Melodifestivalen 2019 is on! Semi-Final 1 kicked things off in style from the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg. Amid all the explosions and choreographed dance numbers two acts — Wiktoria with “Not with Me” and Mohombi with “Hello” — emerged victorious, qualifying direkt till final. Two others — Nano with “Chasing Rivers” and Anna Bergendahl with “Ashes to Ashes” — live to sing another day, as they have qualified for Andra Chansen.
Melodifestivalen 2019: Semi-Final 1 Qualifiers
Wiktoria – Not with Me
Queen Wiktoria is back! The best song on the night in my eyes, “Not With Me” is an emotional, elegant ballad backed by power and control. Wearing a beautiful black dress that echoed Wiktoria’s emotions throughout the song, she brought pain, longing and more. Perhaps nodding to Ruth Lorenzo, rain fell hard and worked well with her diamonds. The latter reinforced that our girl is worth way more than her pained lyrics. Recently Wiktoria told Wiwibloggs that she wasn’t aware of the other artist’s performances. Instead she’s focusing on what she’s got. “I really believe in what we are going to do and hopefully people will like that,” she said. “I really want to make it to the final”. Well you are in that final in Stockholm Queen W! Congratulations!
Mohombi – Hello
Goodbye Semi-Final 1 and HELLO Stockholm! Mohombi has qualified tonight with his catchy number “Hello”. A Grammy Award winner, Mohombi has infectious energy on stage and his dancing is on point. Working a projector that concealed a dancer, he had some of the best and most contemporary staging of the evening. The song really comes to life in the second chorus — even if his voice was a tad squeaky at times. “Saying hi — that’s where the love starts by just acknowledging each other as human beings,” he tells wiwibloggs. “That’s where the inspiration comes from.”
Andra Chansen (Second Chance)
Nano – Chasing Rivers
Nano is still chasing his Eurovision dream with Melodifestivalen. His vocal performance could have been better, but the song itself was very powerful — all reinforced by the staging. It saw a younger Nano, played by his son, interspersed with shots of the singer himself. It was a heart-warming moment to see Nano share his passion for music — and that top-knot — with his boy. “I know my son, he is really inner and shy like I was when I was 8,” he tells wiwibloggs.
Anna Bergendahl – Ashes to Ashes
The 2010 Melfest winner is back with the folk-pop song “Ashes to Ashes”. It’s an instantly likeable song with a memorable performance. The dark forest staging eventually gives way to a bold, bright landscape, perhaps hinting at an environmental theme. Despite all the beauty around her, Anna definitely held her own in front of the camera and delivered a flawless vocal performance filled with strength and vulnerability. You can’t help but admire the hint of Irish singer-songwriter in her voice as she sings. When asked about why she wanted to return to Melfest, Anna said it was all about the song. As she told wiwibloggs: “To me it’s unstoppable. I couldn’t say no.”
Eliminated acts
This year SVT is releasing the voting figures for acts that have been eliminated immediately after the show. They will not reveal the voting results for the acts who are still alive in the competition, as this might bias people to their relative strength and weakness, thereby impacting voting in the final and Andra Chansen.
SVT has revealed the #melfest voting figures for eliminated acts.
• 5th place: "My fires" – Zeana feat. Anis don Demina, 980 354 votes
• 6th place: "No Drama" – High15, 814 839 votes
• 7th place: "My four seasons" – Arja Saijonmaa, 507 727 votes
Total votes: 7 158 333 pic.twitter.com/wib0l3oXOB
— wiwibloggs (@wiwibloggs) February 2, 2019
5th: Zeana feat. Anis don Demina – Mina Brander (My Fires)
Let’s party! “Mina Brander” burned up the stage: it’s definitely among the better songs in recent years to be sung in Swedish. There was great chemistry on stage between Zeana and Anis dom Demina — it totally justified all the pyro, as they were properly explosive. Along with the golden staging it really made the arena feel like a fiesta on the Costa del Sverige. The chorus is addictive — a great hook for Eurovision!
6th: High 15 – No Drama
Their performance was bright and energetic. Sporting neon clothes — very high-fashion construction worker — they’re now a permanent stain on our minds….for better or worse. The lyrics are fun, vibrant and very adolescent — the reason they sing it so well is because of their youth. High 15 certainly brought a lot of energy to the stage this evening. Their vocals sounded like a cross between a young Little Mix and fellow Melfest contestant Margaret.
7th: Arja Saijonmaa – Mina frya arstider (My free times)
Nothing to lose – Arja Saijonmaa worked her magical voice and simple staging with the confidence of a legend. This folky little number caught our attention by pulling the heart string. While the angelic outfit was a tad too bedsheet for many, it captured her sweet nature. At 74 she’s a proper inspiration to many and rightly so.
What do you think of tonight’s results? Do you think the right acts qualified? Let us know all your thoughts in the comments section below!
Generally I’m ok with the results. I like both Wiktoria and Mohombi. I also enjoyed Nano. The rest of the songs were far behind.
Generally agreed with the results, except for Nano’s andra chansen qualification. I think Zeana deserved that place. Dont get me wrong, “Hold on” was my favorite in 2017, but “Chasing rivers” does nothing to me. I also would’ve liked to see Arja in the top 5. Happy to see Wiktoria making it, she was the best of the night. She lifts that song up very much and makes it interesting. Mohombi has a catchy song, not a bop but something that is pleasant listening to. Anna was nice but kinda came off as too anxious and awkward. Hope she fixes… Read more »
Mohombi’s song is so boring and generic, and he was so off! Anna should have qualified directly to the final instead!
Gave you my heart
Can’t believe you just tore it apart
They keep telling me “Girl, you’ll be fine”
But how can I be
When you’re not with me
Answer me m*therf*ckers!!
He literally f*cked up my life and left me as nothing ever happened!
A cold shower should do the trick.
Oh, sorry, you just did that. Ah well.
Chocolates? 😀
My TOP 5 was (shuffled order): Nano, Anna Bergendahl, Wiktoria, Mohombi and sweet Arja Saijonmaa(!)
To the final: Wiktoria and Mohombi,
To the Andra: Anna and Nano
The other ones… High 15 (sounds like Margaret’s dropped song), and Zeana feat. Anis don Demina (sounds like… Samir and Victor’s dropped song)
WHY DO YOU EVEN ALLOW THAT COPYCATS to perform in the competition (?!) (plagiarism ALERT)
no surprises in this show.. no drama… the best 2 songs went to final…
“hello” is very nice but a bit too repetitive in the refrain, if they just could change it…
and thank you, sweden, for the great interval act!
You think people from Israel likes it? Hope they see it as a tribute whith love and a bit humor. : )
melo where is the talent???? lol top 5 they say…. hahahah lol lol lol lol
Zeana s lips made me enormous hard. thinking of her blows me off till i cover them with my white fluid jesus
Same here
lmaoo is this wiwibloggs or pornhub?
Arja did not sang my free times ;). She sang My four seasons 🙂
Please Wiwibloggs. Make it right. It’s “MY FOUR SEASONS”. Respect the Legend!
Wiktoria was great. My favorite! Hope she goes to Eurovision. Loved her passion and song too.
I like Anna and Nano. Wiktoria is so boring, are you so impressed by water? In 2017 in Kyiv, Demy had water on led floor, and she had a carpet to protect the led. All in all, I don’t think Sweden will make the right choice this year either.
I was right in my prediction. I also agree with the qualifiers.
I think the Melfest standard is already much better than the last 2 years, last year was especially more disappointing for me. It’s also great to see Anna Bergendahl back in the game after her disaster in Oslo in 2010. Imagine Sweden actually was an NQ that year? Couldn’t imagine that now.
Agreed. Last years first sf had some decent songs to download but none screamed Eurovision worthy (neither did the other three sf tbh). Already this first sf and I think both finalist choices would be great choices for Eurovision!
Having slept once after this, I now feel that Anna Bergendahl’s song “Ashes to Ashes” is very strong. Perhaps the reason she didn’t make it direct to the final was down to her own restrained performance. Anyhow, this song is an early stand-out for me.
The only reason Wiktoria won over Anna is because people want this year to be Wiktoria’s turn. Is just Wiktoria’s turn, and what a disaster that will be.
I always kept going back and forth on this song. It’s not a good sign for Eurovision though, when you have to sleep on it, is it?
Lol, yeah I agree with Vanilla, she won’t be winning if everyone is sleeping on it and deciding to vote for Anna on the Sunday after ESC GF.
I agree with you Purple about her performance, she just needed to believe in herself as much as we all did. I hope she takes her chance at Andra Chansen.
Thanks all. I feel pretty much the same.
I hope that Anna makes it through Andra Chansen.
Agree!
Im a swede and i get a little irritated that fans are so jealous of us that they only say bad things when they now that almost every song we have in Mello would win in their own country. You know thats true. Be happy for Sweden instead 🙂
Meh.
And I get irritated with the ongoing throwaway pop songs Sweden sends nearly every year.
Not all swedes have this attitude Floprina. My favorie has not been from Sweden since Loreen 2013. As you maby know melfest is bigger than esc in Sweden and many vote not for esc but their best song.
You can’t be a Swede if you don’t follow the Jantelagen rule! ;D
Thats not correct either. We have pop, schlager, rap, dance, house,ballads, etno in Mello. If we were Montenegro, Slovenia or Serbia for exampe. You would not say that. Its only BECAUSE we are Sweden and love ESC and send quality you say that.
Rasmus, the more you write about it, the more you wind them up. Don´t feed those devils – the haters gonna hate, whatever the rest of us think…!! 🙂
I actually feel the opposite way – many in here think Melfest 2019 is stronger than usual. Which I agree on!
With that said, I don´t think we have heard the winner just yet. 🙂
I’m happy for you. If some poor countries had a lineup of yours, people would be ecstatic, saying how strong the national selection is. You guys are so good at making mainstrean songs and I’m fine by that.
While I don’t quite like your characterisation that all songs in MF would win in other national finals – not a fair assesment imo, I do agree that the MF bashing is rather annoying and it is probably the best national contest hands down. I love watching it every year!
I felt France was coming up to be a decent/close second but after this years let down I think they still need to work on it a bit – and I say that as a francophone.
Sanremo says Hello!
Rasmus, yes I agree. Most ESC fans are jealous of Swedens success.
melodifestivalen is the most enjoyable preselection.. Yes its a bit kitsch but so is eurovision..its a real celebration of 6 weeks with much humour and suspense..i never miss it!
in the israeli news they showed the interval act( tribute to the israeli winners) and said that the swedish melodifestivalen is the favorite preselection among eurovision fans…
so, Rasmus, those are some good words for you ..:)
Thank you for not beeing angry when one swede write things that easily could make you write whith hate. <3
Don’t agree whith him, but I am proud of melfest althoug I often dissagree whith the finale result and I think many other countries have better songs than us in ESC. But I think that we usaly have a song that is one of my top ten songs, and that is fantasic after all.
That doesn’t really make sense though. On the one hand, you’re saying Sweden has high standards. On the other hand, you’re suggesting that Sweden should not be judged on the basis of Sweden’s own high standards but only in comparison to the relatively low standards other countries.
Sounds a bit daft.
You can be happy for and supportive of something while being critical at the same time.
If someone is taking their time to give you their critique or feedback (I mean something thoughtful, not insults or derision), it’s more than likely because they care and want the best. I.e., most people here clearly respect Sweden.
I am also a swede and don’t agree whith Rasmus at all!
Rasmus, med den kaxiga attityden så göder du bara irritation mot Sverige, vilket sedan slår tillbaka på artisterna. Om du vill hjälpa fram Sveriges bidrag. Visa en trevlig ödmjuk sida.
Håller inte med dina åsikter heller, men även om jag gjorde det så väldigt onödigt att lägga krokben för våra chanser.
Like the ladt 3 years winner, Sweden must have a political song, if they gonna win this year ?
What was so political with Salvador?
He wore t-shirt S.O.S REFUGEES
I remember when Ruth Lorenzo wasn’t allowed to use rain during her performance at Copenhagen… will Ola do the same with Wiktoria at Tel Aviv if she gets the melfest triumph?
No. Sweden,Australia and Malta are EBU babies, overrated every year with juries point, draw in semi final, final…in last few year The Netherlands, Belgium joints in that privage EBU Eurovision group.
Fans like you i get so tired of every year
Jealous
Where do you come from? Judging by your tone, Spain? After you guys sent a crap in 2017, I really don’t have soemthing good to say about you.
She can perform in one of those plastic pools for children, so it won’t spill water. Or in a bathtub with shower.
Or Like jedward in 2012 or Greece 2017?
in may we will need some rain in Israel…
Ha, ha… no! Vi fix it by sending a a green forest in sted.
I’m appalled how a country can still be so deluded after the televote tragedy that was Dance you off. Sweden is losing touch with reality. Downvote away, but 21 televote points last year should be a clue. You keep thinking you have the perfect recipe. You are making all the bad choices. Ireland record is still safe. Sweden is going down.
They haven’t selected an entry yet, heck they haven’t even released all their song for this year, and you already know that they will flop in the televote again. And I honest to God don’t know what you think Sweden is doing wrong now.
Sweden 2018, Australia 2017,2018 paid price from televoters, because overrated points from juries.
We came 7th. For 90% of the countries in ESC they would be happy about it. We are. so why arent you?
I guess your fave didn’t go straight to the final…Am I wrong? ^^
Wow you are bitter Gary
Damn why are you so salty? We’re gonna choose who the hell we want to represent us and there is nothing you can do about it
Surprisingly I love Nano’s song (I didn’t like his 2017 entry), I think it’s the best song of this semi-final, however he didn’t seel it at all. He seemed very nervous, and his vocals were weak – that was the main reason the whole performance was flat. If he improves to the level of the studio cut, and put some emotion into his performance he can be a serious threat in the Final. My another surprise is Wiktoria, she slayed her performance! I found her voice slightly irritating in 2016 and 2017, but this time she managed to move me… Read more »
Does someone know what the reasoning behind withholding the songs of the direct qualifiers is? I have no interest in them BUT I don’t get it. The two songs going to Andra Chansen are also still in the competition and could theoretically also win, yet they got released. (Of course, I would argue that releasing all 28 songs at once before the competition is the fairest and audience-friendliest way to do it, but that’s a different story.)
Ah okay. I do get the reasoning, albeit I find it quite flawed, as theoretically those Andra Chansen songs could now “get over a month of radio play and become huge hits before the final”. But yeah, that’s not gonna happen here, so the point is probably irrelevant. But in 2013, an Andra Chansen song won (I think) and last year came close to winning (I think), so it could matter, I suppose.
In 2013 song from AC won MF. Song from AC 2004,2018 finished second in MF final.
we have done it since 2002 so why is this new to you still?
Is Melodifestivalen actively advertised in all other countries? No. I found out about it through a fellow Eurovision fan in 2014 while I was living in Canada. I can tell you with certainty that a large portion of the UK population, for example, would have never heard of Melodifestivalen until relatively recently. The show is not “everywhere” yet. Look forward to a boom in the 2020s though.
You are very annoying.
I see you are having trouble in understanding what you read. Vanilla says it is unfair that releasing Andra chansen songs and not direct qualifiers. Getting exposure for a month to an Andra chansen song will favor it unfairly to a direct qualifier.
Nano was super nervous for some reasson. I dont understand why his staging was so poor.
For me staging is good, but he was so nervous and vocal live didnt sound great
Because he was the first one to perform in the first semi.
Yes. It was dark dark dark.. And before you knew it the performance was over. That’s how it felt for me.
My 2 favs got through Mohomi and Wiktória, can anyone tell me when is semi final 2?
It airs every saturday at 20:00 cet for the next few weeks.
Two bad copies with terrífic vocals to the final ,melo’s quality even worse than last year.. what a mess
Indeed… 🙁
My tip: DONT WATCH:) We would be happy if you dont 🙂
Zeana feat. Anis Don Deminar, The guilty pleasure of the night. They have a spot on my playlist. Too bad her vocals were bad live…and the chair shouldnt even be there
So excited to hear jon henrik….bring it on
I really liked the hosts! Good choice SVT!
Unfortunately Wiktoria was trying too hard to do vocal growling and it didnt work. In fact It was annoying at some point. It’s like the song was not made for her limited vocal range. All this hype is because of that damn water falling down.
That damn water staging has been used so many times. Nothing special.
I guess it worked. She qualified directly. Stop saying bad things.
Is it just me or does Anna bergandahl’s song remind me of Carrie Underwood’s song Blown Away??
because it’s country?
If you listen closely it has the same melody
She’d wish she could sing like Carrie and the song is just okay.
I haven’t seen any snippets before watching the live show and I agree. I immediately thought the chorus was literally the same as Blown Away.
Eric Saad with diva was the best part of the night xDDD
Song Hello would be better with him, instead Mohombi.
um no
It’s never a good sign when the hosts do a better job with the singing than the contestants.
Glad to have MELODI back….the hosts were very funny and entertaining, the energy was great!!
wiktoria’s performance was a cheap copy of Ruth Lorenzo and Stormzy “Blinded by your grace”. A performance full of screaming and exaggerated gestures, too theatrical, honey, you’re not on Broadway!
Cheap copy of Ruth Lorenzo? At least Wiktoria stood in real rain which Ruth didnt…
Exactlyyy
Eurovision is more leaning to Broadway now though…
Mohombi was hideous, pitchy vocals throughout, especially in the falsetto!
And that animation was a rip-off of Måns’ winning performance.
Lmao if we follow that logic Wiktorias performance was a rip off of Ruth Lozero’s performance Singing in the rain.
Vocally, she is copying Christina Aguilera…
Well, that’s also true and it’s a fail.
When I saw that animation I was thinking different song.
~Taaaaaake ooooooon meeeeeee! Taaaaake meeeeee oooooooon~
We made a litte public viewing down here in germany and nobody liked mohombis entry. Bad vocals, bad entry and the refrain is very annoying. Sorry 🙁
Well.. not everyone can like it..
you dont even know his name, are you sure you know who he is, honey?
bad vocals? not even close. Seems like you’re just scared because it’s a strong entry.
Im german and thats not true, sorry but you dont speak for me. I loved it
Agree for voice, but song is good and refrain is best. Thanks to memorable refrain some countries won, epecialy Spain 1968, Yugoslavia 1989, so many la,la,la..or rock me baby. Afer Mohobi performance,everyone emembe hello,hello
I agree – I wasn’t enjoying his song. I think he had the worst vocals that night. Song itself isn’t bad, but not great either.
Well, Overall i think the finalists deserved to go through. Felt sorryfor anna she’s a lovely girl.
Arja’s song is translated to “My four seasons”
pathetic that we have to wait 4 weeks to hear the full songs
We in Sweden like to be suprised. We LOVE IT:). Its great:)
True enough! Granted AC isn’t necessarily a bad option either.
we like that:) Actually in ESC to if you have a nice song in the middle you can win or qualify:)
Somebody pointed out that only one of the semi openers have made it to the final for most years (last year, for instance, Azerbaijan didn’t and Norway did, and the year before Sweden did but Serbia didn’t).
Oh nano! what the hell happened. His song lost power live
Really liked Anna Bergendahls song to listen to but just read her song has a political message so it’s a no from me.
I loved Wiktoria’s other entries but this is dull.
Mohombi was the best of tonight.
Nano was alright, not as good as his previous attempt.
What is the political message of her song? Where did you read it? Would like to know about it too 🙂
Its about her personal journey haha. get the facts right next time because i live in Sweden so i know thats WRONG!
@Rasmus not speaking Swedish I’ll have to take your word for it, but earlier it was said its about blaming western countries for causing climate change or something?
Happy if that’s not correct.
ARJA was the one singing about climate change, not ANNA
Typos happen
And she is not blaming a special country either haha. JESUS, the fans are not good att doing reserach this year
Get your facts straight
Oh Mello, it’s good to have you back 🙂
I’m sorry though, SF1 was great but I don’t think it contains the winner for ESC or MF 2019. Wiktoria – flawless performance. She couldn’t do any more to make this song shine, it was really polished. I just don’t see this song as a winner. Wiktoria is so memorable, but I l’m struggling to recall the song. Mohombi – the performance was entertaining, with a nice twist at the end, but the song was more one note than I expected, and was it just me who thought this or was he nervous? Anna – she had the best staging… Read more »
damnn mohombi is like an american superstar, a mixture of chris brown and ne yo, he radiates star quality. i need the studio version now
Hmm. I am from Sweden and I don:t understand at all this dong. Well, if other like him, it’s just to accept.
Totally agree with you, he´s great!!
I remember jamming to Bumpy ride some 8-9 years ago when he released that song! It was a hit here in north america. Happy this song was equally good!
i want hello on spotify or youtube .. really we must wait 4 weeks? what the hell
Wish it was a simple way to get connected via email, chat etc here, I could have helped you mate.
Think I have listened to the song 10 times the recent hour… It´s captivating!! 😀
do you have the studio version?
Only the live version before it was deleted. Can´t wait to get hold of the studio version later on.
it’s pathetic!! worse than spain
So basically… everyone the Swedish public already knew has advanced and all the new faces haven’t?
Ew.
We didnt knew Frans and he won so your wrong. Actually we didnt know about Mohombi either here in Sweden and we have only known Nano for 2 years. so Thats wrong.
I’m talking about tonight, Rasmus. (And wasn’t Mohombi in Melfest 2005 as part of a group?)
I wasn’t aware that Arja had been in the competition 30 years ago, Robyn.
Still, it seems curious to me that recent fan favorites Bergendahl, Wiktoria, and Nano all advance over something pop-py, fun, and Swedish like “Mina bränder”…
Arja was also in melodifestivalen 2005, the very same semi final that mohombi last took part in if Im not incorrect. When it comes to anis don demina he was a part of Samir ans Viktors performance last year – so a completly new face he is not 😉 i think it all came down to the fact that the four other songs were better than theirs.
thats 100% correct 🙂 Arja came last then and last now. Quite sad 🙁
I only vote for songs. I cant vote on a extra famous artist with a bad song. its not my thing
Wiktoria should not have qualified in my eyes. This is a generic song that has been on the radio for the past 5 years. Will not even be top 5 in the final. Mohombi really deserves his spot.
I hope we vote better next week lol
I think the presentation made a big impact. If you don’t know swedish you miss when she talkes about the song. Agree that it is a song we have heared on the radio … but she talkes about her emotions before she start to sing, and althou I had desided not to vote for her becaise I wanted Anna and Nano to go to the finale… when I sat there. I just had to give her some votes.
Well, Well… It was a nice song.
I am from Sweden so I understood what she said. Her breakup might be sad and I am not taking anything away feom her but she is way more talented for a song I like this. Låten var väldigt ”mellanmjölk” i mina ögon
It was not even due to the song, she was so exaggerated and theatrical. So annoying. I coudlnt feel nothing, it left me cold.
Wiktoria your voice is mesmerizing i could feel your passion from the screen
It’s shocking to see that the same team who gave Benji that staging masterpiece could drop the ball so hard with Anna. Also, the refrain is not the strongest and it’s quite repetitive, she’d better add some ad libs a la Dami Im if she wants to reach the final. Nano looked lost and sounded as if he was running uphill and the dude barely moved. Mediocre song, awful staging.
7.000.000 million votes we had. So to all the Sweden haters: You dont understand that Mello and ESC is important to us.
If it is so important, you should at least be presenting good music, not plastic tunes. EVERY. F. YEAR.
If that was true why did we win 6 times then? And came top 10 the last 5 years. We cant have a song from the stoneages here like Portugal have. In Sweden we see the future. We dont like the 70s anymore
LOL.
In 1999 you won with a cheap ABBA copy.
In 2015 you won with a cheap David Guetta copy.
LOL again.
MTD, stop hating on countries that do great.
Ikväll kan vi strunta I hatarna. Tjohoooo… nu är det mello …. : )
Vad glad jag är. Tycker det var bra låtar allihop, tom Arja , men blev besviken att Anna som var min favorit inte gick vidare. Vem, vilka hade du då som favorit? : )
sant men de irriiterar mig ibland haha
And pleaseee hurry up SVT. I wanna put HELLO on my playlist
For now, both Wiktoria or Mohombi are the best entries for ESC. Pleased with the results.