cazzi Opeia
Televoting virtual winner: “Effortless” – Jacqline
The schedule for the six shows of the Melodifestivalen 2024 tour
Heat 1: Saturday 3 February 2024, Malmö Arena, MalmöHeat 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 today’s competing artists do you think will be the direct qualifiers to the finals, on the 9th of March?
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
Follow us in all our social media, so that you’ll not miss anything regarding the your favourite national selection process:
