The Melodifestivalen rumours continue and this time it’s Melfest queen Linda Bengtzing who is reported to be on board for 2016 with a song by Robin Stjernberg. Not only that – Aftonbladet is also reporting that SVT are working hard to get Molly Sandén back for another year.
Linda Bengtzing is a Melfest legend, having previously competed in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2014. She qualified for the final four times, with her best result being fifth place in 2008 for “Hur svårt kan det va?”. And last year there was also an odd rumour that the BBC were considering Linda for their 2015 entry.
Linda will be singing a song written 2013 Melfest winner Robin Stjernberg. Aftonbladet’s source describes the song as, “a little kitschy”, adding that it’s “just the kind that has worked well for Linda in the competition before”.
And it sounds like Linda is in it to win it. While she’s had five unsuccessful previous attempts, let’s not forget that it took Sanna Nielsen seven appearances before she took home the Great Songbird trophy – can Linda do it in six?
SVT are also reported to be chasing Molly Sandén. Molly represented Sweden at Junior Eurovision in 2006 with her song “Det finaste någon kan få”. She also competed in Melodifestivalen in 2009 with “Så vill stjärnorna” where she placed last in the final, and again in 2012 with “Why Am I Crying?”, which placed fifth.
Molly has since focused on her pop career, with her latest single being “Like No One’s Watching”. According to Aftonbladet’s source, SVT sees Molly as a potential winner, saying, “It is the right time for her to compete now. She could win everything.”
Rounding out the latest bunch of acts for Melfest is rock band Eclipse. They’ve been around since 1999 and, Aftonbladet notes, they are known for their “melodious hair rock”. With Minus One rocking for Cyprus, could 2016 be the year of rock?
As the rumours for Mello 2016 increase, we’re starting to get a good idea of how things are developing. The show will be hosted by Gina Dirawi, who will be joined by a guest co-presenters. Svensktoppen Nästa winners the Smajling Swedes have a place, and joining Linda, Eclipse and (maybe) Molly are rumoured to be Ace Wilder, Oscar Zia, Lisa Ajax, Samir & Viktor, Dinah Nah, Panetoz, Sigrid Bernson and Pidde Pannkaka.
There’s also a list of acts who are rumoured to have applied but are yet to be confirmed by SVT: Isa Tengblad (2015), Pernilla Andersson (2011), Ola Svensson (2008, 2010), Sean Banan (2012, 2013), Mariette Hansson (2015), Rickard Söderberg (2015), Molly Pettersson Hammar (2015), Anders Fernette (2011), David Lindgren (2012, 2013), Timoteij (2010, 2012), Hilda Stenmalm (Lilla MF 2008, MGP 2014), Simon Peyron (2013 – Outtrigger), Ammotrack (2014) and newcomers Badpojken, Mollie Lindén and Gabriel Alares.
Molly Sanden has been releasing so many good tracks lately. Her latest EP is brilliant. I would love to see her and Timoteij come back. But I also want some more new acts!
I loved Linda’s last entry, it should’ve won in my opinion! If she does return with a more traditional schlager I’d be a little bit dissapointed, but I guess the televoters want Linda to stick to the schlager.
Molly would also be great, but I’d like more newcomers to take part in Melfest. So let’s hope you’re right, Robyn!
Thumbs up: a song by Robin Stjernberg … nobody likes him … I always have.
Thumbs down: Linda … boring same-old same-old .. schlager as an embarrassment of Swedish music.
I figured they try to lure Molly to MF this time around.
YEAH!!! I was waiting for this! Hope she brings once again an energetic song!
i know we often like seeing acts we enjoyed before come back, but personally I’d like to see more new faces.
Omg yes Molly Sandén!! If she competes with a song like her latest one “Satellites”, she could win not only Melfest but also Eurovision! Holding my thumbs 😀
Molly Sandén, yes yes YES please!!
Not Linda Begtzing again. It’s been enough of her energetic songs that all sound the same. It’s like listening to the same song 5 times.
When will the woman learn that traditional schlager isn’t something that get votes these days. Last time she was around she was knocked out in the semi. That should give her a signal.
Molly Sanden should take part. She is amazing!
Mario = Legend
Maybe Mans won MF 2015 in swedish version of Heroes, but in Eurovision we would had winner between Russia or Italy.
@PP – Isn’t that kinda common knowledge though? The general audience are more likely to vote for a song they understand. The majority of ESC watchers will understand English to some extent. I believe that was part of the problem with Portugal, and France. So stuck in their ways. If you love your language, how about doing a 50/50 in the style of Ruth Lorenzo? And generally, as someone who speaks Swedish, the English songs that end up winning the contest (Melodifestivalen) are generally of a better standard in my opinion. We’ll never know if Måns would still have won… Read more »
For me best song from Linda at MF
1. 2006
2. 2011
3 2008
4. 2014
5. 2005
With new voting system inlclude 100 % international juries, no one who sing in swedish don t have any chance to win the Melodifestivalen (see Torsten and Hasse results from interenational juries and votes from swedish televote in 2012 , 2015 both 3 rd with televote and almost on the end on list with interenational juries) and small chance to win to alll singers who are from 40 + age. I don t tnik so , that Linda, Shirley Clamp, Sonja Alden, Sarah Dawn Finner, Sharlotte Perelli, Carola, Alcazar… have any chance to win in future at MF.