It’s the national selection that’s fast approaching the business end of things. But first there’s the not-so-small matter of Melodifestivalen 2020 semi-final four. The last preliminary heat in Sweden’s Eurovision show takes place on Saturday 22 February.
And, just like with the earlier semis, SVT has released the list of contributors for this week’s show.
Perhaps the most noteworthy point is the lack of dancers. Of the seven acts, only Melfest veteran Nanne Grönvall is engaging any dancers. And the woman behind such iconic stages shows as “Evig kärlek” (2003) and “Håll om mig” (2005) is set to make full use of her team of hoofers.
Her chief choreographer Roine Söderlundh has won the Guldmasken award for choreography four times — they’re basically Sweden’s version of the Tonys.
Other points of interest in this fourth semi include the return of EMD’s Mattias Andréasson. After providing backing vocals to Albin Johnsén in semi three, he’ll provide support to Jakob Karlberg this week.
Also, prolific Eurovision songwriter Laurell Barker will lend her vocals to Hanna Ferm. Laurell is also on the songwriting team for “Brave”.
Read the complete list below.
Melodifestivalen 2020: Semi-Final Four Contributors
1. “We Are One” – Frida Öhrn
Artist: Frida Öhrn.
Backing singers: Beata Harryson and Evelina Olsén.
Choreography and staging: Lotta Furebäck and Sacha Jean-Baptiste.
2. “Molnljus” – William Stridh
Artist: William Stridh.
Backing singers: Lars Säfsund and Christian Holmström.
Choroegraphy and staging: Sacha Jean-Baptiste och Lotta Furebäck.
3. “Carpool Karaoke” – Nanne Grönvall
Artist: Nanne Grönvall
Dancers: Lisa Arnold, Edin Jusuframic, Anna Ståhl, Lisa Stadell, Camilla Fredén and Henric Flodin.
Choreography and staging: Roine Söderlundh, Lotta Furebäck and Sacha Jean-Baptiste.
4. “Troubled Waters” – Victor Crone
Artist Victor Crone.
Backing singers: Lars Säfsund, David Björk and Andreas Moe.
Choreography and staging: Edin Jusuframic, Lotta Furebäck and Sacha Jean-Baptiste.
5. “Surface” – Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron
Artist: Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron.
Backing singers: Emelie Fjällström and Lars Säfsund.
Choreography and staging: Lotta Furebäck and Sacha Jean-Baptiste.
6. “Om du tror att jag saknar dig” – Jakob Karlberg
Artist: Jakob Karlberg.
Drums: Daniel Kadawatha.
Bass/backing vocals: Mattias Andréasson.
Choreography and staging: John Arthur, Lotta Furebäck and Sacha Jean-Baptiste.
7. “Brave” – Hanna Ferm
Artist: Hanna Ferm.
Backing singers: Susanne Bertlin and Laurell Barker.
Staging and choreography: Lotta Furebäck, Sacha Jean-Baptiste, Zain Odenstål and Dennis Bröchner.
What do you think of this semi’s line-up? Who are you most excited to see live? Let us know in the comments.
What I think? With Hannas passion it’s impossible that she won’t make a success whith that lyric. You can read all the lyrics at the melodifestivalen app
#Brave for the win!
Laurell Barker? Issue with that isn’t her miss or hit status, issue is that Swedes don’t want a non-Swedish citizen to represent. We have had that before and especially this year with focus on song writers I think that might be a huge issue. So I don’t think she is that outright favourite. She of course could still win if the juries favour her, even if televote is low!
As for ms Barker, i doubt most Swedes would know she is the woman behind Sisters or She Got Me. We forget the songs the day after the contest!
I was wondering why they focus more on the songwriters this year. I thought it was to highlight which artists self-wrote/produced, but it instead highlighted how many non-Swedish songwriters are involved.
So Dotter seems the one to beat right now. I like Butterfly, it’s nice, but I LOVE the concept of her performance and stage. So yes to me
To beat Dotter someone has to deliver something extraordinary. Bulletproof is the first Swedish entry I really like since Loreen.
Really? Dotter? I don’t really get the hype around that one to be honest…
I am very excited to see Hanna Ferm live 😀 Go girl! <3
I’m excited about Victor Crone’s entry. He’s got Andreas Moe on backing *and* Edin Jusuframic doing choreo <3
I didn't like "Hold You" much, so I hope Hanna has a better song this time.
Hope we can have a winner here. I don’t like Bulletproof.
Laurell’s songs slay everywhere. My favorite songwriter. Hannah will hopefully win Melfest
And “Bigger than us”. For every Laurell Barker hit, there are at least two or three misses.
I’m so happy Nanne is back! 🙂
here I was thinking I was alone. Likewise hyped to see what Nanne brings!
I am really counting on Hanna Ferm, this year’s Melfest is wide open so far and if she smashes it this week the ladies have officially owned Sweden this year! Also looking forward to Ellen & Simon duet, Nanne Grönvall will be a treat and good to see Mattias Andréasson back as a backing vocalist for Jakob Karlberg
“Förlåt mig” was an underrated serve in 2012, even his former bandmate Danny Saucedo felt he was robbed and even used that song as his entrance theme in finalen! Damn that feels like a generation ago now…
I don’t think it’s that wide open. The odds reflect that. If Hanna disappoints, then it’s between Dotter and Anna. And I agree with the odds. But.. you never know how the international juries will vote. Who they will root for the most. The Mamas? Robin? I really hope not. Especially The Mamas, it would be like sending the same thing again. Really it’s the same people.
I think Dotter is way much better than Anna. I like Anna her voice is fantastic and the stage is beautiful but the song is actually terrible. A beautiful package around a basic song.
Everyone was down about the 3rd heat and I ended up enjoying it more than the 2nd. As a result, I’m positive about this one. Generally, Melfest seems to do a good job of making their not-so-good vocalists sound good on the programme (Benjamin) so I think Victor Crone’s entry might end up actually being pretty good here. Looking forward to it!
I’d love to see Victor Crone do well again. Imagine if he and Albert both went. Two different singers from 2019 representing different countries than their first time around.
Or The Mamas even they represented Sverije last year
Only one of the three Mamas is American.
What reallly makes me sad is how boring the hosts are and the show in general. Melodifestivalen is not only about the songs. There is no Tingaling to upset the Russian’s or Björn Gustavsson who had to much Glögg to drink,. And I miss the EBU-lady :((
The hosts are good, they just need better jokes. I think what happened is the same when David Lindgren hosted alone in 2018, people wanted it to be friendlier, nicer, not so “upsetting” This is what I gather from reactions on Facebook page and thier group!
I expect Edward af Sillén to return next year..
Show me one negative comment
Your comment ended up being the most negative comment in English on this thread atleast !!
Well, Hanna surely has the A-team in creating her entry. But why do I feel the song will be a disappointment? Perhaps because we have been down this road before? And the person behind “Bigger than us” is not really the most creative songwriter on not such a good day. It can turn out to be one of Laurell Barker’s worst songs..
So far Dotter is my 1st choice, and Anna is a close 2nd of winning Melodifestivalen. So I won’t be too sad if it’s bad.
Laurell Barker is always a hit and miss, don’t forget she co-wrote “She Got Me” which came 4th last year earning Switzerland’s first Top 5 finish in 26 years.
Yeah, she wrote She Got Me with four other people, and Bigger Than Us with three other people – these songs are written by committee, so it’s not like we know specifically who to blame/credit or how much input she had on each.
She Got Me is just a Latin dance song by the number. Nothing to brag about.
Yes, but much of the success probably was due to Luca himself, his looks and dance rather than the song being that good! it was an OK song being lifted by a great performer!
Milla, du kan ju läsa låttexten på melloappen nu. Tror det kan bli en stark låt med Hannas passionerade förmåga. Om bara melodin är stark så kan denna låt bli farlig tror jag.
Dotter leverar verklig autentisk känsla. Svårt att se Hanna göra detsamma. Men det blir spännande och se.
I am waiting for what Victor Crone has brought. His Storm was one of my favorites last year and I hope his Melfest try is good too.
I loved ‘hold you’ from liamoo and hanna last year and songbird is one of my favorite melfest songs. So i’m looking forward to this semi! Will also be interesting to see what victor comes up with
Agree . I loved songbird… but also outrigger. Bud it’s difficult to to see a mix of those songs. ; )
Hanna Ferm…we are rooting for you please do not disappoint!
She will deliver the lyric whith passion and grace. Love the lyric
Nanne has also written one of the songs she is competing against in this semi 🙂
You get Sacha Jean-Baptiste and you get Sacha Jean-Baptiste and you get Sacha Jean-Baptiste.. ANDE EVERYBODY GETS SACHA JEAN BAPTISTE!
Well she was hired for the show to choreograph and stage all performances. So yes everyone gets her. At least everyone gets a professional to stage their performance and bring their vision to life. Other national finals just put people on stage and only the ones with money can afford something professional.
Someone not getting the Oprah joke I see..
She is a producer on the show. She is part of the show. She gets to be credited on all entries for the show.
FYI: Lotte Fureback’s name is on all entries, too.
I just hope Ellen and Simon will have something great just as Nanne. Hanna Ferm will have a ballad à là Ulrikke, we already have it, we do not need another one at ESC. What we need is Anna Bergendahl!
“Brave” is not a balad. You can find her brief explanation in english interview on youtube.
Read the lyric at the melodifestivalen app and add Hannas passion. I think I don’t need to say more than success
Blåmålade kukar
Ja
11 faktiskt
Lipa mer
I don’t think this semifinal will shake me ever….
I have high hopes for Hanna, but I think that will be the same situation like with Mariette in 2018 – average song…
So if this semi final will not bring anything new, I think that Bengtsson will think the whole thing thanks to judges.
Greetings to all!
I noticed that Laurell Barker wasn’t there last week. She must have more faith in Hanna’s song.
The one I’m most looking forward to is Nanne. I know she will not disappoint.
I also think that Nanne will give good performance. I love her Hall om mig and I think she’s definitely the dark horse of the show.
Or will she end up like most old veterans these days?
I don’t know about results, she may or may not get through, but I know she will give it her all. She’s never boring, so I hope she will fare better than the others you refer to.
I believe she wrote Raylee’s song Wild and was in Trondheim that night