And then there were eleven.
In the time it took me to whip up some butternut squash soup with harissa and a grilled cheese sandwich, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet has released two new articles with a total of six new acts for Melodifestivalen 2024. The leak is now a flood!
If reporters Torbjörn Ek and Stina Dahlgren have it right — and they usually do — then we’ll be seeing Norwegian duo Marcus & Martinus, “Behöver inte dig idag” breakthrough artist Clara Klingenström, blondie Adam Woods, Drag Race Sweden star Elektra, “Tattoo” songwriter Cazzi Opeia, and four-time Mello veteran Lisa Ajax on the Mello stage this winter.
Marcus & Martinus
Last year’s runners-up are ready to go one better. According to the newspaper, the beloved Norwegian duo are keen to participate…even though the contest conflicts with their massive arena tour this winter. That means the 21-year-old twins will have to request a specific heat that doesn’t conflict with their schedule, which will take them through Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Aftonbladet’s sources say that If SVT really wants to include an act, then they’ll make it happen. “But it’s also challenging fate a bit,” they say. “If you are not free to compete every week, there is a greater risk of ending up in a more difficult competition.”
“I usually discourage artists from trying to request specific weeks or cities during Mello, because SVT wants to do the best for each artist. If you are limited by which cities work, it becomes more difficult.”
Clara Klingenström
Twenty-eight year old Clara Klingenström finished fifth at Melodifestivalen 2021 with the song “Behöver inte dig idag.” That was after qualifying from the Andra Chansen round.
Adam Woods
At Melodifestivalen 2023, Adam teamed up with Jon Henrik Fjällgren and Art North on the song “Where You Are (Sávežan)”. They won the first heat and went on to finish fourth in the final.
Elecktra
She finished fourth on Drag Race Sweden. And now Elecktra wants to snatch some crowns at Melfest.
“Elektra is completely ready for Mello,” a well-informed source tells Aftonbladet. “The song is very Electric, exactly as you imagine it should sound.”
Cazzi Opeia
The 34-year-old brought the colour and the joy with her 2022 entry, “I Can’t Get Enough.” And she went even higher as co-writer of Loreen’s “Tattoo,” which won Eurovision in Liverpool. She’s apparently hungry for another win — and as the performer.
Lisa Ajax
In 2022 Lisa finished last in her heat when singing alongside Niello. Well she’s done with that. Instead, she’s ready to hit it solo again — like she did in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Her debut entry “My Hearts Wants Me Dead” remains her best placing song (seventh in the final). She also performed it at our debut Wiwi Jam at the Hard Rock Cafe in Stockholm.
The names are coming thick and fast from Aftonbladet. Their full list is below.
- Lasse Stefanz
- Smash Into Pieces
- Dotter
- Liamoo
- Samir & Victor
- Elecktra
- Cazzi Opeia
- Lisa Ajax
- Marcus & Martinus
- Clara Klingenström
- Adam Woods
The only worthwhile name here is obviously Clara Klingenström.
I’m also irritated by these Aftonbladet reports, they spoil any surprise element.
The whole line-up will be properly announced on December 1. Isn’t that good enough? These Aftonbladet reports only irritate me every year, they ruin any sense of antici…pation.
Free publicity. 🙂
I’m not too excited for this lineup as of now, same old, same old. I assume out of 2 624 songs nothing new came due to the fact that most of the songs were pure garbage, so we have same songwriters yet again joining with these same artists.
ok watch something else then Karen
Of them I like Dotter, M&M and Smash into Pieces.
Only 11 acts rumoured so far and already a stacked edition! Even when hosting SVT do not joke around with Mello..
It looks like they are going for returnees this year but after two years with majority of new acts competing, I don’t mind it. Especially when it’s stacked like that. I hope Medina returns with a new party banger
Well, I can tell you a LOT of people will already be happy that Clara Klingenström is returning that’s for sure! Also, I hope Smash Into Pieces and Marcus and Martinus will have a chance to win this year since last Melfest they were basically robbed, as were everyone else, since we all knew Loreen would win.
Smash Into Pieces have a small chance on winning, as you can recall Sweden has never sent a rock song.
Dansbands have won in the past, but the last one was in 90s, so winner is most likely not a band either.
Sweden has actually sent rock songs. Last time was in 2007
It’s the only time, but it was Glam Rock and even for those standards I’d say it was as wild as oatmeal on a Friday night when we talk about Rock music in general.
2000 was also rock. 1989 was a rock ballad. 1980 was also rock according to the time. 1968 too.
Yeah, at a time my youngest sibling wasn’t even born
10 out of the 11 artists are returning but i’m not complaining! I’m already excited for next year! 🙂
boring so far, give us someone actually famous, like Eagle Eye Cherry! from his ”save tonight” fame, same comeback as a The Rasmus for example, and he is the uncle of popstar Mabel
He don’t want to take part
of course, his music is real music, not plastic
the sooner sweden fades away from eurovision, the better
if there is one country we have to bully out, it is sweden, for the sake of the contest
And Italy, Ukraina,
Calm down Karen! Begin this petty doesn’t achieve anything but showing your true colors.
I don’t like this lineup, but pulling a Finland 2022 isn’t a good idea either
Clara Klingenström FTW!!! < 3
2024 would be the perfect year to choose her! Sweden is already in the finals so they should actually take a risk and send a song in Swedish!
I doubt she will win though. That kind of genre Swedes call vispop which Klara sings is not even that popular in Sweden anymore
Hur förklarar du då att hennes låt blev en stor hit här i Sverige då
Ja, det var för tre år sen. När det var populärt.
Men när hade hon en hit senast? Hur många spelningar på Spotify?
La tuya por si acaso
I adore Claras song from 2021 – don’t know what it is about it, but it’s just one of those songs that I keep going back to : I can sing along to every word but don’t know what it means!!! I think there’s a pure innocence and vulnerability with Clara, and I really like that.
There’s actually an article on Wiwibloggs about the song, you can look it up if you wanna know more
Basically, this song is about being yourself after a breakup
Well not exactly that, it is about breaking an addiction (to drugs)
Why the minus? She said it herself in an interview! Don’t shoot the messenger!
Not sure if you’re trying to be funny or what? The song is about her manipulative and abusive ex who hit her… A relationship that she finally managed to leave. She has said this in Swedish interviews, there are video interviews of her talking about it so…
We got 2nd, 3rd and 4th places of 2023 returning next year, and I’m here for it
The current list of artists is insanely good, I can easily believe there might be a winner among them without even seeing the other 19 acts
I’m sure there will be a lot of new faces in the remaining list, so far only 1 of 11 artists is new to Melfest (Elecktra)
I can’t wait for February
Wow yes can’t get better!