Entries for Melodifestivalen 2017 closed earlier this week, and already broadcaster SVT has revealed that they have received 2478 entries — 28 more than 2016’s total.
The 2478 total includes songs from a wide variety of sources — some come directly from major record labels, others come from established singers and songwriters, and 362 entries come from the general public.
Now the songs are left to be assessed, under the leadership of new jury chair and deputy contest producer of Melodifestivalen, Karin Gunnarsson. The team is tasked with whittling that down to 28 songs, 14 from the songs submitted in the open call, 13 from invited artists, and one being the winner of Svensktoppen nästa, Les Gordons.
Melfest producer Christer Björkman says this year they’re aiming to get as many new songwriters in the show as possible, and that they’ve already received a good response. “One reason that the songwriters who never previously competed in the contest now feel attracted could be that half the entries had such amazing chart success last spring,” he explained.
So we know where and when the Melfest shows will be held, and also know that Les Gordons are the first confirmed participants, but who will the other 27 acts be?
Over the past few weeks, we’ve noticed some Melfest stars posting pics to social media of them hard at work in the studio, but now even more Swedish stars appear to have been recording new material ahead of the deadline. Is Mello 2017 in their sights as well?
Velvet
Three-time Melfest contestant and queen of the Euroclub, Velvet has been spotted in the studio. Is this fourth time lucky for the Melfest legend?
Dinah Nah
Dinah Nah, who made a splash in 2015 with “Make Me (La La La)”, has been busy in the studio. Could she be planning another Melfest attempt?
Amanda Winberg
Swedish Idol 2015 runner-up Amanda Winberg posted this pic from inside a recording studio. Could she be making her Melfest debut?
Johnny Edlind
Model and reality TV star Johnny Edlind has been spotted in the studio with legendary Melfest songwriter Fredrik Kempe. Johnny was rumoured to be a Melfest act for 2016, but later denied this. Could it instead be happening for him in 2017? (Btw, his Instagram is very good, if you like Swedish models…)
Alvaro Estrella
Alvaro Estrella, who competed in Melodifestivalen 2014 with “Bedroom”, has been finishing up something in the studio. Is it time for another shot at Melfest?
Wiktoria
The It Girl of Melfest 2016, Wiktoria has captured this slice of studio life. Will 2017 be her chance to better her fourth place from 2016?
Ida LaFontaine
Lilla Melodifestivalen 2011 star Ida LaFontaine shared this pic from the recording studio. Will 2017 be her time to debut at the big Melfest?
Simon Zion
Simon Zion, the second runner-up of Swedish Idol has been hard at work in the studio with his band. Will he debut his chilled-out sound at Melodifestivalen?
I hope for Ace Wilder!
Does it mean something that Krista Siegfrids signed a contract with Universal Sweden? And she told that she is making new songs?
All these years I always said that I wanted to learn Swedish solely because I don’t understand anything during Melfest. But even then, they do make good shows. Looking forward those in February and March. Bow down to Sweden! 😛
Molly Pettersson Hammar has been occasionally posting snippets of songs on her Instagram “story”. Definitely new songs, only started posting them after the September 1st requirement, and with captions such as “you know what it is”. Crossing my fingers!
I’m already bored seeing most of the names here. But Swedes have proved they have good taste, so we can expect another good potencial radiofriendly hit 🙂
DINAH NAH YAAAAAAAAAAS QUEEN
Winberg not Windberg
Velvet, please give us modern dance track 🙂
Ida, Amanda and Simon <3