Swedish Television, SVT, has released some pictures of how the Melodifestivalen 2014 stage will look. Portable pannels and more lights and colours are some major characteristics of the futuristic plan from production designer Viktor Brattström.
For the next six weeks, artists will have the opportunity to sing on a floating scene. There will be also portable LED lights, which will give the stage a unique look—and one that can be changed constantly. “We have also removed the green-room, from the back to the right edge of the arena,” Brattström told SVT. “This will give a different look from last year’s standards.”
For the final—to be held in Friends Arena, Stockholm—the stage, as well as its effects, will be expanded to fill the room. It’ll basically be the semi-finals on steroids.
SVT has also released a sneak peak of the Eurovision trailer for Sweden, which will be shown on TV from the 26th of January. The #melfest hosts, Nour El Refai and Anders Jansson, appear energetic and seem to have a good sense of humour, giving us a taste of how they will present the shows. You can watch it here.
Melodifestivalen 2014 starts on Saturday, the 1st of February, in Malmö Arena, and will end with the grand final in Stockholm, on the 8th of March.
As for the betting odds so far, Sanna Nielsen appears first, with Alcazar and Anton Ewald following her. Helena Paparizou is doing well, in 4th place (which is higher than a few weeks ago). YOHIO has ended up in the 5th place.
Billy Xifaras contributed this report from Greece. Follow him on Twitter at @bill_xifaras. You can also keep up-to-date on the latest Eurovision news and liking our Facebook page.
Loving it & the lights are going to look so cool!!
I liked the stage: it looks small but at the same, why do we need to have always a bigger than life sort of stage. I certainty don’t want to look at the performers as if they were tiny ants in the middle of a vast dark desert. This looks fine by me … What I personally find a bit hard to read is all this supposed favouritism around Sanna Nielsen. Is Sweden really going for schalger again? Oh my god … but for MF Kempe does nothing else but Schlager and when he does ballads … only Moving On… Read more »
The betting odds are somewhat unreliable without the songs having been released yet… if anyone were betting on the outcome, I would suggest they actually listen to the songs as soon as they’re released.
As for the hosts, I’ll miss shirtless fireman Danny for sure. 😉
I think Maria Sernelhorny was a terrible host. And her song Salt N Peppa the following year was really bad lol
This year’s Mello is looking to be really great. Last year was one year I’d like to forget if I’m being honest. The dialogue between Danny and and Gina was flat, the intro before each act performing was awkward for those who lacked confidence and the overall selection of songs was rather underwhelming. Now that hosting the contest is over it seems like there’s more of an energy again and the catalogue of artists that will compete is promising that there will be great diversity and appeal. Anders Jansson is a really funny guy and I think both hosts will… Read more »