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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: Nordman, THEOZ, Kiana and Mariette are the four last finalists of the semi-final show of Melodifestivalen 2023!

Ninety minutes ago, the show for the semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2023, started off on SVT and SVT Play. And we are here to share the results of the night with you! 

The semi-final show took place at Hägglunds Arena, in Örnsköldsvik and four numbers were voted and are added up to the lineup that will have to perform on the 11th of March, when the finals will take place at Friends Arena.

But how things developed during the night?

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Sweden: The betting odds, just a few moments before the Melodifestivalen 2023 Semi-Final results!

The Melodifestivalen 2023 Semi-Final 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. All eight contestants will have to compete against each other tonight, in order to secure one of the last four finalist places.

Tonight’s contestants

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

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 four clear finalists and these are THEOZ, Kiana, Nordman and Tennessee Tears.

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 four of today’s competing artists do you think will be the last 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 Melodifestivalen 2023 Semi-Final show! (Live)

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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THEOZ: “Hopefully you will see me again at Melodifestivalen with an English song!” | Exclusive interview!

The 17-year-old Swedish heartthrob THEOZ, who is an artist, dancer and actor with over 2 million followers from all over the world on social media, debuted last year at Melodifestivalen 2022 by placing seventh. For a second year in a row he hopes to be selected to represent Sweden , with the song ”Mer av Dig” which is one of the favourites to qualify to the final at this weeks semi-final show.

Eurovisionfun is in Stockholm and THEOZ welcomed us at the headquarters of Warner Music Sweden and spoke exclusively to Andreas Papagiannakis, one day before he leaves for Örnsköldsvik to compete at the semi-final show this Saturday March the 4th! He commented on his appearance this year, the prospect of him touring internationally and one of the writers of his song Axel Schylström who also participated at the 4th heat with his song “Gorgeous”.

He is thrilled to be back at the contest and to experience all this adventure again, getting able to do what he loves the most: music.

He has felt the change over the years and after his experience at Melodifestivalen and also mentions:

I feel much more confident both in myself and my music too. I toured throughout Sweden during the summer and that made me feel relaxed and not so nervous anymore when I am on stage.

As for the prospect of him touring internationally, he commented:

It’s one of my biggest dreams to have a tour outside of Sweden, but currently it’s hard, as most of my songs are in Swedish. So maybe in the future, I hope that this dream will come true one day.

Axel Schylström is one of the writers of his 2023 and 2022 entries. THEOZ feels glad and comfortable that he collaborates with Axel again and he adds:

We are very close with Axel and he knows me as a person, so we have a very good connection. I really like to work with him, he has also written me other songs from my disgography, I think we are a good team.

Would there be any changes in his staging in the next show? THEOZ says that most of the time it’s hard to make any changes to a number, even if they are minor and also states:

I hope I can do changes, some minor improvements. I haven’t planned anything yet. But maybe I would do a big change if I advance to the final.

It was very big for him to perform at the 2nd Heat in Linköping, which is his hometown:

I feel like I was a little bit more nervous, because I had to do my best for the crowd in my hometown. But it was very cool. I was just out there living my best life. That time on stage in Linköping was my best time on stage, was so much fun and made me have many emotions to represent my hometown right in my hometown.

He had never performed in Örnsköldsvik before and he feels excited for this first time, next Saturday.

With regards to this year’s Melodifestivalen songs, he loves “Never Give Up” by Maria Sur and of course “Tattoo” by Loreen, he was totally shocked seeing Loreen’s performance on stage.

Watch our full exlcusive interview with THEOZ below:

Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel to be the first to enjoy interviews, reaction videos and Live streams for our favorite contest!

Stay tuned to Eurovisionfun for all Eurovision related news!

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

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: The Second Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat had the lowest TV ratings since 2006!

SVT saw almost a massive 65.000 viewer-decrease in ratings compared to the 1st Heat and a drop of over 100.000 viewers compared to last year’s show. That led to SVT getting a total of 2.731.000 viewers for last week’s show, however, MMS has not revealed the viewing share for this heat.

That means that last week’s show figures were the third lowest rating numbers for a Melodifestivalen Second Heat of all time. The last time there were lower ratings was back in 2006 when the show was in parallel with the Winter Olympics held in Turin, Italy.


Second Heat Results

  • Direct finalists

Maria Sur – Never Give Up
Panetoz – On My Way

  • Semi-final qualifiers

THEOZ – Mer av dig
Tennessee Tears – Now I Know


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 18th, Melodifestivalen will take place in Lidköping, then Malmö and Örnsköldsvik follow 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!

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson
Source: MMS

Sweden: Maria Sur and Panetoz are the two direct finalists of the Second Heat of Melodifestivalen 2023!

Ninety minutes ago, the show for the Second 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 Maria Sur – “Never Give Up” and Panetoz – “On My Way”  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!

Today, SVT welcomes us in Linköping at Saab Arena, with the next show of the contest taking place on Saturday February the 18th in Lidköping, then Malmö and Örnsköldsvik follow and finally the final show in Stockholm on the 11th of March.

Initially went through the direct finalists and the semi-finalists and then they show us this show’s contestants! Of course, when Theoz‘ name was heard, the entire crowd went manic! Linköping, Theoz’ hometown is this week’s host city of the show!

The performances

  • Wiktoria –All My Life (Where Have You Been)

First up on stage, Wiktoria with her song “All My Life (Where Have You Been)”.

It’s a typical modern pop Swedish song, with a few 70s/80s elements. She was vocally impeccable as usual, she began the song alone on stage standing on a staircase prop. Later, two dancers joined her but then they became four in total. The staircase moved away, and a large W showed up behind her.

What a glamorous stage look, pink and purple dominated the colour palette, lots of glitter and glow went on, but still, you couldn’t take your eyes off Wiktoria. At the same time the song also can captivate you, the lyrics stick into your head and make you wanna get up and dance!

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Eden –Comfortable

Second contestant was the debutant Eden and her song “Comfortable”.

As a song, it gave me Samira Manners vibes from her participation last year with “I Want to Be Loved”, which of course I consider less powerful and interesting than Samira’s song. A ballad with an acoustic style Eden’s vocals have improved a bit, compared to how she sounded like at her rehearsals.

Initially on stage sitting on a stool with a guitarist also sitting next to her and then a small orchestra appeared in the background consisting of three violins and a bass, in a minimalistic (but not so much in a good way) staging where not much was happening. Not that the song can make you even think that anything wow would happen during this performance.

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Uje Brandelius –Grytan

Third performance of the show was another debutant, Uje Brandelius, with his song “Grytan”.

By no means is that a bad song, but since we’re talking about potential Eurovision contestants, I personally got bored within the first ten seconds. The song was not interesting, there was no peak at any point, it’s totally flat.

Regarding its staging, the only interesting feature of it, were the colors of the Swedish flag that dominated the props and the clothes of the people on stage. Three ladies who are his backing vocalists, joined him too, perhaps that was the only highlight of this participation, their perfect harmonies.

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Panetoz –On My Way

Fourth number for today, Panetoz with their song “On my Way”, their third participation in the Swedish national final, seven entire years after their last participation, which was back in 2016.

The title makes you think that you will listen to a full English song, but it’s not. It is entirely in Swedish with a few English words and phrases here and there. They’re quite good vocally, I must admit!

The party vibes were also here, I saw similarities in style with Medina but also with this year’s Elov & Beny. The setting was quite summery, if only we could sunbathe right now, the background on the LED screen makes you wanna time-teleport somewhere in July 2023!

Two female dancers joined Panetoz and they altogether started a party on stage. It’s a very joyful and uplifting song, which makes you wanna dance to its beat even if you don’t understand exactly what the lyrics say!

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Tennessee Tears –Now I Know

The duo Tennessee Tears debuted at Melodifestivalen with their song “Now I Know, and they were the fifth performance of the Second Heat show.

They gave me “Calm After the Storm” by the Dutch country rock duo The Common Linnets that placed 2nd at Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen. They were vocally great; they also fixed some issues that they had with their harmonies in some of their rehearsals!

The staging was simple, but warm and nice, fitted the song and the image of the singers totally. Lights, colours and warm sunset and countryside sceneries and three kids playing dominated the backdrop LED screen. That was one of the most aesthetically pleasing stagings I’ve seen today.

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Maria Sur –Never Give Up

Sixth number for today, the highly anticipated Ukrainian contestant Maria Sur, debuting with her song “Never Give Up”.

Maria got widely known in Sweden after she participated in a concert helping raise money for Ukraine, then she got signed off by Warner Sweden and everything after that is history. The song is a mid-tempo power ballad, one could say that it is not that modern as it reminds me a bit of the ballads of the 10s, but I can totally understand why the voting viewers could potentially like this.

Maria has a big voice and, unlike her surname which in Swedish means sour/mad/angry she is very very sweet! Today she totally nailed her performance! WOW! What a song ending! She gave it all!

The staging though was what took the song to another level! Much work had been done here. While it was nothing super-original, it was engaging! Initially alone but then the 6 backing vocalists appeared behind her like halos! I could easily see this entry win the whole thing, but let’s not foresee things too much in advance, we have two more heats and fourteen more songs.

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • THEOZ –Mer av dig

Last number for this heat of the week, the Linköping sweetheart Theoz, with his (Swedish once more) song “Mer av dig”. Last year somewhere around mid-March, in the interview we’ve done together, he was not sure if he would ever participate in Melodifestivalen again. Now we already see him in his hometown, Linköping, competing for a second year in a row!

As for his song, it’s a happy and uplifting Swedish pop song entirely in Swedish, Theoz distinctive style and I’m sure his fans in Sweden will stream it like hell when it gets released. Vocally he was quite good, taking into account that he has an intense choreography that he has to perform at the same time.

Regarding the staging, he initially appears to be alone but eventually the in-house Melodifestivalen dancers and his choreographer (who almost always takes part in his performances) joined him up on stage, we saw lots of Theoz signature moves here. It was all about lights and camerawork and the LED backdrop plays a colourful mosaic pallete. And fireworks. And an eye wink. We could hear there were many of his fans in the arena going crazy over him. He also served a nice key change. 

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

After all the performances were complete, the presenters interviewed the contestants and after that there was a recap of all the numbers of the show, as usual.

A small tribute to Thomas G:son and the songs he had composed followed. Last Saturday, Thomas G:son was suddenly expelled from the Greenroom during Heat 1 in Gothenburg. The whole thing was staged before the Melodifestival profile is now elected into the Melodifestivalen Hall of Fame. In today’s heat in Linköping, Thomas G:son joined the star-studded crowd that has grown up in the years since the Hall of Fame was formed.

The first voting round

The first direct qualifier to the finals is: Maria Sur – “Never Give Up”

The Intervals

In addition, the Melodifestivalen veterans, Linda Bengtzing and Magnus Carlsson stepped up on stage in a real song duel. Linda and Magnus have both competed eight times each in Melodifestivalen. Now, through a medley of their competition songs, they fought for space in a raging battle, during the second voting round. 

Winners of viewer age-bands

Winner of the age-band 3-9 years old is: THEOZ – “Mer av dig”

Winner of the age-band 10-15 years old is: Panetoz – “On My Way”

Winner of the age-band 16-29 years old is: Panetoz – “On My Way”

Winner of the age-band 30-44 years old is: THEOZ – “Mer av dig”

Winner of the age-band 45-59 years old is: Panetoz – “On My Way”

Winner of the age-band 60-74 years old is: Tennessee Tears – “Now I Know”

Winner of the age-band 75+ years old is: Tennessee Tears – “Now I Know”

Winner of the televoting is: Tennessee Tears – “Now I Know”

Final Results

·       Direct qualifiers

First voting round winner: Maria Sur – “Never Give Up”
Second voting round winner: Panetoz – “On My Way”

·       Qualifiers at the semi-final

First qualifier: THEOZ – “Mer av dig”
Second qualifier: Tennessee Tears – “Now I Know”

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 Second Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat results!

Melodifestivalen 2023 Second 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. Wiktoria – All My Life
  2. Eden – Comfortable 
  3. Uje Brandelius – Grytan
  4. Panetoz – On My Way
  5. Tennessee Tears – Now I Know
  6. Maria Sur – Never Give Up
  7. THEOZ – Mer av dig

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 Maria Sur and Theoz.

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 Panetoz and Wiktoria 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 Second Melodifestivalen 2023 Heat! (Live)

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

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! Of course, when Theoz‘ name was heard, the entire crowd went manic! Linköping, Theoz’ hometown is this week’s host city of the show!

The performances

  • Wiktoria –All My Life (Where Have You Been)

First up on stage, Wiktoria with her song “All My Life (Where Have You Been)”.

It’s a typical modern pop Swedish song, with a few 70s/80s elements. She’s vocally impeccable as usual, she begins the song alone on stage standing on a staircase prop. Later, two dancers join her but then they become four in total. The staircase moves away, and a large W shows up behind her.

What a glamorous stage look, pink and purple dominate the colour palette, lots of glitter and glow going on, but still, you can’t take your eyes off Wiktoria. At the same time the song also captivates you, the lyrics stick into your head and make you wanna get up and dance! Is she going to directly qualify to the finals? Let’s see!

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Eden –Comfortable

Next up on stage, it’s debutant Eden and her song “Comfortable”.

As a song, it gives me Samira Manners vibes from her participation last year with “I Want to Be Loved”, which of course I consider less powerful and interesting than Samira’s song. A ballad with an acoustic style Eden’s vocals have improved massively, compared to how she sounded like at her rehearsals yesterday.

Initially on stage sitting on a stool with a guitarist also sitting next to her and then a small orchestra appears in the background consisting of three violins and a bass, in a minimalistic (but not so much in a good way) staging where not much is happening. Not that the song makes you even think that anything wow would happen during this performance.

For me, from what I see, I’m sorry to say that, but I don’t think she stands a chance to even make it to the semi-final.

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Uje Brandelius –Grytan

Third performance of the show is another debutant, Uje Brandelius, with his song “Grytan”.

By no means is that a bad song, but since we’re talking about potential Eurovision contestants, I personally got bored within the first ten seconds. The song is not interesting, there’s no peak at any point, it’s totally flat.

Regarding its staging, the only interesting feature of it, are the colors of the Swedish flag that dominate the props and the clothes of the people on stage. Three ladies who are his backing vocalists, join him too, perhaps that’s the only highlight of this participation, their perfect harmonies.

Another non-qualifier for this week’s semi-final, poor debut at Melodifestivalen for Uje, in my opinion.

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Panetoz –On My Way

Fourth for their rehearsal, here Panetoz come with their song “On my Way”, their third participation in the Swedish national final, seven entire years after their last participation, which was back in 2016.

The title makes you think that you will listen to a full English song, but it’s not. It is entirely in Swedish with a few English words and phrases here and there. They’re quite good vocally, I must admit!

The party vibes are also here, I see similarities in style with Medina but also with this year’s Elov & Beny. The setting is quite summery, if only we could sunbathe right now, the background on the LED screen makes you time-travel somewhere in July 2023!

Two female dancers join Panetoz and they altogether start a party on stage. It’s a very joyful and uplifting song, which makes you wanna dance to its beat even if you don’t understand exactly what the lyrics say! I had foreseen that their song would have a crowd-effect and here it is. I can see it happening! Maybe they will qualify to the semi-finals. Let’s see what happens tomorrow!

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Tennessee Tears –Now I Know

The duo Tennessee Tears debuts at Melodifestivalen with their song “Now I Know, and they’re the fifth performance of the Second Heat show.

They give me “Calm After the Storm” by the Dutch country rock duo The Common Linnets that placed 2nd at Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen. They are vocally great; they’ve also fixed some issues that they had with their harmonies in yesterday’s rehearsals!

The staging is simple, but warm and nice, fits the song and the image of the singers totally. Lights, colours and warm sunset and countryside sceneries and three kids playing dominate the backdrop LED screen. That’s the most aesthetically pleasing staging I’ve seen until now, in this Heat. For me that could be a surprise semi-final qualifier, but let’s not forget that there are Panetoz too claiming for that position.

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • Maria Sur –Never Give Up

Next up on stage, the highly anticipated Ukrainian contestant Maria Sur, debuting with her song “Never Give Up”.

Maria got widely known in Sweden after she participated in a concert helping raise money for Ukraine, then she got signed off by Warner Sweden and everything after that is history. The song is a mid-tempo power ballad, one could say that it is not that modern as it reminds me a bit of the ballads of the 10s, but I can totally understand why the voting viewers could potentially like this. Maria has a big voice and, unlike her surname which in Swedish means sour/mad/angry she is very very sweet! At some points, though, she kind of lost it, maybe she’s anxious? In-ear problems? Tomorrow they will all be gone! Bow WOW! What a song ending! She gave it all!

The staging though, takes the song to another level! Much work has been done here. While it is nothing super-original, it is engaging! Initially alone but then the 6 backing vocalists appear behind her like halos! I could easily see this entry win the whole thing, but let’s not comment too much in advance, we have two more heats multiplied by seven songs to see. So I would hold my horses for now and I would say that Maria could dethrone Wiktoria from the direct finalist position in this Heat. Let’s see! (Farah interviews her right after she gets off stage)

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

  • THEOZ –Mer av dig

Last rehearsal for this heat of the week, the Linköping sweetheart Theoz, with his (Swedish once more) song “Mer av dig”. Last year somewhere around mid-March, in the interview we’ve done together, he was not sure if he would ever participate in Melodifestivalen again. This year we already see him in his hometown, Linköping, competing for a second year in a row!

As for his song, it’s a happy and uplifting Swedish pop song entirely in Swedish, Theoz distinctive style and I’m sure his fans in Sweden will absolutely love this. Vocally he is improved compared to his performance yesterday at the camera rehearsals.

Regarding the staging, he initially appears to be alone but eventually the in-house Melodifestivalen dancers and his choreographer (who almost always takes part in his performances) join him up on stage, we see lots of Theoz signature moves here. It’s all about lights and camerawork and the LED backdrop plays a colourful mosaic pallete. And fireworks. And an eye wink. As this is a family rehearsal too, we could hear there are many of his fans in the arena going crazy over him. Now, will he qualify to the final show? I can see a direct-to-the-finals contestant here. For Theoz, Linköping is home, after all!

Oh, I almost forgot. We have one more key change. Nice! Ear-candy! Nu kör vi Theoz!

Photo: SVT/Alma Bengtsson

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.

A small tribute to Thomas G:son and the songs he had composed follows. Last weekend, Thomas G:son was suddenly expelled from the Greenroom during Heat 1 in Gothenburg. The whole thing was staged before the Melodifestival profile is now elected into the Melodifestivalen Hall of Fame. In Saturday’s partial competition from Linköping, Thomas G:son joins the star-heavy crowd that has grown up in the years since the Hall of Fame was formed.

The first voting round

The virtual direct qualifiers to the finals are: Eden – Comfortable and Maria Sur – Never Give Up!

The Intervals

In addition, the Melodifestivalen veterans, Linda Bengtzing and Magnus Carlsson step on stage in a real song duel. Linda and Magnus have both competed eight times each in Melodifestivalen. Now, through a medley of their competition songs, they are fighting for space in a raging battle, during the second voting round.

Second voting round

Virtual winner of the age-band 3-9 years old is: Maria Sur – Never Give Up

Virtual winner of the age-band 10-15 years old is: Tennessee Tears – Now I Know

Virtual winner of the age-band 16-29 years old is: Wiktoria – All My Life

Virtual winner of the age-band 30-44 years old is: Uje Brandelius – Grytan

Virtual winner of the age-band 45-59 years old is: Panetoz – On My Way

Virtual winner of the age-band 60-74 years old is: Maria Sur – Never Give Up

Virtual winner of the age-band 75+ years old is: Tennessee Tears – Now I Know

Virtual winner of the televoting is: Wiktoria – All My Life

A prediction

I believe that Theoz (he’s got a super-dedicated fanbase in Sweden) and Maria Sur will directly qualify to the finals. For the semi-final qualifiers, it will probably be Wiktoria (who I foresee that might lose her DTF position over Maria Sur) and Panetoz (this week it’s a hard one, I want Tennessee Tears to qualify to the semifinalen too). It all depends on how Maria Sur will do. 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
Photos: SVT/Alma Bengtsson