Sweden: Globen rehearsals begin

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by Benny Royston March 13, 2008 3:43 pm 95 views

Today, all eyes across Europe turn to the Globen Arena, home of the 2000 Eurovision Song Contest and annual home of the Melodfestivalen final as rehearsals for the largest and final nation final of the season takes place. The arena will be sold out with more than 12,000 seats filled and a television audience of approximately 75% will tune in to see which song Sweden will send to Belgrade.

Today, rehearsals began for the big show. After a pres conference and photo shoot, individual rehearsals take place in order of Saturday's running order. Stay tuned to esctoday.com throughout the next three days for all your coverage of the year's final national final.

Later today, there will be video interviews with Charlotte Perrelli, Sanna Nielsen and Rongedal – and a sneak peak at the brothers' performance from last night's downtown Stockholm show.

The rehearsals:

Song 1: Charlotte Perelli – Hero

Charlotte Perrelli has a good track record at Melodifestvialen, and she still looks confident on stage. Nothing much has changed with the routine from the semi final, but we have yet to see if the costume will be different.

Song 2: Sibel – That is where I'll go

One of the two andra chansen songs that qualified last weekend, Sibel jumps into slot two in the final, a position not known for bringing success. Again, the performance changes little from the semi final and second chance round. Vocally, still solid and Sibel seems more relaxed.

Song 3: Rongedal – Just a minute

The third song to perform is one of the second week qualifiers. The Rongedal Brothers promised 'more bling' in their exclusive interview with esctoday.com (stay tuned to the site until later today when the interview is published). There is more movement on stage, but the dance routine and choreography that caused a landslide of voting, knocking out the Carola/Andreas Johnson dream team in the process, looks even stronger.

Song 4: Linda Bengtzing – Hur Svårt Kan Det Va

There are some changes to the routine for Linda's performance in the final. The routine is calmer, with less running around and the result is crisper camera shots and stronger vocals. Linda has also added to her hairstyle, with extensions that are likely to remain in place for Saturday night.

Song 5: Christer Sjögren – I love Europe

No big changes to report since his qualification in the first semi final from Gothenburg. The feathers are in full flow for this number. The song is still popular with the older generation and could still be a dark horse for Saturday's show.

Song 6: Amy Diamond – Thank You

Again, no major changes fro the Gothenburg performance that gave Amy a place at the final. The routine remains and her confidence is still there. There are some sweeping audience shots that look set to give additional power to the entry.

Song 7: Sanna Nielsen – Empty Room

Sanna Nielsen is another participant that is sticking to the winning formula from her semi final. The only act to appear throughout the song with no backing dancers or backing vocalists, she carries the song alone from start to finish. Her emotion comes through in all three run-throughs.

Song 8: Nordman – I lågornas sken

Nordman's rehearsal for their second Melodifestivalen final appearance was a case of more more more. More power, more flames and more pyrotechnics. The performnce was strengthed and more intrequing camera work for an entry that attracted headlines for the witch-burning act and then knocked out a three time Melodifestivalen winner by the name of Carola and last year's runner up, Andreas Johnson.

Song 9: Frida feat. Headline – Upp o hoppa

Another round of minor changes, with the finale ending up with everyone on the catwalk. Frida's popularity was born on the internet, and she's learning a lot about stage presence and camerawork. She is the least experienced live performer of the final, but looks undeterred by the challenge.

Song 10: BWO – Lay your love on me

The toughest rehearsal of the day was this one. With one dancer sick, Caroline Johnsson, one of the choir and dancers for several other songs had to pick up a michrophone to help balance the loss. With one dancer short, the band and remaining dancers did a good job. It is not yet known if Anna will be fit enough to perform in tomorrow's dress rehearsal or the final on saturday.

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