The final of Melodifestivalen — the biggest national final of the Eurovision season — is finally upon us. Sweden’s annual celebration of song (and schlager and divas and things that sparkle) will take place in Stockholm’s Friends Arena on Saturday. We’re on the ground and have been snapping pics and jotting down notes to help you get ready for the musical extravaganza. Put on your sunglasses — it’s about to get bright!

1. MENDEZ – “EVERYDAY”

Nothing major changed from last week. “Everyday” is still an ear worm that makes you want to move. The fiesta draws fire from dancers who help amp up the energy, and distract you from Mendez’s questionable vocals. For Spanish viewers this will be cliché after cliché. In fact, for Swedish viewers it will also be cliché after cliché. But that doesn’t mean it won’t please plenty of people — and potentially draw some votes.

2. RENAIDA – “ALL THE FEELS”

With each run-through Renaida seems more confident on stage. As in her semi-final and Andra Chansen, this woman radiates energy, light and happiness. She gives us “All the Feels” — and most especially joy. Even without a big climax, Renaida captivates you with her voice, style and attitude — endearing herself to viewers week by week.  Regardless of the result on Saturday, she’s already won.

3. MARTIN ALMGREN – “BITTER LULLABY”

Simple yet effective. When you have a winning formula you stick with it and that is  exactly what Martin Almgrem is doing. Look, the man can sing. His husky country voice fills the stage and keeps you engaged even if you don’t like this type of music, which some might argue comes from another era. The camera angles are tighter and the light show is on point. In a year where everything sounds the same, Martin is more than capable of snatching the crown. This dark horse is hungry — so hide your apples or watch him eat!

4. JOHN LUNDVIK – “MY TURN”

Martin can sing, and John Lundvik can sing. This is three minutes of vocal perfection, and with a song meant to showcase precisely that. Even if it’s a tad predictable, “My Turn” does its job. A sweet piano ballad with a major key change and a pyro demonstration — copy and paste all our positivity from his semi-final. While most Eurovision fans are counting John out, viewers in Sweden seem to appreciate Lundvik’s vocal strength. Some even think he’s a potential surprise winner.

5. JESSICA ANDERSSON – “PARTY VOICE”

Can you hear her party voice? Yassica Andersson is back and stronger than ever, telling the audience who runs the weekend. Even if this schlager moment feels vintage, Jessica does her best on giving it a modern spin. The choreography is near perfect and the camera angles are better than in the semi-final, resulting in a tighter, higher impact performance. Everything that needs to work here, works.

Get the “Dance like a Mother” t-shirt

6. LIAMOO – “LAST BREATH”

If you were sceptical about LIAMOO’s semi-final performance, then stop. While the performance of “Last Breath” still feels authentic to what it was back in Gothenburg, the camera production is taking this to another level. He is more comfortable on stage. It’s clear Sacha Jean-Baptiste has been working on getting this to work for Saturday. Bravo! And about time.

7. SAMIR & VIKTOR – “SHUFFLA”

When you make an impression like Samir & Viktor did in Gothenburg, there’s little you should change. They already provided synchronised choreo at the semi-final but today they really moved as one. The “fake” moment where Viktor pretends to be out of breath is gone but the fun and authenticity the duo brings to the stage remains in tact. There’s a reason they went direct to the final, after all.

8. MARIETTE – “FOR YOU”

The major change for Mariette is her styling. She’s ditched the casual jeans and cropped t-shirt and replaced it with an all-white co-ord. The lit-up blue pyramid is back and she commands the mystical triangle like no other, serving that Illuminati realness. The vocals are on point and the camera shots as well. It’s rehearsed and ready to go. But is that enough?

9. FELIX SANDMAN – “EVERY SINGLE DAY”

Felix Sandman is back after hitting #1 in Sweden’s Spotify Top 50. His bold claim? Less is more. His voice is now back at 100% which makes “Every Single Day” a strong contender to win the coveted ticket to Lisbon. He invites you in, tells you a love story in three minutes and it’s beautiful. Everything is flawless here. Many will say it’s “a bit too Frans”. But that was then. And Felix is most definitely now.

10. MARGARET – “IN MY CABANA”

In today’s rehearsal Margaret stuck to the trend of mixing things up and changing her staging after every single performance. The Polish star showed up in a red dress with a pearl necklace — a sharp shift away from her Andra Chansen yellow dress and her semi-final orange one. The LED with the cabana is back and the two-minute long camera shot is still there. If you liked the song already, it’s doubtful Margaret will disappoint you on Saturday. Now go get it, gurl.

11. BENJAMIN INGROSSO – “DANCE YOU OFF”

He is the bookies’ favourite to win it all and you can understand why. Benjamin’s performance is very similar to the semi-final. He’s still lighting it up — figuratively and literally —  but this time around he adds a bit more sex. Three minutes in and you’re out of breath and ready for more. Dancing, moonwalking and voguing before a series of horizontal lights, he’s in a world of his own and the audience only features at the end. The camera shots also improved. It’s a package ready for Eurovision.

12. ROLANDZ – “FULDANS”

Rolandz close the show with a bang. They bring back the energy of semi-final four (and the same sequins, seemingly born of Mother Disco Ball). Entertaining from the first minute, the comedy stamp in this act is clear and you should enjoy it and celebrate it as such. Edward af Sillén is in loco to make this the perfect performance and he is nailing it.

Who do you think will win Melodifestivalen this year? Is there a potential Eurovision winner among them? Tell us what you think below!

GET MORE SWEDEN NEWS HERE

Previous Article
37 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Davve
Davve
6 years ago

Those in contention for a win is Felix, Benjamin, Mariette, John and Liamoo. And honestly I would be pleased with any of thsm. I think all five stands a good chance in Lisbon.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  Davve

I don’t think John would stand a chance. To many similar songs in the contest. It would 2010 all over again!

Adriana
Adriana
6 years ago

Margaret in my cabana acussed of plagiarism.click the link bellow
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YeELdhydlkk&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Adriana

Uhm…. This is about ”Cool me down”. And it’s actually about someone who copied from Margaret not Margaret copying someone else. Is it really that difficult to think before you write?

Adriana
Adriana
6 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

My apologies i was mixed the names Jennifer has copied Margaret ,not with the other way arround.apologies again,my mistake.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago
Reply to  Adriana

Nah, no Problem.

ImpressiveInstants
ImpressiveInstants
6 years ago

Can’t they all place last? I mean…

Zolex
Zolex
6 years ago

Liamoo or Felix to win.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
6 years ago

There are actually two Songs that would end up in my top 5: Shuffla and Every single day. These are the clear standouts for me. I don’t want Benjamin with his annoying attidute, his annoying head nodding things and his annoying voice. Yeah, the song is kinda good, but ”kinda good” isn’t a Melfest winner for me. (I have to admit that the stage Show is really cool and the production Overall seems to be good) I’d still prefer him over Mariette tho… That song is going nowhere.

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

Don’t forget about the voting changes this year. Whoever gets higher televotes will most likely win. International juries have less influence this time.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

They don’t. As long as you can vote with the app the jury vote will decide. Juries will vote on more songs but the point difference will be lesser while the televoting points difference will be larger

gj
gj
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

It’s true. The system won’t sway towards the televote unless the app vote is muted. They really need to revise the vote allowance on the app to get anything worthwhile out of it.

Andy
Andy
6 years ago

Not true. Someone compared the two voting styles and the new one still leans towards jury decision, this time slightly less than before.

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
6 years ago

Caroline Af Ugglas (Snälla Snälla 2009) will do the interpretation of last years winner I Can’t Go On, together with a choir consisting of new Swedes and asylum seekers.

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

AUSTRIA IS OUT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8MyztgOTv8
I like it a lot! I think if he can really sell it live it’s got a great shot at the final.

gj
gj
6 years ago

Come on Benji! Could win Eurovision.

schuyler
schuyler
6 years ago

Do people actually like Margaret’s stage show? Like the vocals are a big no from me but the STAGING? JUST. WHY. STOOOP.

Escphbelgium
Escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  schuyler

Oh Blah Blah Blah your needs. Let people be and shut up.

esc freak
esc freak
6 years ago

John Lundvik <3<3<3

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago

I hope international juries will sabotage Bjorkman and make Rolandz win.
Then Rolandz get nil points at the ESC, Bjorkman resigns from Melfest duties, so we are never going to see his influence on the ESC again. For the common good.

Malin
Malin
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Well, Björkman will resign i just a few years … bit Will then help other countries whith their national selection. ?
Sorry, but Björkman will continue to influence ESC, and probably more when he leave melfest.

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago
Reply to  Malin

If he flops once a-la Sweden 2010, his past success is going to be forgotten as quickly as possible.

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Come on, Sweden 2010 wasn’t THAT disasterous. It happened only once and it missed the finals only by few points, ending-up 11th. A country like Switzerland would even call it a success. A matter of perspective. But yeah, for Sweden, it was pretty much a blow.

Eve
Eve
6 years ago
Reply to  Colin

And after Bjorkman it will come new ”Bjorkman” and then what? Instead of moaning, better concentrate on your countries entries.

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago
Reply to  Eve

the old ”Bjorkman” from 2000-2011 could only manage to come 5th at best, which is where Sweden’s ceiling for the ESC should remain forever. The public’s interest will slowly die down and Melodifestivalen will subsequently transform into Eurovision: You Decide with Sweden failing to qualify for 5 years in a row and then withdrawing in the 2025 altogether

Xeph
Xeph
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Why all the hate for Björkman? If every country had a guy as passionate as him in charge maybe they’d do as well as Sweden.

TK
TK
6 years ago

Should be a good show! I’m totally happy with Liamoo, Mariette, Renaida, Felix, Viktor & Samir or Margaret winning.

I think Renaida has the best produced and most current song but I don’t think she has a hope in hell.

Good luck to all the performers!

Miguel?
Miguel?
6 years ago

Benjamin ftw, he’s the best. If don’t win I hope Mariette could win this time.

Pavel
Pavel
6 years ago
Reply to  Miguel?

Margaret’s obviously winning, but at the ESC there’s no backing track so her spectacular flop will be in the record books for years to come

Colin
Colin
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

Again, Wiwibloggs polls are NOT predictions. How many times does that have to be said?! We all know Margaret likely won’t win, and even if she does, it will be like Romania – a full shocker!

Xeph
Xeph
6 years ago
Reply to  Pavel

If you think Margaret is winning this it just shows how little you know about both the Swedish public and the international juries.

schuyler
schuyler
6 years ago

I’m so glad that Mariette is upping her outfit game! I hope she wins!!

guadalupe
guadalupe
6 years ago

Samir and Viktor have their own epic sax guy. I like when artists take inspiration certain elements.

Martinija
Martinija
6 years ago

LIAMOO will be a surprise winner

Karl
Karl
6 years ago
Reply to  Martinija

I wouldn’t call LIAMOO winning surprising.

Kris
Kris
6 years ago
Reply to  Martinija

Like duh! Most people think it’s between Felix, Liamoo and Benjamin. So if someone other than them wins…. Then I’d be surprised

Denis
Denis
6 years ago
Reply to  Martinija

Not really. He is one of three, maybe four contenders.