Sweden: First Melodifestivalen 2018 hopeful announced!

by Stratos Agadellis 2,053 views

The Swedes know how to do it every year and we already have our first Melodifestivalen 2018 participant! Yesterday in Sweden saw the music contest P4 Nästa, whose jury favourite is selected as a direct participant of the country’s Eurovision national selection. Among 8 participants, the singer Stiko Per Larsson and his song Kumpaner won the competition in the Swedish city of Linköping!

Melodifestivalen 2018; we’re off!

The contest P4 Nästa is organized annually by the Swedish network of regional radio stations, Sveriges Radio P4. This competition takes place between new Swedish artists to give them the opportunity to show their music talent. During yesterday’s event, the eight participants presented their entries live and the outcome was soon determined!

There were 8 acts taking part in the contest; each one picked by a regional P4 radio station. These were the following:

  • Kumpaner (Vi är som) – Stiko Per Larsson (P4 Dalarna) – winner
  • That´s when we all come falling downMIAH (P4 Jönköping)
  • DriveChris L Svensson (P4 Kristianstad)
  • If this is loveSisanda (P4 Jämtland)
  • On and onFrontback (P4 Kronoberg)
  • SkyskraporMaija HomHom (P4 Stockholm)
  • Friday night club escapeMichi (P4 Malmöhus)
  • SinceJo’ & Eliah (P4 Uppland)

Stiko Per Larsson won with ease P4 Nästa and, as was determined by the professional jury, is the first confirmed Melodifestivalen 2018 act. Here’s his winning song Kumpaner:

However, Stiko isn’t going to participate in Melodifestivalen with Kumpaner, as the national Swedish broadcaster SVT doesn’t permit entries released before 1 September to compete.

About the upcoming national selection

Last June, SVT published details about the upcoming Melodifestivalen, which is going be held next February in several cities around Sweden. Song submissions are about to begin on Friday 1 September and will be open up until Monday 18 September at 17:59 CEST. A total of 28 acts will be selected to participate, with the first already determined by yesterday’s contest. As with every year, SVT will announce the final participants list in late October/early November.

The winner of Melodifestivalen 2018 will earn the Swedish ticket to the 63rd Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal. Further details about the Swedish Grand Prix will be announced in due course.

What’s your opinion on the first Melodifestivalen 2018 participant?