It’s the last week of heats in Melodifestivalen 2024 and for week 5 we are at the lakeside town of Karlstad where heat 5 will take place in Löfbergs Arena on Saturday. This week will not only decide the last two direct qualifiers for the grand final but will also see the new format Final Qualification introduced, where 10 acts from all five heats will battle it out for the two remaining spots in the final.
The six week Melfest tour of six Swedish cities will eventually decide, who will represent Sweden on home soil in Malmö in May.
The 30 seconds rehearsal videos are out for watching now, which means it’s time for one thing: To name your favourite.
Click on the artist’s song title below to watch their video. Then vote in our poll. You can vote for as many artists as you’d like, but you can only vote one time. Be sure to tick the box next to each act you want to support.
Melodifestivalen 2024 heat 5
- Marcus & Martinus – “Unforgettable”
Composers: Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Marcus Gunnarsen, Martinus Gunnarsen
- Chelsea Muco – “Controlla”
Composers: Anderz Wrethov, Chelsea Muco, Elsa Carmona Oljelund, FERNAND MP, Karl Flyckt, Pa Modou
- Jay Smith – “Back to My Roots”
Composers: Jay Smith, Jonas Jurström, Jonathan Keyes, Maria Jane Smith, Victor Thell
- Elecktra – “Banne maj”
Composers: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Jonny Werner, Robin Werner
- Annika Wickihalder – “Light”
Composers: Annika Wickihalder, Herman Gardarfve, Linnea Gawell, Patrik Jean
- Medina – “Que sera”
Composers: Ali Jammali, Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Sami Rekik
Format of Melodifestivalen 2024
30 acts participate in Melfest 2024 split into 5 heats of six acts each. The number 1 and 2 placed acts from each heat qualify directly to the grand final in Stockholm and the two lowest placed acts are finished in the competition. This make up for the first 10 acts qualifying for the grand final
Number 3 and 4 of each heat will have their fate decided in a Final Qualification held in connection with heat 5. The 10 songs in all will compete for 2 tickets to the grand final decided by the percentage of votes each entry got in their heat plus the amount of votes they get in the Final Qualification.
12 songs compete in the Grand Final of Melodifestivalen held in Friends Arena in Stockholm on 9 March.
Melodifestivalen is hosted by Carina Berg.
Who is your favourite in this heat? Are any of these acts the one you want to see go all the way to Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below.
Only Annika and Jay sound different. Elecktra is the worst one.Other three sound the same.
Unforgettable sounds very forgettable.. their last year’s entry was much better than this!
Unforgettable is very forgettable to be completely honest! Had it not been M & M singing nobody would even talk about it. Rather bland, and trying to please sort of stuff, but not really hitting the mark.
M&M’s performance wow. You can really tell who put effort into their performance and who didn’t… (danny ahem)
I think they are ready to go. Unless Danny steps it up
I agree! Top notch performance.
Knowing what Sweden is capable of and that they have such a cool musical landscape, it’s disappointing to see that Melodifestivalen never reflects it.
To top that off, this edition is so dreadful that it makes 2023 look great, neither the big names nor the newcomers brought something good to the table (except for Scarlet, Froken Snusk and Maria Sur, but knowing Sweden, none of them will win, sadly).
I just hope that whoever wins doesn’t become a Sweden 2016 2.0: a criminally overrated bland entry that made it to the top 5 thanks to juries.
in 2016, Televote was higher for Sweden.
Wait, what!?
Just checked and wtf was that? I’ll still hold that it was criminally overrated anyways
With exception of a few songs, the past few years have become very ‘same’ – is that backs the same writers do the majority of the songs?
Considering the Swedish are not thinking about sending any of the good acts they have to Eurovision, like Scarlet, Fröken Snusk or Maria Sur, this may as well be the worst and most bland Melodifestivalen line-up in terms of musical quality that ever existed. It makes 2023 and 2021 look decent.
Does every chorus in Sweden have the get the glossy pop product treatment? Some of these songs seem like they might have had a bit of soulfulness in them, and then the choruses drain the spirit away.
Yes that is the Swedish ethnic sound just like other countries has their own
Danny for the win!
Can’t be just me who thinks Medina’s song while otherwise sounding solid, the non-Swedish lyrics feel almost insulting because it doesn’t feel like you’re singing lyrics so much as yelling buzzwords people associate with Spanish pop songs
That’s true, a bit loco to be honest.
After last weeks disappointment with Danny I’m all open for anyone to win at the moment. Now this week, clear qualifiers are yet again the obvious names, and also “moving forward” if we can call it that, as it’s time to select last finalists as well.
Final: Marcus & Martinus and Medina
In: Annika Wickihalder and Jay Smith
Yet again I find the lyrical part of each song the breaking point, where the whole song lacks and it flattens the experience. M&M aren’t anything special, but we know that they’ve got devoted fans to move them to the top.
Biggest excitement for this week comes from who’ll qualify to the final out of the remaining acts, do the ones competing this evening get a better chance than the ones from the first heat? Will see, as the voting is a puzzle to solve, I suppose it’ll be explained well enough during the show.
This community downvoting anyone who has anything good to say about anything swedish. me: *pretends to act shocked*
The bots are strong on here:)
I don’t think this year is worse than other years song wise. Maybe if I was looking for a ESC winner or an epic song, whatever that means, I would be. But I was not..
Every heat had something to offer and were entertaining to watch. The final will be fun to watch too with no runaway favourite although the twins have the moment, and several strong songs to enjoy.
Will any of the songs win ESC? Of course not but they don’t have to either
Now I’ve heard all the songs my favourites in no particular order are Medina, Dotter and Scarlet
Ok here we are, we have the complete Melfest 2024 line-up, the acts that got my attention are: Maria Sur more because of the staging than for the song itself. Jacqline because of her stage presence and the melody of the song, more particulary of the chorus, but the lyrics omg, Call the police cause you just stole my heart…really… Medina because I like their festive sound, because they sing in Swedish, because they would bring the party in Malmo. Scarlet, because I love everything about it, the vibe, the sound, the staging. Honorable mention Danny Saucedo, I like the… Read more »
Having heard all the songs now, it is official that Sweden must have some sort of Eurovision pop filter. Literally every musical genre can be put through the filter and end up sounding broadly similar.
As it happens, I actually don’t mind the filter, we end up with a collection of pleasing toe-tappers and there are lots of worse things in the world.
Satisfied, rather than thrilled, would be my summary.
I think is because it is the common genre everyone can agree upon. In Melfest all ages watch and vote. From the youngest child to oldest grandma. Acts like Scarlet, Lasse Stefanz, Fröken Snusk and Lia Larsson are VERY popular in some age groups but not liked AT ALL in others! While acts that are in the “safe and boring” pop genre and not risky at all are liked by all age groups equally, and more importantly, not really disliked by any. If only real Melfest-fans would’ve voted the results probably would be quite different. And pop is a VERY… Read more »
That has been my experience with Smash Into Pieces the last two years.
Unforgettable sounds a bit weak tbh… ugh I thought they would have this in the bag
They have it in the bag
No they dont
Well not yet but I would say they are closer to it than before. Their odds have skyrocketed and most bloggers say this is the one to beat
I just love the snippet! ?? Bet the whole song will make me even happier.
I’m going to open a file on Sweden. More and more their national selection is sloppy with little competition or interesting songs, often there is a song chosen internally and then the other participants serve as decoration. They did the same thing with Loreen last year. we all know that Sweden wants to take the twins to Malmo. I have no hype for any song apart from Liamoo who does something new in his universe
My personal ranking so far. DTF: Medina’s song sounds a lot like the Francophone party music I used to listen to (for ex. Khaled – C’est la vie) and it’s definitely a genre I enjoy. DTF: M&M’s song is very well produced and nice, but I don’t feel particularly strongly about it. Second round: Annika – This could really land if she delivers with strong vocals. Sound round: Elecktra – Did not expect such a deep voice, but it’s catchy enough. I could see this having a fun staging. Out: Jay Smith – Amidst all the pop, I wouldn’t be… Read more »
So many butthurt people I swear. In a very weak eurovision year can you honestly say even 3 songs are better than Marcus & Martinus? More out there and outrageous, sure, but better? Don’t make me laugh. I hope they win melfest, end of.
They are about 15 songs already selected that are better than this imo
Even in melfedt Maria Sur is a lot better (even Gunilla is at least something different and fun)
I agree somewhat with Maria Sur, and whilst Gunilla is fun you can’t honestly think its good. I know the fandom is on the “trash” train this year but come on enough is enough. We already have a dumpster full of trash and it is filled to the brimm. We need actual songs in this song contest too.
Just snippets and people act like Melodifestivalen is doomed forever. (We won last year. Jeez.) Perhaps snippets should be cancelled and people will have to wait for the whole song and performance.
This year every song was better than the snippets, that is why they never work. Maybe they should be skipped?
Song wise I don’t think the quality is worse than usually, but I also did not expect to find a ESC winner this year nor did I expect “epic” songs going into Mello.
Maybe people expected epic grand songs this year and are disappointed at that, who knows?
I hope SVT will come to their senses eventually and just release all songs at the same time. With everything being put out on social media anyway it’s hard to see the later competing songs being disadvantaged anyway.
I would just go for the 30 second clips of the rehearsal…it builds more momentum for a songs as you wann see more
I think people should cool it a little. Whenever did a snippet give a song justice? Before slashing anything you should give every artist the chance to show themselves with their entry on the stage. If I remember correctly people here tore Loreen apart last year after hearing the snippet.
People voting for medina here, WHY? Honestly, WHYYYY?
Maybe cos they like the song? Just a guess
Jay Smith – Definitely my winner for this Semi final because I am a fan of Scandinavian country music and this sonically sounds great!
I definitely think Medina and Chelsea songs are worth qualifying as they are proper bops and easy to enjoy when listening!
If I were Swede, I’d definitely go for Scarlet. At least it’s different, interesting and catchy.
I will do my best to vote them to the final!
So the hype for the twins ends up like this? It’s basically the same song from last year.
Completely agree.
Too bad Anna Bergendahl isn’t here this year. This would have been the perfect time for her redemption story. Sweden is already in the final, so nothing can go wrong. The Melodifestivalen line up is so weak this year, I really think she could have done it with a song like Kingdom Come.
I actually think she didn’t because of Clara, seeing as the first time she had HUGE support for “Behover..”- maybe Melfest producers thought she was going to be the folk/country/pop surefire DTF this year and it backfired?
only speculation, but I’m guessing the same with Kiana & Maria Sur (we’ll prob see Kiana next year)
It’s official, this NF is a complete dud. It’s essentially Denmark, only dragged out over six weeks. I was never a big fan of Melodifestivalen, but it never happened that there wasn’t at least one song I was looking forward to put on my playlist. It will be enough to only watch the voting part of the final. Effortless is the best imo and even that one was made with very little songwriting effort.
Melodifestivalen feels unnecessarily long, given that out of 30 entries, at least 26 feel like part of the same nothingness every year
Looks like I’m rooting for Medina this heat. Loved their last song, so hyped for this one!
Unforgettable sounds very forgettable.
Melodifestivalen has completely lost it’s charm. It is also looking for a selection for JESC instead of ESC
Marcus and Martinus are the winners of this years Melodifestivalen I hope!
Back To My Roots is such an easy listen. I don’t mind if it wins the whole shindig.
Honestly, Sweden has been relying on production and performances rather than songs for so many years now and that has been working out for them since the songs haven’t been that bad either. But I can’t escape the feeling that other countries have sent better songs in past (over past 10 years now) and placed lower than Sweden each time. I think it’s time for Sweden to stay out of TOP 10 or TOP 15 with an OKish pop song since OKish is the best Sweden has to offer this year. I do not see a clear winner which might… Read more »
I don’t like people who think like this..
Sweden does their best like every other country, it’s not like it’s their fault people vote for them. And it’s always Sweden this conversation is about, but other countries like italy and ukraine also always get a good result but nobodys complaining about that?
Agree, watches Croatia’s selection and all song were worse than Gunillas song in mello, except baby lasagna which is the esc 2024 winner but still…Sweden do have alot high quality songs yet people still complain..so annoying and undeserved to be honest
I like all people and respect all opinions. You do understand that not all people like Swedish pop songs. I just don’t like Sweden’s style and I am crazy about Ukraine and Italy since they have more identity. For me Sweden has 0 identity and amazing producers. Someone mentioned Croatia above. I will not speak about Dora’s quality. But I will remember a song Tick Tock by Albina from Croatia a few years ago. A mediocre pop song which would have been TOP 10 in the finals if it was performed under a Swedish flag. But it was Croatia, and… Read more »
I’m so bored with Italy in the last couple of years. They haven’t sent anything interesting or good since Occidentalis karma and L’Amore femina, La mia citta. At leats this year I don’t have to yet another italian guy in an expensive suit singing a boring ballad!
Yeah, Croatia had the years worst selection show, yet people only focus on how average Sweden is. But Sweden would never allow songs like that ” vodu piti song to take part in anything.
Other countries would probaby kill to have songs like ” Unforgettable” in their selection, and had it been for another country everybody would praise it
Maybe because it’s an article about the Swedish heat 5 and not Croatia.
So that’s why Tattoo have more than 400 million plays on Spotify? Hold me Closer a performance entry?
Unforgettable sounds exactly like Air, with a more distinctive beat. Gosh, their voices are irritating…
Even though the snippets of M&M and Medina sound promising to me, I really hope that Scarlet can do a Robin Stjernberg and go on from Second Chance to the win.
It’s rather unlikely because it would be an experiment, that I don‘t believe Swedes are willing to do..
There’s a lot of acts that didn’t get through that should have done better than Scarlet
This is super dissapointing Sweden, i think it’s Jacqueline for me all the way – only decent song in the whole Melodi….
What I’m really disappointed by this year is this new format. Firstly the way the semis have been drawn where almost each semi has resulted in 2 previously popular acts qualifying has resulted in a fairly lackluster line-up and beyond predictability. (I have never felt more frustrated than last week watching Dotter soar into the final with arguable the worst song I have ever heard) Secondly – this then puts all the Andra Chansen songs in a battle for just 2 spots and no real opportunity for growth – also resulting in less opportunity for new acts to make their… Read more »
Air is still my favourite song from 2023 and I hope Unforgettable is as good as that. I know they will deliver live.
Marcus&Martinus might win Melodifestivalen but their song is really mediocre; as if sang with audio tune. I hope Sweden would not be in top5 with Marcus&Martinus’ song.
To be honest, Melodifestivalen this year is disappointing; none of the songs deserve top5 in Melodifestivalen
Que sera is basically khaled with c’est la vie sung by a duo.
I also heard a bit of rance 2010 in there.
Jessy Matador a bit too
Tbh, I expected more from Marcus and Martinus.
That’s on you for having expectations from Marcus and Martinus to begin with.
Officially the worst Melodifestivalen ever. I guess they were scared or on the budget in case they win twice in a row. Haha. Literally no clear winner, and I think whoever wins will place on right side of the scoreboard.
No clear winner no but that makes it more fun to watch. There are several favourites, not just one
But I also do not think the winner will be on the right side, probably do as well as Sweden usually does
Det där säger du bara för att du är svensk och det enda du gör på Wiwibloggs är att försvara vårt land från alla negativa. Låt folk ha sina åsikter
Det stämmer ju att det inte finns tydlig vinnare och det är inte en dålig sak. Blir mer spännande att följa
Stämmer också förmodligen att det kommer gå bra för Sverige eftersom det oftast gör det, även om bara publiken röstar.
Ja, jag försvarar eftersom jag är trött på negativitet. Vad gör du själv? Ser att du själv bara sprider negativitet här och klagar på hur dåligt allt är. Följer med strömmen för att få likes eller?
Återigen: Varför är det så svårt för dig att acceptera åsikter?
Finns det en anledning till att du är så fascinerad av vad jag tycker? Att du alltid känner dig tvingad till att kommentera? Sköt dig själv..
Jag har rättighet att uttrycka mig precis hur jag vill och vara hur defensiv jag vill, vem är du som kräver att jag ska hävda mig? Jobbar du här eller?
Var en duktig pojke nu och fortsätt följa med dom övriga fåren istället för att ha egna åsikter, du får ju likes för det
M&M are clearly winning this year’s Mello. It does remind me of “Air” but it’s a different song and it’s actually a good one. Not the strongest Mello this year but I suspect Sweden isn’t desperately looking for back to back wins. “Unforgettable” will do well in Malmö.
Unforgettable is a copy/paste of Air! I really really DON NOT want this to be our representative in ESC this year!
I wish you had some better alternatives but I’m afraid you don’t. Imho Mello is in desperate need of some changes, because things have started becoming quite repetitive and unidimensional. Same artists and pretty much similar songs every single year. We need some more variety from Sweden.
Well, most countries do in fact re use same artists in their selection, that is sort of the thing with them.
Like how many San Remo festival has Mahmood taking part in? Or Damir Kedzo once again taking part in Dora? Or Konstrakta again taking part? Is that a problem or is only for Mello?
Why is issue when the same artists take part in Mello but not when Damir Kedzo for the third time takes part with the same song?
Snälla, låt folk tycka vad dom vill. Varför blir du så kränkt när vårt land får kritik här?
Varför bryr du så mycket om vad jag tycker?
We do have better alternatives: Scarlet! Medina! Even Gunilla Persson would be a better alternative to yet another pop song sung by pretty pop boys…
Marcus and Martinus is even better than last year imo. The have upgraded themselves. lI like that kind of sound. It resembles to Swedish House Mafia’s Greyhound but without being a copy. I want to hear the whole thing. And I’m sure they will deliver on stage.
Medina will bring the party, but these kind of “football- songs” is not what I normally listen to. And the style has been heard and done so many times.
I kinda liked Jay Smith, but it’s pretty obvious which of these that are going to final.
Swedish House Mafia mixed with The Weeknd! They have my votes
Marcus & Martinus and Medina are easily the best ones this year! I really like both. So much better than all the songs that are currently in the final.
Actually, I like all songs in this heat apart from Elecktra.
Competetive heat, like last week!
The twinks will DTF with flying colours, they sound really good. I do think they can win..
Medina gives us that summer vibe they are known for and should also pass to final.
The rest is up for grabs which is exciting
Welcome to Eurovision M&M!
Have you guys even heard the snippets? M&M has just copy/pasted Air from last year! I had hoped for something more exciting from them than a copy/paste. My favorites are Medina and Elecktra! Elecktra sings in my dialect (skånska). The one that we talk who live in the south of Sweden close to Malmö. And it is such a funny lyric with a lot of Melfest references! Medinas song will probably be played at a lot summer parties this year! Makes me want to dance! If got to decide: Medina and Elecktra DTF Chelsea Muco and Jay Smith to “second… Read more »
You complain about the twins but say nothing about Medina who also sound the same like last time..
It’s their sound, they will stick to it. They are not suddenly going to be EDM artists
It is just boring that they made such an obvious copy. There are many artists that stay true to themselves without copying previous songs. Like Loreen with Euphoria and Tattoo. Both are very Loreen but different. Unforgettable is just copy/paste and that of a quite boring song. Don’t get me wrong! I like M&M! They song well, are charismatic on stage but the songs haven’t been that interesting…
Loreen had interesting songs in “My heart is refusing me” and “Statements” – “Euphoria” and “Tattoo” are the same songs reharshed… And the two least interesting songs by her.
For me “Statements” is her best song.
The thing is that Medina’s style is more unique and a song like that have never won Melfest. M&M sounds like all the other pretty pop boys we (Sweden) have sent the last 15 years… boring… I want us to send something more exciting and fun than that.
Well Loreen did the same and won again…. So why cant M&M do the same?
Loreen is unique. Very few artists are. M&M are not. They are just the same as Eric Saade, Måns Zelmerlöw, Robin Bengtsson and all the other pretty pop boys Sweden has sent the last 15 years. They seem like nice guys, they are obviously talented, but it is, to me, quite boring. Loreen stood out in the crowd with her unique take on things. She can take a, quite honestly mediocre song, and elevate it to become an ESC-winner. I’m not saying that Tattoo is bad. The opposite! But the song in itself, with any other artist, wouldn’t have won… Read more »