It’s not long now. In less than 24 hours we’ll know the full official line-up of Melodifestivalen 2016, but until then, the rumours continue. Aftonbladet is reporting that Swedish football player (and musician) Boris Lumbana will be entering Melfest, while 2005 Swedish representative Martin Stenmarck will make a return.
Boris Lumbana
Congolese-born footballer Boris is best known as a defender for Degerfors IF, but when he’s not on the field, he is developing his career as an alternative pop singer. Aftonbladet say he’ll likely perform under his stage name, Boris René. The paper say that Boris has submitted songs to Melfest in the past, but this is the first time he’s been accepted.
Martin Stenmarck
Martin will be making his third appearance in Melfest. His first entry was in 2005 where he won with “Las Vegas” which placed 19th with only 30 points in Kyiv – Sweden’s worst score since 1992. Martin make a comeback in 2014 with “När änglarna går hem” (“When the angels go home”), which lost against Linus Svenning’s “Bröder” in the Andrea Chansen round.
https://youtu.be/WvE1yFDdB7w
The list still keeps growing
The list of rumoured Melfest acts now tops 27 out of 28 acts, with Boris Lumbana and Martin Stenmarck joining Smajling Swedes, Ace Wilder, Oscar Zia, Lisa Ajax, Samir & Viktor, Dinah Nah, Panetoz, Sigrid Bernson, Pidde Pannkaka, Linda Bengtzing, Eclipse, Pernilla Andersson, Isa, Frans Jeppsson-Wall, Albin feat. Mattias Andréasson, After Dark, Anna Book, SaRaha, Molly Sandén, Molly Pettersson Hammar, Tommy Nilsson, Patrik Isaksson and Uno Svenningsson, B Robin, Dolly Style, David Lindgren and Swingfly.
That might seem like almost the full line-up, but it’s important to remember that only one of those acts — Smajling Swedes — has been officially confirmed. It’s always possible that some of these acts may have pulled out with others taking their place. And could there even be a few red herrings on the list?
We’ll soon know. The full list of the 2016 participants will be presented at the official press conference tomorrow (Monday) at 9:00 CET.
Martin had great song at MF 2014 one of my favorites that year.
@jr esc nl: How old is she? 20 now? Don’t worry; Ms. Benediktson will have plenty of time (15 years, perhaps?) to qualify for ESC.
Although Elena Larkin song Introducing me is already on YouTube since 2013 so it must be a different song but here it is – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-5vke2qfH8
A charity called Red dreams have submitted 3 songs and singers to the UK’s national selection
The acts are
Elena Larkin – Introducing me
Paul Hart and David Arnett – Escapism
Michael Rice – I won’t let you go
Source – http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/what-s-on/gigs-music/could-hartlepool-singers-represent-the-uk-at-eurovision-in-2016-1-7596191
daddy stenmarck yummmmm 😛
I’m hoping for another return of ellen benediktson!
Maybe the ark would not have qualified. Yet the best song (and lyrics) and act from Sweden After 2000 by far! And one of few “credible” names. A long and respected carerer also outside esc…many of the others never really got recignition outside the MF bubble. Such a pity Sweden stoppes sending such quality names, more like rock and indie. They also benefitted from esc, because it gave then many tours etc. Sadly, we seldom hear the best Swedish music in MF. Only the most esc generated on…g’son and Kiempe is by far not great music mostly
If Sweden would have had to qualify for the finals in 2005 through semifinals and not through last year’s result, I am pretty sure they would have failed. Las Vegas by Martin Stenmarck was probably the weakest effort ever by the Swedes.
Same goes for 2007 when The Ark were already prequalified. They wouldn’t have made through a semifinal. Taking into account the jury wildcard for Charlotte Nilson and the actual defeat in the semis of 2010, the qualification record until 2011 would be pretty dire.
It’s apparent that a lot of the numbers used in the melfest articles are incorrect. Example: Linus Svenning’s bröder was an entry in 2014, not 2015. Same for Martin Stenmarck his entry. I’ve seen a lot of these mistakes in the articles. Just to inform you guys
Football + esc = great combination!