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Sweden: These are the detailed results of all the shows of Melodifestivalen 2023!

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The Final of Melodifestivalen 2023, was broadcast by SVT and SVT Play last Saturday and we now know that Loreen will represent Sweden at Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, with the song “Tattoo“, placing first in both the International Jury and the public vote!

Today SVT released the detail results of all the Melodifestivalen 2023 shows and as it seems Loreen won by a landslide! There was also a significant difference in votes between Loreen and the runner-ups of the show in Malmö, Smash Into Pieces!

But let’s see how the results were in each of the shows:

  • 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)

Don’t miss out on Loreen’s first words, at the press conference after her victory at the Melodifestivalen 2023, that took place at Friends Arena! Check out our YouTube channel for more interviews, reactions videos and Melodifestivalen material!

What do you think of this year’s Swedish entry at the Eurovision Song Contest to be held in Liverpool? Leave a comment below!

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

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis

Sweden: Melodifestivalen 2023 final show topped the TV ratings in Sweden!

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The Final of Melodifestivalen 2023, was broadcast by SVT and SVT Play last Saturday and we now know that Loreen will represent Sweden at Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, with the song “Tattoo“, placing first in both the International Jury and the public vote!

Saturday’s show gathered an average rating of 3.419.000 viewers, in its 120-minute duration sweeping a share of 82.85%.

Compared to last year’s edition, the final gained 149.000 viewers and almost 8.75 cents of viewing share (2023 – 82.85%, 2022 – 76.1%) 

The final show Melodifestivalen 2023 viewers number increased by 1.104.000 viewers, compared to last week’s semi-final show!

Melodifestivalen 2023 Final Results

International Jury Winner

Loreen – “Tattoo”

General  Winner

Loreen – “Tattoo”

Don’t miss out on Loreen’s performance, at the Melodifestivalen 2023 afterparty that took place at Berns Stockholm! Check out our YouTube channel for more interviews, reactions videos and Melodifestivalen material!

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

Photo: Andreas Papayiannakis
Source: MMS

Sweden: Loreen is the winner of Melodifestivalen 2023 and will represent the country this year in Liverpool!

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Ninety minutes ago, the show of the Final of Melodifestivalen 2023, started off on SVT and SVT Play and we now know that Loreen will represent Sweden at Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, with the song “Tattoo“!

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Sweden: Who is the favourite to win Melodifestivalen 2023, according to today’s betting odds?

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Melodifestivalen 2023 Final show will be aired tonight at 20:00 CET on SVT and SVT Play. Twelve contestants will have to perform their song and compete in order to claim their ticket to Liverpool, UK, in order to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest this year.

Tonight’s contestants

  • “Where You Are (Sávežan)” – Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc North feat. Adam Woods
  • “Rhythm Of My Show” – Tone Sekelius
  • “One Day” – Mariette
  • “Air” – Marcus & Martinus
  • “On My Way” – Panetoz
  • “Never Give Up” – Maria Sur
  • “Six Feet Under” – Smash Into Pieces
  • “Where Did You Go” – Kiana
  • “Släpp alla sorger” – Nordman
  • “Tattoo” – Loreen
  • “Mer av dig” – THEOZ
  • “Royals” – Paul Rey

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, according to the betting odds, Loreen is in the lead, with a winning chance of 1.02, Marcus & Martinus and Smash Into Pieces follow.

Let’s see what is going to happen, when we will get the chance to watch the actual Final show 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 at Friends Arena!

Which artist is your favourite for the win, that will secure their ticket to Liverpool to represent Sweden this Saturday?

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

Source: Eurovision World

Sweden: The general rehearsal of the Final Show of Melodifestivalen 2023! (Live)

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The general rehearsal of the Melodifestivalen 2023 Final has just started. EurovisionFun is at Friends Arena, in Stockholm and we are happy to be watching it live on-site. We will be covering this rehearsal siting right in the arena, 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 general rehearsal for the final show, allowing you to get a glimpse of what you will get to see tomorrow March 11th, at 20:00 CET, when you watch the actual final show on SVT and SVT Play.

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Sweden: The international jury that will help determine the winner of Melodifestivalen 2023 just got revealed!

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We now know the eight countries that SVT has inviter and will comprise the international jury. Those countries will get the chance to vote and help determine the winner of Melodifestivalen 2023, who will finally get a ticket to Liverpool, in order to represent the country in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

The eight countries of the international jury

The results of Melodifestivalen 2023 at the final show, get determined 50-50 by the televotes and the votes of the countries that SVT selected and will comprise the international jury.

The countries comprising the international jury this year will be:

  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • Croatia
  • Latvia
  • Malta
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Austria

The voting age-groups

The viewers vote for their favourite number, based on their age group. One either can vote by phone or with the use of the Melodifestivalen app.

Before being able to vote, the app users must register their age. The viewers are allocated into the following seven age groups:

  • 3-9 years old, Green group
  • 10-15 years old, Turquoise group
  • 16-29 years old, Blue group
  • 30-44 years old, Purple group
  • 45-59 years old, Pink group
  • 60-74 years old, Red group
  • 75 years old and above, Orange group

Combined voting results

There are eight categories in all, one is the televoting and the rest are the seven age-groups. Each category gives 58 points in total at the finals, distributed to the acts accordingly. Also the change of the number of countries in the international jury, from eleven to eight was implemented so that the number of countries match the number of voting categories of the public. At the end of the voting process, the juries will decide 50% of the votes and the public vote will provide the remaining 50% of the points.

Final Show Running Order

  • Where You Are (Sávežan) – Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc North feat. Adam Woods
  • Rhythm Of My Show – Tone Sekelius
  • One Day – Mariette
  • Air – Marcus & Martinus
  • On My Way – Panetoz
  • Never Give Up – Maria Sur
  • Six Feet Under – Smash Into Pieces
  • Where Did You Go – Kiana
  • Släpp alla sorger – Nordman
  • Tattoo – Loreen
  • Mer av dig – THEOZ
  • Royals – Paul Rey

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

The detailed schedule of Melodifestivalen 2022 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!

Maria Sur: “Sarah Dawn Finer helped me to break into the Swedish music industry and then Warner signed me!” | Exclusive interview!

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The 18-year-old Ukrainian artist Maria Sur is making her Melodifestivalen 2023 debut this year and was the winner of the second heat and a big favorite to win the whole thing in the final on March 11!

Eurovisionfun is in Stockholm and Maria Sur welcomed us at the headquarters of Warner Music Sweden and spoke exclusively to Andreas Papagiannakis, a few days before the grand final! Among other things, she commented on her appearance this year, her breakthough in “Hela Sverige Skramlar“, how challenging her song “Never Give Up” was for her, about the composers of her participation this year and more.

Maria became widely known to the Swedish public through the charity gala “Hela Sverige Skramlar” and comments:

We managed to raise about 8 million euros in aid for Ukraine, a huge amount. I will never forget that night!

Her way into the Swedish music industry was not that easy as she tried to get in touch with many big artists to discuss “Hela Sverige Skramlar” which she wanted to be a part of:

Only Sarah Dawn Finer responded. She helped me contact the organizers, I managed to take part in it and then Warner approached me! We had a very long meeting and discussed everything and then after a while they got me signed!

She came to Sweden with her mother about a year ago after the war break-out in Ukraine with Russia, as her aunt has been living there for about eleven years. Her father has been forced to stay back in Ukraine:

We contact him every day, as much as possible. It is very difficult at this time due to electricity cut-offs and the phone lines are not so good.

She studies at a music school in Sweden and also does distance learning music classes at a Ukrainian university:

It is difficult to combine my studies at the same time as trying to establish a career in Sweden, but so far it is going well.

She is delighted to have the opportunity to work with Laurell Barker and Anderz Wrethov and explains how the song was written:

Anderz initially sent me the song which had always been called “Never Give Up” but there were no lyrics yet. Then I talked with Laurell, she listened to my story, wrote the lyrics and then this song came out. The song is autobiographical and basically describes my story. It’s definitely not a song I would normally sing, I usually sing more uptempo songs. It’s a challenging song for me, very difficult vocally. I have to convince the audience and present my story at the same time!

She explains to us that we will not see significant changes in her stage presence. Maybe the clothes or the hair, but nothing drastic to the whole performance. She still hasn’t realized what has happened since her appearance at Melodifestivalen and says:

I am very slow to process things. I started to understand what was going on after my appearance in Linköping. I think it will take me another week. I definitely feel that Melodifestivalen is a good opportunity for me to present myself to the people in Sweden but also outside of Sweden and to become known as an artist! My song has a very strong message to “never give up”! In less than a year of being here I have never given up and so many good things have happened in my life already!

Before Friday of the second heat week she was, as she mentions, very stressed and the adrenaline was so much because she had very high expectations, but after Saturday she started to enjoy it.

Everyone was telling me to chill and enjoy it and the next conversation was “are you going to win”? The interaction with the crowd was very beautiful, I felt such a blessing and the people made me feel very calm.

Out of this year’s Melodifestivalen songs, she likes Marcus & Martinus‘s “Air” and of course Loreen‘s “Tattoo“, Smash Into Pieces‘ “Six Feet Under” and Ida-Lova‘s “Låt hela stan se på“.

Watch the full interview with Maria Sur below:

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Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all Eurovision related news!

Sweden: The running order of the Final show of Melodifestivalen 2023 just got revealed!

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SVT just announced the running order of the contestants that will have to compete with each other next Saturday, March 12, at the finals of Melodifestivalen 2023, claiming a ticket to Liverpool, UK, at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. We remind you that the final show of the Swedish national selection process will take place once more at Friends Arena.

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:

Final Show Running Order:

  1. Where You Are (Sávežan) – Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc North feat. Adam Woods
  2. Rhythm Of My Show – Tone Sekelius
  3. One Day – Mariette
  4. Air – Marcus & Martinus
  5. On My Way – Panetoz
  6. Never Give Up – Maria Sur
  7. Six Feet Under – Smash Into Pieces
  8. Where Did You Go – Kiana
  9. Släpp alla sorger – Nordman
  10. Tattoo – Loreen
  11. Mer av dig – THEOZ
  12. Royals – Paul Rey

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

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)

Stay tuned at Eurovisionfun, for all the latest developments regarding Sweden’s entry for Eurovision 2022!

Sweden: Marcus & Martinus and Paul Rey are the two direct finalists of the Third Heat of Melodifestivalen 2023!

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Ninety minutes ago, the show for the Third 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 Marcus & Martinus and Paul Rey 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 are presenting 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 will follow and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 11th of March.

Dolly Style performed their 2019 entry “Habibi“, with Farah also joining with a colourful wig.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

The numbers

  • Paul Rey – Royals

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

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

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

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Casanovas – Så kommer känslorna tillbaka

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

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

Stagewise, there’s a backdrop video shown on the LED, initially shows their band name, reminding a Las Vegas sign in mainland US. The staging is nice and nostalgic of other times.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Melanie Wehbe – For The Show

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

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

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

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

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

Regarding the staging, there’s a vulture at the back for starters, then there’s more birds, a scenery and more strobe lights and a green background.

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Laurell – Sober

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

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

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

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

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Ida-Lova – Låt hela stan se på

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

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

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

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

  • Marcus & Martinus – Air

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

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

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

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

Afro-Dite were the performers before the announcement of the direct finalist!

Photo: Alma Bengtsson / SVT

The Direct Qualifiers

First voting round winner: Marcus & Martinus – Air
Second voting round winner:Paul Rey – Royals

Semi-Finalists

Second voting round 2nd place: Nordman – Släpp alla sorger
Second voting round 3rd place: Melanie Wehbe – For The Show

Second voting round results

Age-band 3-9 years old winner: Paul Rey – Royals

Age-band 10-15 years old winner: Paul Rey – Royals

Age-band 16-29 years old winner: Paul Rey – Royals

Age-band 30-44 years old winner: Paul Rey – Royals

Age-band 45-59 years old winner: Paul Rey – Royals

Age-band 60-74 years old winner: Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

Age-band 75+ years old winner: Paul Rey – Royals

Televoting winner: Nordman – Släpp alla sorger

See you next Saturday, after the third heat, when you will have the chance to be informed in detail about the results, 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: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

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

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Melodifestivalen 2023 Third 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 fifth semi-final, as their last chance in the hopes of competing at the finals.

Tonight’s contestants

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

The 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 Marcus & Martinus and Paul Rey.

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 Nordman and Ida-Lova 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