The last of the four semi-finals of Melodifestivalen 2016 kicks off this Saturday live from Gävle. Yesterday we got a first taste of the performances, as SVT released 30-second clips of them all. From Eclipse to the hot favourite Molly Sandén, the acts took the stage for the first time and we sounded off in our reviews.
Now, for the last time of this national final season, we are asking you which of the seven acts had the best first rehearsal? Vote in our poll! Choose your favourites, check the box next to their names and then click submit. You can vote for as many of your favourites as you wish, but you can only press submit one time. We will go through the results before Saturday’s fourth semifinal.
Melodifestivalen 2016: Deltävling 4, Gävle
Eclipse with “Runaways”
What we said: Rock entries at Melfest tend to get the exact same treatment — red lights, white strobes, a bit of fire and the drummer seated on an elevated platform. It looks great, but it’s just a bit predictable at this point. The band sound great and look confident, though the melody sounds old school, nodding to Jon Bon Jovi, among others.
Read the full “Runaways” lyrics
Dolly Style with “Rollercoaster”
What we said: If this snippet is anything to go by, then this Roller Coaster is going to crash. Their music tends to be catchy and monotonous, making it perfect for their pre-teen audience. But this melody isn’t nearly as infectious as “Hello Hi” and the backing almost seems too deep and low for their light and fluffy image. Something isn’t connecting for me.
Read the full “Rollercoaster” lyrics
Martin Stenmarck with “Du Tar Mig Tillbaks”
What we said: This is beyond boring, especially if you don’t understand the lyrics. There’s just nothing interesting happening and Martin doesn’t give the song lift. The effects what we saw with the pictures on the LED look amazing, but I fear they are going to give me a headache after a while.
Read the full “Du Tar Mig Tillbaks” lyrics
Linda Bengtzing with “Killer Girl”
What we said: Linda is rocking a shaved head — and that’s about it. This song is dated and bland, and includes an awkward and forced reference to Instagram. It lacks personality and drive and is a huge letdown following the heights of her 2011 entry. Colour me disappointed!
Read the full “Killer Girl” lyrics
Frans with “If I Were Sorry”
What we said: This snippet has me in two minds. The simple spoken word segment could be the yin to an over-the-top and memorable chorus with lots of backing vocalists. Or it could signal three minutes of bland drivel. If the latter proves to be the case, not even Frans’ endearing charm and baby face will be enough to save him. PS: WTF is up with that Lena-esque Cockney accent?
Read the full “If I Were Sorry” lyrics
Panetoz with “Håll Om Mig Hårt”
What we said: This is all over the place — but I love it! The song is similar to Koza Mostra’s Eurovision entry and they have that same energy on the stage. The choreography looks a little clumsy, but that’s actually refreshing in Sweden where everything looks a bit too perfect. Obviously this isn’t going to win, but I hope this makes it to the final.
Read the full “Håll Om Mig Hårt” lyrics
Molly Sandén with “Youniverse”
What we said: I didn’t like the snippet that leaked and I really don’t like this. I think the bookies are betting on hype rather than quality. She has a great voice — no doubt — but this relies on production rather than soul or, say, a melody. The lyrics are atrocious. The electro sounds slightly annoying. And the repetition of “Youniverse” is beyond irritating.
Read the full “Youniverse” lyrics
Which Semi-Final 4 act had the best first rehearsal?
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Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
I think that as in 2013, the winner will be very unexpected. Nothing stands out and i think ace, robin, isa and molly are going to compete for the first place. nothing else stands out as mans
Wiktoria Or Oscar !!!
Let’s make a bet. If Molly wins, Sami will be fired
Samir & Viktor are still clearly the best option for Sweden. If they like ESC, they will choose them. If they hate, they will vote in mass for Molly Sanden’s crap.
i think Oscar Zia will win!
Molly will walk this.
Hopefully, one of the Mollys will win the whole thing.
In this semi:
1. Frans
2. Eclipse
3. Molly
4-7 The rest
Melodifestivalen:
1. Robin
2. Frans
3. Oscar
4. Boris Rene
5. Albin & Mattias
Oh “Super Saturday” coming up with 8 countries choosing their song for Stockholm.. or Super Weekend perhaps 😀
I hope that Ace Wilder wins the final.. or Wiktoria…
The best was definitely Molly… Holly and Polly.
To be honest, this semi is irrelevant! None of the act are spectacular! Oscar will win!
Oh yes.. Oscar!!
I say: Molly wouldn’t be going direkt till final, and if she ever, she’ll end up between fifth and sixth places. This stupidly named song, despice I expected more, is also boring.
Oscar Zia, Isa, Robin and Molly Pettersson Hammar have the best songs. No Ace, neither Molly Sandén.
I’m disappointed with Linda Bengtzing’s song – her Melodifestivalen songs seem to be like one recycled song over, over and over again. Actually, the only song that sounds decent is Molly’s. Everything else is bland and mediocre. Very disappointing.
My favorite for win in final
1. Wiktoria
2. Isa
3. Robin
4. Ace
5. Oscar
For me this is worst semifinal this year.
Eclipse and Martin deserve to go to final.
Pantetoz than Molly deserve to go to second chance.
out France 5 th, Dolly style 6 th and last 7 th Linda .
DOLLY STYLE SHOULD WIN!!!
Based on the snippets, we’ll likely see Molly Sanden and Panetoz direkt till final, with Dolly Style and Frans to andra chansen. However, my fav of all has to be Oscar Zia, and I hope he wins the whole thing! He’s moving quickly on first place in the odds, and I can see why. Go, Oscar! 🙂