Melodifestivalen 2004 is facing its until now biggest crisis; several of the well-known artists and bands meant for participation are defecting one by one. Lena Philipsson, Pernilla Wahlgren and A-Teens are the latest to leave the Melodifestival (MF) stable.

esctoday.com has earlier reported the almost definite participation of Lena Philipsson, who has already been in numerous Swedish preselections. She was to sing the song Tango, Tango, but recently dissed the song as she, “did not feel that the song matched her – and one has to agree with her; it really does not”, says a person from the national final production team. The song Tango, Tango seems to be jinxed – it has also been turned down by other highly acclaimed Swedish artists and potential 2004 participants, such as Alcazar and Petra Nielsen.

Pernilla Wahlgren, another respected Swedish artist and triple MF participant, submitted a self-penned song this year, which was ditched by the selection committee. Once they had realised their mistake she was offered to sing another song, “but she has declined three different songs”, informs our source.

Others to have left the MF stable are the parody gang REA, Helen Sjöholm and of course the humorous Brandsta City Släckers, who, ironically as it may seem, were thrown out of the contest by the Swedish broadcaster SVT themselves!
However, the man in charge of the production of Melodifestivalen 2004, Thomas Hall, seems unmarked by the chaos. “When we announce the definitive artists in about a week, everyone will agree that those are all some great singers”, he says.

But would Thomas Hall not have preferred to see Lena Philipsson or A-Teens in the national final? “Well…yes, but one cannot have everything in life”, he sums up.

Also read the article 'Brandsta City Släckers kicked out from Swedish preselection'