Semi-final 4 of Melodifestivalen 2017 flew by in a flash of smoke, flashing lights and LED everything. And from the haze of fabulous two winners emerged victorious to head direct to the final: Wiktoria with “As I Lay Me Down” and Jon Henrik Fjällgren feat. Aninia with “En värld full av strider (Vearelde gusnie jeenh vigkieh)”. Two other acts — Loreen with “Statements” and Axel Schylström with “När ingen ser” also lived to see another day, as they will sing in Andra Chansen — the second chance round — next week.
Melodifestivalen 2017: direkt till final
Wiktoria – “As I Lay Me Down”
She’s the reigning queen of the pop-country genre in Sweden and Wiktoria reminded everyone of that this evening. Last year she had to stand in place for three minutes while working with a projection monitor. But on Saturday Wiktoria worked every inch of the stage, including an LED bed where she laid herself down to sleep, vogued, pouted and generally werked it. Channeling the heartbroken girl-next-door, Wiktoria hit every single note, proving that last year was no fluke.
Check out the “As I Lay Me Down” lyrics here
Watch our interview with Wiktoria
Jon Henrik Fjällgren feat. Aninia – “En värld full av strider (Vearelde gusnie jeenh vigkieh)“
He’s a Sami reindeer herder. She’s a bohemian singer with a nose plate, dreads and some serious style. But somehow Jon Henrik and Anina work when put together. This had a spiritual feel to it, owing to Jon Henrik’s use of the Sami language and Anina’s soaring voice. Lots of smoke, traditional costumes and a generally other-worldly vibe elevated this above Roger Pontare’s offering a few weeks ago.
Check out the “En värld full av strider (Vearelde gusnie jeenh vigkieh)” lyrics here
Read our interview with Aninia
Andra Chansen qualifiers
.@LOREEN_TALHAOUI and @axelschylstrom to Andra Chansen! #melfest #melfest2017 pic.twitter.com/Eb9FknpDOn
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) February 25, 2017
Loreen – “Statements”
More performance art than pop piece, “Statements” saw Loreen channeling torment, despair, rage and pain as she waved white flags in her battle against humanity’s many demons. Singing of war and the world’s forgotten victims, she looked deliberately ragged as she danced with a haunting child and a vision of herself elderly and withered. This was divisive to say the least, with Twitter users simultaneously hailing it as art and as self-indulgent tosh. Regardless of where you stand, the Eurovision winner definitely made a statement.
Stirring, haunting, touching — @LOREEN_TALHAOUI definitely made a statement. #melfest #melfest2017 pic.twitter.com/p12RLoiBzp
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) February 25, 2017
Check out the “Statements” lyrics here
Watch our interview with Loreen
Axel Schylström – “När ingen ser”
Axel’s introductory segment saw him removing his shirt and taking a shower in a locker room — putting his third-degree burns on full display. Having overcome a near-death experience that left him with burns on 70% of his body, he wasn’t just singing for himself but for everyone who has ever felt out of place owing to their particular circumstances. But this was no pity party. Axel danced with abandon and served on-point vocals, delivering a feel-good and memorable performance.
Axel's story is totally inspiring. We are applauding so loud. #melfest #melfest2017 pic.twitter.com/LQa094dAnO
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) February 25, 2017
Eliminated acts
5. Alice – “Running With Lions”
Now this is how you debut. Alice delivered a catchy, radio-friendly number that was instantly likeable and kept the momentum going for three minutes. Besides some flashy camera effects that made it seem like there were gold stars everywhere, the staging was rather simple and relied solely on Alice serving face, steps and attitude. It seems like this act had fewer resources than some of the others, but she made the most of it. The introductory segment prior to her number showed a touching image of her Swedish parents shortly after they adopted her in Vietnam. It tugged on our heartstrings.
Beautiful photo of Alice when she was adopted in Vietnam as an infant. #melfest #melfest2017 pic.twitter.com/FLDGCCYXhb
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) February 25, 2017
6. Les Gordons – “Bound to Fall”
The look was groovy and throwback, channeling the best of mod with their finely tailored suits and the vintage camera shots. But the wildcards simply didn’t have enough wow factor to move past the more established artists.
We're still thinking of Les Gordons' camerawork. Nice stuff! #melfest #melfest2017 pic.twitter.com/8xyuf9b8GO
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) February 25, 2017
7. Sara Varga & Juha Mulari – “Du får inte ändra på mig”
They’ve got lovely voices and they managed to make them work together. But ultimately this was far too sleepy to make an impact, and it almost seemed like they were put in slot 6 to make Loreen look better. The sound was dated, yesterday and very niche…and at times the purple heart on the screen looked like it was dying. Good for variety, but it wasn’t very memorable. By the recap I had all but forgotten it.
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Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT
I like Wiktoria, Loreen is scary 🙂
Loreen’s performance gave me anxiety. I didn’t wanna get that on my tv screen. It wasn’t likeable. Her song is just 1944 number #2. Her “statement” was propably: I just scream something and they will vote for me!
So many things to say here: I was shocked too when I saw Loreen going to AC! I’m not a huge fan, I just love “Euphoria” and I believe she’s so popular she would qualify to the final. Wiktoria was amazing! Loved it! Jon Henrik Fjällgren feat. Aninia: wonderful performance! Axel Schylström was really good too! About Loreen’s performance: I have to admit the song itself was a bit of a let down for me, but the overall perfromance was absolutely stunning!! It was awesome! She slayed! So excited! It could be easily part of a musical or a play!… Read more »
This year is dreadful, so many bad songs. If Nano wins, he won’t make the final in Kyiv.
Also nothing against him but someone needs to correct Sami on his pronunciation of the word ‘performance.’ Sami says it similar to ‘peppermints.’
A really late opinion on the 4th semi-final (and the best semi-final of the four by a long shot) from Singapore… Wiktoria: You slay girl! I was so disappointed at her not winning Melfest last year but this year she brought real country into the stage. Her vocals had improved and the LED bed was really an excellent prop to this song. Definitely another top 5 finish for her. Jon Henrik feat Aninia: What a performance! I thought I would be disappointed after looking at the rehearsal snippet but they really turned this around! Jon’s vocals were amazing as per… Read more »
Mello 2017
Wiktoria: Catchiest song.
Robin: Best stage/performance
Nano: Best verses and pre chorus
Jon: Most memorable chorus. The most different and unique
It is now 3:00 A.M. in New York City, and I just watched the recorded broadcast of the 4th round. As with all the shows that I have watched, I use the same 8 criteria to score them. For this particular heat, I will list them in the order in which they sang, because I have a lot to say about how it ended for Loreen: 9.388 (2+) Jon Henrik Fjällgren and Aninia: “En Värld Full Av Strider (Eatneme Gusnie Jeenh Dåaroeh)” (finalist) I have read criticisms (mostly at YouTube) about his merging of Sámi jojk with modern music. No… Read more »
@Stian F YOU SHOULD BE PRESIDENT OF THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!
John Henrik for ESC.
Just talked to My 65 year old mother and said ” and Lorren didn’t go to the final”‘, her respons was. Yes, and THAT was good.
Grandmothers shouldent be allmoges to wote. ; ) As I expected, she woted om Jon Henrik and Wiktoria.
I knew that Loreen wouldn’t go to the final. I have never called so desperately as I did last nigt. Almost every kid in sweden has a mobile and the melfest app that give them the opportunity to wote five times at every entry. NO WAY childen wote for statements, and NO WAY many gandmothers would wote for statement, Jon-Henrik is were popular and his personality and genuinity goes strait to our norden hearts. The swedish kids love Wikora from last year. I lisend to the songs before the show and thought that the swedish kids was woting for Wiktoria,… Read more »
My queen hit #1 Swedish iTunes chart. Please let her make it to Finale and Top 3 or winner
Wiwibloggs, tell the interviewer to tell loreen some of her criticism to improve at andra chanson. (Mumbling lyrics/enunciation, more camera angles & sing the 2nd verse more strongly) She should do much better with these corrections
Can someone explain Wiktoria to me?
I didn’t get it last year and I get it even less this year.
I’m surprised that Loreen didn’t make it through, however less surprised that “Statements” didn’t. Does that make sense? What I’m trying to say is, the song was a bit underwhelming – it was an epic performance, but the song itself is not THAT good.
Wiktoria probably won this semi.
Yassou!!
@Greekfan ???? ??? 🙂
I think so too that Jon seemed very shy and not so ‘Hollywood’ like Wiktoria or natural confident like Alice and Loreen — I was just wondering if someone who understood the Swedish knew what the presenter say to Jon Henrik specifically.
Jon is not fake, he is natural and the genre of music he sings really represents him, he is not just trying to have a hit and be famous.
Sweden must see and appreciate his genuine behavior.
@ Greekfan Again you’re staying your opinion as fact. I don’t believe it should like filler on Heal. The drums and electric guitar gives it a rocker sound that sounds like an evolution to me, so in my opinion doesn’t fit with Heal. If you listen to the studio version which I’ve done all night. You’ll hear it more clearly. I’m not blinded by it being Loreen. I do think her diction live needs to improve. I think it’s an improvement from Euphoria as after 5 years I feel the song has not aged as well as it could and… Read more »
After seeing the performance of Statements and the different key in the melody, I can now say that this song would be great to win, so let’s get this to the final next week and hope for the best if it does. Although I still think it could be a 2 or 3 horse race between her, Mariette and Wiktoria.
@LightvsDarkness
Benjamin currently has the most Youtube views? Good grief…
Wiktoria is amazing but Save Me is far superior compared to this year’s song.
The song number 1 is a lovely addition, very different and in Swedish!
Loreen’s performance was absolutely flawless and powerful. Imagine it in Eurovision!! It could upgrade the contest…. however it is too difficult for the average viewer so i doubt it will win or even qualify to the final sadly.
Based on the youtube views:
1. Good lovin
2. A million years
3. I can’t go on
4. Statements
5. Hold on
Sad Alice is out, but expected after Jasmine Kara…
@Donna Vey
I just think Jon is a very introvert and shy guy. He got really nervous for the results and can’t pretend he is cool as good as the the rest of the artists.
@DR
It doesnt really have a chorus, dear. It has a pre-chorus and then she’s mumbling Statements, statements, statements…
I respect your opinion but I insist that the song is a let down, compared to Euphoria at least. Get her performance away. Doesn’t the song sounds like a filler from Heal or her new album? You can love it but it’s still true.
I was actually very impressed by Jon Henrik. The staging and the whole atmosphere gave me chills, was not expected it at all. I think the song also stands out from the usual chain of genetically modified Swedish songs that look like they came from the same incubator. Something different, something with a genuine character
Even though I didn’t think Alice’s song was that strong, I can’t believe she didn’t even make it to Andra Chansen. Wiktoria’s performance was great and I’ll be rooting for her and Mariette in the final.
Can anyone please explain why Jon Henrik looked so awkward and uncomfortable when the presenter spoke to him, and put his arm around him, during the results? He seemed so tense.
@eurovision6:
That’s a shame Mariette isn’t so much talked about it, from what you hear.
I hoped Mariette would receive more attention this year. The song is strong, with a simple hook, and she has a great stage presence.
She only receiced 5.8% of the televote in 2015 but that year there was Mans with such a strong clear favourite no wonder he took 35% of the televote. This year the televoting may be split many more ways?
@ Charles
I will ask to your mom about my English grammar. She will help me more than Oprah… Thank u. U gave me a great idea. Come to learn my language and will show to u some words that will never forget.
Donna Vey
Its just my view on it.. that Mariette isnt as popular with the swedish people as with eurovision fans, also “Dont Stop Believing” was more talked about than “A Million Years” and it ONLY received 5.8% of the televotes in the final, thats why I think she doesnt stand a chance.. Personally I can only see Nano, Jon Henrik, Loreen and maybe Wiktoria as possible winners
I love euphoria . Euphoria is my top 1st favorite Esc song .
Loreen was the only artist to actually bring a song that could work outside of Eurovision in this semi. It was a very weak semi – probably the weakest of them all. The sami song was a huge let down – as I really wanted Jon Henrik to win back in 2015 (had it as a favorite over Måns Zelmerløw then), but I didnt feel that the female vocals fitted the song at all. Alice’s vocals were really off, and her song was just generic radiopop – the performance was very forgettable. Les Gordons was actually a very nice surprise… Read more »
@Greekfan Sorry but are you saying your opinion is better than the anyone else’s. Basically you did by saying that cos you couldn’t find a chorus (which I did) and you don’t like it it’s rubbish and everyone is kidding them selves if they are pretending to like them. Don’t you dare use your OPINION as fact. I’m not saying cos I love it and have played it continuously since melfest ended that everyone must adore it. You are showing the one thing I hate from Eurovision fans. When they state that things are going to happen because of their… Read more »
Not sure Loreen will beat Anton Hagman in AC though :/ Anton has a pretty good song, as poppy as it may be, and it’ll appeal to all the teens that voted people like JTR and others to the final before
@eurovision6:
I would be happy if Jon + Aninia or, somewhat less, if Nano win. I would be happy if Wiktoria wins. I would be thrilled if Loreen or Mariette win though.
Why don’t you think Mariette can win with the Swedish public?
Can you all stop with Loreen? The song is a let down, either you want to admit it or not. It doesnt even have a chorus!
This is Eurovision SONG contest, a good performance is not the only thing you need. Plus the performance wasn’t that amazing either. We’ve seen this before.
Think like this: If you hadn’t seen Loreen before and never heard Euphoria, would you love Statements that much? Highly doubt it.
Swedens did the right choice sending her to Andra Chansen.
I actually find Wiktoria’s song to be more REAL and HONEST compared to that horrifically pretentious show Loreen put on…..I found it over staged, overacted and very fake ……….. I know it’s supposed to convey a massage but I didn’t feel any emotion cos the show was so technical and confusing for the most part.
thank you sweden 4 chooes my favorite performancers Jon and Wiktora to final!
and Thank you 4 ?saveing my ear”
From overrated Diva Screaming” . Im so tired of that kind of song.
The win will most likely be between Nano and Jon Henrik or maybe Loreen if she qualifies from AC (most likely).. I can promise you all here on wiwibloggs rn that neither Mariette nor Ace will win.. you can build up the hype as much as you want but they will fail with the televotes 🙂
I hope Loreen beats Anton Hagman in AC. I’m glad to see her again next week. But I wished it was in the final 🙁
Sweden to Europe: Calm down. Loreen’s art was a bit too messy, and she will qualify via AC but she won’t win MF.
I don’t think Wictoria is a contender for the victory either, the song’s a bit plain.
IMO it’s between Nano, Mariette and Robin.
@Olsi: I can understand your lack of grammar but nevertheless if I manage to read your statement right I guess you wanted to say Loreen is a screaming girl lost IN the mountains (not “on” the mountains) and that she IS a robot (not “to be a robot). You see we conjugate verbs in English. Then “I don’t hate ANYBODY” (“someone” cannot be used with negative statements) and “I ignore them” (“them” who or what do refer to? I am only ONE person!) “as I will do now with this last message FOR you and for “The lost girl on… Read more »
I don’t even care about Loreen. I’m pissed Alice got left out!
Prediction for second chance
1 Fo&O
2. Axel instead of Lisa thanks like tonight to simpathy votes ( suprised of the evening= like last year when Isa lost in second chance
3.Boris
4.Loreen
@ben005: In other words … why do we have televoters …if they can only hear the music just once and that’s it? So unfair … when musical professional juries fans hate so much get to listen to the songs more than once and make a more detailed judgement that casts a shadow on the most-of-the-time-bs-taste-in-music that televoters have despite their absolute desperate screaming anguish need to claim that their vote is the one that counts everything … even if an Italian operatic soprano turtle and its countertenor oink oink old macdonald farm’s pig were singing on stage …
@Charles
To like screaming as lost on mountains and technology as to be a robot. I don’t hate someone. I ignore them as I will do now with this last message to you and for The lost girl on the mountains.
@Charli Cheer Up “That girl in the beginning looked like Samara from the Ring.”
You won the night my friend. 😀
@EmanAe: hahaha thank you!! Now I’m right now listening to Mariette
You’ve changed my life 😉
@renars.lol
I am seeing that job. Eurovision lost in this new millenium… Please change the name of Eurovision Song Contest in Eurovision Screaming and Technology Contest.
Eurosong is going on to be more poor by song and strong in screaming on the mountains and technology inside the laboratories.
@chicken kyiv???: If want the whole galaxy to know how much you hate Loreen you have to scream louder cause nobody in Saturn actually managed to hear you …