Melodifestivalen 2018 has well and truly got underway this evening! Semi-final 1 has just concluded in Sweden, with the first 4 advancing acts being unveiled in tonight’s show. Who has received a second chance in Andra chasen and who has qualified direkt till final?

Seven acts took to the Karlstad-stage for the first semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2018 this evening, with returning host – David Lindgren – opening the annual Swedish selection in style!

From spectacular choreography to mouthwatering dancing food (huh?), semi-final 1 saw a mixture of music genres for the Swedish public to vote from. However, only 4 acts earned the chance of advancing to future stages of the competition over the coming weeks. But who gained the votes of the public?

First set of results are in!

As always, the Melodifestivalen semi-final results will be determined over 2 rounds; round 1 sees the top 5 acts advancing to the second round of voting, whilst the bottom 2 are eliminated.

The public once again voted for their favourite of the top 5; the top 2 of the night qualified directly to the final, whilst the acts in third and fourth place will receive a second chance in the Andra chansen stage of Melfest.

Direkt till final

The top 2 highest-voted acts of the evening and therefore advancing to the grand final were the following:

• John Lundvik – My turn
• Benjamin Ingrosso – Dance you off

Andra chansen

Competing once again for a place in the final in the second chance round are:

• Renaida – All the feels
• Sigrid Bernson – Patrick Swayze

Non-qualifiers

Failing to qualify in the competition and therefore eliminated are:

5. Edward Blom – Livet på en pinne
6. Kamferdrops – Solen lever kvar hos dig
7. Kikki Danielsson – Osby Tennessee

Melodifestivalen 2018 continues next Saturday with the second semi-final of the selection, in which a further 7 acts will be competing for a place in the Melfest final on the 10 March.

Melodifestivalen 2018 schedule

• 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