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Sweden: The general rehearsal of the Melodifestivalen 2023 Semi-Final show! (Live)

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The general rehearsal of the Melodifestivalen 2023 Semi-Final has just started. EurovisionFun is at Hägglunds Arena, in Örnsköldsvik and we are happy to be watching it live from the online press centre. We will be covering this rehearsal, describing in detail what is happening during the show and all the vibes we get, for you to follow the entire process and get the feeling that you are here with us tonight!

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 March 5th, at 20:00 CET, when you watch the actual semi-final show on SVT and SVT Play.

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Sweden: Higher Melodifestivalen 2023 aggregate ratings, compared to last year!

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Approximately 2.700.000 viewers have watched the 4th Melodifestivalen heat, giving SVT a share of 74.5%. Compared to the 4th heat of last year, this year the heat had been watched by 55.000 less viewers viewers, making it the least watched 4th heat after the one in 1994. Inspite of the fact that the viewers were decreased in this heat, the aggregate viewing ratings were increased compared to last year by 1.3 points.

The viewing figures for Melodifestivalen heats this year

  • Heat 1 – 78.5% / 2.795.000
  • Heat 2 – 75.2% / 2.731.000
  • Heat 3 – 72.5% / 2.493.000
  • Heat 4 – 74.5% / 2.704.000

The Direct Qualifiers

First voting round winner: Loreen – Tattoo
Second voting round winner: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

Semi-Finalists

Second voting round 2nd place: Kiana – Where Did You Go
Second voting round 3rd place: Mariette – One Day

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 March the 4th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Örnsköldsvik, then finally the final show in Stockholm on the 11th of March.

The detailed schedule of Melodifestivalen 2023 is described below:

  • 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)

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Sweden’s entry for Eurovision 2023!

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis
Source: MMS

Sweden: The running order of the Semi-Final show of Melodifestivalen 2023 is revealed!

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A while ago, the running order of the contestants, of the semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2023 was just revealed by SVT!

The running order is determined, each year, by the production team of Melodifestivalen, taking into consideration both the competing songs’ musical qualities as well as stage performance and other production considerations and can be seen below:

  1. Mer av dig – THEOZ
  2. One Day – Mariette
  3. Diamonds – Victor Crone
  4. Now I Know – Tennessee Tears
  5. Raggen går – Elov & Beny
  6. For The Show – Melanie Wehbe
  7. Släpp alla sorger – Nordman
  8. Where Did You Go – Kiana

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 of the above artists do you think will qualify to the finals that will take place at Friends Arena in Stockholm on the 11th of March?

Sweden: Loreen and Smash Into Pieces are the two direct finalists of the Fourth Heat of Melodifestivalen 2023!

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Ninety minutes ago, the show for the Fourth Heat of Melodifestivalen 2023, 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 Loreen and Smash Into Pieces which we will get to see perform their songs live, on the 11th of March, when the finals will take place at Friends Arena.

But how things developed during the night?

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 25th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Malmö then Örnsköldsvik follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 11th of March.

Back in 26th of February, almost 40 years ago, by just a day, Carola won Melodifestivalen 1983 with the song “Främling“. Fourty years later, there are seven contestants, bidding to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to be held in Liverpool.

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 previous heat direct finalists and the semi-finalists and then they show us this show’s contestants!

The numbers

  • Kiana – Where Did You Go

The sixteen year old Kiana with her song “Where Did You Go”, participates with a pop banger which is super radio friendly. The song reminds me a bit of “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta/Kelly Rowland, a bit of Sigala maybe. She is joined by six dancers on stage, who hold one light stick each. The light sticks are part of the choreography, and the number also features a dance break! Really nice Kiana!

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Signe & Hjördis – Edelweiss

Signe & Hjördis with “Edelweiss“, a swedish folk song (entirely in Swedish), the kind of songs that Swedes would vote for. Also there’s a key change. The girls look like they are low on energy. There seems to be their style, that can’t be anything else. The staging is bright full of lights and the LED screen shows flowers, they’re also surrounded by rows and columns of lights.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

Third number, Smash Into Pieces’ “Six Feet Under” is a pop rock song that gives me Evanescence (“Going Under“) and The Rasmus (“Livin’ In a World Without You“). Super nice hook, the guys give it all on stage! They have amazing energy.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Mariette – One Day

Number 4 for this heat, Mariette with her song “One Day“. It gives me vibes of Cornelia Jacobs “Hold me Closer” and Atle Pettersen “Masterpiece” (the MGP number). The staging has really nice laid-back vibes. Mariette looks radiant and is joined by the in-house dancers plus some enormous stair and slide stand-in prop.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera

Emil Henrohn (known by going viral with “Jag är mamma” in TikTok) sings “Mera mera mera” which is super catchy and makes you wanna dance, even though it’s in Swedish and most of us international fans won’t understand much. Quite different from his song style that he has already up on Spotify, the staging gives off Alcazar and Linda Bengtzing vibes!

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Axel Schylström – Gorgeous

Axel is one of the writers of Theoz number “Mer Av Dig” and participates by himself too with “Gorgeous“. A nice pop power ballad with choruses. Also has a vocoder part (remember how “Die Together” by Amanda Tenfjord starts?). Ends with a huge clap part! Stagewise, it’s very nice aesthetically pleasing. It gives me gospel vibes, he is joined by four backing vocalists. I just disagree with what they’ve selected for him to wear. Other than that, a cute entry.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Loreen – Tattoo

Last (but not least) Melodifestivalen queen herself! Starts with a very distinctive lead synth and aetherial vocals by Loreen. The song gives melancholic-joy vibes. There’s also a bridge with strings. The song is very very strong! If not the winner, top two for sure. Don’t expect a Euphoria 2, cause it’s nothing like it. Has similar elements but Loreen does not repeat herself! She promised me she wouldn’t have a dark staging, and this staging is not even dark, there’s a decent amount of light! Two LED screens, one above her and one where she stands on. The screen distance gets bigger as the song progresses. There’s a build up and you can see it throughout Loreen’s performance. I am still in a state of shock! Unreal vocals! Supreme staging, too 2025, 100/10!

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

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.

The Intervals

This week it is 40 years since Carola broke through with a bang in the Melodifestivalen at the Palladium in Malmö. After the success story with “Främling” and other hit songs, she is one of the country’s most famous artists. Now Carola celebrates by returning to where it all began to be a guest at Melodifestivalen on Saturday.

Carola has participated in Melodifestivalen five times. Three of these times she has won the entire competition and represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Now she is celebrating that it is 40 years since the breakthrough by visiting the Melodifestivalen competition in Malmö.
She will perform the Swedish winning songs “Främling” (1983) by Lasse Holm and Monica Forsberg, “Fångad av en stormvind” (1991) written by Carola herself and Stephan Berg as well as “Evighet” or known as “Invincible” (2006) written by Bobby Ljunggren, Carola, Henrik Wikström and Thomas G:son.

The Direct Qualifiers

First voting round virtual winner: Loreen – Tattoo
Second voting round virtual winner: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

Semi-Finalists

Second voting round virtual 2nd place: Kiana – Where Did You Go
Second voting round virtual 3rd place: Mariette – One Day

Second voting round results

Age-band 3-9 years old virtual winner: Kiana – Where Did You Go

Age-band 10-15 years old virtual winner: Kiana – Where Did You Go

Age-band 16-29 years old virtual winner: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

Age-band 30-44 years old virtual winner: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

Age-band 45-59 years old virtual winner: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

Age-band 60-74 years old virtual winner: Mariette – One Day

Age-band 75+ years old virtual winner: Mariette – One Day

Televoting virtual winner: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

The semi-finalists

  • Victor Crone – “Diamonds“
  • Elov & Beny – “Raggen går“
  • THEOZ – “Mer av dig“
  • Tennessee Tears – “Now I Know“
  • Nordman – “Släpp alla sorger“
  • Melanie Wehbe – “For the Show“
  • Kiana – “Where Did You Go”
  • Mariette – “One Day“

See you next Saturday, at the semi-final, when you will have the chance to be informed in detail about what will the total final show line-up be, as soon as they are announced on TV!

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

Source: SVT
Photos: Eurovisionfun/Andreas Papayiannakis

Sweden: The betting odds, just a few moments before the Fourth Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat results!

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Melodifestivalen 2023 Fourth Heat show will begin in a few moments, with the new competition and voting format in place and will be aired on SVT and SVT Play. Seven contestants will have to compete against each other tonight, in order to secure one of the direct finalist places, or if not directly qualifying to the finals, claiming their ticket for the semi-final show, as their last chance in the hopes of competing at the finals.

Tonight’s contestants

  1. Kiana – Where Did You Go
  2. Signe & Hjördis – Edelweiss
  3. Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under
  4. Mariette – One Day
  5. Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera
  6. Axel Schylström – Gorgeous
  7. Loreen – Tattoo

The odds

The betting odds depend on many factors and as these factors are subject to changes anytime, the odds can still fluctuate, even last minute. Currently there seem to be two clear direct finalists and these are Loreen and Smash Into Pieces.

As for the two semi-final qualifiers, we might have quite a close combat between some of the artists. Currently, in the third and fourth place of the betting odds we have Mariette and Emil Henrohn respectively.

Let’s see what is going to happen, we will get the chance to watch the actual heat live, on SVT and SVT Play and of course at EurovisionFun you will get the chance to be informed about the results as soon as they are announced on TV!

Which two of today’s competing artists do you think will be the direct finalists, that will be competing on the 11th of March, hoping to represent Sweden in Liverpool, this year?

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

Source: Eurovision World

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

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The general rehearsal of the Fourth Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat has just started. We are happy to be watching it live, at Malmö Arena in Malmö, 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 25, 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 25th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Malmö then Örnsköldsvik follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 11th of March.

Back in 26th of February, almost 40 years ago, by just a day, Carola won Melodifestivalen 1983 with the song “Främling“. Fourty years later, there are seven contestants, bidding to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to be held in Liverpool.

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! 

The numbers

  • Kiana – Where Did You Go

The sixteen year old Kiana with her song “Where Did You Go”, participates with a pop banger which is super radio friendly. The song reminds me a bit of “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta/Kelly Rowland, a bit of Sigala maybe. She is joined by six dancers on stage, who hold one light stick each. The light sticks are part of the choreography, and the number also features a dance break! Really nice Kiana! For me, she is on my top 5 list! Most likely the second direct finalist, quite a family friendly entry.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Signe & Hjördis – Edelweiss

Signe & Hjördis with “Edelweiss“, a swedish folk song (entirely in Swedish), the kind of songs that Swedes would vote for. Also there’s a key change. The girls look like they are low on energy. There seems to be their style, that can’t be anything else. The staging is bright full of lights and the LED screen shows flowers, they’re also surrounded by rows and columns of lights. Would this qualify? Most likely, not. Sad about the sisters. They’re cute.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

Third number, Smash Into Pieces’ “Six Feet Under” is a pop rock song that gives me Evanescence (“Going Under“) and The Rasmus (“Livin’ In a World Without You“). Super nice hook, the guys give it all on stage! They have amazing energy. I want to definitely see this qualifying! For me, semi-finalists at least.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Mariette – One Day

Number 4 for this heat, Mariette with her song “One Day“. It gives me vibes of Cornelia Jacobs “Hold me Closer” and Atle Pettersen “Masterpiece” (the MGP number). The staging has really nice laid-back vibes. Mariette looks radiant and is joined by the in-house dancers plus some enormous stair and slide stand-in prop. This could qualify to the semi-finals.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera

Emil Henrohn (known by going viral with “Jag är mamma” in TikTok) sings “Mera mera mera” which is super catchy and makes you wanna dance, even though it’s in Swedish and most of us international fans won’t understand much. Quite different from his song style that he has already up on Spotify, the staging gives off Alcazar and Linda Bengtzing vibes! He could be voted, as he is quite popular in Sweden, it’s just that I don’t trust the Swedish viewers/voters. Let’s see what happens tomorrow!

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Axel Schylström – Gorgeous

Axel is one of the writers of Theoz number “Mer Av Dig” and participates by himself too with “Gorgeous“. A nice pop power ballad with choruses. Also has a vocoder part (remember how “Die Together” by Amanda Tenfjord starts?). Ends with a huge clap part! Stagewise, it’s very nice aesthetically pleasing. It gives me gospel vibes, he is joined by four backing vocalists. I just disagree with what they’ve selected for him to wear. Other than that, a cute entry. But maybe does not qualify.

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

  • Loreen – Tattoo

Last (but not least) Melodifestivalen queen herself! Starts with a very distinctive lead synth and aetherial vocals by Loreen. The song gives melancholic-joy vibes. There’s also a bridge with strings. The song is very very strong! If not the winner, top two for sure. Don’t expect a Euphoria 2, cause it’s nothing like it. Has similar elements but Loreen does not repeat herself! She promised me she wouldn’t have a dark staging, and this staging is not even dark, there’s a decent amount of light! Two LED screens, one above her and one where she stands on. The screen distance gets bigger as the song progresses. There’s a build up and you can see it throughout Loreen’s performance. I am still in a state of shock! If the Swedes don’t vote for this one today, then I don’t know what’s wrong with them! Unreal vocals! Supreme staging, too 2025, 100/10!

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

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.

The Intervals

This week it is 40 years since Carola broke through with a bang in the Melodifestivalen at the Palladium in Malmö. After the success story with “Främling” and other hit songs, she is one of the country’s most famous artists. Now Carola celebrates by returning to where it all began to be a guest at Melodifestivalen on Saturday.

Carola has participated in Melodifestivalen five times. Three of these times she has won the entire competition and represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Now she is celebrating that it is 40 years since the breakthrough by visiting the Melodifestivalen competition in Malmö.
She will perform the Swedish winning songs “Främling” (1983) by Lasse Holm and Monica Forsberg, “Fångad av en stormvind” (1991) written by Carola herself and Stephan Berg as well as “Evighet” or known as “Invincible” (2006) written by Bobby Ljunggren, Carola, Henrik Wikström and Thomas G:son.

The virtual Direct Qualifiers

First voting round virtual winner: Kiana – Where Did You Go
Second voting round virtual winner: Signe & Hjördis – Edelweiss

Semi-Finalists

Second voting round virtual 2nd place: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under
Second voting round virtual 3rd place: Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera

Second voting round results

Age-band 3-9 years old virtual winner: Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera

Age-band 10-15 years old virtual winner: Mariette – One Day

Age-band 16-29 years old virtual winner: Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera

Age-band 30-44 years old virtual winner: Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera

Age-band 45-59 years old virtual winner: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

Age-band 60-74 years old virtual winner: Axel Schylström – Gorgeous

Age-band 75+ years old virtual winner: Loreen – Tattoo

Televoting virtual winner: Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under

A prediction

I believe that Loreen and Kiana  will directly qualify to the finals. For the semi-final qualifiers, it will probably be Mariette and Smash Into Pieces (these are in random order), maybe Emil Henrohn too (the crowd loved him!). 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

Sweden: Watch clips from the rehearsals of the fourth 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 fourth heat of February the 25th, taking place in Malmö.

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:

  1. Kiana – Where Did You Go
  2. Signe & Hjördis – Edelweiss
  3. Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under
  4. Mariette – One Day
  5. Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera
  6. Axel Schylström – Gorgeous
  7. Loreen – Tattoo

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

Sweden: Listen to the song snippets of the fourth 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 fourth heat got released.

The competing songs of the fourth heat:

  1. Kiana – Where Did You Go CLICK TO LISTEN
  2. Signe & Hjördis – Edelweiss CLICK TO LISTEN
  3. Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under CLICK TO LISTEN
  4. Mariette – One Day CLICK TO LISTEN
  5. Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera CLICK TO LISTEN
  6. Axel Schylström – Gorgeous CLICK TO LISTEN
  7. Loreen – Tattoo 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?

Sweden: First insight into the numbers of the 4th Heat of Melodifestivalen 2023 | SVT Pre-Listening Event

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Melodifestivalen 2023 next show is on the forthcoming Saturday, February the 25th! The fourth heat of the national selection process of Sweden, will take place at Malmö Arena in Malmö.

What to expect

Back in 26th of February, almost 40 years ago, by just a day, Carola won Melodifestivalen 1983 with the song “Främling“. Now Carola celebrates by returning to where it all began to be a guest at Melodifestivalen on Saturday. She will perform the Swedish winning songs “Främling” (1983) by Lasse Holm and Monica Forsberg, “Fångad av en stormvind” (1991) written by Carola herself and Stephan Berg as well as “Evighet” (2006) written by Bobby Ljunggren, Carola, Henrik Wikström and Thomas G:son.  Forty years later, there are seven contestants, bidding to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to be held in Liverpool.

The Pre-listening Process

This year, we were invited to the pre-listening event that SVT holds every Tuesday at 10am CET, before each of the four heats of Melodifestivalen 2023, or as it is called “Förhandslyssningen deltävling 4“. 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?

The numbers

  1. Kiana – Where Did You Go
    The sixteen year old Kiana, debuts this year with “Where Did You Go” an absolute banger, that sounds quite familiar and is super radio friendly. It could also become Mello-friendly, with a proper staging. It kind of reminds me of “When Love Takes Over” by David Guetta/Kelly Rowland, but not too old. Rather a modernised version of it, maybe it reminds me a bit of Sigala sounds. I really need to see how this will be staged and if Kiana can pull great vocals and perform an intense choreography cause, seemingly, she will be joined by six dancers on stage. For me, she is on my top 5 list, sure thing! Maybe she will be on the Melodifestivalen 2023 top 5 too! Oh! And direct finalist for sure!
  2. Signe & Hjördis – Edelweiss
    Signe & Hjördis     sing “Edelweiss“, a Swedish kind-of folk song, sung entirely in Swedish. “Edelweiss” is the kind of song that might not appeal to everyone, but Swedes would love and vote for. I have seen this happening in the past and it would not surprise me it happened this Saturday with “Edelweiss” too. Also the song features a key change, the fans of this formula might love it, just for the key change! I have to see this staged, I’m not sure if this one will qualify to either the finals or the semi-final. Most likely not.
  3. Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under
    Third number of this week’s show, Smash Into Pieces‘ “Six Feet Under” is a pop rock song that reminds me of a hybrid of Evanescence‘s “Going Under” and The Rasmus‘ “Livin’ in a World Without You“. The hook is super-nice. This song could be staged in a clever way and qualify at least to the semi-finals, easily. I’m expecting a strong staging here and I would be let down if this doesn’t happen!

  4. Mariette – One Day
    Number four for this heat, Mariette with her song “One Day“. It gives me vibes of Cornelia Jacobs “Hold me Closer” and Atle Pettersen “Masterpiece” (the MGP number) but that doesn’t mean it is a blatant copy. It follows a similar formula, has chord progressions and also it’s an amazing production. In my opinion, that’s the most modern version of Mariette we have ever seen. Like, ever! That’s nothing like her past entries in my opinion. Do I see a heat winner here? I don’t think so, but it’s a nice song overall, maybe it qualifies to the semi-final!

  5. Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera
    Emil Henrohn     (known by going viral with “Jag är mamma” on TikTok) sings “Mera mera mera” which is catchy and super fun and makes you wanna dance, even though it’s in Swedish and most of us international fans won’t understand much. It remains to be seen how this is going to be staged and how well the crowds will receive it at the general rehearsal and the live show on Saturday! If it is staged properly, it could be a semi-finalist. Could also be not!
  6. Axel Schylström – Gorgeous
    Axel is one of the writers of Theoz’ number “Mer Av Dig” and participates by himself too with the song “Gorgeous“. “Gorgeous” is a pop power ballad with strong choruses. Also has a vocoder part (remember how “Die Together” by Amanda Tenfjord starts?). Ends with a huge clap part! This is that kind of song that you will most likely make you hit the skip button. Would that make you tap on the heart and vote for it? I highly doubt it! For me that is a non-qualifier!
  7. Loreen – Tattoo
    Last (but not least) Melodifestivalen queen herself Loreen with the song “Tattoo“! Starts with a very distinctive lead synth that will get stuck into your heads and ethereal vocals by Loreen. The song gives out melancholic-joy vibes. It’s that kind of song that can make you feel sad and melancholic and nostalgic and a bit happy and a bit hopeful at the same time, it is very important that it can stimulate so many emotions at the same time. At least it did for me! There are synths, strings, there’s a build up, plus the vocals that Loreen always delivers! The song is very very strong! Don’t expect a Euphoria VOL2, cause it’s nothing like it and you will be disappointed. We cannot compare it with songs from a different decade, “Tattoo” is very 2025! It might have similar elements with Euphoria but Loreen does not repeat herself, so I personally don’t see the resemblance! It sounds more like “Neon Lights” but personally I like it more! However, it is crucial for me to see how this will be staged. It all depends on the staging, I hope it’s not too dark! Let’s see how this will be received by the Swedes, will they vote for her or will they not? I have seen this happen before (ding! ding! Statements). If she’s not the winner, she will be top two for sure.

My Prediction

This is by far the strongest heat of the tour! SVT has left most of the good part at the end!

Regarding this heat, it is clear for me that Loreen and Kiana are going to be the two direct qualifiers. As for the semi-finalists, this is quite uncertain, as it depends on many factors. A guess would be Smash Into Pieces, Mariette and maybe Emil Henrohn!

Now that we have a clear view of all the songs that have already qualified to the final and the semi-final shows, previously, I thought that this was going to be a game of three. But Kiana now enters the game! Third and fourth place most likely Maria Sur and Kiana respectively. And we might have a split screen between Loreen and the Norwegian duo Marcus & Martinus!

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

Sweden: The lyrics of the songs competing at the fourth heat of Melodifestivalen 2023!

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Melodifestivalen 2023 next show is on the forthcoming Saturday, February the 25th! The fourth heat of the national selection process of Sweden, will take place at Malmö Arena in Malmö.

Back in 26th of February, almost 40 years ago, by just a day, Carola won Melodifestivalen 1983 with the song “Främling“. Now Carola celebrates by returning to where it all began to be a guest at Melodifestivalen on Saturday. She will perform the Swedish winning songs “Främling” (1983) by Lasse Holm and Monica Forsberg, “Fångad av en stormvind” (1991) written by Carola herself and Stephan Berg as well as “Evighet” (2006) written by Bobby Ljunggren, Carola, Henrik Wikström and Thomas G:son.  Fourty years later, there are seven contestants, bidding to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 to be held in Liverpool.

A while ago, SVT, the Swedish national broadcaster released the lyrics of all seven competing songs, of the fourth heat.

You can read the lyrics of the fourth heat songs below:

  1. Kiana – Where Did You Go (Writers: Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb)
    So many times I asked myself

    I need to know

    Where did you go?

    I felt so left out in the rain

    Come numb the pain

    Where did you go?

    I wanna know

    Everyday time I get lost in emotions

    I wish I could turn back time

    In my dreams I imagine that you’re still mine

    Under the stars

    That’s where I found you

    (I found you)

    Under the stars

    That’s where I found you

    (I found you)

    (I wanna know)

    Where did you go

    Where did you go

    Where did you go

    Where did you go?

    (I wanna know)

    Under the stars

    That’s where I found you

    Where did you go

    Where did you go

    Where did you go

    Where did you go?

    Oh oh oh oh oh

    Oh oh oh oh oh

    Where did you go

    Where did you go

    Where did you go

    Where did you go?

    Oh oh oh oh oh

    Oh oh oh oh oh

    A drive by the ocean

    With The Weeknd playin’ on the radio

    Where did you go?

    You and me were chasing dreams

    Oh boy you had me at hello

    So where did you go?

    In my dreams I imagine that you’re still mine

    Under the stars

    That’s where I found you

    (I found you)

    Under the stars

    That’s where I found you

    (I found you)

    I wanna know

    (I wanna know)

    Where did you go,

    Where did you go,

    Where did you go,

    Where did you go?

    Oh oh oh oh oh

    Oh oh oh oh oh

    Where did you go,

    Where did you go,

    Where did you go,

    Where did you go?

    I wanna know

    Under the stars

    (Where did you go, where did you go, where did you go, where did you go?)

    That’s where I found you

    (Oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh)

    Under the stars

    (Where did you go, where did you go, where did you go, where did you go?)

    That’s where I found you

    (Oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh)

    Where did you go

    Where did you go

    Where did you go?

  2. Signe & Hjördis – Edelweiss (Writers: Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy Jansson, Myra Granberg)
    När regnet öser ovanför

    Så tänker jag på dig

    Hur något vissnat inom dig

    Hur du inte hittat hem

    För jag vet, och jag ser

    Jag har alltid sett

    När du ler

    Finns det mer

    Inuti

    Men när vinden dansar över ängarna

    Så talar träden om hjältemod

    Hör grönskan spela över strängarna

    Låt dom sjunga om vår edelweiss

    Och när hoppet ekar över vidderna

    Ska blomster växa ur våra sår

    Vi skålar för dom gamla minnena

    Och sjunger om vår edelweiss

    Ett litet frö där inom dig

    Som aldrig fick slå rot

    Men tårarna ska rädda det

    Att växa och bli stort

    För jag vet, och jag ser

    Jag har alltid sett det

    När du ler

    Finns det mer

    Inuti

    Men när vinden dansar över ängarna

    Så talar träden om hjältemod

    Hör grönskan spela över strängarna

    Låt dom sjunga om vår edelweiss

    Och när hoppet ekar över vidderna

    Ska blomster växa ur våra sår

    Vi skålar för dom gamla minnena

    Och sjunger om vår edelweiss

    Säg mig om du inte längre tror

    Det är i mörkret som det finaste får gro

    Men när vinden dansar över ängarna

    Så talar träden om hjältemod

    Hör grönskan spela över strängarna

    Låt dom sjunga om vår edelweiss

    Och när hoppet ekar över vidderna

    Ska blomster växa ur våra sår

    Vi skålar för dom gamla minnena

    Och sjunger om vår edelweiss

    Och sjunger om vår edelweiss

  3. Smash Into Pieces – Six Feet Under (Writers: Andreas ”Giri” Lindbergh, Benjamin Jennebo, Chris Adam, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Per Bergquist)
    I’m six feet under

    Like I’m buried alive

    We’re so game over

    But we keep holding the line

    You fight me and I fight back

    And when you come back

    We get up and we do it again

    I’m turning to a shadow

    I can’t let go

    Though it’s wrong

    I don’t want it to end

    Better safe than sorry

    Better safe than sorry

    Felt so right now what are we?

    So turn it up, turn it up, turn it up

    We’re on the edge

    We’re miles apart

    And I’m six feet under

    Diggin’ down my heart

    We’re on the edge

    We keep falling down

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    Diggin’ down my heart

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    We’re in a maze now

    Playing arcade and I’m lost

    Counting our days now

    I’m in a straight jacket

    No matter the cost

    You fight me and I fight back

    And when you come back

    We get up and we do it again

    I’m turning to a shadow

    I can’t let go

    Though it’s wrong

    I don’t want it to end

    Better safe than sorry

    Better safe than sorry

    Felt so right, now what are we?

    So turn it up, turn it up, turn it up

    We’re on the edge

    We’re miles apart

    And I’m six feet under

    Diggin’ down my heart

    We’re on the edge

    We keep falling down

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    Diggin’ down my heart

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    We’re on the edge

    We’re miles apart

    And I’m six feet under

    We’re on the edge

    We’re miles apart

    And I’m six feet under

    Diggin’ down my heart

    We’re on the edge

    We keep falling down

    (Keep falling down)

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    Diggin’ down my heart

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    ’Til I’m six feet under

    ’Til I’m six feet under

  4. Mariette – One Day (Writers: Jimmy Jansson, Thomas G:son, Mariette)
    I know that sometimes I’ve been lost

    But never try to hold me down

    I’m never givin’ up

    (Ain’t givin’ up)

    There’ll come a day that’s made for us

    I promise we’ll be standing there

    As the winners of our time

    One day we’ll ride out the storm

    We’re sailing with tomorrow in our hands

    And one day we’ll find our way home

    Another time, another place

    Somewhere there’s a promised land

    That’s waiting just for us

    (Just for us)

    Leave all your worries and regrets

    And forget about yesterday

    We’re heading for the skies

    If we get caught

    For who we are

    I take the fall

    One day we’ll ride out the storm

    We’re sailing with tomorrow in our hands

    And one day we’ll find our way home

    We’ll take the chance

    The power is our own

    What do you say

    (What do you say)

    So what do you say

    (So what do you say)

    We can be kings and queens

    Our dreams will be our throne

    Cos one day we’ll find our way home

    We’ll take the chance

    The power is our own

    We can make it

    We can make it

    We can make it

    We can make it

    One day we’ll ride out the storm

    We’re sailing with tomorrow in our hands

    Ooh, one day we’ll find our way home

    We’ll take the chance

    The power is our own

    What do you say

    (What do you say)

    So what do you say

    (So what do you say)

    We can be kings and queens

    Our dreams will be our throne

    What do you say

    (What do you say)

    So what do you say

    (So what do you say)

    We can be anything we wanna be

    You know

    Cos one day we’ll find our way home

    We’ll take the chance

    The power is our own

    I know that sometimes I’ve been lost

    But never try to hold me down

    I’m never givin’ up

  5. Emil Henrohn – Mera mera mera (Writers: Emil Henrohn, Jakob Redtzer, Ji Nilsson, Marlene Strand)
    Jag är som månens ljus i natten, stjärnor som glittrar

    Och mina andetag får luften här att vibrera

    Jag är fylld av en lust och längtan

    Större än en hel ocean

    Glöm att jag sitter här och väntar

    Jag har inget tålamod kvar

    Jag vill ha mer av allt

    Jag vill inte gå hem

    Vill inte sova nu

    Jag kan göra det sen

    Jag vill ha pink champagne

    Fyll upp glaset igen

    Så ge mig

    Mera mera mera

    Mera mera mera

    Come give me more

    Och ge mig lite till

    Glöm bort igår

    Betyder ingenting

    Vill bara dansa

    Natten lång till ”Gimme Gimme”

    Mera mera mera

    Mera mera mera

    Vi skapar nya minnen som vi aldrig ska glömma

    Jag vill att världen ska se ut som i mina drömmar

    Jag är fylld av en lust och längtan

    Större än en hel ocean

    Glöm att jag sitter här och väntar

    Jag har inget tålamod kvar

    Jag vill ha mer av allt

    Jag vill inte gå hem

    Vill inte sova nu

    Jag kan göra det sen

    Jag vill ha pink champagne

    Fyll upp glaset igen

    Så ge mig

    Mera mera mera

    Mera mera mera

    Come give me more

    Och ge mig lite till

    Glöm bort igår

    Betyder ingenting

    Vill bara dansa

    Natten lång till ”Gimme Gimme”

    Mera mera mera

    Mera mera mera

    Jag är fylld av en lust och längtan

    Glöm att jag sitter här och väntar

    Jag har inget tålamod kvar

    Jag vill ha mer av allt

    Jag vill inte gå hem

    Vill inte sova nu

    Jag kan göra det sen

    Jag vill ha pink champagne

    Fyll upp glaset igen

    Så ge mig

    Mera mera mera

    Mera mera mera

    Come give me more

    Och ge mig lite till

    Glöm bort igår

    Betyder ingenting

    Vill bara dansa

    Natten lång till ”Gimme Gimme”

    Mera mera mera

    Mera mera mera

    Så ge mig

    Mera mera mera

  6. Axel Schylström – Gorgeous (Writers: Axel Schylström, Herman Gardarfve, Jonas Thander, Malin Halvardsson)
    I don’t know what’s going on inside your mind

    Is there something I can say

    Something just to lead the way

    For you

    Why, why you keep on beating on yourself

    Is there something I can do

    Something more than being there

    For you

    You tell me that the voice inside your head

    Is killing you

    I’m losing count of all the times you said

    I’m not enough

    But don’t you dare talk to yourself like that

    You’re gorgeous

    So gorgeous

    Don’t you dare talk to yourself like that

    You’re gorgeous

    So gorgeous

    Come, hide away with me just for a while

    We can laugh til’ we forget

    We can smile until we get

    Through this

    Oh, you tell me that the voice inside your head

    Is killing you

    Oh, I’m losing count of all the times you said

    I’m not enough

    But don’t you dare talk to yourself like that

    You’re gorgeous

    So gorgeous

    No, don’t you dare talk to yourself like that

    You’re gorgeous

    So gorgeous

    Come, hide away with me just for a while

    Oh, you tell me that the voice inside your head

    Is killing you

    (Is killing you)

    Oh, I’m losing count of all the times you said

    I’m not enough

    (I’m not enough)

    Don’t you dare talk to yourself like that

    You’re gorgeous

    So gorgeous

    No, don’t you dare talk to yourself like that

    You’re gorgeous

    So gorgeous

    You’re gorgeous

    So gorgeous

    Don’t you dare talk to yourself like that

    You’re gorgeous

    So gorgeous

  7. Loreen – Tattoo (Writers: Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Jimmy Jansson, Loreen, Moa ”Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son)
    I don’t wanna go

    But baby we both know

    This is not our time

    It’s time to say goodbye

    Until we meet again

    Cus this is not the end

    It will come a day

    When we will find our way

    Violins playing and the angels crying

    When the stars align then I’ll be there

    No I don’t care about them all

    Cus all I want is to be loved

    And all I care about is you

    You stuck on me like a tattoo

    No I don’t care about the pain

    I’ll walk through fire and through rain

    Just to get closer to you

    You stuck on me like a tattoo

    I’m letting my hair down

    I’m taking it cool

    You got my heart in your hand

    Don’t lose it my friend

    It’s all that I got

    Violins playing and the angels crying

    When the stars align then I’ll be there

    No I don’t care about them all

    Cus all I want is to be loved

    And all I care about is you

    You stuck on me like a tattoo

    No I don’t care about the pain

    I’ll walk through fire and through rain

    Just to get closer to you

    You stuck on me like a tattoo

    Oh I don’t care about them all

    Cus all I want is to be loved

    And all I care about is you

    You stuck on me like a tattoo

    I don’t care about the pain

    I’ll walk through fire and through rain

    Just to get closer to you

    You stuck on me like a tattoo

    All I care about is love

    Oh oh oh

    All I care about is love

    You stuck on me like a tattoo

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 25th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Malmö, then Örnsköldsvik follows and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 11th of March.

The detailed schedule of Melodifestivalen 2023 is described below:

  • 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)

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Sweden’s entry for Eurovision 2023!

Source/Photo: SVT