After four weeks of the Melodifestivalen tour we have finally reached the fourth and last deltävling. And this week we are heading to the Swedish city of Lidköping. By the end of Saturday you’ll have heard all the songs of Melodifestivalen 2019. Perhaps more importantly, we’ll all know who has gone straight to the final, and all of the songs will be available on YouTube, Spotify and other digital platforms. Get yourself ready to listen and to choose your favourites!
Folk metal band Pagan Fury will open Saturday’s show with “Stormbringer” led by singer Arven Latour. They seem to have put the commercial clause drama behind them and are ready to open things with a bang.
The band is followed by Anton Hagman with “Känner Dig”. Anton made his Melfest debut in 2017, when his song “Kiss You Goodbye” controversially beat Loreen’s “Statements” in the Andra Chansen round.
Act number three is Swedish Idol winner Lisa Ajax. She has competed twice before, with “My Heart Wants Me Dead” in 2016 and “I Don’t Give A” in 2017. Lisa is returning this year with her song “Torn”.
Next up is Arvingarna with “I Do”. This will be their fifth time in Melodifestivalen. They won on their 1993 debut and placed seventh at Eurovision 1993 with the upbeat song “Eloise”.
Bishara is a 15-year-old singer known for singing covers on his popular Instagram account. He will compete with his song “On My Own”.
The sixth act of Saturday’s show is schlager legend Ann-Louise Hanson with “Kärleken finns kvar”. She holds the record for having entered Melfest the most number of times. Her 2019 participation will be her 14th attempt.
John Lundvik will close the show with “Too Late For Love”. John made his Melfest debut last year, where his song “My Turn” placed third in the Melodifestivalen final. No matter if John Lundvik ultimately represents Sweden, he is already participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 one of the songwriters of the United Kingdom’s song “Bigger Than Us” by Michael Rice.
MELODIFESTIVALEN 2019 SEMI-FINAL 4 SNIPPETS
As in previous weeks we won’t hear the songs in full until the live semi-final on Saturday night. However, SVT has released a 1-minute snippet of the songs, which are available to listen to now on SVT Play.
- Pagan Fury – “Stormbringer”
- Anton Hagman – “Känner Dig”
- Lisa Ajax – “Torn”
- Arvingarna – “I Do”
- Bishara – “On My Own”
- Ann-Louise Hanson – “Kärleken Finns Kvar”
- John Lundvik – “Too Late For Love”
Clips from today’s rehearsals will be released later tonight through SVT Play.
Lyrics for all of Saturday night’s songs are available on the Melodifestivalen website.
What are your initial reactions? Who do you want to go direct to the final? Let us know in the comments below!
Great.
Is a good year.
omg to everyone saying this is the worst melo ever, take a look back to last year and you’ll see what a bad melo looks like. anyway with that out of the way, to those saying sweden will not qualify, have you lost your minds? this is sweden we are talking about, melo produces songs that half the countries in europe would die to get their hands on, sweden will be top 10 at least this year
Wow….so many negatives comments everytime there’s an article about Sweden…
This is NOT the weakest MF ever…comon, you just saying that cause youre pissed on Sweden in general. No matter what we would send to ESC you would be negative. I think you all should chill and stop Being so jealous of us 😉 its not our fault that we bring some class to the contest
For me, this MF is worse than last year, simply because I find none of the songs memorable. I can understand where you’re coming from however saying everyone is always pissed about Sweden, and being half Swedish and half British I find people piss on both countries (: but I do have to disagree with you where you say we bring class to the competition, like come on, Sweden have sent pretty much the same generic boy pop for the last three years, I think it’s very fair that everyone complains and asks for a little more diversity, so I’m… Read more »
Knowing sweden, i’m pretty sure arvingarna will qualify DTF or at last AC (swedes love their dansbandsmusik lol) and probably John Lundvik DTF while Lisa Ajax and Bishara go to AC.
My hopes are John Lundvik and Bishara DTF with Lisa Ajax and Anton Hagman to AC
bye at y’all saying ultimate basic white girl lisa ajax is better than wiktoria…. keep dreamin sksksk
Lisa’s song is much better. It’s only Wiktoria’s performance that made the song listenable.
tbh wiktorias song doesn’t conpare to Lisa Ajax’s, Not With Me kind of plods along and the only thing that draws you in is wiktorias emotion. With Torn, the song is magical, dark and interesting but it also has the emotion of Lisa Ajax’s voice, so it kind of has Not With Me covered…
lisa ajax is tryin too hard to be zara larsson whew
also john lundvik trynna have his nobody but u
i like the two schlager ones
bishara……i literally laughed
I have a feeling that Arvingarna – “I Do” will directly qualify. They need an icebreaker act for the grand finals just like with Rolandz last year. So that leaves us with either John or Lisa (either one will be in AC for sure)
I have to say I’m impressed with John stepping it up with an uptempo song meanwhile Lisa is stripping things back with her performance like Wiktoria so it might pay off for her.
I think this will be the first time that I have Lisa Ajax as my favourite, but the song sounds simple, yet effective. Gives me some Kelly Clarkson-Because of you-vibes…
Overall, it seems that I will again cross my fingers for Wiktoria… it’s her weakest attempt so far, but still dazzling…
kelly clarkson sweetie…. it sounds more like uncover by zara larsson which is still cute
I get the zara larsson vibes but the styles of music are completely different, and uncover whilst it is a banger is nothing like Torn
What is up with Pagan Fury? At the artist reveal they looked like a real band, but now everyone is saying it was just the singer with three random guys in costumes who won’t even be at Melfest? Rock band as fashion accessory?
pagan fury was originally made a band to promote a video game and i believe because SVT is a public service television, they can’t have the entire band in melfest—
The whole band is not performing because there is no instruments playing live. They chose to only have the singer. Stupid I know..
Honestly…could there be a chance Sweden doesn’t even qualify? Still early days tho.
I really doubt it.
BUT if this is the Game of Thrones edition of ESC, then it would not surprise me at all if Sweden don’t make the GF.
The final episode of Game of Thrones Season 8 airs the very next day after ESC GF 2019.
yuh some of the acts in ac and even in the final are non qualifiers but i don’t think any of them will win
this could be another year where sweden wins xD sweden will definetly qualify for the final, the song will get there by merit but they also have friends in semi final 2
I guess it does all depend on the other songs and I’m sure Sweden will have a very good chance to at least be a borderline qualifier, BUT last year proved it didn’t matter your success rate.
Great semi. Johns song sounds like a potential winner and is giving me Austria 2018 vibes. Lisa, Anton and pagan fury all sound interesting as well. Surprised by Ann-Louise – it sounds nostalgic in a good fresh way, compared to some of the other older contestants who have failed to achieve the same.
This is arguably the best and strongest SF, but I can’t see a Eurovision winner. This has to be the weakest Melfest I’ve ever seen. A lot of average songs this year, though we know Sweden will place in the top 10. I like “Stormbringer” and”Torn”. Some like “Too Late For Love” and “On My Own” are okey too. My prediction: FINAL Lisa Ajax – “Torn” (if staged cleverly, she will wave the Swedish flag in Tel Aviv) Pagan Fury – “Stormbringer” (something different, may be a finalist or eliminated… I’m not sure about how the public will receive it)… Read more »
People have said it’s the weakest since 2017:)
And has any of the other selections an ESC winner in them? Is that something you can hear?
last years melfest was tragic, the worst BY FAR, this year quite a few strong ballads and a couple decent uptempo songs as well, i think it was the best NF this year until germany revealed there songs
This is all incredible and embarrassingly boring and mediocre. The only two that have a hint of a chance to be something audible is Lisa and John. Mel fest is a disgrace
Agree.
and how is melfest a disgrace xD, they keep serving good songs every single year
Wiktoria is the One for me.
Are you same Mr. Vanilla Bean who said anyone who stay on wiwibloggs after Romania is a “hypocrite”?? Welcome back 🙂
Whoever you are, welcome. We all are Eurovision fans here, everyone should start from there 🙂
For me John Lundvik and Anton Hagman are best (at least based on these snippets). Ann-Louise Hanson’s song is also surprisingly enjoyable. Torn sound promising, but I need to hear the live version.
Pagan Fury are kinda disappointing – was expecting some good folk metal and got… this. Also is it just me or the begining of the snippet sounds like Higher Ground?
John Lundvik 100%, love it, would do very well
It’s Wiktoria’s turn this year.
Lisa Ajax, Mohombi and Anna Bergandahl might disagree.
It does slightly feel like ‘the show’ wants Wiktoria to win this year though.
Anna ain’t winning anything.
Actually if she qualifies from AC, which she most likely will, she will be a major contender for the win.
Yes, i was thinking the same.. Anna deserves a second chance at Eurovision..
it’s whoever the international juries choose’s turn but it better be wiktalent
At last! This semi looks great indeed (copletely the opposite to last week’s). I can’t decide between Lisa, John and Pagan Fury which one I like the most.
Well, Sweden’s definitely not winning this year.
Because the songs selected so far are so much better right?
Many are, indeed
The only really great entry is Italy. The rest nah. So it’s not like we have much to choose from
Thé dame applies to Sweden
soldi, a song with substance n personality as well as a contemporary production (qualities absent in any mediocrityfestivalen songs) says hi
I wouldn’t be suprised if they do actually
Send Pagan Fury! It will definitely stand out and it’s not like what Sweden usually sent in the past. But based on the jury and Sweden’s taste, they probably will go for a safer song. One thing I have to mention is…in the rehearsal clip, those crawling things at behind are exactly like the no-face men in the Japanese animation “Spirited Away.” I don’t like this idea, though.
No, we vote for the song we like. Not what we think europé will like.
Another pop song in the bag, I suppose.
Yeah, we know, but the international juries are there for the express reason of getting a good result in Tel Aviv. That’s the reasoning behind their sway over the result. The Swedish people don’t always get what the Swedish people want.
Yeah, but maybe you should start caring about what Europe likes, otherwise Europe might give you 21 points again, because they really don’t like your song.
Spare us your attempt at an insult. It’s not like Benjamin was a runaway favorite. He only “barely” won the televote and it was the INTERNATIONAL juries who assured his victory.
I was not trying to insult you by any means.
The international juries (Europe) and the televoters in Sweden wanted Benjamin. He was the best option of a weak bunch. Or do you mean what the fans want lol? The performance was good but the song wasn’t good enough. It was a fact and that’s why the juries and televoters had different opinions once in eurovision. The juries saw something that the televoters didn’t. But not because it was Sweden like fans just LOVE to think, it’s because they are obligated to judge differently. I think 2019 is a stronger year songwize.
Sweden are lucky it’s such a sub par year – if not they’d struggle to qualify. It’s just been a mass of beige of mediocrity.
The only song that peaked any form of interest is Anna bergendahl and maybe Nano and they’re both in andra Chansen!
I generally like Sweden but it just feels like they’ve lost their way since about 2013
Lost their way by winning another time, and be in top 5 another three times?
I think we´re defining the word “lost” completely different…
We won in 2015..
No one enjoyed 2015
Of course not. Let’s not be bitter, Paul 😉
No one? That isn’t exactly true. Third in the televote isn’t exactly “no one”. But every year fans are dillusional. They hype a entry that totally flop once in the contest. Sweden have solid entries and the transformation from the Mello stage to the eurovision stage have always run smoothly. No matter what fans say about that it can’t be done in eurovision and so on.. Fans are only a small part of the eurovison viewers and really don’t have much power to judge anything. And if they are tired of Sweden I’m sure that juries and the ordinary viewer… Read more »
we still won
I think they have become predictable but that’s not losing their way.
On point!
John Lundvik is gooood! Oh my! After seeing the rehearsal clips.
It’s supposed to be simple. It fits the song. No need for anything else.
I think Wiktoria shoul skit the shower. look at Felix Dandman last year. Well, little might fit whith the song sometimes!
esp with a basic voice like lisa’s, won’t do her any favors
And having watched the rehearsal, I change my mind.
John Lundvik. WOW!!
Who is Johnny…
it’s u
Oh my god, I just saw the snippet from John Lundvik’s rehearsal and I think he’s my new favorite now! Pagan Fury though… They didn’t sound as good live as I had hoped. Maybe it’ll sound better on Saturday.
Lisa Ajax should win the whole thing and go to Tel Aviv!!
OK IT will be berween Mohombi, John Fjallgren, Wiktoria and Lisa ( if she make it to the final) + someone from andra chansen can surprise ( Anna, Nano)
If you go by Spotify monthly listener’s on who should qualify the most popular go like this –
1st – Arvingarna
2nd – John Lundvik
3rd – Lisa Ajax
4th – Anton Hagman
5th – Ann-Louise Hanson
6th – Bishara
7th – Pagan Fury ?
Personal choice from the snippets are Lisa Ajax and Pagan Fury to directly qualify to the final.
This will be the toughest heat. I know I said I’m not reviewing snippets this year, but I’m excited by all of these entries. It’s sad that some have to be cut from this line-up, really.
Agree : )
It’s the same think almost every year. At least four good songs in the last semi and maby one ok i the third
Yeah I agree, this semi seems like a good one (relatively, at least). There’s 3 or 4 I’d send DTF.
This is a great semifinal. I’m enjoying most of the entries, but my fave is Lisa Ajax. If she can belt it live, she’s got my vote. Arvingarna is the best kind of schlager. 🙂
This Mello season is as good as any other but yes we all know that fans just like to compare Sweden to other years. Do fans compare other countries like they do with Sweden? No. Are fans jealous that Sweden have Mello and not they in their country? Yes. Do we swedes care a lot that Sweden is the center of the fans anger every year? No.
I tinnk John Lundvik or Hanna Ferm/Liamoo will Represent us 🙂
Sorry but this Mello is a disappointment.
Hosts don’t have any chemistry. They are not funny either.
Songs could be better.
Stage is dark and underwhelming.
Melodifestivalen 2016 has been the last good quality edition.
Get over it.
If Sweden was Portugal or Spain you would love EVERYTHING. You know it to so dont say its not true
Not a huge fan of Hanna och Liamoo but I agree that every year ppl complain about Melo – though wasnt too into 2018. This year was defs better than last and I quite enjoyed 2017.
What are you talking about? There have always been comparisons for all countries (including Sweden). A Dal and Vidbir are both (even) stronger than last year. Supernova kind of took a step backwards, Lithuania’s NF is a bit better than last year and 2017, but not as strong as in 2016. Beovizija has fewer “cheap” entries than last year. While many of the songs this year are of decent quality, many of them don’t really seem to have that certain “Eurovision moment” feel. MGP has more “filler songs” than in any year since the return to the one-show format. It’s… Read more »
well, it seems that you care a lot, otherwise you wouldn’t have posted this.
If one of our songs had competed in Hungary,Ukraine or Portugal you all would think it was the best ever. You know it to
If you had said in Latvia, Slovenia or UK…but definitely not in Hungary, Ukraine or Portugal. A Dal and Vidbir are usually very strong, and FdC is rocking this year. So, no!
Melfest isn’t one of the strongest selections of the year, but far from being the worst. It pretty much sits in the middle of the road. Sweden won’t win ESC 2019, but might snatch a Top 10 result.
Thankfully in Portugal we don’t need to contract Swedish mass factory songs, nor does Hungary.
What is it in the Swedish culture that to the slightest criticism you imidiately shout: “you are jeleous!!”. But then again you permit yourself to arrogantly criticism every other country’s entry. Does that mean that YOU are jeleous of of the rest of us? I am starting to think you are
I’m not even sorry, but I like Arvingarna. It has that nostalgic tone to it. Instant classic.
MF 2019 is miles better than MF 2018! I thought every semi-final was good and better than the previous one..
Lisa Ajax could definitively win, best ballad of the year! I could even see her reach top 5 in ESC.. Wiktoria better hold tight to that wig..
Both MF are underwhelming, sorry
Probable you said that last year about 2017…
Who, me? Nope. last year was a dud. Which i even said many times last year.
Lisa Ajax – Torn
I think that’s a strong snippet, especially if it’s from the song’s first minute and Lisa Dami’s it up. Sounds like a potential winner to me.
Anton and John Lundvik DTF for me and Pagan fury (yes ik but i like it) and either Lisa (idk not great for me) and Arvingarna to AC
Well, can you hear an ESC winner in any of the other selections? It’s not like other countries have amazing selections either. Most years you can’t really hear a winner..
Assuming Lisa, Pagan Fury or John Lundvik make DF, I would be happy with most melfest DF songs repping sweden this year! Couldn’t have said the same last year, so needless to say I’m quite happy with the options.
Lisa, Wiktoria, Mohombi, John, Pagan Fury, Jon Henrik and also Anna (assuming she gets out of AC) would all be performers I’d be happy with!
Hahahahaha Pagan Fury Will not even reach andra chansen ?
Let a man dream! I’m still hopeful! 😉
is it possible to send tobias to dtf? swh
TORN is the song I wanted to hear all three minutes of. After that, may John Lundvik and Anton Hagman. Lisa Ajax’s was definitely the most interesting song. It drew me in wanting more.
Said to be the song Loreen disgarded When choosing Statements. One can only imagine How awesome it would have been with Loreen 😮
Lisa is a copy of Malu’s
Who is Malu?
I think they mean Malou Prytz, she went DTF in the second semi-final.
As a swede i Can Promise that arvingarna for sure Will be directly sent to the final – typical Swedish danceband that swedes love. For me John is simply the best choice.
Plz vote Lisa Ajax
It won’t, AC at best. Even that is a slim chance. Swedes love danceband, just not in MF
Really? Fuldans last year remember
Fuldans went through because of Robert Gustafsson, and was a joke entry. It wasn’t even true dansband. It made fun of dansband
Lisa and Pagan Fury DTF for me, but Sweden is not that much into Rock/ Metal, so I don’t thibk they’ll be making it directly (Andra Chansen at best).
My personal ranking so far for semi final four: 1) “Torn” – I’ve never been a huge fan of Lisa Ajax’s previous entries, but this is clearly her best effort so far. A very beautiful ballad; I really she’ll be able to get the heartbreak across live (she’s a good vocalist, but her performances so far always a slight “plastic” feel to it). 2) “Kärleken finns kvar” – Yeah, I know. But I like this song, I find it heartwarming somehow. 3) “Stormbringer” – Could be huge with a great live performance. 4) “On My Own” – It’s a cute… Read more »
Lisa Ajax all the way. She should completely win Melfest.. 🙂
Seems like Lisa is winning the whole thing, can’t wait for the full song
This is the year of Ballads.
I think for me after listening to this.
The winner has to be between Wiktoria, Lisa, Liamoo & Hana Ferm, and Lastly Jon Henrik… I will put it Anna Bergandal in there because she’s been at the top of the Swedish iTunes this whole time.
Indeed
Actually, “Ashes to ashes” is the song I find myself singing along and wanting to listen in my Spotify list most of the time.
It is a grower
100 Percent it’s like so warming to hear her sing and she hooks you in. Its rare that an Andra Chansen entry wins but she’s a Dark Horse to watch
The last time an Andra Chansen won was in 2013 with “You”
I think Felix Sandman2018 och Nano 2017 has made an impact
This semi looks promissing. Lisa’s snippet sounds great, Pagan Fury could be an interesting change of pace Sweden in Eurovision and John Lundvick already showed us how realiable he’s as a performer.
It’s weird that as soon as they revealed the artists back in November I had a feeling semi final four wouldn’t be that great and I guess that feeling imo came true. Only Lisa Ajax and Pagan Fury want me hearing more.
jesus what happened to sweden this year…
I only like Stormbringer and Torn in this semi, the rest are bland pop songs
John Lundvik disappointed me
I hope this is Lisa’s year <3
Just forget about esc. The focus is what song we like the most. If europé share our opinion that would be fun! ; )
But it is imposible to think that we would have a winner every year.