Photo: Stina Stjernkvist / SVT

It was a special evening in Melodifestivalen 2024 this weekend.

Firstly, we saw heat 5 take place from Löfbergs Arena in Karlstad where six new acts battled it out for two direct qualification spots into the grand final in Stockholm. These were secured by two returning groups: Marcus & Martinus together with Medina.

Then it was time for the final qualification round. The acts who finished third and fourth in their heats were given one final chance to secure a spot in the grand final. The last two tickets went to Annika Wickihalder and Jay Smith (who also both came from heat 5).

Melodifestivalen heat 5 results

  1. Marcus & Martinus – “Unforgettable” (WINNER)
  2. Medina – “Que Sera” – 82 points (qualified to final)
  3. Annika Wickihalder – “Light” – 79 points (final qualification)
  4. Jay Smith – “Back to My Roots” – 73 points (final qualification)
  5. Chelsea Muco – “Controlla” – 42 points (out)
  6. Elecktra – “Banne maj” – 28 points (out)

Final Qualification

This is the first year that the Final Qualification format has featured in Melodifestivalen, where the 10 songs who placed third and fourth in their respective heats battled it out for the last two remaining spots in the grand final.

In the first round, 1000 points were distributed amongst the 10 songs depending on the percentage of votes they got in their respective heat. After that a recap with 40 seconds of each song was shown, and the public had another chance to vote for a new round of 1000 points to be distributed.

The points were given to the lowest place entry first (as in Eurovision) and then all the way to the top. The two qualifiers sung their song again in the same style as the direct qualifiers.

Results

  1. Annika Wickihalder – “Light” – 245 points (Heat 5)
  2. Jay Smith – “Back to My Roots” – 235 points (Heat 5)
  3. Fröken Snusk – “Unga & fria” – 235 points (Heat 2)
  4. Scarlet – “Circus X” – 222 points (Heat 4)
  5. Gunilla Persson – “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)” – 214 points (Heat 3)
  6. Adam Woods – “Supernatural” – 189 points (Heat 1)
  7. Albin Tingwall – “Done Getting Over You” – 185 points (Heat 4)
  8. Dear Sara – “The Silence After You” – 169 points (Heat 2)
  9. Klaudy – “För dig” – 164 points (Heat 3)
  10. Elisa Lindström – “Forever Yours” – 142 points (Heat 1)

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.

Who is your favourite in tonight’s heat? And who will squeeze through Final Qualification? Let us know in the comments below.

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Thomas
Thomas
9 months ago

Almost all of the songs which would compete in Melfest final are a bit generic; especially Marcus&Martinus’ song

Erik
Erik
9 months ago
Reply to  Thomas

Like every single year. Cornelia was an exception but then they were back at Level 1 again

Arystophan
Arystophan
9 months ago

Gunilla will be in final, extra act !

Jake
Jake
9 months ago

I love Melfest with all my heart (even if my love has declined over the years), but I seriously can’t tell the songs of M&M, Danny Saucedo and Adam Woods apart this year. They come on Spotify playlist and it all kinda sounds too similar to me for any to standout.

Milla
Milla
9 months ago
Reply to  Jake

I can tell them apart. M&M ssong has kinda darker house elements. My favourite sound. Danny’s has more.. I call it classic edm, the same goes for Adam Woods. The melodies of these three is definetely not the same in my ears. If they are more fine tuned or what? Well we like our edm here in Sweden. Nothing wrong with that. It’s only natural considering our history with that genre. So no surprise it’s much of it in Melodifestivalen. People should stop complaining about us not sending something more swedish. Because this is very swedish. Just not the language.… Read more »

Oy oy
Oy oy
9 months ago
Reply to  Milla

Yes, choosing two Norwegians to represent you on home ground is so Swedish 😉

nump fan
nump fan
9 months ago

Anyonehere notice tha Marcus & Martinus – “Unforgettable has Salva Mea by Faithless included into ? hello copyright

duxx
duxx
9 months ago
Reply to  nump fan

Europapa has same beats as in 2 Unlimited – No Limit, so what?

Eve
Eve
9 months ago

I will never understand the system of Melo. Why can’t they just do it normal way like others do?

Denis
Denis
9 months ago
Reply to  Eve

Which is that?

Eve
Eve
9 months ago
Reply to  Denis

Literally everybody else

Oy oy
Oy oy
9 months ago
Reply to  Eve

I don’t quite get what you mean by «the normal way». Alot of coutries has semifinals or heats. I think it’s a good thing that the selection methods in alot of countries is a chance for artists to show off their music. It is also alot more democratic than going for internal selections.

Héctor
Héctor
9 months ago

I’m glad Jay Smith is in the final. So rare so to see such quality in a Melfest song and being appreciated. I guess he will come near to last, but at least he is through.

If I had to chose I’ll go for Jay Smith or Smash Into Pieces. Among the favs, I’d go for M&M or Maria Sur.

ATLANTIC
ATLANTIC
9 months ago
Reply to  Héctor

Totally agree – Jay Smith was a really refreshing addition! If only Sweden had some courage …

Oy oy
Oy oy
9 months ago

M&M’s staging is really impressive, totally blew me away! But when I just listen to the song it is much less interesting. I am convinced this will win Melodifestivalen, unless the Swedes realize how strange it is to have Norwegians with no ties to Sweden at all represting them on home ground 😉

Denis
Denis
9 months ago
Reply to  Oy oy

They live in Sweden now so there is that..
But I do agree voting will be tight. There is no Loreen runoff. Votes will be more spread out, maybe even juries pick to win?

Oy oy
Oy oy
9 months ago
Reply to  Denis

I think many of the juries will love the impressive staging like this! At the same time there are alot of up-tempo songs this year that also can have impressive staging and maybe M&M’s can be abit over the top if one has already seen a dozen of big acts? I hope for them Sweden doesn’t draw slot nr 2 which would torally kill their chances.

Milla
Milla
9 months ago
Reply to  Denis

I don’t understand why juries would rate M&M lower than expected so that they won’t win. At least I hope the points will be enough with both the juries and the public to win. But they don’t have to win either of them, just get enough.. Imo this is the best package. The others lack of something, it’s either the artist that is better than the song or vice versa. I think Maria Sur will get many points from the juries though. Anyway, I keep my fingers crossed for M&M this year and don’t care if they are norweigan at… Read more »

Denis
Denis
9 months ago
Reply to  Milla

Never said juries would rate them low. I said that juries might decide the winner since the televote will be spread out. There is no Loreen this year to collect votes. I think the twins will get top 3 with juries but not winning them, making their public votes enough to win. Dotter will probably win jury

Denis
Denis
9 months ago

Recency biased? Perhaps. But the other entries have been out for weeks and have had exposure. Is that fair?.
You say Fröken Snusk should have gone through because she is chart topper. Is that a fair reason to qualify? “You are only here cause you top charts, nothing else. Does that mean she deserve to be there? If she went through people would have complained she only went through because of fame

Erik
Erik
9 months ago
Reply to  Denis

Återigen: Varför accepterar du inte bara andras åsikter

Malin
Malin
9 months ago

Whish the interview whith Annika was more about the meaning of the song! <3

Joe
Joe
9 months ago

This revamp of the ‘second chance’ crowbarred into Heat 5 is such a terrible and unfair idea. No surprise the ones that performed the same night got the most votes

Stian F
Stian F
9 months ago

The fairest system is to release all songs at once… Like Norway does. Then all songs get time to mature in the charts and on radio… Or to do the entire selection in one week, like Italy, Spain, Serbia and other countries do… Then one would have eliminated recency bias. Or to not have a second chance round at all, and pick only direct to final songs. Like Norway did this year.

Erik
Erik
9 months ago

At least they succeeded in making the contest less relevant. Fröken snusk continues to top the charts like she has done for the past weeks. It means reaching the finals, even through a second qualification round does not mean people actually listen to the song. SVT mills themselves. In the upcoming years Swedish performers might actually release things the weeks when the Melodifestivalen mafia rules. Because they stop being a mafia without the chart toppers.

Denis
Denis
9 months ago
Reply to  Erik

Well she has been accused of manipulating her streaming numbers so who knows if it’s true..

blueeyed
blueeyed
9 months ago

M&M have an ok song but the staging is great. I absolutely hate Medina, what a mess. Also super happy that Jay Smith won over that vulgar teenagers’ favourite.

arc
arc
9 months ago

This would be a good year for Sweden to take risks, to go all out of the comfort zone… I feel sorry that semifinals didn’t have more of that…

ChesterCheese
ChesterCheese
9 months ago

Instead of Andra Chansen/Second Chance, we get this small segment in the end of Heat 5. But no surprise that the public still backed the 3rd and 4th place getters in Heat 5 to be voted through smh….

Erik
Erik
9 months ago
Reply to  ChesterCheese

Because they were already exposed during the last 1,5 hour. I didn’t like the change when it was introduced and my concern were right. Instead of two weeks when the finalists are released for streaming to build a hype and also focusing on the lower placed acts for one week was truly better. The lower placed acts have several weeks to build a hype like Samir & Victor did during their debute. This could have been the results of Fröken snusk & Gunilla Persson. Ranking #1 and #2 on charts. Now there were only 2 places and they were rewarded… Read more »

Non
Non
9 months ago

Unfair format Scarlet and Froken should be the one qualify for final.

Tommy
Tommy
9 months ago

Next year instead of having 5 heats and a final, just do 4 heats, send three songs from each heat to final and have week 5 be the finale.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
9 months ago
Reply to  Tommy

That sounds like a better idea, but how many songs would be competing, 24 with six in each heat?

Erik
Erik
9 months ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

We had 8 in each heat before many changes. Then 2 were chosen from Andra chansen. Changing the format does not always mean to the better

Tommy
Tommy
9 months ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

7 in each heat like last year, 28 total. No andra chansen/semi-final, just send 3/7 songs from each heat to the final.

Yuarith
Yuarith
9 months ago
Reply to  Tommy

Even better, reduce the amount of participants and hold the event in just one or two nights

DutchTurkk
DutchTurkk
9 months ago

M&M’s song is a 7/10, but the staging is the best of this years Melfest. I think it will be very hard to beat them, the only ones who could make it tough for them are Jacqline & Maria Sur…

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
9 months ago

Scarlet not in the final…sad, very sad…
So after having seen all the performances of all the finalists, it’s so obvious that M&M will win this Melfest, 2018 situation, stellar staging for a flavorless song imo. For me staging wise the twins win largely this year but song wise I prefer largely Jacqline, Cazzi or Medina…
M&M staging is impressive ngl and in Euro”vision” there’s vision, Sweden understood this statement again for sure but the song is disappointing for me.

Erik
Erik
9 months ago

You must remember a non Swedish citizen has only won the contest twice

NoMoreEscAddicted
NoMoreEscAddicted
9 months ago
Reply to  Erik

Wdym, M&M won’t win because of that then?
Twice is not never so it could happen again.
M&M staging deserves to go in Malmo but the song not so much imo, if they won I would have a mixed feeling about this act in Eurovision. In fact I would even prefer a staging not that impressive but a better song, like Jacqline, Cazzi or even Medina.
Ngl I’m a bit disappointed by Que Sera but I still prefer it to Unforgettable.

Denis
Denis
9 months ago

I think Jacqline and Medina both have impressive stagings. Songs though…
As for the twins not winning because they are not citizens I find to be a non issue. It has happened before, last time in 2020, one Mama was not citizen then.
If the song is the best it will win, regardless if you are from Mars or Malmö. Besides Swedish artists have competed for Norway in ESC and even won it. Elisabeth Andreasson anybody?

Filip
Filip
9 months ago

SCARLET ROBBED

Marian C?t?lina
9 months ago

Love Marcus & Martinus Live

Basti
Basti
9 months ago

For me there are only 2 options: Jacqline who has the best package imho and Cazzi Opeia who’s song is pure fun that makes me smile all the time. Im not a big fan of M&M’s song and their staging. It feels very cold and i could easily see it doing it another Sweden 2018 with the televote.

same
same
9 months ago
Reply to  Basti

Doesn’t matter if it’s a repeat of 2018 as long as it is good. Like M&M.

Jonas
Jonas
9 months ago
Reply to  Basti

I think the writers of Cazzi’s song have some gall passing that off as original. Seriously, they must think we’re idiots.

Anna
Anna
9 months ago
Reply to  Basti

The only one i get ESC vibes from is Maria Sur, the other songs are not really ESC material, good songs in their own right but does not make me think of ESC at all…

Cila
Cila
9 months ago
Reply to  Basti

Cazzi is going to end up as bottom 3 in the final though

Jonas
Jonas
9 months ago

Having heard all the songs, I can now genuinely say Danny for the win.

There is not one song I love, so I’ll go with performer instead.

Bandido
Bandido
9 months ago

M&M song 2024 is like 1/3 about Air 2023. Good staging, but that’s all!

Marcus
Marcus
9 months ago

That’s the irony of Swedish entries. No matter, how much they try to make it look or sound different – it always stays a polished but predictable pop or maybe rock song. And it also makes no difference if you do this with a halloween masquerade or if you’re singing in Swedish on a pink horse wearing a pussy riot balaclava. 

Erik2
Erik2
9 months ago
Reply to  Marcus

… And they keep on winning!

Yuarith
Yuarith
9 months ago
Reply to  Erik2

Only because of juries, like last year

Sabmis
Sabmis
9 months ago

The qualification round was so unfair! They gotta change the rules for next year. It’s annoying but doesn’t matter all that much. Would have liked to see Scarlet in the final but they wouldn’t have won anyway. Sweden will play it safe and M&M is an excellent choice. I would love to send Jacqline. Maria Sur is also a great choice! Europeans want it but I just don’t think Dotter has a strong enough song this year!

zach
zach
9 months ago

i’m not crazy about M&M’s song, but that staging is undeniably incredible
theyre gonna be hard to beat

Thomas
Thomas
9 months ago

I hope either Dotter or other singer would win Melfest. Marcus&Martinus’ song is generic song; their voice are audio tune

Mark
Mark
9 months ago
Reply to  Thomas

Agreed – it’s instantly forgettable without the staging. Nobody will listen to that song in a year’s time (Unlike Air) Dotter is the best chance of standing out on the ESC stage.

Steven
Steven
9 months ago

Marcus&Martinus’s song was really mediocre; really generic song 🙁 Their vocals are also annoying; as if sang with audio tune

esc berlin
esc berlin
9 months ago
Reply to  Steven

If another country would have this song in their lineup, everybody would scream WINNNERR.

Anna
Anna
9 months ago
Reply to  Steven

agree, only winner i see this year is Maria or Jaquline…with Maria having a small edge over Jackie…

Efthymios
Efthymios
9 months ago

SCARLET IS OUT? FRÖKEN LOST ON THE TIED BREAK? SWEDEN, HAVE YOUR EARS GONE ABSOLUTELY NUMB??

Erik
Erik
9 months ago
Reply to  Efthymios

Yes they have. Im Swedish and i almost feel ashamed to be one

CatcoolH
CatcoolH
9 months ago

The recency bias is so stupid

Span
Span
9 months ago

Annika’s song is actually really good. .definitely a standout.

Niko
Niko
9 months ago
Reply to  Span

But a copy of “i see fire” – the Ed Sheran song

Polegend Godnova
9 months ago

it’s honestly disgraceful how sweden will surely be represented by a generic song in english on home soil… i would’ve really expected them to take a risk AT LEAST this year but nope

Anna
Anna
9 months ago

Here is the thing, Melodifestivalen in Sweden has now just become a forum if you have an unsuccessful music/acting/reality show career and want a small boost/PR to get some booked gigs on business events…no established artists in Sweden actually want to be in Melodifestivalen because it is embarrassing… this includes all Swedish artists that sings in Swedish and has great success within Sweden…I mean look at Molly Sanden, since she made it in Sweden, she doesn’t even want to mention Melodifestivalen anymore… Carola, Charlotte Perelli, and such return because they been there since the old days when Melodifestivalen was the… Read more »

Sabmis
Sabmis
9 months ago
Reply to  Anna

I agree with everything you said, the artists in Melfest need it to stay relevant. However, the reason Sweden sends pop song is because that is a big part of the Swedish culture. They will not send something that stands out more cuz pop is our genre, and pop is seen as more generic than others. Another country might send something ethnic sounding, and just because it’s to be expected, doesn’t mean it’s generic. Sweden is doing pop very well and people are jealous or just don’t like the genre as much. Let’s say San Marino sent Marcus & Martinus… Read more »

Anna
Anna
9 months ago
Reply to  Sabmis

Yes! that i agree with you on Sabmis, that pop is Swedish culture, well Swedish pop to be more specific. Old viking music or whatever is not Swedish identity and has not been that for centuries. Swedish music has for decades been pop and rock, and that is why it is also one of our biggest cultural export…

Jonas
Jonas
9 months ago
Reply to  Anna

Carols has not returned in 16 years.

Jonas
Jonas
9 months ago
Reply to  Jonas

CarolA

Sara
Sara
9 months ago
Reply to  Anna

Agree, but another factor is the voting system. The app voting encourages mass voting so instead of picking 1 favorite, people spread out their votes more. That means the winner will be the one that most people find at least OK, but maybe not the one that stands out. The age groups in the semis also ensure that something like Fröken Snusk that has an enormous fanbase but mostly in one age group will not find success…

Patrick
Patrick
9 months ago

Another rubbish comment from your…But we are used to it by now……

HCH82
HCH82
9 months ago

So sick of being a swede right now. Scarlet not even in the final. Quite pissed because of that. But yes, M&M will win and they are great of course, then will Liamoo, Danny and Smash into pieces compete with rest of the places.

Sabmis
Sabmis
9 months ago
Reply to  HCH82

Agree with all you said, but Jacqline, Dotter and Maria Sur are the ones competing for rest of the places hun!

Denis
Denis
9 months ago

I wanted Scarlett instead of Vickihalder but not mad about the outcome, it adds a bit more diversity.
The final will be fun to watch. No frontrunner, many potential winners, the televote will be all over the place. Whoever wins will not get Loreen level of votes
Many different songs also. Country, gospel, rock, football anthem, ballad. Cant wait

same
same
9 months ago
Reply to  Denis

no frontrunners? We must have been watching different shows.

Denis
Denis
9 months ago
Reply to  same

I don’t think so, still. Its no Loreen runoff. The televotibg will be spread out

Jake
Jake
9 months ago

There’s something to be said about recency but there’s something to be said about a song being on Spotify and on radio for a month gaining AirPlay and fans. There’s no fair system I don’t think unless you have all the songs performed again.

Robert
Robert
9 months ago

As for the final qualification round – was it a recency bias or was it the fact that Annika’s and Jay’s voters were there today, whereas the others’ not? I was one hundered percent sure that Froken Snusk and Scarlet were going to the final – what an odd way for all those acts to be there for nothing. I get that they wanted to try something new with the shows and voting, but perhaps they should try something else next year. Now, I’m curious to see the running order for the final.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
9 months ago

HATE the recency bias. There should be less semi finals and one Andria chasen round or whatever it’s called. Circus X should have definitely gone through

Edu
Edu
9 months ago

So unfair what happened with Fröken Snusk ? Justice for her & Scarlet ??

Eve
Eve
9 months ago

Can someone pls explain short what happened to M&M and Medina? I missed it (((

Emily
Emily
9 months ago
Reply to  Eve

M&M won the heat, Medina very narrowly made it in 2nd place

Eve
Eve
9 months ago
Reply to  Emily

Thanks, but no results yet? I’m watching all together so I might be missing something…

Fred
Fred
9 months ago

Seems so weird that the song that is number one on the Swedish main chart as well as Spotify can’t even make it into the final 12.

They tried a new system this year, and good for them for trying something out. But hopefully they’ll look into a different system next year. Looking forward to a good final 🙂

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
9 months ago
Reply to  Fred

What song is that?

Fred
Fred
9 months ago

Fröken Snusk

Laxy
Laxy
9 months ago
Reply to  Fred

Oh, ok. That is a song children listens to. Their parents happily puts it on but would never ever wote for it to ESC.

Fred
Fred
9 months ago
Reply to  Laxy

She won the 16-29 voting in her semi.

blueeyed
blueeyed
9 months ago
Reply to  Fred

Exactly. Her main audience, epa-dunkare. Being in the 30-45 group I despise her.

Fred
Fred
9 months ago
Reply to  blueeyed

A group that gave her 10 points

blueeyed
blueeyed
9 months ago
Reply to  Fred

Not 12 though

Laxy
Laxy
9 months ago
Reply to  Fred

What song is nummer 1 on the swedish main chart?

Anna
Anna
9 months ago
Reply to  Fred

She was caught cheating spotify numbers before Melodifestivalen so wouldn’t surprise me if that is the same thing now…

Fred
Fred
9 months ago
Reply to  Anna

Alright, didn’t know. That is interesting for sure. However she is still number one for the second week in a row on the main chart, which is not just streaming.

Denis
Denis
9 months ago
Reply to  Fred

Well, Fröken Snusk was accused of manipulating her streaming numbers so who knows if its even true

Bálint
Bálint
9 months ago

I am not particularly mad about the results of the Final Qualification round, I think it would have been better and more fair for all of the contestants if this round took place during a different week, where recency bias might have been less prevalent. I think that acts in former semi finals had a disadvantage due to the way the Final Qualification round was organized.

ChaChaChaChaCha!
ChaChaChaChaCha!
9 months ago

Wha………t ??? I was sure Scarlett would go to the final for sure! I was waiting with watching it again because I wanted to keep that for final… but.. OMG. Another example swedes are bizzare. Very odd results.

Simon
Simon
9 months ago

C’mon…the ones in tonight’s seminifinal went through, what a surprise…So unfair for all the others that couldn’t obviously stick to people’s memory like Annika and Jay. No need to say something’s wrong with this system.

Emily
Emily
9 months ago

Aight folks, go back to 4 heats and Andra Chansen next year… this ain’t it.

Bob
Bob
9 months ago

Not too unhappy with additional qualifiers as adds good genre variety to the final, but clear recency bias. A rethink for next year might be required…

Grft
Grft
9 months ago

Lmao so the two songs performed tonight won the 2nd chance. That system is VERY unfair. Froken deserved to go to the final. Hope they will change the system next year.

Erik
Erik
9 months ago
Reply to  Grft

And then they will change it again and again and again…… They change it almost every year

Eve
Eve
9 months ago

What’s going on in here? A shock…

Poul Riisen
Poul Riisen
9 months ago

Happy that Circus X and Froken Snusk did not go through, not into this kind of songs. Well done to the final finalists!

We must say though that there should be a recency bias, as others suggested in this thread. That’s normal!

Emily
Emily
9 months ago
Reply to  Poul Riisen

I really hope “there should be a recency bias” is a typo….

Emily
Emily
9 months ago
Reply to  Emily

Sorry, I think I got the wrong end of the stick. It’s natural, but’s not really right.

Boo
Boo
9 months ago

So the final 2 qualifier both performed tonight, this is really unfair.