As we get closer to the confirmed acts for Melodifestivalen 2020 being announced later this month, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet is reporting that two former Melfest winners will be making a comeback. Mello 2010 winner Anna Bergendahl and 2017 champ Robin Bengtsson are both set to return in 2020. As well, DJ Anis Don Demina will join the lineup.
Anna Bergendahl
The Anna Bergendahl redemption story looks set to continue. She won Melodifestivalen in 2010 with “This Is My Life”, but shockingly failed to qualify for the Eurovision grand final — the only time Sweden has missed out.
But Anna made a comeback to Mello 2019, where her uplifting country-rock anthem “Ashes to Ashes” placed 10th in the grand final. The song also placed third in the OGAE Second Chance poll. Aftonbladet’s source says that Anna has a song ready to go for her third Melfest appearance.
Robin Bengtsson
Robin Bengtsson — who previously competed alongside Anna Bergendahl in Swedish Idol 2005 — is also set to make a comeback. And like Anna, it will also be his third Melodifestivalen appearance.
He first competed in 2016 with “Constellation Prize”, then came back the following year and won with “I Can’t Go On”. He went on to place fifth in Kyiv.
Aftonbladet‘s source claims that Melodifestival’s editorial team was able to convince both Anna and Robin Bengtsson to make a return for 2020.
Anis Don Demina
DJ, rapper and singer Anis Don Demina will also make a return to Melodifestivalen. He made his Mello debut earlier this year with the song “Mina bränder” (My fires) with vocals by Zeana. The song finished fifth in its semi-final, and while it missed out on making the andra chansen round, it reached No.25 in the Swedish singles chart.
While Anis don Demina has denied involvement in Melfest 2020, Aftonbladet‘s sources confirm that he will be part of the contest. It is not currently known if Anis will team up with another vocalist or if he will perform solo.
Anna Bergendahl, Robin Bengtsson and Anis don Demina will be joined at Melodifestivalen 2020 by Drängarna, Linda Bengtzing, Frida Öhrn, Paul Rey, Albin, Suzi P, The Mamas, Victor Crone, Hanna Ferm, Jakob Karlberg and P4 Nästa wildcard winner Amanda Aasa. Eric Saade and Carola are two acts still being chased by the broadcaster.
SVT is expected to reveal the lucky 28 competing acts of Melodifestivalen 2020 sometime later this month.
What do you think? Can Anna Bergendahl make a Eurovision comeback? Who else would you like to see in the 2020 lineup? Tell us your thoughts below!
so no one’s gonna talk about Hanna Ferm?
I mean Hold You was perfect and if she gets an emotional, powerful mid-tempo song, she can succeed! If sweden sends trashy pop again im literally out…
Robin Bengtsson – heaven forbid! Trendy suit, slick choreography – and no voice. Is that what Sweden has come to?
I guess you haven’t heard any of Robin’s songs except “I Can’t Go On”. Robin is a very talented singer and has a fantastic voice.
So the Melfest pool is getting smaller and smaller to the point where all previous winners have to keep coming back (we already have 4 rumoured this year). It’s a self-feeding circuit that has no relation whatsoever with internationally successful swedish music. SVT is simply happy to keep things as they are as long as the juries’ obvious flag bias protects them from falling flat on their faces with their irrelevant entries of the past few years. The only thing I can’t fault Björkman for is that he has kept the festival politics- and message-free all these years. I am… Read more »
But you can’t deny that they are strong and experienced singers and performers. I see that as one Sweden’s strengths, that it has a supply of establish acts and does not resort to people straight out of reality TV, as we have done in the UK. We certainly could have used an Anna or a Robin in recent years.
On the other hand, what you are saying I feel applies more to the main Eurovision Song Contest. More and more returning acts, fewer songs becoming substantial international hits.
Well l, it depends. I don’t think Eric Saade, Frans or Benjamin should have been anywhere near a microphone. Which brings us to another recent MF drawback, the tendency towards male teeny boppers targeted at pre-adolescent girls. I expect new lows with Bishara next year…
Anna and Robin booth had better songs on the years they didn’t win
Agreed and signed!
Robin – yes
Anna – no
First of all can I say that I thought that Anna was very harshly treated. I thought her song was better than most of the generic , weak pop fodder that has been offered up by Sweden. The studio cut is excellent and I do still listen to it now. Yes her performance on the night might have gone better, but it still should have sailed through to the final. The problem I have with her returning is that she only finished tenth in the final last year. Is there any chance of her winning…I do not see that happening.… Read more »
As a Swede, I’m hoping that SVT will try to include more internationally known/up and coming artists rather than the same old “household” names. I’m happy to see that Paul Rey is taking part since he’s been on my wish list since he released What Good is Love in 2017. Here’s my current wish list, filled with 30 Swedish acts who have never taken part in Melfest in the past. Including them would be a breath of fresh air that is well needed. In alphabetical order: Ana Diaz Clara Mae Daniela Rathana Elina Eric Hassle Esther Kirabo estraden First Aid… Read more »
Thank you! At least on Swedish tax payer that would like something different! And I guess that there are many more thinking like that.
Why do SVT chase singers that have participated before? What you guys need to understand is that Melodifestivalen is THE biggest event in Sweden each year when it comes to music but also TV production overall. It’s huge in Sweden and all ages watch the show. SVT want to keep it that way and to be able to do so they need to bring singers that the viewers want. If they all got new singers that no one knows about then the general public will loose interest. Maybe hardcore fans don’t really care as long as the music is good,… Read more »
OK. But the thing is, if SVT doesn’t bring new music talent into the mix (and I am talking composers also, not only singers), the show will sooner or later loose relevance and die. It was not that kind of atitude that led ABBA to its victory in MF… The result of 2018 was already a warning. It is ridiculous how the Swedish fans don’t want to realise that, only due to pure patriotic reasons and this is what pisses everyone off.
The show will sooner of later loose relevance? Maybe among hardcore international fans, but not among the average Swedes. What you need to understand is that Melodifestivalen is a show made for Swedes. It’s not supposed to be a show like Eurovision that has viewers from all over the world. Maybe the Swedish top 10 streak in Eurovision will end soon and that’s not because several participants in Mello have participated before, if that happens then that’s because the music ain’t good enough. It has nothing to do with how many of the 28 participants have competed earlier. The average… Read more »
I’ve long suggest that the Melfest runner-up should be the UK entry for that year.
MF is not made for you, it¨s made for Swedish taxpayers. We choose whatever song we want to represent us, not what some fan in Brazil or wherever thinks we should send. MF is not even made for fans, it’s made for a general audience who doesn’t spend all their time on blogs. They don’t care about composers or who¨s new or not. MF isn’t even only a national selection. If it was just about finding an ESC act SVT could have selected an act internally or have a single final with 10 great songs. But that’s not the purpose,… Read more »
It’s made for Swedish people as a whole, not just the ones who pay tax.
OK. I get that. If that is what the Swedish tax payer wants, so be it. (If I were to pay my taxes in Sweden I would want my money back, though. But as I am not, I can’t complain) However, what is not ok is the constant bragging of the Swedish ESC fans about the MF as if it were the greatest thing on earth and putting down other NFs with a different take. And this is what makes me angry
“MF is not made for you, it¨s made for Swedish taxpayers”… I am still free to comment, as you also comment on other national finals (normally to put down) for which you also don’t pay taxes.
I dont see you complaining about Estonia using returning artists too, including Stig Rästa
I don’t pay taxes in Estonia. So I can’t complain. Is it not what you taught me in your infinite wisdom?
I would comment why they chase the same singers instead of trying to add new talent and new type of songs but Rasmus will comment how perfect melfest is so yeah, let’s pretend melfest is diverse and Bjorkman is an impartial eurovision producer lol
And don’t forget Denis… And of course the Swede who lurkes around and who has the most terrible hate speech and always changing alias talking about how green of envy we all are.
I’ve read comments on this blog since 2013 and i’m pretty certain a lot of people are envious at the swedes. Or atleast very biased in their reactions on swedish news topics compared to other countries which people might do unconsciously.
This constant “envy” narrative is so not true and it getting over-used.
I’m hoping that Jon Henrik Fjällgren is on the lineup. I am just waiting for the day that he will get to represent Sweden at Eurovision!
He had problem to find right song last years so i don’t think so but yes his songs was my crush actually.
Great! Finally some names I’m excited about. I may be called basic and stuff, but one of the things I like about Melfest is returning acts. Hoping to see Wiktoria and Mariette (even though her last attempt wasn’t the best).
So far excited about: Anna Bergendahl, Robin Bengtsson, Paul Rey and of course Hanna Ferm
I prefer the Mamas to be honest.
Why do you care about and watch a show you dont like? Its really stupid. I dont get people here. If i dont like Superbowl i dont watch it or complian about it. If i dont like games of thrones i dont watch it or complain about it. You should do the same here. If you hate mello dont watch it at all and then you cant poison the world with your negative comments. A win/win situation.
Unfortunately we have to listen to at least one song that comes from MF and reading you braging about how wonderful everything in MF is , when clearly it isn’t. So I for one represent an alternative standpont on MF, when on top of it there are national finals much more interesting than MF.
Robin Bengsston AND Eric Saade?! Oh please let my Melfest dreams come true! Maybe Lisa Ajax or Mariette to sweeten the pot?
No. Eric Saade will not participate. He got chased by SVT.
So excited for Robin Bengtsson. His two entries have been great and i like many other songs by him, like ”Dark Angel”.
I don’t get the hate for him.
Because there’s a fire on the horizon and Robin is the spark. Ugly people cannot handle pretty sparks.
Robin is a really talented singer and I seriously don’t get why so many people hate on him. His recent releases, such as “Just Let It Go”, “Already Know” and “The First To Know” are better than most songs in Melfest. I’m really excited for his participation!
Fingers crossed for Zaena,Eric Saade, Kerli, Danny Saucedo, Ace Wilder, Bella/Fillipa, Linnus, Isa, Moly Sanden…
It’s early but I already am Super excited for MF. So far looks like a great and stacked line up
LOL
When will the final line-up be announced?
Later this month
Ashes To Ashes is so bland…don’t get why so many people think she’s robbed. I hope she gets a better song next year.
Her song was my crush last year actually 🙁
I quite enjoy the song. I learned how to play in on the guitar. I did the same with Wiktoria’s Save Me.
it’s the only way for these…”singers” to get some attention and a song in the charts so i don’t blame em for tryin as much as they can. but these two sure ain’t names i’d want to come back, they’re v bland.
my good sis Anna ain’t bland but i agree on Robin…
San Marino, Montenegro, UK this year is bland to me. These 2 are not bland
Robin is not bland at all, come on.
Anna Bergendahl – i can definitely live with because Ashes to Ashes was a tune, but Robin Bengtsson??? No thanks. He’d better bring his treadmills back or he’ll have no chance!!
Robin has a very unique style and most of his music does not sound like “Constellation Prize” or “I Can’t Go On”. I’m sure that he will being something amazing to Melfest.
This sounds very fun:) But Mello is always fun so 🙂
Yes of course it’s fun, just like a circus is fun. But quality music?… Absolutely nothing.
So still you watch it. why? i dont get people who watch stuff they dont like. i NEVER watch stuff i don like. Cant you try that to?
OMG, I fully agree with you! That would be such a waist of my precious time. I haven’t watch it for a long time now. I do listen to some of the songs of the final, when available, just to see what the fuzz is all about and to have an informed opinion. And every year it’s getting worse. So, you don’t have to give me any lectures of how I manage my time, because I do that quite well on my own, thank you.
They receive 2000+ songs each year and they select the same people year after year. How is that possible?
Why you watch it then? I dont watch a show i hate. We love comebacks here in Sweden btw
Poor excuse to say that MF is drifting
In every comment i see you in i will only answer: Why do you watch a show you dont like? Its stupid
And for every of your reply I’ll say, I don’t. And thank God for that!
When did they say they hate the show though? You trippin, it’s just an observation.
To be fair, It wouldn’t really matter if they choose different people because unknown artists never do well in Melodifestivalen, if anything it’d be a good opportunity for them to get some visibility but that’s about it.
Exactly, I am just trying to understand the point of inviting people to send their songs (2000!) and then you have SVT choosing the same names year after year. It seems connections are much more relevant here than some other things. They can just be honest, invite these singers and write songs for them and not create expectations among these less known 2000 or I don’t know how many people who apply. Statistically speaking, how is possible these two mentioned singers (and many others!) had the best songs in the field of 2000+ songs in numerous ocassions? It’s strange, but… Read more »
You missed my point, relax.
Receiving 2000+ songs does not mean receiving 2000+ *good* songs.
However half of the acts are invited by SVT itself, which logically chooses artists people like, very often those that have already taken part in the competition. I think most of the newcomers come from the submissions.
Well, I would really like that. Anna has a beautiful voice and Robin is rather sexy. For Anna to come back the year after (if true), she must have gotten the competition bug again (or hopefully have another really good song in the pipeline). I certainly hope so. I’ve always thought highly of her as a singer, but her performance just left me so cold. I’m still listening to “Ashes to Ashes”, but maybe another song would allow her to be less stiff on stage.
“and Robin is rather sexy” for a minute I thought it was a song competition.
Well then, give it another minute.
That’s his only value to be honest
I feel like you should say they will “allegedly” take part and “allegedly” be joined by all the other artists you mention save Amanda Aasa. You really ought to not rely on Aftonbladet as much as you do. They’re a tabloid magazine and they’ll make you look silly if it doesn’t work out. That being said, I was actually a big fan of “I Can’t Go On” so I’m interested in seeing what he’d come back with. But I’m tired of hunky dudes. Sweden did a great job last year by at least slightly going in a different direction, but… Read more »
It’s not a tabloid and they have been very accurate in the past. If they write it’s probably some truth to it
Everyone thinks that Robin is exactly that guy that we all know from Melfest 2017. It’s not true – “I Can’t Go On” is far different from all his other releases, which are way better than this.
Oh God… Really?!?… Do those guys don’t have anything better to do?… That says a lot about their so-called careers
Well Anna is soon a doctor so yes they do
Good for her! At least she has something to look forward to and to be proud of, unlike her singing career. And that leaves Robin where? Working for a treadmill company?
Robin has a barbershop. And still singing. So there..
Oh right! I forgot about that! LOL Such a brilliant music career he has, no doubt…
At least Salvador Sobral is earning his living exclusively on his music by selling his album and doing concerts, two of them in Sweden no less, in Stockkolm and Malmo…
And yet Robin is making more money than you. Or me.
Oh dear… I don’t know about you. But what I am concerned, I doubt that very much… And even if he would I couldn’t care less, because unlike you, I don’t live in a society where material wealth is envied. Anyway, your reply is completely beside the point. LOL
Oh God… You seem to have good and reasonable opinions on many other things, but when it comes to Sweden you are so basic…. Can you not grow out of your nationalistic bubble?
They have more careers then you will ever have so why do you even care?
First of all, you don’t know me. So you cannot say what kind of career I have or have not. Secondly, it seems quite evident that they are loosers. Good for Ana that is soon to become a doctor and be much more useful to society than waisting her time in this event.
Why do you care about a show you dont like? its stupid.
I don’t care even a tiny bit. I just think that with the fabulous music industry you have, and that you brag about so much, you could and should bring so much more quality and impact. Instead SVT is putting its head in the sand not seeing that the Swedish contribution to the Eurovision is becoming less and less musically relevant.
Not true at all. The Swedish songs are still better than 80% of the other countries songs.
LOL. What a nice statstic. Have you organised a poll for that? Are you sure that is not 85% or 86,74%?
Loved Ashes to Ashes so I’m hoping she comes back bigger and better.
So exited! The funny thing is that I predicted all of them would make a comeback. Finally some names I’m super hyped about!