It’s one of the most anticipated national finals of the season. Melodifestivalen 2020 gets off and running in less than a month and now Swedish broadcaster SVT has revealed the running order of the four semi-finals.
Yesterday, SVT teased the running order announcement on social media. The Melodifestivalen accounts uploaded a picture of the famous post-it notes, pixelated. Now, we can finally see the running order intact, and it does well to hype us up before the selection ensues in early February.
Openers and closers
The first act we’ll see on stage in Linköping on 1 February will be The Mamas, who open the first semi-final with “Move”. Felix Sandman will close the semi with “Boys with Emotions”.
The second semi, which will take place in Gothenburg on 8 February, sees Klara Hammarström opening the show with “Nobody”. The singer who will receive the honour of closing the Gothenburg semi is Anna Bergendahl, with her song “Kingdom Come”.
Taking to the stage first at the 15 February third semi-final in Luleå will be Mariette, who will perform “Shout It Out”, with the final performer being Mohombi with “Winners”.
Finally, on 22 February in Malmö, the star-studded fourth semi-final will be opened by Frida Öhrn and “We Are One”. The last performer of the semi-final phase will be Hanna Ferm, who will perform “Brave”.
Melodifestivalen 2020 running order
Semi-final 1: Linköping – 1 February
- The Mamas — “Move”
- Suzi P — “Moves”
- Robin Bengtsson — “Take a Chance”
- Malou Prytz — “Ballerina”
- OVÖ — “Inga problem”
- Sonja Aldén — “Sluta aldrig gå”
- Felix Sandman — “Boys with Emotions”
Semi-final 2: Gothenburg – 8 February
- Klara Hammarström — “Nobody”
- Thorsten Flinck — “Miraklernas tid”
- Dotter — “Bulletproof”
- Méndez feat. Alvaro Estrella — “Vamos amigos”
- Linda Bengtzing — “Alla mina sorger”
- Paul Rey — “Talking in My Sleep”
- Anna Bergendahl — “Kingdom Come”
Semi-final 3: Luleå – 15 February
- Mariette — “Shout It Out”
- Albin Johnsén — “Livet borjar nu”
- Drängarna — “Piga och dräng”
- Amanda Aasa — “Late”
- Anis Don Demina — “Vem är som oss”
- Faith Kakembo — “Crying Rivers”
- Mohombi — “Winners”
Semi-final 4: Malmö – 22 February
- Frida Öhrn — “We Are One”
- William Strid — “Molnljus”
- Nanne Grönvall — “Carpool Karaoke”
- Victor Crone — “Troubled Waters”
- Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron — “Surface”
- Jakob Karlberg — “Om du tror att jag saknar dig”
- Hanna Ferm — “Brave”
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.
Performing last is generally considered to be advantageous. Margaret’s “Tempo” is the only song performed last which did not progress at least to Andra Chansen in the last five years. Furthermore, both “Heroes” and “Too Late for Love” were performed last in the fourth semi-final, while “Euphoria” and “Dance You Off” were performed last in the first semi-final of their respective years. This year, those spots go to Felix Sandman and Hanna Ferm, both of whom have finished in the Top Three in the last two years.
The other semi-finals will be closed by Melodifestivalen 2010 winner Anna Bergendahl and Mohombi, who finished fifth last year with “Hello”.
Other big names such as Mariette and The Mamas will open their respective semis. On the other hand, Eurovision 2019 singer Victor Crone and Melfest 2017 winner Robin Bengtsson will have to battle their way from more modest spots in the running order.
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. Thought is also given to ensuring the overall song order creates an entertaining television show.
What do you think of the Melfest 2020 running order? Are you surprised by any of the placings? Will the running order help certain artists? Share your thoughts below.
From the first semi impressed me the most – The Mamas, Robin Bengtsson, OVÖ, Felix Sandman. 2 semi – Dotter, Méndez/Alvaro Estrella, Paul Rey, Anna Bergendahl. 3 semi – Anis Don Demina, Mohombi, 4 semi – William Strid, Victor Crone, Hanna Ferm I think it will be fight between Felix, Hanna and Paul Rey (potentionaly – Anna, and Mendez with Alvaro) It looks like 3 semi will be the most easier from all of the others semis … Its funny that Anis Don Demina and Mohombi are once again in one semi or Robin and Felix… Anna is once again… Read more »
The Sandman thing goes on… Mello is really predictable. Rooting for Anna ans Hanna.
If the old first and last formula still holds true, I’m glad to see the Mamas came back with a song that the producers consider good instead of being brought back simply because they were a popular aspect of John’s act. I’m ready to move!
Readers: Oh man I wish Sweden sends something new and not another young male artist like they’ve done since 2015
Also readers: LOL I want Felix to win!
Felix or Anna, please. Amazing artists.
Same recycled artists in Snoozefestivalen, year by year by year…. Robin Bengtsson, Mariette, Felix Sandman, Anna Bergendahl, Mohombi, Hanna Ferm. Aren’t they tired of competing with the same usual pop Swedish boring songs? …..
And still you watch it every year. Why? i would be happy if you didnt:)
Who’s watching it? Not wasting my precious time watching these long and boring shows with the same recycled artists/songs all over again, year by year. I recognize the names, it’s impossible not to… They’re quite the same artists every year :)))
The jealousy is real
bjorkie is always so predictable when it comes to running orders
ah ah. You have done a bad research this time. Its not him. Its 2 people so do better next time:)
bjorkie n his buddy are always so predictable when it comes to running orders
Not anymore. In recent years we saw John Lundvik and Malou Prytz qualifying directly from so-called death position 2, and Wiktoria qualifying from third position.
Given the running order, I’m pretty sure it’s between Felix and Hanna with regards to who will win Melfest this year. I’ll be very surprised if it’s not either of those two.
Same. I would be shocked too if we had a situation like 2016 again where a nobody win with the highest televoting ever lol
So far I think Sandman is the one to beat, it really feels like his time. And he wouldn’t start last in the first semi if he didn’t have something special, that spot is usually reserved for something extraordinary
He’s definitely a contender.
Same. Although Hanna Ferm is super talented an probably has a great song, I feel like she still too anonymous here and we all know some vote just based on popularity
Perform last is not an adavantage to win. Its just reserved for an artist who people want to see or have high exceptations off. Mariette,Loreen and Molly Sanden all performed last and didnt win so its not that big of a deal to perform last. None off them even came top 3.
My top 5 before i have heard anything.
1. Hanna Ferm
2.Faith Kakembo
3. Felix Sandman
4. Paul Rey
5. Dotter
It is definitely an advantage to win the semi, but on the other hand the one starting last is almost always a deserving strong song.
There are only 7 songs. How can that be an advantage? 7 is a REALLY low number.
Is 7 out of 7 a low number? Honey, where did you go to school?
7 songs in a semi is low. It doesnt matter where you start. Do you understand :)?
SVT wants Felix or Hanna Ferm winning, no doubt. Mariette hopefully crashes out in the semis
We in Sweden are not that stupid as you think who vote for the one who sing 7th. Sorry
You are stupid enough to vote a child who perfomed a song about being alone in bed.
haha who was that?
Bishara last year
okey but i didnt like that so didnt read the lyrics:)
you didnt even heard them? phhhlease
Honestly. not really, he didnt get my intrest. I didnt wrote it so. I did not want him to win
How old are you rasmus ?
Why ? You dont like people who reply?
Can you not read? I said SVT
Also everyone here loves Felix and Hanna so I believe they’re our top picks too
I think it’s clear that SVT have realised a female winner would be good in terms of balance and optics. Of course, if a man has the best song he should win, but in the past few years many great female entrants have placed lower than they should have (Loreen in 2017, MPH in 2015/16, Lisa Ajax in 2019 etc)
Loreen in 2017 finished well no ?
With a non melodic song she nearly made the final
if FELIX SANDMAN will not go to Rotterdam, he will be another 10 years older the very next day.
He can try again:)
I think Felix & Hanna are the only certain direct qualifiers, Anna & Mohombi are very likely too but I got that hella feeling Paul Rey is gonna be the dark horse. Faith Kakembo & Frida Öhrn will also be newcomers to look out for as well, my gut instincts say Robin Bengtsson & Mariette will be heading to andra chansen and as much as I adore Sonja & Nanne I’m already bracing for both to fall at the first hurdle. Above all else I’m getting excited and ready for Melfest 2020! Just 3 weeks left now, this will be… Read more »
Frida Öhrn isn’t a newcomer I don’t think
I have really high hopes for Felix. He is such a talented young man.
Putting Dotter in spot number 3 makes me want to fight
Wiktoria went DTF last year performing in No.3 slot, don’t kick off just yet!
And John lundvik went to final from 2nd spot in 2018 , if the song is good the public will see through the order and vote for the song
Robin’s running spot is unusual. Aren’t returning champions (on their first return) given a closing spot? Is this a sign his song is really weak?
Good pointing out I can’t remember the last time a returning champion on their first return hasn’t performed 7th. Either way, I didn’t like his 2017 entry so I hope he gets knocked out in 2020 – unless his song is surprisingly good.
Anna bergendahl, Eric Saade and Loreen closed their semis returning after winning Melfest
Probably. But since Felix apparently has the best song on that semi (and also the one with the most momentum rn) it’s no wonder he is closing semi 2
That makes sense. I just thought the usual courtesy would be afforded to Robin.
Yeah, not making him open or close the semi , doens’t speak highly of his chances
He might have to go through Andra chansen
Usually 2nd is a dud spot
Songs 1 , 6 , 7 are usually always in the mix in the Top 5 of each semi
4 is usually an Andra chansen song
Songs 3 , 5 have rarely displaced one of them to stay alive
Some general comments: I predicted Felix, Mohombi and Hanna would close their semi’s, but I didn’t think Anna would go back-to-back closing like Benjamin did, maybe that’s a hint that Anna could have yet another good song? I feel like Dotter might be screwed over again sadly based on slot number 3’s history, it usually crashes out or goes to A/C at best but Wiktoria did go DTF last year performing 3rd so who knows. I hope she has a good song and good staging. I read on twitter somewhere that Paul Rey is also a big one to watch?… Read more »
Prior to hearing the songs, the four 7th spots make me hope that either Anna or Hanna will beat the two dudes I do not care for. Kingdom come. Also hoping Sonja will survive this.