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Sweden: These are the 14 first contestants of Melodifestivalen 2022!

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As promised by the national Swedish broadcaster SVT and the presenter of Melodifestivalen 2022 Oscar Zia by a post on the official Twitter account of Melodifestivalen, the time has come for the 14 first contestants of the Swedish national selection of 2022 to be revealed!

The first 14 contestants are the following

Anders Bagge
Song: Bigger Than The Universe
Songwriters: Anders Bagge, Jimmy Jansson, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son

There are very few people in Sweden who do not know Anders, he is one of the most popular TV personas and composers in the country.

The Swedish Idol judge has collaborated with international artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Santana and Enrique Iglesias.

He also wrote the Azerbaijani entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, When The Music Dies by Sabina Babayeva.

 

Cazzi Opeia
Song: I Can’t Get Enough
Songwriters: Bishat Araya, Jakob Redtzer, Cazzi Opeia, Paul Rey

Cazzi Opeia has become one of the most sought after K-pop composers, with many hits on US Billboard and collaborations with global superstars such as BTS, Red Velvet, NCT 127 and Enhypen.

As a songwriter, Cazzi has sold more than 20 million physical albums and has over 4 billion streams and more than 1.5 billion views on YouTube.

 

Omar Rudberg
omar rudberg
Song: Moving Like That
Songwriters: Omar Rudberg, Gustav Blomberg, Amanda Kongshaug, Kristin Marie

Omar is an artist, songwriter and actor and a former member of  the most successful Scandinavian boy-band: FO&O.

As one of the stars of the successful Netflix series, Young Royals, he has established himself as an idol at a younger audience and has since then become (one could say) a global star.

This is Omar’s third entry in the Melodifestivalen.

 

Klara Hammarström
klara hammarstrom
Song: Run To The Hills
Songwriters: Jimmy ‘Joker’ Thörnfeldt, Julie Aagaard, Anderz Wrethov, Klara Hammarström

Klara Hammarström became known to the public through the SVT reality show “Familjen Hammarström”, which was all about her successful family.

Having participated in both 2020 and 2021, Klara Hammarström has a unique consecutive hat-trick at Melodifestivalen.

 

Tribe Friday
Song: Shut Me Up
Songwriters: Isak Gunnarsson, Robin Hanberger Pérez, Noah Deutschmann

With their signature mix of indie rock, dance-pop and emo, Tribe Friday from their debut already have a devoted global fan-base.

The band describes itself as three “emo-losers” from three different Swedish small towns who share the dream of becoming the biggest band in the world.

 

John Lundvik
john lundvik
Song: Änglavakt
Songwriters: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Benjamin Rosenbohm, Fredrik Sonefors, John Lundvik

No introductions needed! Fifth place in Tel Aviv in 2019 with Too Late For Love here! Also one of the composers, Benjamin Rosenbohm, is a member of Ben & Tan from Denmark, who won the Melodi Grand Prix 2020, but eventually never represented Denmark due to the cancellation of the competition that year.

 

Cornelia Jacobs
Song: Hold Me Closer
Songwriters: Isa Molin, David Zandén, Cornelia Jakobsdotter

Cornelia Jakobs has been involved in music since she was seven years old. At school she started playing in various garage-rock bands and her love for playing live remains undiminished.

An artist with a musical vision and creativity, she has done almost everything in the last five years, releasing 9 singles and an upcoming debut album

 

Niello & Lisa Ajax
Song: Tror du att jag bryr mig
Songwriters: Yvonne Dahlbom, Niklas ‘Niello’ Grahn Linroth, Jesper Welander

Niello and Lisa will be appearing together for the first time in Mellodifestivalen, but have already collaborated last summer on the song Ingen annan.

Niello started off in 2013 with the release of his song Legenden, while Lisa Ajax became widely known through Idol.

 

Faith Kakembo
faith kakembo
Song: Freedom
Songwriters: Laurell Barker, Anderz Wrethov, Palle Hammarlund, Faith Kakembo

The lovely nurse from Jönköping who participated in the talent show P4 Nästa in 2019.

She then met hitmaker Jörgen Elofsson who gave her the song Crying Rivers, which she performed at Melodifestivalen 2020. Faith Kakembo finished fifth in the third semifinal.

 

LIAMOO
liamoo
Song: Bluffin
Songwriters: Jimmy ‘Joker’ Thörnfeldt, Sami Rekik, Dino Medanhodzic, Ali Jammali

LIAMOO won the Swedes’ heads and hearts, back in 2016, when he won Idol, showing off his skills as both a singer and a rapper.

In 2018, LIAMOO participated in the Melodifestivalen with the song Last Breath in which he also co-composed and in 2019 with the duet, Hold You, together with Hanna Ferm, finishing in third place.

 

Linda Bengtzing
Linda Bengtzing
Song: Fyrfaldigt hurra!
Songwriter: Thomas G:son, Linda Bengtzing, Myra Granberg, Daniel Jelldéus

In addition to her past seven participations in Melodifestivalen and her 8th next year in 2022s revision of Melodifestivalen, Linda has starred in a number of TV shows and musicals, acquiring amazing reviews, including a nomination for Best Actress for her role as Mimi Marquez on RENT.

 

Samira Manners
Song: I Want To Be Loved
Songwriters: Samira Manners, Fredrik Andersson

Samira Manners is 21 years old and she’s performing and writing music from a very young age. The singer-songwriter is focused on her feelings and experiences while composing new music and her dream is to share her experiences with the broad audiences through her songs.

 

Danne Stråhed
Song: Hallaballoo
Songwriters: Danne Stråhed, Fredrik Andersson, Erik Stenhammar

Danne Stråhed has been a member of various bands since the mid-1970s and, as a member of the band Chinox, had connections with the then relatively unknown band AC/DC.

His musical roots are in Swedish folk music, with essences of South American and Caribbean vibes. His music, which is inspired by Scandi/Cajun sounds, has a strong appeal in audiences in Sweden.

 

THEOZ
Song: Som du vill
Songwriters: Tobias Lundgren, Axel Schylström, Tim Larsson, Elize Ryd, Jimmy ‘Joker’ Thörnfeldt

THEOZ is one of Sweden’s most famous influencers with over two million followers on all their social networks.

He started his career in 2018, at the age of just twelve, with the song Het. The music video for this song became the most popular one of the year in Sweden.

 

It is very likely for the next 14 contestants to be revealed in a week, Friday December the 3rd.

The detailed schedule of Melodifestivalen 2022 is described below:

  • First Semi on the 5th of February
  • Second Semi on the 12th of February
  • Third Semi on the 19th of Februrary
  • Fourth Semi on the 26th of February
  • Fifth Semi on the 5th of March
  • The Finals on the 12th of March

Oscar Zia will present Melodifestivalen 2022. The Semi-Finals will follow the touring concept once more (after the coronavirus outbreak), as usual, with the finals being held at Friends Arena! With the opening of the contest in Malmö, Saturday February the 5th, Melodifestivalen will be held in Göteborg, Linköping, Lidköping, Örnsköldsvik and then in Stockholm.

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all the developments related to the Swedish national selection for Eurovision 2022!

Sweden: Official Video Clip of Saade’s Every Minute is out!!

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The official video clip of Eric Saade’s Every Minute was released earlier today. This is the 4th time Eric Saade takes part in Melodifestivalen, the process through which Sweden choose its representative at Eurovision Song Contest.

Eric Saade with Every Minute is already in the Final of Melodifestivalen 2021 on 13th of March, after his qualification from the 4th Semi-Final.

Below you can watch the official video clip of Every Minute. Will it be uploaded at the official YouTube channel of Eurovision as the 60th Swedish entry? Let us know in the comments below!!

Sweden: “We felt an obligation to record this song” | The Mamas speak exclusively to the Eurovision Buddies!

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The Mamas, the female band that would represent Sweden at Eurovision 2020 and are participating in this year’s Melodifestivalen again this year, hoping to win a ticket to the competition again, spoke exclusively in the last Eurovision Buddies interview.

The band members, Ashley Haynes, Loulou Lamotte and Dinah Yonas Manna, explain to Giota and GOS the reasons that led them to re-register for the Melodifestivalen. How their new song, In the Middle, spoke directly to their souls and they hope the same will happen to the listeners.

They do not feel pressure to win. They declared participation like thousands of other artists and all they want to convey with this participation is love.

We did not expect to win last year. Neither in the bets, nor our posts were in the top3. We were shocked!

As for the competition now, it does not scare them. They look forward to hearing the rest of the Melodifestivalen 2021 songs and seeing their interpretations.

You can see their interview below:

For more Eurovision Buddies videos Like and Subscribe to their YouTube channel!

Sweden: Jessica Andersson ready for Melodifestivalen 2021. Klara Hammarström and Alvaro Estrella are in too.

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According to the always valid newspaper Aftonbladet, 3 more artists are ready to compete in the next Melodifestivalen.

The 3 new candidates

The first name is the 2003 winner Jessica Andersson, who is ready to take part for the eighth time in the Swedish process for Eurovision. Jessica Andersson made her Melodifestivalen debut in 2003 with the duet Fame and the song “Give Me Your Love”, and represented Sweden at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in 5th place. Her last participation in the Swedish selection was in 2018 with the song “Party Voice”. The song with which she is expected to participate is in the same style as the last one, modern uptempo schlagerpop.

 

 

The second name revealed by the newspaper is Klara Hammarström, who took part in this year’s Melodifestivalen with the song “Nobody” but without success. During the summer she took part in various songwriting camps for the Swedish selection process. According to a source of the newspaper, the people in charge of Melodifestivalen have asked for songs about this particular artist.

 

 

The third name revealed by Aftonbladet is that of Alvaro Estrella from Chile. Alvaro’s first appearance at the Melodifestivalen was in 2014 with the song “Bedroom” without success. His last attempt was in this year’s competition with the song “Vamos Amigos” with which he reached the final through the second chance round.

The artists who have confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2021 until now are:

  1. Julia Alfrida  (από τον ραδιοφωνικό διαγωνισμό P4 nästa)
  2. Tusse Chiza
  3. Sannex 
  4. Sami Rekik och Wahl
  5. The Mamas
  6. Dotter
  7. Jessica Andersson
  8. Klara Hammarström
  9. Alvaro Estrella

 

The full list of participants for Melodifestivalen 2021 is expected to be revealed by the end of November.

At this point, let us remind you that up to 2747 songs have been submitted for the upcoming Melodifestivalen.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun far all the developments as far as the participation of Sweden is concerned.

Sources: Aftonbladet ESCPanelen 

Sweden: The first names for Melodifestivalen 2021!

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Yesterday, the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet gave us the names of the first participants in Melodifestivalen 2021. We use the word “participants” because during the last years the information from Aftonbladet regarding the participants is almost accurate. For Melodifestivalen 2020, for instance, the paper predicted 23 of the 24 participants. The first three names that we will see at Melodifestivalen 2021 are Tusse Chiza, Sannex and Sami Rekik & Wahl.

Tusse

Tusse Chiza is 18 years old from the DR Congo and the winner of last year’s Idol. Christer Björkman as a guest judge at the time had made very positive comments about his talent and performance, so his participation comes as no surprise. “I’m waiting for you at the Melodifestivalen whenever you want,” Christer Björkman told him. During the summer Tusse participated in various songwriting camps looking for the song with which he will participate in Melodifestivalen 2021. Apart from Tusse himslef, Christer Bjöorkman was also looking for a song for Tusse.

 

Sannex

The Grammy awarded band Sannex will also be among the nominees for Melodifestivalen 2021. The Sannex were awarded a Grammy in 2017 for the Best Dance Band of the Year, and have received several other awards along the way.

Sami Rekik & Wahl

Two solo artists are joining their forces for Melodifestivalen 2021. Sami Rekik is 42 years old from Tunisia and part of the group Medina and Wahl ( full name Christopher Vahlberg) is 34 years old from Sweden and part of the group Södrasidan. The song with which the plan to take part will be a pop one with a structure that express the personal music style of both artists.

The full list of participants is expected to be revealed by the end of November.

Stay tuned on Eurovision Fun for all the developments regarding the participation of Sweden in Eurovision 2021

Source: Aftonbladet 

Sweden: The dates of Melodifestivalen 2021

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After the announcement that Melodifestivalen will not go on tour in 2021 and will be held only in Stockholm given the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, the national broadcaster, SVT, revealed today the exact dates on which the shows of Melodifestivalen will take place and through which the new representative of Sweden will be determined.

The 1st Semi Final: 6th February

The 2nd Semi Final: 13th February

The 3rd Semi Final: 20th February

The 4th Semi Final: 27th February

The Second Chance show: 6th March

The Grand Final: 13th March

Source: Eurovoix

Sweden: All the shows of Melodifestivalen 2021 in Stockholm

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According to always valid Aftonbladet newspaper’s article, all the competitive shows of Melodifestivalen 2021, the show through which  Sweden selects its representative for the Eurovision Song Contest, will be held at the capital city, Stockholm.

Traditionally the shows of Melodifestivalen are held in various cities all around the country with the final taking place in Stockholm. All the same, given the pandemic situation of COVID-19, there will be no Melodifestivalen tour in 2021. Initially this scenario was the back up plan of SVT but it will be implemented eventually, since neither the municipalities are eager to spend millions for shows that might not take place, nor the SVT wants to jeopardise its reputation by imperiling the public health.

Moreover, there are no decisions yet regarding the place of the show, whether it will be held in a studio or in a stadium. Questions arise as far as the tickets issuance is concerned.  Aftonbladet contacted the porject manager of the show Anette Helenius, who commented:

“We have nothing to comment at the moment. We will let you know as soon as we have something to announce”

Last but not least, according to the reputable newspaper, the presenter of the event will be the beloved of Swedish television David Sundin, who will not be alone on stage. Who will accompany him, we will get to know in due course.

Source: Aftonbladet

Sweden: Three more names for Melodifestivalen 2020

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Aftonbladet continues to reveal the participants in Melodifestivalen 2020. Shortly before, it added three more artists to 15 added so far , raising the number to 18 confirmed contestants.

Renaida returns and celebrates

Renaida has every reason to celebrate after she had a serious health issue last year. She was diagnosed with cancer, but eventually managed to overcome it without even having to undergo chemotherapy. The 22-year-old singer also participated in Melodifestivalen 2018 with “All The Feels”. Through the second chance round she reached the final, finishing ninth there! The song she will be attending is expected to be in the style of her previous engagement.

Ellen Benediktson is back too but in duet

Another return was revealed by Aftonbladet, that of Ellen Benediktson. The 24-year-old singer also participated in Melodifestivalen 2014, in the same semifinal with Elena Paparizou. She had then qualified with “Songbird” in the final and finished ninth there. She participated in the following year, but this time without going to the next round. In Melodifestivalen 2020 is expected to duet with Simon Peyron.

 

Featuring rap at Melodifestivalen 2020

Given the ever-increasing dynamics of rap music, Melodifestivalen producers eagerly wanted its representatives in its next release. The band OVÖ which became known in 2018 performing a song dedicated to Zara Larsson has already secured a place in the Melodifestivalen 2020 semifinals.

The artists who have so far confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2020

Thirteen contestants have so far secured a place in the Melodifestivalen 2020 semifinals:

-Amanda Aasa (from the P4 radio competition)
-Victor Crone
-Hanna Ferm
-Jakob Karlberg
-The Mamas
-Albin Johnsén
-Suzi P.
-Linda Bengtzing
-Frida Öhrn
-Paul Rey
-Drängarna
-Robin Bengtsson
-Anna Bergendahl
-Anis don Demina
-Thorsten Flinck
-Renaida
-Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron
-OVÖ (Finess & Ivory)

Two names have been targeted by SVT, but have not yet confirmed their involvement:

-Carola
-Eric Saade

Recall that 14 of the 28 participants of the Melodifestivalen result from the open invitation of  SVT to creators, 13 are selected through an invitation of  SVT and 1 is from the P4 Nästa radio competition.

In detail the program of Melodifestivalen 2020 is as follows:

Linkoping – First Semifinal – 1 February
Gothenburg – Second Semifinal – 8 February
Lulea – Third Semifinal – February 15
Malmo – Fourth Semifinal – February 22
Eskilestone – Second Opportunity – February 29
Stockholm – Final – 7 March

David Sundin, Linnea Henriksson and Lina Hedlund will all be presenting the six nights of the show. Aftonbladet correctly predicted 26 of the 28 Melodifestivalen 2019 names.

Source: Aftonbladet

Sweden: Linda Bengtzing returns to Melodifestivalen | Two more names are added to the list

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The list of artists we will see competing in the next Melodifestivalen grows. Three names have been added today, according to Aftonbladet, among them the legend of schlager musician and veteran of the competition, Linda Bengtzing!

Linda Bengtzing for the seventh time in the Melodifestivalen

This will be the seventh entry for Linda Bengtzing at Melodifestivalen, now 45 years old. Her first attempt was in 2005, with her fifth best in 2008. Her last attempt was in 2016, when she was excluded directly in the semifinals.

Her song will be in the style she knows best to serve, the pop schlager, a type of music that has been steadily coming to an end in recent years (see Jessica Andersson and Linda Hedlund).

Paul Rey is favorite, Frida Örn for fourth time

Frida Öhrn, 40, is preparing for her fourth appearance at Melodifestivalen. This will be her first involvement as a solo artist, having previously competed with groups that were then part of them.

Paul Rey is 27 years old and is thought to be one of the wonders of the Melodifestivalen 2020, as he is involved with a song among the favorites. This is his maiden entry into the competition, which he thinks as a springboard to get more people to know him.

The artists who have so far confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2020

Ten contestants have so far secured a place in the Melodifestivalen 2020 semifinals:

-Amanda Aasa (from P4 Nästa)
-Victor Crone
-Hanna Ferm
-Jakob Karlberg
-The Mamas
-Albin Johnsén
 -Suzi P.
– Liza Bengtzing
 -Frida Öhrn
 -Paul Rey

Two names have been targeted by SVT, but have not yet confirmed their involvement:

-Carola
-Eric Saade

Recall that 14 of the 28 participants of the Melodifestivalen result from the open invitation to SVT creators, 13 are selected through an invitation of SVT and 1 is from the P4 Nästa radio competition.

In detail the program of Melodifestivalen 2020 is as follows:
Linkoping – First Semifinal – 1 February
Gothenburg – Second Semifinal – 8 February
Lulea – Third Semifinal – February 15
Malmo – Fourth Semifinal – February 22
Eskilestone – Second Opportunity – February 29
Stockholm – Final – 7 March

David Sundin, Linnea Henriksson and Lina Hedlund will all be presenting the six nights of the show.

Source: Aftonbladet

Sweden: Two more names for Melodifestivalen | Eric Saade thinks seriously the prospects to join with the right song!

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Two more names for Melodifestivalen 2020 are revealed by Aftonbladet, while Eric Saade, who took third place for Sweden in 2011 with “Popular”, is reportedly targeting the country’s public broadcaster , SVT.

Albin Johnsén and Suzi P ready for Melodifestivalen 2020

Albin Johnsén, 30, and Suzi P, 16, are the two new artists revealed by Aftonbladet to take part in Melodifestivalen 2020.

Albin Johnsén had a huge hit in 2014 and competed in Melodifestivalen 2016 with Mattias Andréasson, with the song “Rik”, reaching the second chance round.

Suzi P is a young up-and-coming singer, very popular at an early age, and also participated in “Summer Holiday Morning”, a children’s show on Swedish public television.

Is Eric Saade coming back?

Eric Saade, 29, was the presenter of this year’s Melodifestivalen. He has already participated three times, making sense every time, and in 2011 he was the winner of the Melodifestivalen with “Popular”.

This song was a revival of Sweden in the competition, marking the end of its poor performance in scoring and the beginning of a decade, with results that almost always ended in the top ten but also two wins (2012 and 2015). .

Sources close to the singer say a fourth entry would have been of interest to him, as long as there was a proper song. In his latest recordings, however, he himself plays songs in Swedish lyrics. If he finally says yes to SVT, he has to choose between the Swedish verse he prefers or the English that strategically helps most.

The artists who have so far confirmed for Melodifestivalen 2020

Seven contestants have so far secured a place in the Melodifestivalen 2020 semifinals:

Amanda Aasa (from P4 Nästa)
Victor Crone
Hanna Ferm
Jakob Karlberg
The Mamas
Albin Johnsén
 Suzi P.

Two names have been targeted by SVT, but have not yet confirmed their participation:

Carola
Eric Saade

Recall that 14 of the 28 participants of the Melodifestivalen result from the open invitation to SVT creators, 13 are selected through an invitation to SVT and 1 is from the P4 Nästa radio competition.

In detail the program of Melodifestivalen 2020 is as follows:
Linkoping – First Semifinal – 1 February
Gothenburg – Second Semifinal – 8 February
Lulea – Third Semifinal – February 15
Malmo – Fourth Semifinal – February 22
Eskilestone – Second Opportunity – February 29
Stockholm – Final – 7 March
David Sundin, Linnea Henriksson and Lina Hedlund will all be presenting the six nights of the show.

Source: Aftonbladet