Melodifestivalen 2019 has begun.
Today we heard snippets and now we’ve seen the rehearsals.
Nano has a choir, High 15 have light screens and Wiktoria will turn the waterworks up to sixty.
Then Zeana feat Anis Don Demina bring the party, Arja Saijonmaa becomes queen of the kaftan and Mohombi will model his performance after Måns Zelmerlöw’s light projection screens.
And like a new sun, rising from the dark, Anna Bergendahl is back to close the show with a bang.
But before Sweden has it’s say, we want to know what you think. Do you hear Nano and think Nan-yes? Or perhaps Mohombi makes you move? Or maybe you want Anna Bergendahl to have her revenge? Whatever your opinion, we want to hear from you!
You can vote in our poll below for as many of Saturday night’s acts as you want, but be wary as you can only vote once. We’ll reveal who you think should win in Gothenburg and go direkt til final early on Saturday morning. Nu kör vi!
Who should win Melodifestivalen 2019 Semi-Final 1?
1. Nano – “Chasing Rivers”
Hear the snippet here
Watch the rehearsal here
2. High 15 – “No Drama”
Hear the snippet here
Watch the rehearsal here
3. Wiktoria – “Not With Me”
Hear the snippet here
Watch the rehearsal here
4. Zeana feat Anis Don Demina – “Mina bränder”
Hear the snippet here
Watch the rehearsal here
5. Arja Saijonmaa – “Mina fyra årstider”
Hear the snippet here
Watch the rehearsal here
6. Mohombi – “Hello”
Hear the snippet here
Watch the rehearsal here
7. Anna Bergendahl – “Ashes to Ashes”
Hear the snippet here
Watch the rehearsal here
[polldaddy poll=10227795]
A combination of app and televoting will decide which acts emerge victorious on Saturday night in Gothenburg. Two acts will proceed direkt til final and a further two will face the duels of Andra Chansen in two weeks time.
The other three will end their Melodifestivalen journeys on the night in Sweden’s second city.
I liked all 4 qualifiers, so I’m happy with the results. I didn’t have the time to listen to the songs earlier so I listened them live on the semi final.
I quite liked Wiktoria, beautiful song, clever staging. (reminds of Spain 2014) and Mohombi had an up-beat song well staged (reminds me of Heroes 2015).
Anna Bergendhal was my least favourite of the 4 though I liked her performance.
Nano did what he does best, like he did last year and I liked him once again.
I admit I was prepared to be wowed as much as I was prepared to be bored to tears and was happed is both. The songs that stood out for me are Chasing Rivers (I liked his song Hold On more, but this is also quite good), No Drama (although I have a feeling I might dislike the song latter if I listened to it many times) and Mina bränder (a bit of nostalgia to the dance songs of my childhood and I’m hooked).
tl;dr my top 3:
1. Nano
2. Zeana feat. Anis Don Demina
3. High15
I just don’t understand. I think Wiktoria’s ballad doesn’t have anything. It doesn’t move me and i have heard same song before.
Anna and Wiktoria to the final
Zeana and either Mohombi or Nano
Misheard another lyric in Zeana’s song. 😛
‘Stick ’em in a blender!’
I’m starting to love it! My first bop this year!
I’m the only one who’s in love with High15, it’s so cheerleader and I love it. I also want Wiktoria to qualify, Nano and Mohombi to AC. Anna 5th, and then either Zeanna or Arja 6th and last.
Anna Bergendahl and Wictoria for the final
High 15 would be last i think. The others have a chance on second chance. Many of these songs would WIN in Latvia or UK if we are honest. They have bad selections 2019
Zeana has the best song, hands down. I can’t believe she’s only in fifth place in that poll.
(Of course the four people ahead of her are previous Melfest also-rans. ::eyeroll::)
A good selection overall. I go with Nano and Mohombi
Mohombi
Preview clips of the live performances are here (I can’t listen yet due to being in class) 🙁
https://blogg.svt.se/melodifestivalen-expertbloggen/smygtitta-p%C3%A5-repetitionerna-inf%C3%B6r-melodifestivalen-2019-g%C3%B6teborg/
When does the 1 semi-final start?
This saturday, tomorrow
So, now it is a trend to bring a “mini-me” to the stage. Don’t know, Doutson was the first to do it this year and it was cute, so I feel Nano’s staging is rather unoriginal. Also, all of those kids won’t be able to step on the Eurovision stage.
Not much has changed from yesterday, but now I definitely think Wiktoria and Mohombi are going direck til final. Nano and Anna to the Andra Chasen. I wouldn’t mind to se Arja in the Andra Chasen tbh, she seems to be having so much fun on the stage.
Loreen did the mini me in 2017.
I just discovered what I like about Zeana’s track. Because it’s in Swedish. If it was in English, it would be just another radio song for me. ‘Your bladder, your bladder!’ for Andra Chansen!
This is a great semifinal. Haters gonna hate. I think Wiktoria, Anna and Nano are the Top 3 in this heat. Go Sweden.
Någon svensk med kids hemma som har hörd vad de gillar? Tror min dotter kommer gilla ”Mina bränder” och ” No drama” i likhet med en hel del av kidsen som nog kommer att rösta på dem. Återstår att se om nya röstningssystemet kommer påverka.
Anna and Nano
When do they release the full songs? Today evening after the rehearsals? Cant wait until tomorrow^^
I think we should get longer snippets tonight, like last year and I think a few times before. Full songs after the concert.
Wiktoria and Mohombi are my favorites, but it’s more realistic that the finalists will be Wiktoria and Nano. Maybe Anna too knowing how charitable and forgiving Swedes are.
I like Nano to, but Anna is my favorite.
My daughter hasn’t listend yet on the songs. She is ten year and her favorites is usaly a hint what other swedish kids like and will vote for. If I would guess, the kids will vote for No drama and Mina bränder. Maby the kids will have enought power to influence their parents as well so one of them will go to andra chansen or even the final.
Well I will write my comment as always, but we only know 1 minute and 20 seconds from a rehearsal. Anyway: 1. Wiktoria : Her song reminds me a lot of Felix last year which I loved, I think this is gonna be a great contemporary ballad. 2. Mohombi: You hear it once and it gets stuck in your head. Seems like a nice song. 3. Anna Bergendahl: It’s a pleasant song, no winner vibes, she has a nice voice, idk why she’s so hyped. 4. Arja Saijonmaa: That was a pleasant surprise. Her song sounds special and the bouzouki… Read more »
Just send Nano. Sweden must admit Benjamin Ingrosso was a very bad choice. Michael Jackson side B. If Sweden doesn’t see that, the future is not bright.
Wiktoria could sing the phone book to me!!! Her voice is just incredible!
Nano, Wiktoria, Anna and Mohombi.
Now only to sort who will go where:::
Halloj Denis, nu är det nära! Längtar. Tror kidsen kan skrälla in No Drama och Mina bränder, dels genom att själva rösta och genom att övertyga oss föräldrar att rösta. Vad tror du om det? Håller tummarna i smyg för Arja, men tycker just nu mest om Nano och Anna. Men det kan ju ändras. Wiktoria borde tittat på Felix Sandmans uppträdande istället för Eriks Saades! Skulle stå i typ mys.brallor och skapa en rumskänsla. Inte galablåsa och regn. Men fin låt. Tror dock att den behöver växa via andra chansen, i likhet med Felix. Tror även folk kommer jämföra… Read more »
Hej igen, länge sen:) Som sagt tror jag dessa fyra går vidare , fast hur vet jag inte. Det ändrar sig hela tiden. Röstningsytemet har ju ändrats så kanske just tonårs röster påverkar inte så mycket. Eller åtminstone lika mycket värd som andra röster.. Antar det finns en gräms för hur många röster en viss grupp får. Nano låter likadant som förra gången men går nog vidare. Wiktoria är duktig men just ballader är vi ju inte duktiga på att skicka direkt till final. Dessutom låter den lite för mycket typisk ESC-ballad. Anna är bra men SÅ bra är hon… Read more »
Who should win this semi? – None of them! Next please!
Am I the only one who wasn’t really impressed with songs in this semi? I know Swedes can do better
So… I may have to adjust my opinion on Anna. Her voice sounds amazing and the staging looks magnificent in the rehearsal clip. With two minutes of the song unheard, it is still a guessing game but if the song doesn’t progress in a too linear fashion, this might really be something. Might. I should stop listening to snippets, but I’m just too curious to do so.
Giving the fact that Zeana kept me from freezing to death today, I’d vote for her. And Wiktoria is the only standout here.
For me to final
Nano
Wiktoria
to second chance
Mohombi
Zeana feat Anis
But I think to the final
Wiktoria
Nano
to second chance
Anna
Arja
Gotta LOL.
These are…non events. All of them.
It’s like they are competing for which song is more forgettable
Agree
Anna and Wiktoria, currently.
Getting Zara Larsson vibes from Wiktoria’s clip
Wiktoria and Nano are the best.
ZEANNA 4 2 win
chazing sounds incorrect
Sheppard’s song is also out, guys! It’s one big anthem, such a style break from Australia’s past entries. Choose this, Australia, and you’ll finally get the televote appeal you guys have been craving!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcY9XnNA92A
I like it, but I’m not in love with it.
I love pop rock, but listening for the first time I’m just okay with it. Might need a couple more listens.
I’m shocked at how underrated Hello is.
It’s a major bop!
No one? All of the snippets sound weak af.
I can do with weak but fun but these are straight up boring and unoriginal
Linnea Deb and G:son are each behind four of the songs. Perhaps why they all sound like slick pop schlagers.
Sorry for off topic but here is probably the winner of Vidbir2019,
they just realized official audio of their Eurovision song
Kazka “Apart”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SpDa7l3sn8
lol I wanted to post it here too but you were faster 😀
lol, you think they will win or someone could be a real contender for them?
I don’t know, I really like the song but all songs aren’t out yet. I hope they’ll get to the final, I am fan of Kazka since they’ve been in Ukrainian X Factor (btw I’m not Ukrainian, I’m Czech)
Ethnic bop = recipe for success.
A good electroindie bop, with a balanced portions of modern and ethnic. I like it a lot.
I feel it! Added to my playlist.
Can definitely see this winning. Lots to like about it.
If Russia would send them they would definitely win.
I agree, Anna all the way for this Semi! Her song sounds fun and catchy, and she has such a charming stage presence. Her performance will surely have some good camerawork to boost that, I can already a few stage sweep shots with Anna smiling and looking right at the viewer. Her previous ESC entry should’ve gone to the GF, it would be a sweet comeback to see her back at ESC with a great song for her eurodemption. I was really looking forward to hearing Nano and Wiktoria and neither of their arrangements sound as strong as their previous… Read more »
Anna, Wiktoria, Mohombi and Nano are currently my four favourites to either qualify or go to AC. Though if Arja gets fifth or even better, I wouldn’t be disappointed. There is something to her song and I’d kinda like to see an (underestimated) legacy act at least go to AC.
The rehearsal snippets are more exciting than the audio bits. Some interesting staging choices. And I’m really digging Anna’s vocals now. PS1: I’m glad that they found a new home for Benjamin’s light bulbs. PS2: I love how Melfest values veteran performers.
if nano wins and ebu allows sweden to bring kids it would be a scandal. Play by the rules.
Just read Milla commenting that the part with the kids is a recording, don’t know if the rules on Eurovision have something against it.
Recorded or not, it’s not fair.
EBU will allow Sweden everything. They will allow kids like hollogram . They allowed Ivan from Belarus 2016 to be naked with wolf in hollogram, to have wolfs in hollograms Cyprus 2016. EBU dont allow nudity,animal, kids under 16 years,song with political lyricks ,to have name of products in song. Sometimes EBU breaks own rules.
Ashes to ashes please. Countrypop ftw
What is with the stage that it looks so dark, more than the last Eurovision stage.
Why is Anna so overhyped? Her song sounds like the b-side of a failed country attempt of a 60 year old Shakira
Or 90y.o. Dolly Parton
I don’t get it either.
so weird the stage this year….it doesn’t feel very cohesive which is why it seems like the singers are brining in other elements…also, how is SVT going to bring a waterfall to Tel Aviv and Nano can’t bring kids on stage with him…I’m finding this Melfest a bit off this year, but I will hold my judgement until I see the live show….even the Anna song doesn’t feel like a finale song that should be closing the semi
The kids are recorded, not on stage wih him. However.. still a dilemma. And I’m sure the waterfall can be fixed. But I think we haven’t seen the winner yet.
I am being difficult. No snippets for me this year. I will wait until the live show, and watch on Saturday. 🙂
Can’t wait for your comments on the songs, they’re always so constructive and well thought-out 😉
Personal top:
1. Mina brander
2. Ashes To Ashes
3. Chasing Rivers
4. Not With Me
5. Hello
6. No Drama
7. Mina fyrer artstider
My prediction for tomorrow:
1. Not With Me
2. Chasing Rivers
3. Hello
4. Ashes to Ashes
5. Mina brander
6. No Drama
7. Mina fyrer artstider
Anna is the only outstanding singer here. This is all just again swedish overproduced pop and she at least has a great Amy MacDonald Vibe though it s not perfect