In a few minutes, the third semi final of the Swedish preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 will be taking place.Eight acts are presenting one song each and two will be chosen to move forward to the national final, while another two will enter the second chance round.
The show
The show to be broadcast on SVT 1, SVT HD and SVT World starts at 20:00 CET and it will be hosted by Petra Mede at the Ejendals Arena in Leksand. Eight acts will present one song each and there will be two round of televoting to decide the acts to move forward to the next round. In the first round the top four songs will be chosen (removing the bottom three before the voting closes) and they will be then compete in pairs. The song of each pair that gets more votes will go forward to the national final on 14th March, the second placed songs will enter the second chance round on 7th March.
Webcast
A webcast will be made available on SVT's official website here.
Sverige Radio 4 here.
Participants
1. Velvet – The Queen (Tony Nilsson, Henrik Jansson) 2006, 2008
2. Rigo & the Topas Sound feat. Red Fox – I got u (Tobias Karlsson/Rodrigo Pencheff)
3. Molly Sandén – Så vill stjärnorna (Bobby Ljunggren, Marcos Ubeda/Ingela Forsman)
4. E.M.D. – Baby goodbye
5. Mikael Rickfors – Du vinner över mig (Thomas G:son)
6. Maja Gullstrand – Här för mig själv (Thomas G:son, Marcos Ubeda)
7. Sofia – Alla (Dimitri Stassos, Henrik Wilkström, Irini Michas, Nina Karolidou) 2007
8. BWO – You are not alone (Fredrik Kempe, Alexander Bard, Anders Hansson) 2005, 2006, 2008
1. Velvet – The Queen
Current poll standing 1st with 26,4%
Velvet is trying again this year for the third time after 2006 and 2008. She stands center stage in a huge dresswhich opens to reveal her seven dancers dressed in Comedia dell'arte costumes. The act takes advantage of the entire stage and Velvet's vocals are to the point. The song is fun and catchy and a very possible qualifier.
2. Rigo & the Topas Sound feat. Red Fox – I got u
Current poll standing 7th with 2.8%
And now we are taken back in time with a Motown act mixed skillfully with modern elements. Rock n'roll together with some Jamaican sounds from the lead singer's distinct voice create a party atmosphere on the Leksand stage which is filled to capacity by the two singers, a full band (saxophone, drums and piano included) and the two lady backing vocalists.
3. Molly Sandén – Så vill stjärnorna
Current poll standing 3rd with 18,5%
Molly participated in JESC in 2007 and now she tries her hand for the mother contest with the first ballad of the evening. She is very enthusiasticly recieved on stage and she delivers an excellent performance of her song which slightly reminds us of a Whitney Huston hit. Molly is all alone on stage, elegantly dressed in white and makes full use of the ever popular wind machine.
4. E.M.D. – Baby goodbye
Current poll standing 5th with 12%
Seven tuxedo clad gentlemen succeed Molly on stage. A full choreography with the band and dancers holding batons takes advantage of the entire stage and E.M.D. deliver an excellent performance of Baby goodbye which receives a very warm applause by the audience. The song is highly memorable and the whistling sounds help it stick to mind.
5. Mikael Rickfors – Du vinner över mig
Current poll standing 8th with 0,5%
A rock song for next. Mikael is accompanied by an all female band all dressed in black. The sound is not exactly rock and not exactly pop, more like something in between but it does have an anthem quality to it. The performance is good, energetic and to the point.
6. Maja Gullstrand – Här för mig själv
Current poll standing 6th with 4,6%
The second song by Thomas G:son in tonight's preselection. Soft, Latin influences and an excellent performance by Maja create a happy, party atmosphere on stage. Maja, dressed in a minimal, white, silk dress is accompanied by seven dancers and she is also actively involved in the choreography.
7. Sofia – Alla
Current poll standing 2nd with 18,5%
Sofia Bengstrom although a native Swede is a fluent speaker of Greek and she delivers her song in that language. She returns to the Melodifestivalen for the second time and she has also taken part in the popular Greek Thessaloniki Festival. The song is impressively staged with the stage surrounded by band members playing huge, trasparent drums and two violin players. Sofia does a great job delivering her song which obvious;y aims at attracting the local Greek diaspora vote.
8. BWO – You are not alone
Current poll standing 4th with 16,7%
Last song for tonight. After trying in 2005, 2006 and 2008, BWO return with a sentimental ballad this year. The entire band is dressed is silver bodysuits and the backing dancers all hold light sabres which they use to set the atmosphere on stage. The act focuses mainly on Martin's face but his vocals are often off. The song is tender and quite memorable, not one of BWO's strongest entries so far though.
And to the next televoting round proceed:
5. Mikael Rickfors – Du vinner över mig
2. Rigo & the Topas Sound feat. Red Fox – I got u
3. Molly Sandén – Så vill stjärnorna
4. E.M.D. – Baby goodbye
8. BWO – You are not alone
Out of the eliminated songs Maja Gullstrand finished 8th, Sofia 7th and Velvet 6th
The following four acts will compete in pairs
2. Rigo & the Topas Sound feat. Red Fox – I got u with
4. E.M.D. – Baby goodbye
It's E.M.D to the final!
And now for the second pair of tonight's semi final
And it's a ballad versus ballad duel
8. BWO – You are not alone
3. Molly Sandén – Så vill stjärnorna
And the second finalist of the night is Molly Sanden! The international jury's choice of the night for the four songs (one of each semi) which will compete for the eleventh place in the final is Sofia with Alla!
