Entries for Melodifestivalen 2019 closed earlier this month and now it’s up to SVT’s Melfest team to decide who will be among the 28 acts vying to represent Sweden next year in Tel Aviv. As always, we’ve been keeping a close eye on social media to see which Swedish stars have been spotted in the recording studio in recent weeks.
Of course, it just because a Swedish singer has been recording new music before the Melfest deadline, it doesn’t necessarily mean they are planning to submit a song to Mello. But in previous years we spotted Robin Bengtsson, Mimi Werner and Wiktoria in the studio before they were later confirmed for Melfest.
SVT is expected to announce the acts for Melodifestivalen 2019 sometime in November — and there are sure to be surprises. But until then, let’s see who has been busy in the studio.
Oscar Zia
In 2016, Oscar Zia placed second at Melodifestivalen and even topped the jury vote. Since then, there has been demand for him to return to Melfest, with some fans wanting to see him take home the songbird trophy. So does this recent Instagram story show Oscar hard at work on a Melfest entry?
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.
Bella & Filippa
In 2017, the country-pop duo made their Melfest debut with “Crucified”. While the only narrowly missed out on an andra chansen place, the entry was still well received and kicked off their music career. Are the musical stepsisters taking another shot at Mello?
John Lundvik
At Melodifestivalen 2018, his sentimental balled “My Turn” was a surpise hit, popular with both juries and the Swedish public. But is it now time for the accomplished performer and songwriter to have another turn?
Andreas Lundstedt
Disco legends Alcazar notoriously didn’t make the cut for Melodifestivalen 2018, but will one-third of the group have better luck? Andreas Lundstedt has been spotted in the studio with Daniel Mistiogiannis (Melfest 2008) and Eurovision songwriter Dimitri Stassos.
SaRaha
Her fun tune “Kizunguzungu” was the surprise hit of Melodifestivalen 2016. Is it now time for SaRaha to bring some more Afro-Swede beats to the Melodifestivalen stage?
Brother Leo
The artist formerly known as Ola Svensson got his start on Swedish Idol in 2005. He has competed in Melfest twice before, including placing seventh in 2010 with “Unstoppable”. Now rebranded as Brother Leo, he’s move towards a more alt pop/soul sound. Could the good brother be looking at a Mello comeback with his new style?
Måns Zelmerlöw
Is the hero of our time going back for another turn? Måns won Eurovision in 2015, but does he have a desire to be Sweden’s answer to Johnny Logan and win twice? Ok, we’re more inclined to just see this as Måns getting back into the studio for the first time since becoming a new dad, but you never know!
What do you think? Who would you like to see in the Melodifestivalen 2019 lineup? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Glad to see your post, and hope things improve so we get some more posts to read!
Who I want to see in MelFest: Renaida, Alice Svensson, Ace Wilder, Sibel Redzep, Smith and Thell, Molly Petterson Hammar, Dismissed, Smilo, Mimi Werner, Brie Larson (don’t @ me), Margaret, John Martin, JTR, Dinah Nah, Liamoo, Jasmine Kara, Lune, Rebecca and Fiona, Dotter, Elliephant, AronChupa
Well, since 2015 Sweden only gave us male soloists, so I believe in 2019 we should witness some Swedish girl power.
Maja Keuc was criminally underrated by the public in 2011, so it is time now I think 😀
And one day I wanna see Mimi Werner taking the crown 😀
PS: I agree with the user KYLLITO here: Let’s make a found for Robyn, wiwibloggs! We will bring her to Tel Aviv 🙂
Måns didn’t even win the televoting back in 2015 and Sweden are struggling now with the televotes, a comeback wouldn’t help at all in my opinion
I don’t think they can compete this year (maybe because of rules I’ve heard about) but I would like to see Wiktoria, Mariette and Felix Sandman 🙂
Other great options are Nano, Jon Henrik and Aninia (together like in 2017, they were amazing) and even Loreen, just so we can get another masterpiece like Statements
I would as I believe it would happen again if they sent another generic pop song like Dance You Off, which is likely what they’ll send, it is Sweden after all
I would love to see Oscar Zia on the ESC stage… He was the best in 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ngVbhihHS8
Jon Hendrik Fjallgren, please. Sweden needs to send something different next year or it’s going to get worse.
Oscar Zia looks younger here than he did in 2016!!
I can understand why artists who didn’t win first time want to come back to Eurovision to try their luck again, it’s absolutely fine,but why come back when you already won? for what? you already made a history as a winner , just stay classy and don’t ruin your legacy.
I still want Felix Sandman for next year but i think he is not gonna participate…sob…
Christer Sjögren maby. He mait be the veteran they will have this year. In Sweden he is very loved by many in the order generation and he will be in the tv-show Så mycket bättre. Just like Kicki Danielsson last year.
I would like to see a Jojk whith Jon hendrik and Loreen singing
I’d like to see Jon Henrik do a jojk with Maxida Märak…
…or maybe one with Elin Kåven (MGP 2017) for Sweden or Norway.
I want to see Linus Svenning coming back so bad<3
Out of these names , Amaya
AYE! Now that’s a name I want to see back at MelFest!
From these I would love to see John Lundvik, Amaya and SaRaha back <3
Oh and I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for Dinah Nah and Linus Svenning, although it looks unlikely…
Thanks for the Melo info Robyn. I would be glad to see any of these artists at Melo 2019. And on a side note Robyn, you said you probably don’t have the funds this year to go to Tel Aviv for ESC2019. We need to start a Go Fund Me drive to get you there. I would donate!
Not excited about any of those names. I like comebacks though because often, they go hilariously wrong. Like when Dima Bilan and the one tatu girl lost to the Russian grannies. Totally justified, even the grannies spoke better English than he ever did.
And the grannies’ song deserved its result way more than the other two did at Eurovision.
Would love to see Wiktoria, John Lundvik, Molly Petersson Hammar, Ace Wilder and Dinah Nah coming back for another shot.
I’d like to see Wiktoria try something other than folktronic.
Now I’m more able to attend Eurovision events, I really support returning artists just because I will still get a chance to meet them. So PLEASE Mans and Maja I beg you to return!
Brother Leo? What’s so wrong with simply being Ola? Or is he hoping for an international career somehow?
I’d like Adrijana to make a come back. “Amare” was criminally underrated!!
Same! It was my 3rd most streamed song on Spotify last year!
I hope Andreas Johnson makes his 43rd attempt next year.
Just no Måns. Everyone else is fine. Don’t ruin your legacy.
You might have a point. Loreen tried again and look what happened. Sometimes a big win is VERY hard to repeat, let alone top, the second time around. Better for Måns to lay low.