The Fjällräven Center was awash in sequins and hot pants today as Saturday’s semi-finalists, including Alcazar, Janet Leon and Anton Ewald rehearsed for the fourth semi-final. Let’s take a look at what went down. We’ve included links to the one-minute snippets so you can judge Melodifestivalen semi-final 4 for yourself!
Alcazar performed “Blame It On The Disco” and emerged from huge disco ball (Alyona Lanskaya style). Strong white lights and smooth choreography characterize this rather routine pop performance. Melodifestivalen, and especially, Alcazar, have gotten us used to this! The girls will wear sparkling jumpsuits, and Andreas will wear a sparkly suit.
You can watch their preview video here.
I.D.A. brings energy—and several sticks—on stage when they perform “Fight Me If You Dare”. The group, including the female lead, will wear grey and black suits on stage.
Watch IDA’s preview video here.
Next to sing is the sexy female Janet Leon with her entry “Hollow”. At first she is standing alone on stage, bathed in red lights, and with branches featured on the screens. But dancers emerge in the background to convey her song’s emotional message.
You can watch Janet Leon’s preview video here.
Now, it’s time for “Raise Your Hands”! A metal wall opens to reveal Ammotrack. There are 3 motocycles on stage, along with additional lights and basses and guitars, which adds an urban vibe to this spectacular performance! Piercings, tattoos, jean jackets and black trousers scream “grunge”! For some reason it works.
You can watch their preview video here.
Josef Johansson went next with his song “Hela natten”. On the positive side, his leather jacket matches the dancers in black. But that’s about all that fits. This will not get many votes.
Watch Josef’s preview video here.
Linda Bengtzing, one of the Queens of Swedish schlager, is back with “Ta mig”. This is much darker than her 2011 entry and it’s infused with a hard rock sound. Blue-purple lights and grey-white screens add drama, as do four backing singers and the golden trousers Linda plans to wear on stage.
Watch Linda’s preview video here.
Ellinore Holmer sings “En himmelsk sång” in a lovely blue dress. Her performance is simple. Really, really simple to the point of being boring. But, if we know anything about the Swedes, it’s that they are unpredictable and often go for pared down performances like this one. (Just be sure to have a coffee before she sings because this is a sleepy number).
You can watch Ellinore’s preview video here.
Last to rehearse was Anton Ewald with “Natural”. His song is more rhythmic and less electronic than last year. But, in keeping form with the dance-pop genre, there is plenty of impressive choreography…and crotch-grabbing. I’m sure that he’ll remain in the contest….will he go direct to the final?
Watch Anton’s preview video here.
Photos: SVT
Billy Xifaras contributed this report from Greece. Follow him on Twitter at @bill_xifaras. You can also keep up-to-date on the latest Eurovision news and liking our Facebook page.
I really hope Helena gets through the Andra Chanson and makes it to the final – for me this year she’s my winner! Fair enough, she’s had her fair share of Eurovision glory but in my opinion she has the best song this year.
It seems like Sanna is the strong favourite though, and her song is my second favourite, so I’d be happy if she made it to Copenhagen! Helena vs Sanna for me
@Dhani: Nobody cares for Helena …she has won already once … Enough then. She still has Andra Chansen to go through …
Sorry Sweden, I’ll pass you this year. Looking forward next year MF. And I hope that it would be more interesting that this year’s.
Is it just me or do Alcazar kind of sound like the Chipmunks here?
I kinda different than other, I think I like Ammotrack and Josef Johannsen much than the other entries in this semifinal. I hope they make it through to the final.
I love Anton Ewald’s song too, but the lyrics way too cheesy. And it seems like he’s using the same 2 dancers from his “Begging” performance on last year Melodifestivalen
A tough semi. Josef Johansson and Ellinore Holmer aren’t going anywhere, I’m sure of that. And I hope Alcazar goes the same way. Too cringeworthy. Just too much. I.D.A would go the same way as Softengine, liked them when presented, but not memorable enough. Linda Bengtzing and Ammotrack caught me from the get go. I’m rooting for them to win. It will be tough though, even though a song perfoming last has yet to win a semifinal this year. I hope it doesn’t Janet and Anton have fallen very short since last year. But Janet actually has a nice song,… Read more »
Sanna is winning this. Her support by the MF audience in Sweden this time is unmatched.
Wow! A head mic for Anton! Cooooooolllll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Alcazar has one drawback. The guy in the middle does not fit. His movements are terrible. I look forward to promotion Janet Leon to the finals and fall off Anton Ewald.
After snippets we can say that any one songs from semi final 4 wili not be winner of MF 2014.
I think fight for win in final will be between Sanna, Ace,Oscar and Elen. If Ace get many points from juries, i think that she wili good chance to beat Sanna or Oscar in final and win MF 2014. I think TOP 5 in final with juries wili be 1. Sanna 2.Ellen 3.Ace 4.Oscar 5.State of Drama TOP 5 in final televote 1.Yohio 2.Oscar 3.Ace 4.Anton 5.Sanna
Final 1. Ace Wilder 2.Oscar 3.Sanna 4.Yohio 5.Ellen
I this year Melodifestivalen, like most competitions this year is no high song standard
helena can beat sanna I’m sure
Sanna Nielsen will definitely be the one to beat in the final. Her support in Sweden is huge.
Let’s go Janet!! Amazing song, the show looks like it will be cool and unique in the mix of schlager that’s abundant in this SF. I like the transition towards a slower yet still fresh pop ballad, it really suits her voice!! 🙂
Hollow Direkt til final!!! If it gets eliminated again I will have ZERO faith in Melodifestivalen.
Go Janet!! 😀 😀
It seems that Melodifestivalen is gone with the wind…
1) Alcazar: Let me just make everybody clear that I have the biggest love and respect for Andreas as a human being and also as a solo singer … the whole Alcazar thing never caught my attention and honestly enough it’s just no my jam And this tune here is not in anyway different to what they showcased back in 2009: very unoriginal. 2) I.D.A: nothing interesting at all … lame attempt at making a rock tune! 3) Linda Bengtzing: It’s not by making an upbeat tune a bit darker that one can call this “good”. I was bored. 4)… Read more »
Janet Leon’s voice is weak in this 1 minute snippet. I don’t know if she’s gonna make it but I hope at least Andra Chansen. Blame It On The Disco is a typical Alcazar song and I always enjoy listening and watching it!! Anton Ewald and Alcazar direct to the final
Go Janet Leon!
Like: -Janet Leon with “Hollow” – Perfect, I love it. Beautiful song with a beautiful, even better than “Heartstrings”. -Josef Johansson with “Hela natten” – I really like this one too. I’m not sure what, but the song reminds me of something else, which isn’t always a bad thing Eh: -I.D.A with “Fight Me If You Dare” – I must admit, I do like rock songs that have a strong female lead singer. I may like the full version more, but it sounds good for the most part. -Linda Bengtzing with “Ta mig” – Surprising, I wasn’t expecting her to… Read more »
JANET LEON TO WIN MF <3