esctoday.com is on Goteborg this week covering the third Melodifestivalen 2010 semi final. As the first rehearsals get underway,esctoday.com is at the Scandinavium to cover the rehearsals. Remember, clips of this weeks songs will be available online tomorrow on the official SVT website.
1. Alcazar – Headlines
Alcazar return to the Melodifestivalen stage for a second year running with Headlines. A year on from their first direct qualification to the Melodiestivalen final, this year's entry may be lacking the beat of stay the night, but the band's vocal harmonies are now stronger than ever before. With strong choreography and four female backing singers on stage, the band are making a strong bid to break the all male-solo list of qualifiers for Globen so far. Performing today in trademark matching colourschemes and tops, the outfits for Saturday are set to be the most raunchy yet by the band!
During the breaks, a discussion amongst press began trying to work out how many times Alcazar members have participated in the competition. We're asking esctoday.com members to see if they can work out the answer in the reactions below.
2. Johannes Bah Kuhnke – Tonight
Johannes begins rehearsals for his Melodifestivalen debut with the apologetic ballad / rock entry, Tonight. The song starts with a simplistic piano accompanyment to his vocal, building progressively. He stands alone at his microphone stand with accompanying musicians placed around the stage. The performance is professional, but may not have the confidence that it will have on Saturday.
3. Elin Lanto – Doctor Doctor
Elin returns for a second Melodifestivalen assault with Doctor Doctor. After appearing with Money three years ago and reaching the second chance round. The singer, who bares a striking resemblence to Gwen Stefani has big stage presence with this song. The pop/rock entry is performed in front of two female drummers and three male dancers to give the song added oomph! With long blonde hair blowing all over the place, the traditional wind machine goes into overdrive for this strong entry, that might not be a Melodifestivalen winner but has the feel of an international hit.
4. Erik Linder –Hur kan jag tro på kärlek
Erik Linder makes his Melodifestivalen debut with a performance that throws up memories of the Eurovision Song COntest of old. Performing the first of two Swedish language songs competing this week, Erik takes centre stage forhis uplifting ballad with big nordic drums and swaying backing singers. The song is simple andgoes down well with the accredited press. With the first two semi finals seeing all qualifiers for the final as male soloists, Erik's entry might just take a place at the final this weekend.
5. Getty Domain – Yeba
Getty Domain makes his Melodifestivalen competition debut with his African-French style entry. Dancing centre stage supported by six muscle male dancers, the strong African beat and haunting vocals has an immediate impact. With a red background on the video screens and smoke blowing across the stage, it's visually one of the stronger entries this week. Whether Sweden will vote for a song that is not in native Swedish or English language is yet to be seen. Traditionally, songs have not faired as well in other languages here. Last year, Sophia qualified for the final with a Greek language song via the international jury vote, which is absent this time.
6. Timoteij – Kom
Timoteij debut in Melodifestivalen with a strong Swedish ethno-pop entry. The four blonde girls each have an instrument on stage, going from left to right, a violin, guitar,accordion and flute. The song combines modern pop beats with traditional nordic music to good effect and perhaps would do better in the Eurovision Song Contest than Melodifestivalen itself. The girls perform the song well, but are young and perhaps seem a little nervous on such a big stage. With two days to go before the live show, the song should get stronger before Saturday.
7. Darin – You're out of my life
As the snow starts to fall hard on Gothenburg and the night draws in, Darin takes to the stage for his first rehearsal of You're out of my life. The ballad tells the story of an abruptly ended love and Darin shows that he has made the transition from Swedish youth star into serious pop artist. Darin performs the whole song alone on stage, with blue and white lights on the backing screens. Perhaps the most likely song to reach the final on Saturday, Darin could make it 5 male soloists out of 5 to qualify. It's worth noting that Sweden sent a male soloist to the Eurovision Song Contest in 1995, 2000 and 2005, so will the trend continue in 2010?
8. Crucified Barbara – Heaven or hell
The second four-piece girl band of the semi final, Crucified Barbara put in a hard hitting rock performance. Vocally flawless, the guitar performances fight for supremacy with the lead singer. The band hastoured Europe with some big rock bands already and are now hoping to make a name for themselves in Sweden's biggest music competition. With staging once again in red, and flames coming along the front of the stage during the song, they are looking to challenge the male supremacy of the competition so far this year with Heaven or hell.
That brings to an end the first day of rehearsals in Gothenburg. Tomorrow will see the second round of technical rehearsals and a full dress rehearsal before Saturday's live show.
- Click here to pre-order the Melodifestivalen 2010 CD from CDON.com
- Click here to purchase the Melodifestivalen 50 years double DVD from CDON.COM
- Click here to purchase the Melodifestivalen 2009 CD from CDON.COM
- Click here to purchase the Melodifestivalen 2009 DVD from CDON.COM
- Click here to purchase the Melodifestivalen 2008 CD from CDON.COM
- Click here to purchase the Melodifestivalen 2008 DVD from CDON.COM
- Click here to purchase the Melodifestivalen 2007 CD from CDON.COM
Other Nordic national selection CDs:
