We’re just days away from learning the confirmed lineup of Melodifestivalen 2021. Swedish broadcaster SVT has started a countdown on their Instagram account, strongly implying the artist announcement will begin on Tuesday 1 December.
But before then, there are more rumoured artists. The latest names from Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet are rock band Lillasyster, singer Emil Assergård, Idol 2018 star Nathalie Brydolf and Sweden’s Got Talent singer Frida Green — all Melfest newcomers.
Lillasyster for Melodifestivalen 2021
Lillasyster (Little Sister) is a rock band from Gothenberg. The group have been together for 16 years and have released five albums. They are also known for their covers of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” and Katy Perry’s “Roar”.
While rock bands aren’t always in the Melfest lineup every year, there have been some notable rock entries in recent years, including 2014 act Outtrigger with “Echo”.
Aftonbladet notes that along with The Mamas and Dotter (Daughter), the addition of Lillasyster (Little Sister) means Melfest 2021 will have three groups with family names!
Emil Assergård for Meldodifestivalen 2021
Aftonbladet reports that Emil Assergård has been attempting to get into Melodifestivalen for some time but has never made the final cut — until now. The singer-songwriter has released three albums. Last year he was nominated for Male Live Performer of the Year at the Rockbjörnen awards, but lost to Benjamin Ingrosso.
Nathalie Brydolf for Melodifestivalen 2021
Nathalie Brydolf came to fame on the 2018 series of Swedish Idol. She made it to the live shows and placed sixth overall. Aftonbladet notes that both this year and last year, Nathalie participated in Melodifestivalen writing camps — but this year she’s made the cut.
Frida Green for Melodifestivalen 2021
Frida Green hails from the Skåne region of southern Sweden. She first came to fame on the 2018 edition of Talang, the Swedish edition of the Got Talent franchise. There she impressed both judges and viewers and made it all the way to the grand final.
Frida also auditioned for this year’s Idol, and initially impressed the judges by singing in the Skåne dialect, however further performances were less impressive and she did not make the live shows.
The countdown for Melodifestivalen 2021 has begun
It’s not long now. While SVT hasn’t yet confirmed when the Melodifestivalen 2021 acts will be officially announced, it’s very much looking like things will start this Tuesday, 1 December. This is in keeping with the usual Melodifestivalen timetable of announcing on the Tuesday after Junior Eurovision.
On the official Melodifestivalen Instagram account, a countdown has begun. It’s now up to T-minus 4, which points to 1 December. But the countdown numbers are being posted with no further comment, leaving it up to fans to speculate.
And the announcement may be more than just a one-day event. Aftonbladet’s source says that artists have been asked to keep Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday free. This implies that SVT may be announcing the acts in smaller batches. It is also very likely that the traditional press conference and meet and greet will not be held due to Covid restrictions.
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Melodifestivalen 2021: Expected acts
With the latest batch of names, we now know 24 of the 28 acts for Melodifestivalen 2021. As we’ve seen in previous years, the line-up changes can happen at the last minute, so we may not get all 24 names before the official announcement.
According to Aftonbladet, we’ll see P4 Nästa wildcard entry Julia Alfrida, Tusse Chiza, Sannex, Sami Rekik & Wahl, The Mamas, Dotter, Jessica Andersson, Klara Hammarström, Alvaro Estrella, Paul Rey, Arvingarna, Lovad, Eric Saade, Danny Saucedo, Anton Ewald, Tess Merkel, Kadiatou Holm Keita, Efraim Leo, Charlotte Perrelli, Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos, Lillasyster, Emil Assergård, Nathalie Brydolf and Frida Green.
The Melfest rules forbid artists from revealing whether or not they’re participating. Therefore, Aftonbladet’s reports are not official. However, the newspaper has proven to be highly accurate, with 45 of the last two years’ 56 participants correctly accounted for.
What do you think? Which other artists would you like to see competing in Melfest 2021? Who should Sweden send to Rotterdam? Tell us your thoughts below!
Bring back shirley clamp
Burning Alive was fully robbed
Dinah Nah, Zaena, Liamoo, Linus Svenning, Renaida pls
Isn’t Linus in prison for drug related crimes?
I can’t decide if I like or feel apprehensive about this unofficial lineup
Is there any news on expected songwriters?
This is turning out to be a family reunion haha the only one we are missing now is Papa Dee haha
I’m really happy to see new acts from Idol. And it’s also fun that both Nathalie Brydolf and Kadiatou participated in Idol same year. I’m really excited for them and Tusse! 🙂
I want many of this years Idol contestants to be on melfest 2022…like Nadja, Paulina, Nova, Simon even Caspar but his sound and character might not fit Melfest even though he is one of the best in the bunch i mentioned.
I want Renaidaaaa
I’m just so shook. Even though I know what Dotter means, I had never realized until now the coincidence (regarding the family member references) in the fact that The Mamas won over Dotter. Just had a mini meltdown for a second
haha cool. i feel if dotter have a better song this year or as good she will beat The mamas. Its a hard line up this year if Loreen and Danny Saucedo rumours are true
Loreen has been showing up as guest artist in several Swedish shows now lately…usually she never make that much appearances during a year, that is why rumours about Mello has started i guess…Because without PR you won’t really get far in Mello because people have forgotten about you.
Frida Green – such a wonderful voice. Check idol clips on YouTube:)