Gothenburg is calling — and with it the seven acts of Melodifestivalen 2020 Semi-Final 2. Klara Hammarström slipped into a body suit and did her best to channel Eleni Foureira, while Jan Johansen accepted a last-minute call to compete after Thorsten Flinck was disqualified. Linda Bengtzing served schlager diva realness, while Paul Rey blurred the screen to hide his questionable dancing ability. And in the end two acts acts advanced direkt till final från deltävling 2: Anna Bergendahl (“Kingdom Come”) and Dotter (“Bulletproof”), while Paul Rey (“Talking in My Sleep”) and Méndez feat. Alvaro Estrella (“Vamos amigos”) will live to sing another day in the Second Chance round Andra Chansen.
Below are the comments are Tobias posted on Instagram during the afternoon’s dress rehearsal. Do you think the best songs made it through? Do any of these songs stand a chance of surviving Andra Chansen and making an impact in the final? Let us know in the comments down below!
I am so happy for Dotter. She though that she would place 5th as best. And after her 6th place last time she said “ never melfest” again. She was so, so happy.
Bulletproof: A solid performance, great staging, modern, get stuck in your head easily and Eurovision-material. The only thing I have against it is the unoriginality of the song. I was watching my phone more than her performance, the effects were nice but nothing really did it for me. Too much like all other songs I hear on the radio everyday. Would do well in Rotterdam though – many countries would kill to compete with a song like that! Kingdom Come: Also very solid, very professional, Anna is instantly charming and the song is good too. The whole package seems ready… Read more »
Your analysis is very interesting
The first time two female lead artists have qualified direct together since 2009. How is that possible. As of now, Dotter is my pick for Rotterdam. This would shine. Anna had a good live but if you take away the performance the song is quite boring.
Both of them need a new make up artists. They are much prettier normally.
i bet you dont know how to behave in normal life either?
That it’s true
I bet you love to bully people and think you are perfect yourself
I’ve been hoping the EBU would reconsider the number of people on stage for years. Makes no sense to keep it at 6 when stages are a couple of times larger than they were when they implemented the rule. I’d increase it to 7 + 2 backing vocalists behind the stage. I wouldn’t increase the number of people singing. I’d leave it at 6 but give more room for amazing choreography and staging solutions. Anna’s performance displayed my vision perfectly. 6 is just not enough for that song. She’d have to lose 2 dancers and only have 1 backing singer.… Read more »
From my personal perspective, Anna Bergendahls’ song and performance didn’t do anything for me but in other hand, Dotter: she was best act of the night. The staging and performance were really good. I wasn’t a fan of the song from the beginning but after I watched her performance yesterday I got so obsessed. She is my favorite so far in Melodifestivalen 2020 and we have heard 14/28 songs so far, anything can happen.
Don’t know if anyone cares but starting in 2015, 22 songs have competed in the heats of Melodifestivalen having been drawn in the closing slot. Only one of these songs has not qualified DTF or for Andra Chansen. Of the songs that have qualified for Andra Chansen from this spot, only one did not win their duel and go onto the final.
With a 91% statistical chance, I think it’s safe for Mohombi and Hanna to book hotels in Stockholm if needsbe.
Very interesting! Out of curiosity, which two songs were they (the one that didn’t get to AC and the one that went but didnt win their dual?).
Directly eliminated: Margaret (2019) and for AC: Loreen (2017)
I don’t think Anna’s song deserved to go DTF. What do you even guys see in this song? The staging was cool (because it was made by Zain & Dennis, who also did the staging for Robin and The Mamas last week), but the song was uninteresting and boring. My qualifiers were Dotter and Mendez & Alvaro.
I think this one was this year’s worst semifinal. I loved semifinal 1 and I’m really excited for semifinal 3 and 4.
AND HOW THE HELL IS ANNA 1ST IN THE ODDS
convince yourself
You cannot expres anything negative about swedish contestants without getting downvoted? The comment above are balanced, he just dont fancy Annas song.
anna is first because her song is more catchy for the most people – dotter singing also very often “bulletproof” in the lyrics – further is the stunning never seen before lightshow the star – not the song – the is ok but nothing like loreen have in her win.
from the first 2 semis anna and dotter are the best choice for rotterdam.
and if dotter really wins the melo we have a lightshowangel against a white angel(i hope it so) from ukraine on stage – that could be interesting.
Could be an exciting battle between Anna and Dotter, since I think Anna will be overlooked by the juries (as usual), but loved by the viewers. For Dotter it´s the opposite way – probably very high with juries but quite low with viewers.
Personally I prefer Dotter seven days a week. Schlager – modern or not – is not much appreciated outside Scandinavia, and the Swedes have experienced that several times before. So why send Anna who would possibly qualify but then end up like 20th in the final?!
GO DOTTER!!
Both Anna and Dotter deserved to go DTF in such a good semifinal (so far it’s been one of my favourite Melfest shows in the last few years, serving real music quality and diversity).
We all expected Anna to be in the final, she did a great performance and got the public on her side, but I have to admit Dotter overshadow her, she was the big surprise of the night, great vocals, amazing visuals and a song I can’t get out of my head since then.
Looking also forward to Mariette and Hanna’s songs in the coming Saturdays.
Well for me The Mamas is still number 1.
HMm wish they could steal dotters top, I mean think seeing 3 disco divas on stage singing gospelish type of song..that is a ESC fan wet dream!
What do you people see in Anna Bergendahl??? Every year the same, this is Schlager for me. Do you know German Schlager or Musikantenstadl? This is it, it’s something Helene Fischer or Andrea Berg would sing. It’s a very hard no from me. On the other hand we have Dotter: amazing! Interesting voice, great song, a little alternative. A breath of fresh air in a competition full of generic, bland manufactured “songs”. Hope she wins, but as this is Sweden, she won’t.
I think she could win. I agree that Dotter would be way more memorable in Eurovision than Anna, still Anna could get a top 10 placement to me. The entry is good. But if Sweden wants a chance to win then it should go with Bulletproof yes 🙂
well Sweden has not send a Schlager anthem for a long time and they are masters in writing perfect Schlagerpop songs. Bulletproof is just another Sia copy (i love it btw, but its not as amazing as you think)
Noone, I share your tast that Dotter is sooo good. But Cry was better. I think that those in Sweden that like more alternative different songs here in Sweden don’t look at Melodifestivalen, and if they do as a parent or whith friends, they don’t download the voting app. The same thing whith Lorens Statement. I love Annas voice and personality and the prperformace. But the song was to much schlager, I agree. But I think the song is a song that grannies , mothers and children vote for. Dotter, is for a smaller group. But I hope I have… Read more »
Since yesterday Dotter has skyrocketed in the odds!
1. Anna Bergendahl (+2)
2. Hanna Ferm (-1)
3. Dotter (+11)
4. The Mamas (=)
5. Robin (=)
I guess Sweden will have a female representative for the first time in what seems like 100 years 🙂
Why does it matter to some people whether a country sends a male or female singer? No one seemed to complain when Ukraine, Albania and Spain sent female singers for 10 years straight. Why is there so much bias towards Female singers in the Eurovision community. Men have just as much right to compete in Eurovision as women do.
So well said!
Maybe because in the last 4 years Sweden mostly picked male bland songs over female bangers ? I mean when Bishara ended up #2 last year while Wiktoria, Anna or Lisa couldn’t even get a top5 finish… it becomes annoying.
But that’s just a subjective thing. Maybe you’re not so keen on the songs Mans, Frans, Robin and John brought to the table but it seems like a lot of people were fans. You don’t win Melodifestivalen without having a lot of fans. Your opinion isn’t fact and I think many people in the Eurovision community don’t understand that. I completely get that it’s annoying to see your favourite songs not do well, but you need to respect that maybe some people liked the other songs more. Gender shouldn’t and doesn’t matter in terms of picking a singer. As long… Read more »
Normal people dont know these facts. They dont even know who represented them last year. So no big deal
Because women have traditionally been severely underrepresented in not just music, but every aspect of life.
Pineaple. You have off course right that men have as much right to compete.
But… I feel as a Swedish woman that it’s time for a female from Sweden in ESC, I am not ok whith the fact that we, the Swedish women always vote for men. In the melfest, in let’s dance, in the Swedish’s idol, Sweden got talent etc. And it’s mainly women that are interested in the kind of tv-shows and we the women are the majority of the alduls that vote. Time to support our sisters.
Last year every woman finished in the bottom of the televote one by one until the male acts were left (with the exception of Nano). Since they had different songs (in terms of genre etc) I think that’s very telling that Sweden would prefer male singers with so so songs rather than women with a powerful ballad or a banger or antoher type of song
I think sweden always prefer an upptempo song. We have extremely high expectations of a ballad. There has been a tradition that it has to be an uptempo schlager many years ago.
You know the melfest is supposed to be a party in our darkest time of the year.
make odds reaslly sense without semi 3+4?
nobody knows the songs from semi 3+4.
Oh lovely Anna, I have to admit that this looks very good after all and can easily see it on the Eurovision stage.
Dotter’s Sia-esque song is fine too, although I feel I’m missing something.
Melodifestivalen is difinitely warming up after a weak start last week.
i’m addicted to bulletproof since euphoria & heroes it’s my first
Honestly Sweden.. You can stop the selection and pick Anna or dotter! They can get very high at ESC.
anna and her (whole) song was better than expected.
whatever coming in semi 3 or 4 it must be very good to beat her in the final.
A sadly boring semifinal where the lack of interest ensured the fanboys entries went through. To be fair, Anna’s song was lyrically interesting and the act overall was enhanced by the dancers. The only other person of quality was Linda Bengtzing but her song was lagging behind the triumph of her energy. The Mamas and Robin are still head and shoulders over this lot.
Respectfully, I disagree with your assessment of the songs that went through. Though I agree that Linda had great energy and I wish she could have gone through.
Best,
A fanboy (who alas wasn’t able to vote)
Do you ever feel like the songs we get at Melo are just rehashes of other, previous songs? I long for something new and innovative. Alas, I didn’t here anything new last night which is why I was bored.
Certainly I do feel that way with some songs. And there is no doubt that most songs remind me a little bit of songs I’ve heard before. However I think that’s just the nature of most pop music. Were last nights performances a complete rehash of previous songs? For the most part, no. Most artists stayed pretty ‘true’ to their usual style but I personally wouldn’t go so far as to say they are just rehashes of previous songs. Just imo.
If Sweden is actually going to send Anna to Eurovision they’re not even going to qualify
I like Anna’s song but I would get rid of the dancers. She doesn’t need them, she owned the stage all on her own
I don’t mind the dancers, I just find their costumes a little strange.
I on the other hand love their outfits. It’s unexpected and doesn’t clash with the song. Makes it even more fun and playful.
After listening to them again, i think Bulletproof and Kingdom Come are really good songs. I would be happy with any of them going to Eurovision. I wonder if other entries will be better in SF3 and SF4. Otherwise this Melfest edition is so far wayyyy better than last year’s.
F*ck me. Anna needs to win. That performance was a winning one! Loved it to bits. It builds and it builds to a real climax. And i think everyone deserves a second chance. My favourite for sure. I also loved Dotter’s song, but she lacks personality. Paul Rey was a huge dissappointment. Good song, but bro, where is your voice? Mendez giving us a summerbop, loving it aswell.
Dotter wow the best staging of ANY ESC related acts so far! And also congrats to Anna and her. First time we have two ladies with DTF in a Melfest Semi for a while. Dotter definitely set the standards high for Melfest this year. Let’s see if Mariette and Hanna Fern will live up to their expectations!
staging is not all – song is weak.
Disagree, this is for me personally the only good song this year.
Anna was my personal favourite this week. I had high expectations considering Ashes to Ashes was my favourite from Melodifestivalen last year, yet she’s exceeded my expectations with Kingdom Come, and I’m so so happy she’s in the final. Paul Rey was my other favourite, and whilst I’m shocked he’s in Andra Chansen, I’m happy he’s still in the competition. Whilst I think Dotter’s song is good, and I really liked the staging, I was a bit surprised she went direct to final.
Anna Bergendahl was my absolute favourite of this semi final. She looked and sounded amazing to me, and I had very high expectations for Anna, as I loved Ashes to Ashes last year, but somehow to me, she’s exceeded my expectations and I absolutely love Kingdom Come. Paul Rey was my other favourite and whilst I’m shocked he’s in Andra Chansen, I’m happy he’s still in the competition. I personally don’t understand the hype behind Dotter’s Bulletproof, I think it’s good and the performance was pretty cool, but I don’t think it’s as amazing as others do, but I thought… Read more »
The winner will not come from this final. Both old fashion and forgettable.
Dotter old fashioned? Did we listen to the same song?!
Bulletproof is the perhaps most current we’ve heard from Melfest for years. Would do brilliantly in Eurovision.
From Belgium its sounds like what you usually send.
From Canada it sounds amazing so please send.
😉
Let’s look forward if Hanna Ferm really bring a powerful song which fit its title “Brave”!
My two favourites got through! With that said I now actually think Anna could win just by being the bright bubbly vocal star that she is. The song is not bad but not gonna give a great place in the final, but she should at least get there this time if we do send her. Dotters staging was epic, and it is my favourite song still, but her vocal just ain’t there. The verses are fine but when she tries to hit the big notes in the chorus she fails. We haven’t had an amazing vocalist in Eurovision for years.… Read more »
Your analysis is very on point
Not vocal but still good?
I like Dotters song, I’m sure the studio cut is great! But the live vocal does at times leave some to be desired. I hope she can work on her vocal because if she does she stands a real chance at winning melfest with her staging. Without the staging I would be more doubtful, because the song is good but not in the “forever gonna be remembered” tier, for me at least.
Dotter has a cold.
How do you think Dotter would do in Eurovision?
Top10 because the staging and her charisma would stand out. The song is not super special so i dont think she would make more than a top5 or top4
10-20
It’s a good song and the stageing lifts the whole package but I’m still not convinced on her vocals but could be top ten if she doesnt sound to scrappy.
It really depends on what other countries send. In a somewhat ‘weaker year’ I could see her getting top 3-5. I think that (assuming she wins MGP) Ulrikke has a better winning chance than Dotter to win Eurovision but Dotter would be close behind.
If many other countries end up sending strong entries however, I could see Dotter being within the top 10.
no final.
Dotter easily between 5-15 with good staging. Anna B would not qualify in my opinion.
Hm I think Anna B would qualify. Even if she is marginal in the popular vote, I don’t think the jury would pull her down like they did in 2010 and would be much more generous.
Dotter is Eurovision Winner material! oh my god! This is the best thing from Melfest in years! I am obsessed with the track!
Glad for both of them. Anna and Dotter have amazing entries and they are amazing performers.
I’m sad for Klara, why newcomers always go out? 🙁
Glad for Mendez & Alvaro with their latino gang and good vibes.
Klara will certainly return. She was a newcomer in (what I consider) a strong semi final. She’ll make AC at least, if she returns with a nice song.
Bulletproof so far is my choice for Sweden! Amazing staging that has opportunities to improve and be elevated at ESC
Maybe I am just a crazy Eurofan, but Bulletproof and Kngdom come are the best two songs from Melfest in the most recent three years. Dotter knows how to improve. Her stage presence is on point, she knows how to connect to the song. They work brilliantly together. As always in Melfest, the staging is phenomenal, but can you imagine those lights on a Eurovision stage??? Anna is a Eurovision goddess. Now it is official. She comes back yet again with a great song which is lifted up with that performance to another level. My personal favourite is Bulletproof, buf… Read more »
Agreed 100% Daniel
Kingdom Come does nothing for me – Bulletproff in the other hand, wow!
Anna was on another level tonight! BUT please Anna! Ask your hairdresser for another haircut because you looked like a 40-something british lady to be honest….not a 20-something year old which you are! Nothing negative, just saying…
And go easy on the makeup. Compared. to 10 years ago she is unrecognisable.
+1 get over it and let her be she seems really confortable with her look
I hope Jan Johansen gets to come back next year with a better song. He’s earned it, and I don’t want his Melodifestivalen career to end like this.
I’m obsessed with ‘Bulletproof’
Im soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy:) Anna and Dotter. I NEVER thought that:) never!
The results are in btw for the bottom 3:
5. ”Nobody” – Klara Hammarström, 951 815 votes
6. ”Alla mina sorger” – Linda Bengtzing, 717 043 votes
7. ”Miraklernas tid” – Jan Johansen, 501 335 votes
Looks like the top 4 got around a million votes at the minimum… WOW. Considering Sonja Alden got 661k in 5th last week, that is really interesting.
I think it was very close between 3rd-5th (especially between 4th and 5th)
I have the feeling there were more viewers this week though
Normally semi final 2 has fewer viewers but I do think this semi final was much more competitive. Klara’s numbers are only slightly lower than Anis and Zeanna from SF1 last year – and Anis is a damn youtube star (his video still has among the highest amount of views from last year’s melo pool of contestants). Im almost willing to bet the 4th and 5th place came down to differences in the voting demographic. Where Klara likely appeals to younger votes who voted in great numbers for her, I suspect the two male acts that came in 3rd/4th had… Read more »
Anna may very well be heading to Rotterdam. I am pretty sure the vote difference between first and second will be highest in this semi.
Just imagine Anna, exactly 10 years after she won Melfest and didnt qualify, to win again and represent Sweden qualifying this time. Thats a hell of a comeback story. I stan
Damn havent realised that. Maybe 10 years later its her right time
Living for it and that last envelope in esc will be hers *evil grin* 😉
If Anna goes to Eurovision, it will be another NQ for Sweden
Thank you, Sweden! Tonight you did exactly what I would do in your place. 🙂
I can’t help but feel Dotter is a gimmick with the flashing lights. They are impressive but they mask an underwhelming vocal performance underneath. And I didn’t think Anna’s song was up to much.
Really glad Méndez and Alvaro get another chance – they were the best performers of the night for me.
Your analysis is very on point, I don’t know why so many negatives
I know! It is my honest opinion but I’ve obviously touched a raw nerve with some “superfans”!
Respectfully, it’s possible that the majority opinion simply disagrees with your assessment of Dotter. Granted, I’m not really a fan of clicking the ‘minus’ just because I disagree but I also don’t think it’s fair to label people who disagree as “superfans” necessarily either. 🙂
I love Linda Bengtzing’s energy and joy, it’s a shame she can’t find songs as good as her 2000s classics anymore. 🙁
Annas perfomance works because she is a good singer and the whole staging is different. You wouldnt expect dancers with skirts to appear but they do, and they are damn hot. Whoever made the staging, nailed it.
I think it is made by Sascha Jean Baptiste
Sasha doing every staging this year og cource with help (of someone)
Although Sacha Jean-Baptiste is involved as bidragsproducent, Zain Odelstål and Dennis Bröchner get first credit for this one 🙂
It was very tasteful. It could end up looking cold, but Anna puts a lot of heart in her performances, the balance worked very well.
Exactly. She did what Felix couldnt.
I love the staging but I find the dancers choreo … quite old fashioned. Am i alone in this boat?
Am I the only one not seeing the greatness in Dotter? It is a basic generic Sia meets Euphoria song. It leaves me cold and if it wins I wouldn’t even see it reach top 10.
Paul Rey was much better. But I dont think we have a winner here..
I agree that Dotter’s song is quite generic but the Paul one is damn generic as well (Sam Smith Ed Sheeran blah blah). And his performance was not so exciting.
All songs in all selections every year is generic so i dont get the point. Generic is a really bad word by the way.
Rasmus?
Generic isn’t always bad if it you make your own thing of it but I don’t think she had that. It just became to much Sia of it..
It could grow on me though, I am willing to give it another chance. And I do like it, I just don’t think it’s that great..
I’m so happy for Anna! She is so sweet!
Anna is just ADORABLE
Should have been Paul!
I really don’t want Dotter to be another fanwank! However, I think the fact that even as Eurofans we were surprised about Dotter progressing would make her a really nice (deserving!) but surprising winner!
My favourites so far:
1. Dotter
2. Anna
3. Robin
4. Malou (it has grown in me…)
5. The Mamas
6. Felix
I don’t really care for the other ones. Now I’m waiting for Mariette and above all Hanna Ferm!
1. Dotter
2. Anna
3. Malou
4. Felix
5. The Mamas
6. Robin
I am looking forward to Amanda Aasa and Faith Kakembo next week (obviously Mariette and Hanna!). Especially Amanda, I try and figure out whether a song will be good by the outfits and Amanda looked stylish so I am expecting a bop!
Dotter and Felix for me.
My top as of now is:
1. Robin
2. Malou
3. The Mamas
4. Mendez & Alvaro
5. Dotter
6. Paul
7. Felix
8. Anna
dotter might win the whole thing
that was e p i c
Anna wasn’t bad, she had a GREAT choreography, FINALLY. I really disliked her previous two performances, even though her songs were both cute. She finally found someone to help her “deadly standing” on the stage come alive, so she deserved to go through.
BUUUUT…. the winner by far, far, faaaar was Dotter. The most contemporary, the most memorable, literally a masterpiece, with such original staging. I can eeeeasily see this winning not only Melodifestivalen but also ESC. She owned this semi 😀
bulletproof is 2020’s euphoria
Deserves the victory in my opinion!
now you runied it lol