It’s one of the most anticipated national finals of the season. Now Swedish broadcaster SVT has revealed the running order of the four semi-finals in Melodifestivalen 2019.

The announcement was made today in a live stream on social media. Mello boss Christer Björkman and assistant producer Karin Gunnarsson revealed the positions to an eager online audience, including the regular wall of colour-coded Post-Its.

  • Pink: female pop
  • Purple: male pop
  • Yellow, other colours: “something out of the ordinary”
  • Green star: Swedish lyrics
  • Red star: At least one female songwriter
  • Circles, check marks: the songs are confirmed, in their final version

Openers and closers

The first act we’ll see on stage in Gothenburg in three weeks time will be Mello 2017 runner-up Nano, who opens the first semi-final with “Chasing Rivers”. Sweden’s Eurovision 2010 artist Anna Bergendahl will close the semi with her song”Ashes to Ashes”.

The second semi in Malmö sees Melfest regular Andreas Johnson opening with “Army of Us”. And in what is perhaps a surprise position, Polish popstress Margaret will close with her song “Tempo” — suggesting she has a show-stopping performance in store.

Taking to the stage first at the third semi-final in Leksand will be P4 Nästa wildcard winners The Lovers of Valdaro with their song “Somebody Wants”. Closing the show will be Melfest 2015 runner-up Jon Henrik Fjällgren, who will perform “Norrsken”.

And opening the final semi in Lidköping will be fantasy rockers Pagan Fury who will bring the storm with “Stormbringer”. Closing that show will be Mello 2018 balladeer John Lundvik.

Does running order guarantee Melodifestivalen success?

It’s generally thought that the opening and closing positions in each semi are given to two of the strongest songs, so today’s reveal can offer clues to the songs likely to make the grand final or andra chansen.

While fans have various theories about the power and potential of performing first and last, it is no guarantee of going direkt till final. Sometimes it’s all down to the song.

Last year five of the eight direct qualifiers performed first or last. However, John Lundvik qualified after performing second in his semi — generally thought to be an unlucky position — while novelty group Rolandz qualified from fourth position. Conversely, in 2017, Loreen closed the last semi-final, a but despite being a much admired performer, she only placed third.

Much effort goes into determining the order of the songs. Each show contains songs in a mix of genres and languages, performed by different types of artists. As well, thought is given to ensuring the overall song order creates an entertaining television show.

Melodifestivalen 2019 – Semi-finals running order

Semi-final 1: Gothenburg – 2 February

  1. Nano – “Chasing Rivers”
  2. High15 – “No Drama”
  3. Wiktoria – “Not with Me”
  4. Zeana feat. Anis don Demina – “Mina bränder”
  5. Arja Saijonmaa – “Mina fyra årstider”
  6. Mohombi – “Hello”
  7. Anna Bergendahl – “Ashes to Ashes”

Semi-final 2: Malmö – 9 February

  1. Andreas Johnson – “Army of Us”
  2. Malou Prytz – “I Do Me”
  3. Oscar Enestad – “I Love It”
  4. Jan Malmsjö – “Leva livet”
  5. Vlad Reiser – “Nakna i regnet”
  6. Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO – “Hold You”
  7. Margaret – “Tempo”

Semi-final 3: Leksand – 16 February

  1. The Lovers of Valdaro – “Somebody Wants”
  2. Dolly Style – “Habibi”
  3. Martin Stenmarck – “Låt skiten brinna”
  4. Lina Hedlund – “Victorious”
  5. Omar – “Om igen”
  6. Rebecka Karlsson – “Who I Am”
  7. Jon Henrik Fjällgren – “Norrsken”

Semi-final 4: Lidköping – 23 February

  1. Pagan Fury – “Stormbringer”
  2. Anton Hagman – “Känner dig”
  3. Lisa Ajax – “Torn”
  4. Arvingarna – “I Do”
  5. Bishara – “On My Own”
  6. Ann-Louise Hanson – “Kärleken finns kvar”
  7. John Lundvik – “Too Late for Love”

What do you think of the Melfest 2019 running order? Are you surprised by any of the placings? Will the running order help certain artists? Share your thoughts below!

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confusedqueer
confusedqueer
5 years ago

Why Dolly Style’s song is arabic

srulik
srulik
5 years ago

We can see the ones bjorkman sets his eyea to…and he sure knows how to influence the swedish public. I just hope the quality is better than last year.

blondboybc@hotmail.com
5 years ago

The running order in the semis heavily favours Anna, Jon-Henrik, John, and Margaret to make the final. Less favourable to other big acts like Nano, Wiktoria and Lisa. I’m cheering fro Jon and Anna!

Juan Cena
5 years ago

I guess I’ll have to listen to the songs first before I make my final mind up about this year, but I doubt that any of the songs/acts will be better than anything Normandie did on “White Flag.”

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
5 years ago

Great line-up. This has the potential to be a very strong year for Melfest and for Sweden.

Skiwalko
Skiwalko
5 years ago

Well, in 2013 Robin Stjernberg performed third in his semi… Unfortunately that was the only case in the history of this format.

Belle
Belle
5 years ago

I’m worried about Wiktoria now. Bad running order for her. I root for Wiktoria, Jon-Henrik, Nano, Margaret and Pagan Fury. Amazing line-up. I hope the songs are great as well. Go Sweden!

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Belle

Oh, she will qualify! She is a big name now!

Sal
Sal
5 years ago

I have a really good feeling about Anna’s song… so excited to hear it! And Jon Henrik’s…

Maxim
Maxim
5 years ago

I’m a bit worried about Wiktoria because of her position in the first semi. However, in 2017 she performed 4th in her semifinal and still managed to be second in the public vote… Guess we’ll see

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Maxim

Its a ballad so they are never first or last. Nothing to be worried about 🙂

Maxim
Maxim
5 years ago
Reply to  Rasmus

You’re right! Reminds me of Sanna Nielsen (2014).

And of course I want the best song to win, but I’m just rooting for Wiktoria!

Ewe
Ewe
5 years ago

Rooting for The legend, Arja Saijonmaa <3

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Ewe

I worry she will finish in an undignified last place, like so many older legacy acts before her. Three-time winner Marie Bergman, Kikki D. etc. – I hate to see that happen.

Evio
Evio
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Kikki is a schlager queen and she went for country. That was a Choice.

Ugnius
Ugnius
5 years ago

Why Jon Henrik Fjallgren has so strange label ? It looks like as if they have written another song title and then crossed it out. Of course, they did it on purpoe (otherwise, they would have taken new post-it). What’s the meaning behind this ?

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
5 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

The title of the song has changed several times since it was submitted.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Considering SVT is always very predictable with running orders, you can tell who has the stronger and weaker songs already.

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago

Actually no.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago

Tell us then!

Stian F
Stian F
5 years ago

Sweden is all about female pop and male pop – everything else goes as whatever. At least there are 12 of the whatever songs 🙂

ESCFan2009
ESCFan2009
5 years ago

Oh. Anton Hagman performs 2nd after Pagan Fury 🙁 In combination with a Swedish Song, this means statistically no good news for my beloved Swedish darling…

ImFromRomania
ImFromRomania
5 years ago

Bishara , to be the new Frans ?

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

I’m most excited about The Lovers of Valdaro – so I’m pleased they’re performing first! it’s also good to give the opportunity to new talent!

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

In less than a month we’ll know if at least one among Nano, Wiktoria and Anna has the killer song they claim to have or if it was all talk, talk, talk as usual.

PP77
PP77
5 years ago

Wiktoria to sing 3rd in Semi-final 1, mean that she don t have good song to be winner of MF 2019. We have in that semi that uptembo song is on 2 and 6 spot, not to open and close semi. Many time uptempo song open and close semi, and final in past

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago
Reply to  PP77

She has a ballad, that’s what it means.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

Is it still a thing that the boss dude wants the last participant of semi final 4 to win? I remember that failed miserably with Molly Sandén and her sloppy song in 2016. And wasn’t last year Mariette in that spot with a weak song as well?

jeyla
jeyla
5 years ago

Probably. That hasn’t happened since Måns Zelmerlöw in 2015 though.

Singza
Singza
5 years ago

Why is Margaret performing in the swedish melfest? Why is she taking the place of someone swedish?

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago
Reply to  Singza

Good question, ask Christer Björkman. While you are at it, ask him about the international jury as well

Eastman
Eastman
5 years ago
Reply to  Singza

Be grateful – she’s probably taking the place of Sean Banana. She doesn’t even want to win Melfest!

Ann
Ann
5 years ago
Reply to  Singza

Are you a xenophobe?

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago
Reply to  Ann

Xenophobe: to hate or be afraid of people from different cultures, religions or ethnic origins

Now you know what it means

Ann
Ann
5 years ago
Reply to  eurovision6

That’s exactly what you do 😉

It’s funny to see how Swedes who think they have right to tell other countries what they should do in their homes hate everything that isn’t swedish. You’re the most hateful and egoistic nation in the whole world.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Ann

History suggests otherwise. You’re talking nonsense now.

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Singza

Why do Swedes take the place of half of Europe’s songwriters every year? Get over it.

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

That is wrong too, why cant both be wrong?

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Singza

Because in Melfest she get more media coverage and its bigger competition then Polands final Easy reason. I love the international jury. 100% for it. Swedes often vote on the artist. So we need it here. And one more thing. We are you so intrested in our Melfest if you only complain? Dont watch it. We can manage without you i promise.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Singza

She isn’t taking place of someone Swedish, she was chosen to take part! And so if she takes part? Why is that even an issue? Will her participation in it somehow lessen the contest or what?

Mattias Sollerman
Mattias Sollerman
5 years ago

For those wondering about the colors of the post-it notes they use, this is what Christer and Karin said:
Pink is Female pop. Purple is Male pop. Yellow and other colors are “something out of the ordinary”. They did not specify further.
Green star is Swedish lyrics. (About a third of the songs every year.) Red star is at least one female songwriter. (Half of the songs every year.) Rings and checkmarks mean the songs are confirmed/in their final version.

Melanie
Melanie
5 years ago

I hope Anna bergendahl and Margaret flops

Rasmus
Rasmus
5 years ago
Reply to  Melanie

Without hearing the songs? You are a person that should be banned to vote for life with such opinions :). A typical person who always vote for ONE country the last 10 years i suspect. There are some fans like that and they are not fans in my opinion

Popyy
Popyy
5 years ago

Wow, John Lundvik will close the 4th show. It may be he and John Henrik’s year.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago
Reply to  Popyy

I think they* will choose John Lundvik after Cesár Sampson came 3rd last year.

*the international juries

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago

You make a good point, would not be surprised if we do not get to choose the winner this year. The only time the international jury chose our entry we did not even finish top 10 in 2013. Ever since that we have done nothing but finish top 10. But the international jury helps us get results at Eurovision.. said no one ever.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Popyy

Yes, if Jon henrik can get enough support form juries and audience. As we have seen neither voting groups are fond of Swedish language songs

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

If opening is considered a good slot, I hope this bodes well for Andreas Johnson. He has always given us strong songs, without always getting the results he deserves – I hope this time he can at least qualify for the final.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

He also gave us one of the most fun moments in the show’s history. Carola’s face when the results of Andra Chansen 2008 came in. 😛

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago

Poor Carola. She hasn’t been back since. 🙁

Melanie
Melanie
5 years ago

Every 2nd performer in each semifinal are destined to flop. And anna bergendahl last? What on earth possessed Christer Björkman to do that? And Margaret last too? Ew

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago
Reply to  Melanie

Anna Bergendahl is said to have a really good song. Margaret should not be last though

Melanie
Melanie
5 years ago
Reply to  eurovision6

Yeah, I think liamoo and Hanna Ferm are stronger and should perform last

eurovision6
eurovision6
5 years ago
Reply to  Melanie

I agree

Ann
Ann
5 years ago
Reply to  eurovision6

And you know it because? XD

Diana
Diana
5 years ago

I’m extremely surprised Anna Bergendahl is closing the first semi. Definitely thought Nano was gonna close it. And Wiktoria third in the first semi?

Jon Henrik’s running order was no surprise at all. Hope that it’s finally his year!

Let’s just pray we choose the right contestant this time lol. Heja Jon Henrik!

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Diana

Anna Bergendahl is due the respect of a returning champion, because that’s what she is.

Diana
Diana
5 years ago
Reply to  Jonas

Well then shouldn’t Arvingarna and Martin Stenmarck also perform last with that logic? Let’s just see how strong her song is in a couple of weeks

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Diana

No, because they have both already returned in the past. Martin Stenmarck was also given the last spot on his first return in 2014. This will be Arvingarna’s fourth return since their 1993 victory. Anna has not been back since This Is My Life.

Denis
Denis
5 years ago
Reply to  Diana

The difference is that Anna B according to sources has a great song so she is likely a contender for a top spot.
Where as no one expects Martin Stenmarck and Arvingarna to do well. That might explain it!

Diana
Diana
5 years ago
Reply to  Denis

I hope she doesn’t get treated accordingly so if she has as a great song. I think a lot of swedes remember her failing to qualify from the semifinals and might hold that against her. I hope not and hope we can give her a second chance eu lol