The September 1st Eurovision deadline has come — and that also means the submission period for Melodifestivalen 2018 has opened. So now it’s time for our annual delve into the social media profiles of Swedish music stars and see who has been conspicuously busy in the studio in recent weeks, perhaps preparing an entry for Melfest 2018.
Last year we spotted Robin Bengtsson, Wiktoria, Dinah Nah and Krista Siegfrids in the studio — and they all later showed up in the Melfest 2017 line-up. This year plenty of previous Melfest stars have been busy in the studio. But are they preparing an entry for Melfest 2018 or just laying down some new tunes? Let’s take a look!
Molly Pettersson Hammar
In 2015 she made her Melodifestivalen debut with “I’ll Be Fine”, which was controversially knocked out in the heats. In 2016 she did better with her entry “Hunger”, advancing as far as the andra chansen round. Last year Molly Pettersson Hammar finally made it to Eurovision, as the cowriter and backing vocalist behind Ira Losco’s “Walk on Water”. But is the former Swedish Idol contestant having another attempt at Melfest?
Mahan Moin
In 2014 the Iranian-Swedish singer missed out in a place in the grand final with her song “Aleo”. Mahan Moin has recently been spotted in the recording studio, complete with the very interesting hashtags #eurovisinsongcontest #esccamp2017 and #esc2018. Could she be planning a return to Melfest? Or is she writing for someone else?
Robin Bengtsson
He made his Melfest debut in 2016, where “Constellation Prize” was a breakout hit. Then he returned this year with “I Can’t Go On”, won Melfest and took home an impressive fifth-place finish in Kyiv for Sweden. But is Robin Bengtsson planning a return? He’s been spotted in the studio — and it wouldn’t be the first time a Melfest winner has made another attempt.
SaRaha
She made her Melfest debut in 2016, where her feel-good song “Kizunguzungu” was a breakthrough hit. But is SaRaha hoping for a Melfest return? The Swahili photo caption suggests some more Afro-Swedish realness. SaRaha urges fans to “listen carefully” as she sings.
Eric Saade
He’s the triple-Melfest star and one-time Eurovision representative who said he’d never return. But yet Eric Saade — who gave Sweden a third-place result in 2011 with “Popular” — has been spotted in the studio again. Melfest seems unlikely — he’ll be busy following his appearance on Så mycket bättre — but you never know.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BYdlyOmHQrD/
Anna Bergendahl
In 2010 she gave Sweden its worst result of the semi-final era when her song “This is My Life” failed to qualify for the grand final. But is a chance at redemption in the works for Anna Bergendahl? She’s been spotted on Instagram hard at work making music.
Isa
She’s the Melfest it-girl who made a splash in 2015 when her upbeat number “Don’t Stop” reached the grand final. But Isa’s luck ran out the following year when her ballad “I Will Wait” didn’t make it out of the andra chansen round. Will it be third time lucky? Isa has been busy working on new music, which could signal a Melfest comeback.
Gabriel Alares
He’s the former Swedish Idol contestant who has gone on to be a sought-after songwriter for both Eurovision and Melodifestivalen. Gabriel Alares — the man behind songs such as “Faller”, “A Million Voices” and “Icebreaker” — has been spotted back in the studio. But who is he writing for? Something new for his bestie Robin Bengtsson? Another Melfest star? Or is Gabriel finally entering Melfest himself?
Maja “Amaya” Keuc
In 2011 she represented Slovenia at Eurovision with “No One” — Slovenia’s best result in the past 15 years. Maja Keuc has since moved to Stockholm and rebranded herself as Amaya. But despite almost being part of the EMA 2017 lineup, could Amaya have her sights set on the national final of her new home country? A recent studio session suggests something is going on.
Danny Saucedo
He’s the former Swedish Idol contestant who has already made three attempts at Melodifestivalen. In 2009 his Idol boyband EMD placed third with “Baby Goodbye”. In 2011 Danny made his solo debut at Melfest with the second-placed “In the Club”, and returned the following year with “Amazing” which also placed second. It’s been said that Danny is still very serious about a Melfest win, and as his recent photo suggests, he could be working on his big comeback entry for 2018.
What do you think? Are we seeing potential Melfest 2018 entries or just busy musicians? Who would you like to see enter Melodifestvalen 2018? Share your thoughts below!
Heja, Sverige. For some reason, posting stories about MelFest rumors seem to be an “annual habit”. MelFest isn’t until late January. :/
Rumours are boring. Wake me up when the constants are announced.
MPH and Maja would be great. Really want MPH to win! Love her music.
Saade would be welcome back with a good song, as would Isa (something more exciting than “I will wait” obviously).
I’d love every single one of them to return, especially Eric, and I think Danny could return with a song in Swedish which would be awesome. However Robin can’t compete next year, right? Isn’t there a rule that you can’t compete 3 years in a row? Correct me if I’m wrong.
I’ve never heard of such a rule? That would eliminate Wikoria as well. Pretty sure it’s not the case, at least not officially.
I hope it’s not the case lol. If it was it would eliminate Wiktoria too along with many others (Lisa, Boris…)
I’m not entirely sure then hahaha, I mean it definitely doesn’t apply to Eurovision but maybe it’s just an informal rule for Melfest like you said. I’ve never heard it being discussed formally so I don’t know.
That rule would be a good one. If you fail twice in a row, why should MF trust you for a 3rd-straight time? Better that they are forced to take a break, if not 2 years off.
Interesting theory!
For some reason I’ve thought this was a rule for Melfest as well. If it is, it didn’t come into effect until at least 2006 since Shirley Clamp participated in 2003, 2004, and 2005. But like other people are suggesting, maybe it’s just an informal/unspoken rule.
SaRaha’s name here is giving me Kizunguzungu!! We surely need a good upbeat song from Sweden again!! GO SaRaha
It took a long while for me to warm to that song. Now I think Saraha might be an even more dangerous contender this time around. If she and Molly make the finals with better songs, we might see fireworks on the scoreboard.
Time to evaluate: Molly P.H.: “Hunger” was a very strong contender, and I thought it had the potential to place in the top 4 at MF 2016. Unfortunately, Panetoz’ “Hall Om Mi Hårt” was just as strong, and they both had the misfortune of being paired against one another at A.C. (which is why they ought to do away with the A.C. showdowns and simply throw everyone into the mix, with the top 4 going to the final), with Molly ending up on the wrong end of her showdown. Mahan Moin: I don’t know enough about her to pass judgment,… Read more »
You cannot be serious regarding Danny Saucedo – “his time is long past”? He had his most successful hit songs only two years ago (“Brinner i bröstet” and “Dör för dig”) as well as a hit album. His career is doing a lot better than some of the other artists mentioned in the article, and I think he could easily come back and win the whole thing . He is overdue.
Such an unexciting list. Among them only Isa could maybe deliver a cute bop, but she’s so bland anyway. Also, I don’t see why Maja Keuc would try to represent Sweden.
Would love to see Queen MPH at MelFest again- maybe this time she can go to the final. I’m not fine and I’m hungry for her next appearance.
Robin went to Eurovision just last year and finished fifth. Why would he want to go through all this process again 2 years in a row? Same with Eric, he won, he came 3th, great result, that’s it. Why would he want to participate again? Of course, there’s the motive of having a better result, or even win (similar to what happened with Russia in 2006 and 2008). I don’t say they shouldn’t go to MelFest again, everyone has the right to participate, but I’m not really in favour of that. I remember Danny participated in 2009, then in 2011… Read more »
Melodifestivalen in Sweden is like Sanremo here in Italy: it’s for artists who struggle to stay relevant and need exposure. Laura Pausini, Alessandra Amoroso and Tiziano Ferro are huge sellers here, and that’s why they don’t do Sanremo. The same can be said about Veronica Maggio in Sweden, for example.
Also “crediblity”, the more “serious” artists don’t go near Melodifestivalen. Unfortunately.
You don’t have to be Swedish to compete in Mellon. Several foreign artists have taken part in the contest before. However for composing you must work together with at least one Swedish citizen or resident.
I hope for more indie, rock and other good, “daring” music styles next year. Not so much “generic” sounds. But it’s MF…..
Molly PH please. I love her so muuuuch
I think Amaya could be in Mello. She seemed very keen on entering it in a interview. I would love SaraHa back, and yes, even Anna Bergendahl. She has changed sound and could work for Melon.
Doubt about Eric Saade, he will be busy. But Så Mycket Bättre usually gives a career boost so who knows?
Great post Robyn 🙂 I miss Molly Pettersson Hammar! Waiting for her album for so long…
Every artist has written the same word…Studio.
The sure is that they are all preparing their songs for the same project.
I think Danny Saucedo should definitely represent Sweden. He’s both a good singer & dancer, not mentioning his look! He was the runner-up in both 2011 and 2012, so yeah…I think he should come back and be the Swedish representative. He totally deserves it!
I never understood the hype surrounding him.