This year’s Melodifestivalen “Grand Final” is offered to an English-speaking audience via a special broadcast on SVT Play – to the delight of English-speaking viewers in Sweden and, of course, Mello fans worldwide. Experienced Bella Qvist comments for the fourth time, and will this year be accompanied by music journalist William Lee Adams, one of the most recognized faces within the world of Eurovision.
During the broadcast they’ll be shouting out to viewers who use the hashtag #MelfestWorld on X — the platform formerly known as Twitter. Be sure and say your name and where you’re watching from when tweeting.
You can watch the English commentary on this link.
Melodifestivalen 2024 final: English live commentary
Melodifestivalen’s project manager Anders Wistbacka says:
“Melodifestivalen is very popular all over Europe and other parts of the world and it feels fantastic to be able to offer this broadcast to all our fans abroad. Bella has done it brilliantly for a few years and now she also gets help from one of the absolute most popular ESC personalities to comment on the broadcast on location in Sweden. Welcome to the bubble William!”
About William and Bella
William Lee Adams first attended Melodifestivalen in 2011 and he promptly fell in love with Jenny Silver and Linda Bengtzing. He’s still recovering from Love Generation’s elimination in Andra Chansen. Since then, William regularly appears on primetime selection shows across Europe as a jury member and spokesperson, while also running the Wiwibloggs website and YouTube channel. In 2020 Will Ferrell gave him a cameo in the movie “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.”
An American journalist who has lived in London for several years, William has written about Eurovision for publications like Time Magazine, the New York Times and VICE. His book “Wild Dances: My Queer and Curious Journey to Eurovision” was published last year.
This isn’t William’s first time doing commentary for Swedish television. During Eurovision 2016 he offered an international perspective for SVT’s three-part series “Studio Eurovision”.
“I’ve attended Melodifestivalen ten times, but there’s still so much about Swedish music that I don’t understand — from dansband to epadunk. I’m excited to pick Bella’s brain and to get a Swedish perspective on the most Swedish of shows. I’m so grateful that she invited me along, William Lee Adams says, and adds:
“The energy inside Friends Arena is rivalled only by the Olympics or the World Cup. I can’t wait to pull out my pink boa and glittery hat and to dance with my fellow Mello fans. It’s honestly the happiest place on Earth.”
Bella Qvist returns as Melodifestivalen’s English speaking commentator for the fourth year running.
She has been hooked on Melodifestivalen ever since Charlotte Nilsson took her to Eurovision heaven in 1999, and she has been flying high on the wings of Eurolove ever since. Bella, who is based in Stockholm, has spent 18 years living in the UK and Germany and has a long record of reporting on Eurovision for various British media outlets before making her debut as SVT’s commentator and Eurovision expert in 2021.
For the past three years she has run the commentary together with UK journalist Olivia Le Poidivin. Sadly, Olivia was unable to join us this year, but Bella is proud and incredibly excited to welcome William Lee Adams to the commentator booth.
Bella Qvist says:
“I am beyond excited to return to the commentator booth in Friends Arena. There is no feeling quite like sitting there watching the Melfest final surrounded by thousands of screaming fans, watching as messages pour in from people in 30+ countries watching along with us. I have to pinch myself every time. And the fact that I this year get to introduce the world’s leading Eurovision expert William Lee Adams to the booth, and the Melfest fans, feels incredible.”
“The love for Melodifestivalen from the international community is fantastic and it’s nothing but a privilege to get to convey the message of Melfest to everyone who doesn’t (yet) speak Swedish.”
Follow the English-commented broadcast on SVT Play Saturday 9 March 20:00-22:00
Still the one whith Björn on Spotify!
https://open.spotify.com/track/3VIWpZLeOxeexXkF2hBKwA?si=ZRz6xS2fQPS3_v3S1wFGpQ
I used to put the swedish captions on during the final and then click on “translate in english” on google chrome and it would tranlsate swedish captions to english but they have blocked that now.
Will the English language be available after the show? Some of us have to work and enjoy watching the show. I don’t speak Swedish, and would love to understand some of what’s going on.
Marcus And Martinus Win Melodifestivalen,
….*frantically doing time zone math*…..
Haha… I’m an hour from CET and I got my math wrong for one of the NFs… And a scientist 🙁
So how will this work – will Bella translate everything said in Swedish into English?
Hello Thomas. By the time of the live final, Bella and I will have spoken with every finalist before the show so will share their thoughts, messages and insights about their performances. Bella will also explain Swedish cultural and historical references that may not be clear (among other things). And together we’ll be sharing viewer comments and questions (when they use the hashtag #MelfestWorld on X). Enoy the show!
I don’t understand why English commentary is necessary.
It’s pretty simple to follow, especially for veteran national final viewers. Openin- songs – televote opens – intervals – results – trophy – winner’s reprise – end credits.
Still, obviously they have a good duo on duty, so best of luck and enjoy.
Opening
Thank you, Jonas! Part of SVT’s mission as a public service broadcaster is to help people in Sweden who don’t yet speak Swedish. English-language services like this Melfest broadcast act as a bridge to help these viewers get to know Swedish culture in a small way — it’s explained in English so they can follow along. As an added bonus, international fans who may not be as versed in the show can also follow. We hope to see you!
I see. That makes sense, you make your case well.
P.S. Please give Danny my regards, tell him to call me.
Not necessary, but as Miami FL girl touches on below… It helps throughout the intervals, interviews, and voting, of what can a looong night.
PS: bambie Thug video out at 9 am tomorrow… Interested to see any storytelling and glow-up.
Have a good night.
Oh, thank you. I am confident it will impress! You also have a good night. Bambie will arise in the morning, exciting.
Fun times. Have a good night on Saturday.
Thank you, Purple Mask!
Always love watching the performances. Don’t always love watching the intervals and intros (no Swedish spoken here). So this will be good. See you Saturday 🙂 PS Yay for Maria Sur and Jaquelin.
I am 100% tuning in! Thank you Bella and William — am looking forward to this so much!!!
Thanks, Nadine!
“Take me to your heaven”: Swedens Charlotte Nilson wins in 1999.
It was my second eurovision ever and all I recall is that my 12 years old me didn’t like the winner but was quite mad that the song I was cheering for didn’t win.
“The swedish know how to do eurovision, it’s just their thing” said one of the adults I was watching with.
25 years later that’s still true.
Team Dotter.
It’s the first time ever, that I will be watching Melodienfestivalen.
Since 2010 I was following eurovision pre-reports, song releases and the semi finals. It’s just this year that I’ve tuned into some national finals as well. Unfortunaly there are less and less good entries over the years. It’s my impression that too many countries are trying to copy the swedish way but end up with medicore songs that you don’t need to listen again.
I think ‘in the round’, there ends up being a good mix of bop, fun/kooky, belters, beats, culture, creative, rock etc. and that helps the ESC semis and final have some variety throughout the night. It is true, what was popular last year, is reattemped the following year, but the good thing about ESC is it’s impossible to predict the mood. Best to focus on something that’s just… Got that something. The NFs are a thing for those ‘nationals’. I’m just happy we’re able to pass some crappy winter nights dialing in to join the the fun, big or small,… Read more »
Can’t wait.
#here4themusic
We can’t wait to have you listening along, Sherlock!
Gladiators… Are you readdddyyyy 🙂