Sweden’s biggest music event is set to get bigger and better for the 2018 event, with the country’s national broadcaster, SVT, unveiling the biggest Melodifestivalen stage to date!

We’re set to witness a magnificent show in Sweden for 2018, with the Swedish national broadcaster – SVT – unveiling the first images of the stage in which the 28 bidding artists will be competing on for the upcoming national selection.

As proclaimed by the broadcaster themselves, the stage is set to be the largest and one of the most extravagant ever seen at a Melodifestivalen competition, reaching its tallest height and widest width to date!

Largest scene to date; introducing the catwalk

A 14 x 14 metre scene is set to be put in place for Melodifestivalen 2018, with 68 LED animated squares to feature throughout the stage backing. The stage itself will stand at a total of 30 metres, the widest to be recorded to date.

Black columns will connect with the stage, in which artists will be able to pass between and create beautiful images with.

As has been the base in recent years, SVT has once again enhanced the technicality of the stage, looking to make further advances on the yearly basis with the Melodifestivalen stage.

This year, a horseshoe-shaped catwalk will connect with the stage in which artists will be able to interact and get closer to the viewing audience. How many artists will use the catwalk as part of their performance?

White has yet to be used as a standard lighting colour on the Melodifestivalen stage; that is set to change for the 2018 event, with the lighting set to interact with the visual design of the competition.

Location change for the greenroom

Changes to this year’s Melodifestivalen arena layout sees a brand new location for the participant greenroom.

Located further away from the stage in comparison to previous years, the greenroom at the 2018 competition will be placed at the other end of the stadium, mixing within the audience on the main floor.

Melodifestivalen 2018 will kick off next month from the 3 February, in which a total of 28 acts will be competing for the right to represent Sweden at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest.

• 03/02: Semi-final 1 – Karlstad, Löfbergs Arena
• 10/02: Semi-final 2 – Gothenburg, Scandinavium
• 17/02: Semi-final 3 – Malmö, Malmö Arena
• 24/02: Semi-final 4 – Örnsköldsvik, Fjällräven Center
• 03/03: Andra chansen (Second chance) – Kristianstad, Kristianstad Arena
• 10/03: Final – Stockholm, Friends Arena