After all the rumours, speculation and leaked confirmations, SVT finally revealed the 14 acts competing in first and second semi-finals of Sweden’s national selection, Melodifestivalen — and among them are #melfest veterans Eric Saade, Behrang Miri, Magnus Carlsson and Linus Svenning. The final 14 acts will be revealed tomorrow, in a second press conference, which you can watch live on SVT from 10:00 CET on this link. In any event, here are the first set of semi-finalists!
Melodifestivalen 2015: Deltävling 1
1. Jessica Andersson – Can’t Hurt Me Now
Jessica Andersson has already represented Sweden in Eurovision, as part of group Fame, which placed fifth in Riga with “Give Me Your Love“. Since then Jessica has appeared in four editions of Melodifestivalen, most recently in 2010 with “I Did It for Love“. The song is written by Aleena Gibson and Fredrik Thomande.
2. Behrang Miri feat. Victor Crone – Det rår vi inte för
Behrang Miri took part in Melodifestivalen 2013 and introduced us to Oscar Zia, who served as both a backing dancer and vocalist. His song “Jalla Dansa Sawa” faced Anton Ewald‘s “Begging” at the second chance round. “Jalla Dansa Sawa” eventually reached fourth position on Sweden’s singles charts. Behrang will duet with 22-year-old Victor Crone. The song is written by Albin Johnsén, Måns Zelmerlöw, Tony Nilsson and Behrang Miri himself.
Deltävling 1: Göteborg ?Det rår vi inte för – Behrang Miri feat. Victor Fritz Crone? #melfest
Una foto publicada por Melodifestivalen (@melodifestivalen) el
3. Dolly Style – Hello hi
Molly, Holly and Polly are the members of Dolly Style. They are “originally from dollhouse Dolly Ville” and their song is about getting people to socialize, saying hello to each other and being happy. The song is written by Emma Nors, Palle Hammarlulnd and Jimmy Jansson. It’s like YOHIO x 3, y’all!
4. Molly Pettersson-Hammar – I’ll Be Fine
18-year-old Molly Pettersson-Hammar is known as an Idol 2011 finalist and Robin Stjernberg‘s ex-girlfriend. After placing fourth on Swedish Idol, Molly hasn’t released any singles. Her song was written by Lisa Desmond, Tim Larsson, Tobias Lundgren, Gavin Jones and Molly herself.
Deltävling 1: Göteborg ?I’ll Be There – Molly Pettersson Hammar? #melfest
Une photo publiée par Melodifestivalen (@melodifestivalen) le
5. Rickard Söderberg & Elize Ryd – One By One
Opera singer Rickard Söderberg was one of the first artists rumoured to take part in Melodifestivalen. He has starred in many musicals and operas in Sweden. Elize Ryd is one the lead singers of Swedish/Danish metal band Amaranthe. Amaranthe’s latest album “Massive Addictive” came out this year. The song is written by Elize Ryd, Jimmy Jansson, Karl-Ola Kjellholm and Sharon Vaughn.
6. Daniel Gildenlöw – Pappa
Daniel Gildenlöw is best known as a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist in the band Pain of Salvation, which took part in Melodifestivalen 2010 with the song “Road Salt“. Daniel formed the band when he was only 11 years old and they have released nine albums so far. Daniel Gildenlöw wrote the song himself.
Deltävling 1: Göteborg ?Pappa – Daniel Gildenlöw? #melfest
Una foto publicada por Melodifestivalen (@melodifestivalen) el
7. Eric Saade – Sting
Eric Saade came third in Melodifestivalen 2010 with “Manboy” and won it all a year later. After placing third with “Popular” in Düsseldorf, Eric has been touring all over Scandinavia and his latest album “Forgive Me” was released in 2013. Sam Arash Fahmi, Fredrik Kempe, Hamed “K-one” Pirouzpanah and David Kreuger wrote the song.
Melodifestivalen 2015: Deltävling 2
1. Mariette – Don’t Stop Believing
31-year-old Mariette Hansson, also known as MaryJet, finished fourth on Swedish Idol in 2009. She was named “gay of the year” in 2010 and throughout the past year she has toured with Ace Wilder. The song is written by Miss Li and Sonny Gustafsson.
Deltävling 2: Malmö ?Don’t Stop Believing – Mariette? #melfest
Ett foto publicerat av Melodifestivalen (@melodifestivalen)
2. Linus Svenning – Forever Starts Now
Linus Svenning rose to the fame at this year’s Melodifestivalen, where he placed fifth with the song “Bröder“. After the contest he released a new single “Dansa Sakta“, but mostly he has been focusing on recording covers on his Youtube channel. The song is written by Aleena Gibson, Anton Malmberg Hård af Segerstad and Fredrik Kempe.
3. Emelie Irewald – Där och då med dig
30-year-old Emelie says that she has been doing music as long as she can remember. In 2011 she took part in Swedish talent show True Talent, finishing fourth. She has written this song herself.
Deltävling 2: Malmö ?Där och då med dig – Emelie Irewald? #melfest
A photo posted by Melodifestivalen (@melodifestivalen) on
4. Magnus Carlsson – Möt mig i Gamla Stan
Magnus Carlsson has done Melodifestivalen even more than Sanna Nielsen, either with bands Barbados and Alcazar or as a solo act. His latest attempt was in 2007 with “Live Forever“, placing fifth in his semifinal. The song is written by Thomas G:son and Lina Eriksson.
5. Samir & Victor – Groupie
This duo is made up of 24-year-old reality TV star Samir Badran and 19-year-old Swedish fashion blogger Viktor Frisk. This summer they came up with a hit single “Success“, which reached the top spot on both Swedish iTunes and Swedish Spotify. The song is written by Anton Malmberg Hård af Segerstad, Kevin Högdahl, Maria Smith and Viktor Thell.
Deltävling 2: Malmö ?Groupie – Samir & Viktor? #melfest
A photo posted by Melodifestivalen (@melodifestivalen) on
6. Neverstore – If I was God for one day
Neverstore is a punk rock band formed in 2000. So far they have released four albums and their latest single “The Greatest Gift” came out in October. The song is written by Thomas G:son, John Gordon and Jacob Widén.
7. Marie Bergman & Sanne Salomonsen – Nonetheless
Marie Bergman has represented Sweden three times in the Eurovision Song Contest, most recently in 1994 with Roger Pontare. Sanne Salomonsen is a Danish singer, who has been performing since 1975. She has also taken part in Melodifestivalen – she placed 7th in the final in 2005. The song is written by Andreas Stone Johansson and Allison Kaplan.
Deltävling 2: Malmö ?Nonetheless – Marie Bergman & Sanne Salomonsen? #melfest
A photo posted by Melodifestivalen (@melodifestivalen) on
Who is the biggest surprise and which song are looking forward to the most? Let us know in the comments box below!
I do hope that Rickard Soderberg and Elize Ryd wipe the floor with everyone else, but I don’t think they will.
Eric and Linus, yessss!
CookyMonzta
Swedish-language song in the final because international juries don t have so much chance to win.
Mans Zelmerlow will take part. He HAS TO win Melfest this time!
Good trick to promote an unknown artist in this comments below with big names Charlotte Perrelli and Helena Papariziou LOL
Eurovision 2015 please Europe vote for Greece and Malta
Linus making another run for it. 🙂 I thought “Bröder” had a much better chance at winning last year as being the only Swedish-language song in the final.
Looks like a great mix of old and new this year! And great to see a bunch of Swedish language songs in there too! I’m very interested for Eric Saade’s song and to see how well he will do on his third time out.
Linus is back! That is a good news!
So happy to see Linus back! Also, quite thrilled for Behrang Miri as well! I loved Jalla Dansa Sawa, I think it deserved to be in the final in 2013.
@Ruben
This is, as a mather of fact, not confirmed anywhere.
Only SVT knows who is confirmed and who is not.
@ Giorgios
“Helena Paparizou, Alexander Vasilliou and Charlotte Perelli are three of the rest 14 contestants.” Where did you read that? Is this confirmed? Please let us know.
Helena Paparizou, Alexander Vasilliou and Charlotte Perelli are three of the rest 14 contestants. Also I hope YOHIO and Janet Leon return
I really look forward to Jessica Andersson and the songs written by Aleena Gibson!
I’m also curious about the “web joker”-winner Emelie Irewald, it’s nice with a few songs in Swedish. I sent a song this year, but it obviously didn’t make the cut. 😛
Elize Ryd 😀
I am so happy that Linus is back!!Bröder was awesome.
It’s also nice to see Eric back.
Why are not any Swedish stars participating in the Swedish Melodifestivalen?
You’re welcome! 🙂
@Alex, thank you for the nice feedback! 🙂
Jon Henrik Fjällgren, the winner of Eurovision 2015!… mark my words 😉
A lot of MelFest newcomers, but that can definitely be a good thing. Still hoping Janet Leon returns, she was robbed in 2013 and 2014.
Great reporting, by the way, Sami. You put the details up really fast during the livestream, and stayed to fill in the info on the songwriters too 🙂
I’m so happy Eric is back!
So Eric keeps it to one word titles, MANBOY, POPULAR and now STING! Well, sweden had success with EUPHORIA, YOU and UNDO, so it seems a trend to have one word titles.
Yes, yes !!!! I knew it !!! he’s back !!!!! I’m so happy !!!! Go Eric Saade !!!!
Yess!!! Linus is back!!!
By the way, weren’t the results for Swiss RTS voting supposed to have been released by now?
Crossing fingers that the rumor about Linus appearing was true.