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Sweden: No Auto-Tune in Melodifestivalen, says producer Karin Gunnarsson!

The organizers of the Norwegian equivalent to Melodifestivalen, Melodi Grand Prix, have decided to allow Auto-Tune to enhance the singing voices in this year’s competition.

Now SVT is responding to the neighboring country’s decision. Karin Gunnarsson, competition producer of Melodifestivalen spoke to Sveriges Radio Kulturnytt and said that SVT follows the guidelines of Eurovision Song Contest and hence it would be challenging to use Auto-Tune in the Swedish national selection process:

“This means that there would be a version of a song that must be revamped to suit Eurovision. And that’s just a good thing.”

Auto-Tune can be explained as an effect used to correct and manipulate the pitch of a voice. Among, other things, to avoid false notes. It is widely used in both live productions and recordings. And sometimes it is used, says Karin Gunnarsson, as a personal artistic choice:

“Some use it as an artistic and unique selling proposition to make their music or song stand out. But it will be hard to get that expression into Melodifestivalen as it is now. Those artists are not relevant, so to speak. Furthermore, there is no need or pressure from the industry artists that they want Auto-Tune.”

And Mårten Tomassen, who is chairman of the Norwegian Eurovision fan club, spoke to Sveriges Radio and expressed his belief that allowing Auto-Tune would be a step in the wrong direction.

“I don’t like it, one of the dubious aspects of Melodifestivalen is that the artist sings with the voice they are known with. Sometimes it’s an amazing vocal experience, other times not so good.” 

Do you think that Auto-Tune should be introduced at Melodifestivalen or any other Eurovision national selection processes? Let us know in the comments section below!

Source: Sveriges Radio / Kulturnytt / Helena Stinkvist Sörlin & Gustav Ingerhage

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Sweden: First betting odds for Melodifestivalen 2024 | Danny Saucedo is the hot favourite!

It has been only a few hours since the announcement of the participants at Melodifestival 2024, but the first betting odds have already begun, depsite the fact that the participating songs release of the first semi-final will have to wait for two more months.

The big favourite for the victory is Danny Saucedo, who aims a dynamic come-back in the music industry of Sweden through his participation in Melodifestivalen 2024. This is going to be his fifth participation in this particular music festival.

His entry “Happy That You Found Me” was composed by Kristoffer Fogelmark, John Martin and Michel Zitron. The latter was involved in the production of two global music hits, Don’t you owrry child” and “Save the world” of Swedish House Mafia and has also collaborated with artists like Avicii and Alesso. 

In the second place of the betting odds are the Norwegian twins Marcus & Martinus Gunnarsen who took part in Melodifestivalen 2023 and finished in the second place.

In the third place we see Liamoo, in fourth place the popoular among the eurofans Dotter while the first top five ends with a tie between Maria Sur and Smash Into Pieces.

At this point it should be mentioned that the betting odds are currently based only on the names of the particpants. Comparing the current face of the betting odds with the respondent one of previous years, we can see that the betting odds were confirmed only in 2014, 2015 and 2023.

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, Eskiltuna
  • Heat 5: Saturday 2 March 2024, Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad
  • Final: Saturday 9 March 2024, Friends Arena, Stockholm – Solna

The winner of Melodifestivalen 2023 and subsequently the Swedish representative in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest was Loreen with her entry “Tattoo”. Loreen did not only achieved a second victory in Melodifestival, but also a second victory at the Eurovision Song Contest, raising the number of Swedish victories to 7, equalizing the number of victories of the intertemporal queen of Eurovision, Ireland.

https://youtu.be/BE2Fj0W4jP4

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Source: eurovisionworld

Eurovision 2024: Gina Dirawi to host Eurovision Song Contest 2024?

We are a tiny bit less than six months away from next year’s Eurovision Song Contest and there are still no clear details about what SVT has planned on the stage or the hosts of the shows.

But here came Aftonbladet‘s Natalie Demirian and Viktoria Hummelstedt, who reported at Aftonbladet TV that according to several readers who had contacted them, Gina Dirawi might have revealed some details when she was recording last week’s “Hellenius Hörna“, a TV4 tv-show. But let’s dive into more detail about what has happened.

Gina was asked about Melodifestivalen and also about whether she will or will not lead Eurovision, next May in Malmö. Dirawi started talking a little about it, before she interrupted the whole thing -according to people who were on-site as an audience- and said that they are not allowed to say anything about what they had just heard, because she herself is not allowed to talk about it yet. She is said to have become very stressed about it and there must have been a strange atmosphere in the studio.

It is still highly unclear if her reaction was this due to the fact of her being bound with an NDA or for any other reasons. On one hand it doesn’t have to mean anything at all, on the other hand we cannot completely rule out the fact that she might be one of the hosts next year, it is just not impossible that she is in it. Time will tell if she will be one of the hosts of next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, which was brought back to Malmö after Loreen won with her entry “Tattoo” by accruing her second victory eleven years after her first one.

Who is Gina Dirawi?

Gina Dirawi is a Swedish television presenter, singer-songwriter, radio personality, blogger, comedian and actress. She is best known as the first woman ever to host Melodifestivalen on three occasions: in 2012 alongside Helena Bergström and Sarah Dawn Finer, in 2013 alongside Danny Saucedo and in 2016 with guest co-hosts in each show. Dirawi was also the Swedish spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016, announcing the results of the Swedish jury vote from Eurovision: The Party in the Tele2 Arena in Stockholm. Gina is of Palestinian descent and her family comes from Lebanon, and it would make much sense if SVT had selected her to be one of the hosts of the contest, which will take place in the most pro-Palestinian city of Sweden at times when there still might be an ongoing middle-eastern conflict between Israel and Palestine.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2024 is organized in collaboration with the city of Malmö and will be broadcast from Malmö Arena on Tuesday 7 May (semi-final 1), Thursday 9 May (semi-final 2) and Saturday 11 May (final) after Loreen won for a second time in Liverpool with the song “Tattoo“.

Stay tuned at EurovisionFun for all the latest news regarding the Eurovision Song Contest!

Source: Aftonbladet

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Norway: Are Keiino hinting their return? | “Nu kör vi” with Norway or with Sweden?

Lots of Eurovision fans are eagerly hoping for them to come back at the contest. But has the time just come?

KEiiNO band, a few moments ago, uploaded a Reels video on their Instagram account, rocking the boat of Eurovision news. The Reels featured a question, urging their fans to complete the sentence “Nu … vi!“. For those you can’t speak Swedish, nu kör vi means let’s go!

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KEiiNO (@keiinoband)

But what could this mean? Is this a reference at them taking part in Melodifestivalen 2024, or they are referencing a potential participation at MGP 2024, which could potentially let them represent Norway in Malmö, Sweden?

Time will tell.

Who are KEiiNO?

KEiiNO is a Norwegian supergroup consisting of Sámi rapper Fred Buljo and singers Alexandra Rotan and Tom Hugo. The group was created in late 2018 in preparation for their participation in Melodi Grand Prix 2019, which they won and so were selected to represent Norway with the song “Spirit in the Sky” in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, finishing in sixth place, even though they placed first in the televoting results.

On 11 January 2021, it was announced that KEiiNO would participate in the Melodi Grand Prix 2021 final with the pre-qualified song “Monument“. The song was released at midnight on 15 January 2021 with the group’s debut performance of the song during the first heat of Melodi Grand Prix 2021 on 16 January 2021. The song reached the top four in the final on 20 February 2021, eventually reaching the gold duel, but lost to Tix‘s “Fallen Angel“.

Do you think KEiiNO could be selected to represent Norway for a second time? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Eurovision 2023: Second Rehearsal of Sweden!

Today is the fourth day of rehearsals, the day when the countries participating in the First Semi Final will take over the stage for their second rehearsal at M&S Bank Arena, in Liverpool!

Next up on stage for their second rehearsal is Sweden and Loreen with the song “Tattoo“.

Who is Loreen?

Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui, known as Loreen, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, and this year’s winner of Melodifestivalen. Interested in becoming a musician, Loreen took part in the Idol 2004 television competition, finishing fourth. The following year she released her first single, “The Snake“, with the band Rob’n’Raz and became a television presenter on TV400. While working as a segment producer and director for several Swedish reality TV shows, she entered Melodifestivalen 2011 with the song “My Heart Is Refusing Me“, which became a top 10 hit in Sweden. She also had top 20 hits in Sweden with the singles “Crying Out Your Name” (2012) and her Melodifestivalen 2017 entry “Statements“.

Representing Sweden, she won the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with her entry “Euphoria“, which topped the charts in numerous European countries. She will represent Sweden in Eurovision for a second time in 2023 with Tattoo which broke into the charts globally in many countries.

The Rehearsal

Loreen and her light box are back on stage – we were really interested to see the big screen version of this, as so much of it is filmed in close-up.

Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

The stage and the LED screen is a sea of swirling smoke, and the whole effect is incredibly intense. It’s WAY more intense and dramatic than it looks in the arena – Loreen is NOT here to play.

Sarah Louise Bennett/EBU

It’s Loreen, so obviously this performance is tighter than that catsuit and more polished than those terrifyingly long nails. Sounds incredible, looks incredible – the perfect finish to a brilliant first day of rehearsals.

Source: eurovision.tv
Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU, Corinne Cumming / EBU


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Eurovision 2023: First Rehearsal of Sweden!

Today is the first day of rehearsals, the day when the countries participating in the First Semi Final will take over the stage for their first rehearsal at M&S Bank Arena, in Liverpool!

Next up on stage for their first rehearsal is Sweden and Loreen with the song “Tattoo“.

Who is Loreen?

Lorine Zineb Nora Talhaoui, known as Loreen, is a Swedish singer, songwriter, and this year’s winner of Melodifestivalen. Interested in becoming a musician, Loreen took part in the Idol 2004 television competition, finishing fourth. The following year she released her first single, “The Snake“, with the band Rob’n’Raz and became a television presenter on TV400. While working as a segment producer and director for several Swedish reality TV shows, she entered Melodifestivalen 2011 with the song “My Heart Is Refusing Me“, which became a top 10 hit in Sweden. She also had top 20 hits in Sweden with the singles “Crying Out Your Name” (2012) and her Melodifestivalen 2017 entry “Statements“.

Representing Sweden, she won the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with her entry “Euphoria“, which topped the charts in numerous European countries. She will represent Sweden in Eurovision for a second time in 2023 with Tattoo which broke into the charts globally in many countries.

The Rehearsal

So the light box is back, but it’s a smaller version than the one we saw at Melodifestivalen. It’s also raised off the ground, so the bottom section can be wheeled onto the stage. The stage and the LED screen is a sea of swirling smoke, and the whole effect is incredibly intense.

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

It’s Loreen, so obviously this performance is tighter than that catsuit and more polished than those terrifyingly long nails. Sounds incredible, looks incredible – the perfect finish to a brilliant first day of rehearsals.

Corinne Cumming / EBU

Below you can watch a small clip from the Swedish first rehearsal, once it’s published on TikTok:

@eurovision Loreen ✅ Lightbox ✅ Liverpool ✅ #Eurovision2023 #Eurovision @Loreen ♬ original sound – Eurovision

Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU

The second Swedish rehearsal will be held on the 3rd of May, when we will know how the performance will look on screen for the Swedish entry.

Source: eurovision.tv
Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett / EBU, Corinne Cumming / EBU


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Switzerland: Remo Forrer will be joined by four dancers on stage, in Liverpool!

More details of the Swiss stage performance in Liverpool have been revealed, by the Swiss representative himself, Remo Forrer, in a post on his social media.

We already know that Switzerland will have Sacha Jean-Baptiste as the creative director of Remo’s staging performance and we now know who the four dancers that will be joining him on stage for his “Watergun” performanve will be.

The four dancers that will be joining Remo on stage in Liverpool this year will be (from left to right):

  • Lovisa Bengtsson: Lovisa was one of the Cypriot delegation dancers in 2018, joining Eleni Foureira on stage for “Fuego“.
  • Marco Wihlborg: One of the dancers of Alvaro Estrella in his last year’s Melodifestivalen entry “Suave“.
  • Ellinea Siambalis: The 18-year-old Ellinea, who has Greek roots, was a dancer in the following three numbers of this year’s Melodifestivalen, Kiana‘s “Where Did You Go“, Rejhan‘s “Haunted” and Mariette‘s “One Day“.
  • Kenny Lantz: Kenny was one of the Melodifestivalen in-house dancers this year and was also part of the Cypriot performance in 2019, joining Tamta on stage for the song “Replay“.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Remo Forrer (@remoforrer)

Who is Remo Forrer?

Remo Forrer was born in 2001 in a small town called Hemberg SG. He started playing the flute from an early age, then he switched to the accordion, and then he ended up at the piano, which is still his favorite musical instrument to this day. In addition, he took voice lessons at a music school. In 2017, he was nominated for the talent show of the central Switzerland, where he received the award of Photographers Choice for the best stage performance. One year later, he won the competition “Sing dein Ding” with an acapella group and he was allowed to appear at the Acapella Festival in Pfaffikon SZ. In 2020, he won The Voice of Switzerland.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8-Sbc_GZMc

You can watch the reaction of the editors of Eurovisionfun, reacting and commenting on the Swiss entry for Eurovision 2023 below:

Will Remo Forrer be able to continue the good course of the country in the song contest? Tell us in the comments down bellow!

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the news regarding Switzerland’s participation in Eurovision 2023! 

Source: Remo Forrer

The Netherlands:Commentator Cornald Maas is hesitant towards a national final possibility

The experienced Dutch commentator of Eurovision, Cornald Maas, voiced on Twitter his negative attitude towards the possibility of hosting a national final for the selection of the future representatives of the Netherlands.

In response to Dutch sociologist Sjors Joosten’s article, published in NRC Handelsblad, arguing that the Netherlands should follow Sweden’s example and organize a Melodifestivalen-style national final, Cornald Maas stated:

Hear hear? I would say: think think. Leaving out the upcoming competition: All (Dutch) national finals since 2004 have resulted in only a single qualification to the final. From 2013 onwards (internal selection), we are always in the final. Or maybe you just want an orange national celebration?

In a subsequent tweet, after having being asked why the selection method is not democratic anymore,he commented the following:

It doesn’t work at the moment if we want to guarantee quality. The music industry is not willing to participate in a national final in the Netherlands, unlike in Sweden. Even “in the background”, big/good names with good songs do not want to compete here, as it has been proven more than once.

In spite of the fact that holding a Dutch national final does not seem likely in the near future, Cornald Maas did not rule out seeking for alternative,more democratic selection processes such as plebiscites.

The Netherlands is a country that has established themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the competition,with a considerable amount of remarkable entries that gave them various top-10 placements,including a 9th, a 2nd and even a top position in the scoreboard ever since the reintroduction of the internal selection process.

The Greek cooperating broadcaster ERT may find themselves at the crossroads between the internal selection and the national final on account of the fact that ever since the implementation of a selection process similar to the Dutch one (submission of proposals by interested artists and selection by an artistic committee), they have returned to the final (2019) and to the top 10 subsequently (2021,2022).

 

Do you think a Melodifestivalen type national final could be successfully held in Greece? Would it capture the interest of well-known/respectable artists and record companies? Would the Greek public make the right choice?

 

Write us in the comments and stay tuned in Eurovisionfun for more things about Eurovision!

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

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

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