The national final of Sweden is about to take place. You can watch the webcast by following the link below.
WEBCAST
This article will be constantly updated.
The show has started.
1. Charlotte Perelli – Hero
We start with the favourite tonight. Charlotte also had to perform first when she won Melodifestivalen in 1999. Charlotte's performance is professional as always and her vocals are flawless, however the song and the whole stage show are pretty dated and predictable and in a style that has not been very succesful in the Eurovision Song Contest lately. Nevertheless, a nice black and white effect at the beginning and a very convincing microphone that leaves much room for your imagination…
2. Sibel – That is where I'll go
For the second year running, the ballad that made it through the second chance is performed at number two – the killer position. Dress and performance are the same as the last two weeks. Sibel is vocally very strong and seems to show real emotions. On stage, she looks a tad too dramatic and as Sanna Nielsen is obviously the ballad favourite tonight, Sibel might not have the biggest chances to win tonight.
3. Rongedal – Just a minute
Rongedal's entry is pretty classic Disco Europop, but seems to be more of a parody of the genre. It is performed in a very funny way and the synced performance in the red suits comes across well on stage. They are not among the favourites to win tonight and it is almost impossible to tell how this song would do in Belgrade.
4. Linda Bengtzing – Hur svårt kan det va
Linda keeps her style of her previous two Melodifestivalen participations. She looks more mature on stage, mainly because of her new haircut. She couls well finish in the first half of the scoreboard but regarding her previous results with very similar songs, it is hard to believe that she will win tonight. Her vocals are flawless as expected and her voice has a high recognition value.
5. Christer Sjögren – I love Europe
This is one of the least favourite songs among the esctoday readers. The melody and especially the lyrics take us back to the 1970s and 1980s, when hundreds songs like this one took part in the national finals. It is hard to tell if this is a parody or an actually attempt to impress the European voters. It can be called Scooch with a less catchy song and a less spectacular performance. Was that some booing in the audience?
6. Amy Diamond – Thank you
Amy Diamond was the favourite to win Melodifestivalen according to the betting odds, but only before the songs were heard for the first time. Her entry is bubblegum pop that suits her age very well but would probably seem a bit out-of-place in the Eurovision Song Contest these days. She tries to appear older on stage than she actually is which always seems a bit weird and seems to clash with the concept of bringing a teen star on stage.
7. Sanna Nielsen – Empty room
Sanna Nielsen is the favourite among those who perform a ballad tonight. The simple and static performance works perfectly with the song, especially as there is not another wind machinde, which has been more than overused in Melodifestivalen. The song is both catchy and eomtional and suits the singer well, whose vocals are flawless. The most authentic performance tonight and it could be the first Swedish ballad in the Eurovision Song Contest since 1998!
8. Nordman – I lågornas sken
The second second chance performers tonight (those who kicked Carola out of the competition). The medieval them comes across well on stage and would even be something new in the Eurovision Song Contest. Overall, the act, the song and the performance have a high recognition value and it's one of the few performances in this year's Melodifestivalen where the pyrotechnics actually make sense.
9. Frida feat. Headline – Upp o hoppa
This is the most modern song tonight. It is very catchy and hip-hop inspired. Frida is a very charismatic performer and delievers her song perfectly, and so do her fellow performers. This could be something completely different for the Eurovision Song Contest and could finish high in Belgrade as no similar song has been chosen yet.
10. BWO – Lay your love on me
That's the male version of Charlotte Perelli's entry – Europop with disco beats. The show is a bit old-fashioned and the outfits are a questionably good choice, but the lead singer shows some flesh which could help getting votes. One of the favourite songs tonight… third time lucky for BWO?
VOTING
1st jury – Örebro
1 point – song 2
2 points – song 6
4 points – song 10
6 points – song 4
8 points – song 3
10 points – song 7
12 points – song 1
2nd jury – Lulea
1 point – song 6
2 points – song 2
4 points – song 3
6 points – song 7
8 points – song 4
10 points – song 10
12 points – song 1
3rd jury – Falun
1 point – song 6
2 points – song 10
4 points – song 2
6 points – song 3
8 points – song 7
10 points – song 4
12 points – song 1
4th jury – Karlstad
1 point – song 8
2 points – song 2
4 points – song 7
6 points – song 4
8 points – song 3
10 points – song 10
12 points – song 1
5th jury – Umea
1 point – song 6
2 points – song 2
4 points – song 4
6 points – song 3
8 points – song 10
10 points – song 7
12 points – song 1
6th jury – Norköpping
1 point – song 6
2 points – song 2
4 points – song 1
6 points – song 7
8 points – song 4
10 points – song 3
12 points – song 10
Charlotte in the lead! (64 points)
7th jury – Göteborg
1 point – song 5
2 points – song 8
4 points – song 2
6 points – song 1
8 points – song 10
10 points – song 6
12 points – song 3
8th jury – Sundsvall
1 point – song 6
2 points – song 10
4 points – song 4
6 points – song 7
8 points – song 2
10 points – song 3
12 points – song 1
9th jury – Växjö
1 point – song 2
2 points – song 3
4 points – song 4
6 points – song 6
8 points – song 10
10 points – song 1
12 points – song 7
10th jury – Malmö
1 point – song 8
2 points – song 10
4 points – song 7
6 points – song 9
8 points – song 4
10 points – song 1
12 points – song 2
11th jury – Stockholm
1 point – song 2
2 points – song 6
4 points – song 10
6 spoints – song 4
8 points – song 7
10 points – song 3
12 points – song 1
Complete jury results:
Charlotte Perelli – 114 points
Rongedal – 76 points
Sanna Nielsen – 74 points
BWO – 70 points
Linda Bengtzing – 64 points
Sibel – 39 points
Amy Diamond – 25 points
Frida feat. Headline – 6 points
Nordman – 4 points
Christer Sjögren – 1 point
Televoting results:
11 points – song 6
22 points – song 5
44 points – song 8
66 points – song 3
88 points – song 10
110 points – song 1
132 points – song 7
Charlotte Perelli won!
