It’s a party in Sweden, y’all! After all the rumours, speculation and possible confirmations, from Greece’s 2005 Eurovision winner Helena Paparizou to 2013 runner-up YOHIO, Sweden’s SVT has finally announced the first 16 artists that will be competing at Melodifestivalen 2014. Drumroll please!
First Semi-Final
The first semi-final takes place at the Malmö Arena in Malmö on February 1.
Mahan Moin with “Aleo” (Mahan Moin, Anderz Wrethov)
Alvaro Estrella with “Bedroom” (Jakke Erixson, Jon Bordon, Lauren Francis, Kristofer Östergren)
Linus Svenning with “Bröder” (Fredrik Kempe)
Sylvester Schlegel with “Bygdens son” (Sylvester Schlegel)
Elisa Lindström with “Casanova” (Ingela “Pling” Forsman, Bobby Ljunggren, Jimmy Jansson)
Ellen Benediktson with “Songbird” (Sharon Vaughn, Johan Fransson, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren)
Helena Paparizou with “Survivor” (Bobby Ljunggren, Henrik Wikström, Karl-Ola Kjellholm, Sharon Vaughn)
YOHIO with “To the End” (Andreas Johnson, Johan Lyander, Peter Kvint, Yohio)
Second Semi-Final
The second semi-final takes place at the Cloetta Center in Linköping on February 8.
Panetoz with “Efter solsken” (Johan Hirvi, Mats Lie Skåre, Nebeyu Baheru, Njol Badjie, Pa Modou Badjie)
Manda with “Glow” (Joy Deb, Linnéa Deb, Melanie Wehbe, Charlie Mason)
Pink Pistols with “I Am Somebody” (Joakim Törnqvist, Nestor Geli, Per Ivar Hed, Susie Päivärinta, Tord Bäckström)
JEM with “Love Trigger” (Thomas G:son, Peter Boström, Julimar “J-Son” Santos)
Martin Stenmarck with “När änglarna går hem” (Andreas Öhrn, Alexander Bard, Martin Stenmarck, Peter Boström)
Little Great Things with “Set Yourself Free” (Charlie Grönvall, Cristoffer Wernqvist, Felix Grönvall, Adam Dahlström)
The Refershments with “Hallelujah” (Joakim Arnell)
Sanna Nielsen with “Undo” (Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Hamed “K-One” Pirouzpanah)
But that’s not all, folks! This is only half the story, so watch this space as SVT will reveal the remaining artists on Thursday.
Earlier this month, Lars Anders Jansson and Nour El Refai were confirmed as the hosts of Melodifestivalen 2014.
What do you think of the list so far?
Anthony Ko contributed this report from the U.K. Follow him on Twitter at @bjorneo. You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by liking our Facebook page.
Pretty strong list!! I’m sure we are going to be in for a fantastic Melfest season! Can’t wait to see the rest of the confirmed artists!
Unfortunately Padraig, this isn’t the same Jem. The one you were referring to on the video is a Welsh singer, songwriter and record producer. Very unlikely she’ll end up on Sweden’s biggest musical extravaganza!
The JEM competing at Melodifestivalen 2014 is a Swedish rap-pop group, who finished fourth on the first series of Swedish X Factor in 2012. The group consists of members Jeremie Yumba, Elli Flemström and Mergime Murati (see where the group name comes from?).
Anyway, here’s their rendition of “Wild Ones” on Swedish X Factor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhpu-EW04Eg
What’s the point of putting Helena and Yohio both in the same semifinal? Barring an unexpected Euphoria-quality entry, we basically already know who is going to qualify from there.
This has been bugging me all day. Is JEM the same as Jem? The girl who sang “They”? Because that would be brilliant…
http://youtu.be/qSLvcJ4I1mw
Z24, SVT have presented the artists’ entries in alphabetical order. So this isn’t the official running order.
David, until we find out the rest of the artists on Thursday, then we’ll find out if there’s more than one entry from G:son. Although we do have a “J-Son” for 2014!
@David
I… don’t know… we normally have two or three at this point.
>> wow only one G:son?
Is that allowed?
Also, wow only one G:son?
Is this the running order already?
Helena and Yohio are surefire to pass then. Their songs have to suck BIG TIME for them to not be in the top 4.
Helena and YOHIO 🙂 🙂 🙂
A bad line up
Fantastic line up! If all goes as planned, the Swedish broadcaster SVT will announce at the 2nd press conference on Thursday that Alcazar will participate in Melodifestivalen 2014 just like Anton Ewald, Dr. Alban ft. Jessica Folcker, Janet Leon, Linda Bengtzing, Oscar Zia and Shirley Clamp.
yeah…i have to agree, good luck to Helena, Sanna and Yohio!!!
I hope Alcazar will also try again. They always have good songs and performances and they deserve to represent Sweden at ESC once!
I’m gonna guess…
Helena, Yohio, Sanna and Martin – Direkt till Finalen
Elisa and Panetoz – Andra Chansen
Helena, Yohio, Sanna and Martin in just the first two semi-finals? So much talent!
Wow, I did not expect TWO former contestants of only ONE Eurovision Final (2005). Hope that Helena’s entry will be good and that she wins Melli’14!
Helena, Sanna and Yohio- GOOD LUCK!!!