We have more news about Melodifestivalen 2019, following the announcement of the four presenters; we now know that 28 acts are set to perform on Sweden’s national selection show for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, and the titles of their songs have also been revealed. Viewers are sure in for a real treat, this year.
According to STV, they received more than 2,200 songs, so how they managed to whittle it down to just 28, we do not know. They will all compete over four semi-finals which are scheduled to take place throughout the month of February, before the Final on 9 March 2019.
The list sure looks interesting with a combination of returnees and debuts. This is sure going to be an interesting year and we will certainly be tuning in
From semi-final 1 we have, Anna Bergendahl who represented Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with the song “This Is My Life” but failed to make it to the Grand Final, could she get another shot? Nano is back after debuting at Melodifestivalen last year with “Hold On”, placing second overall. International star, Mohombi – best known for his 2010 hits “Bumpy Ride” and “Miss Me” which featured Nelly, and his feature on Alexandra Stan’s song “Balans” – returns to the national selection show after competing in 2005 as part of a brother-duo Group Avalon where they came sixth in their semi-final with the song “Big Up”. Zeana and featured singer Anis Don Demina debut this year after the former competed on Idol 2016 and the latter was a backup dancer for Samir & Viktor last year. Then there’s Arja Saijonmaa who competed in 1987 and 2005, in the former she came second overall with “Högt över havet” whilst the latter didn’t have the same success, coming last in her semi-final with “Vad du än trodde så trodde du fel”. The four-piece girl group, High15, makes their debut this year after making it to the semi-finals of Talang 2017, the Swedish version of the Got Talent franchise. Wrapping up semi-final 1 is Wiktoria, who debuted in 2016 with “Save Me” coming fourth in the final, and returned in 2017 with the song “As I Lay Me Down” coming sixth in the final, can she win the whole show this time around?
As for semi-final 2, Andreas Johnson makes his seventh appearance, he entered in 2006 coming third overall, 2007 coming second overall, 2008 coming third in semi-final and failed in second chance round, 2010 coming sixth overall, 2012 coming third in semi-final and failed in second chance round, and 2015 coming seventh in semi-final, with the songs “Sing For Me”, “A Little Bit Of Love”, “One Love” with Carola Häggkvist, “We Can Work It Out”, “Lovelight”, and “Living To Die”, respectively. Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO both were contestants on Idol, the former in 2017 coming second, this is her debut, whereas the latter won the Swedish version of Idol in 2016 and returns after coming sixth in the final with the song “Last Breath”. Maylou Prytz is another debut, she’s an Instagram cover singer. Oscar Enestad returns after being one-third of boyband FO&O who came 11th in the 2017 final with “Gotta Thing About You”. Jan Malmsjö is a Swedish actor who last competed in Melodifestivalen back in 1969 with “Hej Clown”, he drew on points and lost the tie-break, coming second and not representing Sweden at Eurovision, he’s back 50 years later. Vlad Reiser is known for being a YouTuber and influencer. Last in this semi-final is Margaret, yes she’s back, the Polish fan-favourite from 2018 who came sixth in the final with “In My Cabana”.
Semi-final 3 has Dolly Style who are a bubblegum trio who competed in 2015 and 2016 with “Hello Hi” and “Rollercoaster”, respectively. Both times they made it to the second chance round, coming third in their semi-final in 2015 and coming fourth in their semi-final in 2016 but never made it to the final; they’ve also had many formations with members leaving and replacing. Martin Stenmarck won Melodifestivalen 2005 and represented Sweden with “Las Vegas” coming 19th in the final, he returned to Melodifestivalen in 2014 – coming third in his semi-final and failed in second chance – and 2016 – coming sixth in his semi-final – with the songs “När änglarna går hem” and “Du tar mig tillbaks”, respectively. Jon Henrik Fjällgren won Talang Sverige 2014 (Sweden’s Got Talent) and competed in Melodifestivalen 2015 and 2017 coming second during the final in the former with the song “Jag är fri (Manne Leam Frijje)” and coming third during the final in the latter with the song “En värld full av strider (Eatneme gusnie jeenh dåaroeh)” that featured Aninia. Omar is known for being one-third of FO&O who have disbanded but competed in 2017 coming 11th with the song “Gotta Thing About You”. The Lovers Of Valdaro won the Melodifestivalen wildcard as part of P4 Nästa contest this year, making 2019 their debut. Lina Hedlund is a former member of Alcazar, this is her second solo attempt after 2003 where she came fourth in her semi-final but failed to make it through the second chance round, she also competed the year before, 2002, with her sister Hanna Hedlund with the song “Big Time Party” coming ninth in the final; she has competed three times with Alcazar, in 2003 they came third in the final with “Not A Sinner Nor A Saint”, in 2009 they came fifth in the final with “Stay The Night”, and in 2010 they came fourth in their semi-final and failed to make it through the second chance round. Ending semi-final 3 is Rebecka Karlsson who makes her debut, after coming second in Idol 2016.
Finally, semi-final 4 sees the following acts participate. Arvingarna won their debut Melodifestivalen, representing Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 1993 with “Eloise” placing seventh, they have returned to the national selection show three times, in 1995 with the song “Bo Diddly” but they didn’t place in the top five, in 1999 with “Det svär jag på” coming third, and 2002 with “Ingenting är större än vi” coming sixth in their semi-final. Anton Hagman debuted in 2017 controversially beating Loreen’s “Statements” during the second chance round, and placing 10th in the final. Ann-Louise Hansen holds the record for the most times entering Melodifestivalen, 2019 marks her 14th attempt, she entered in 1963 with “Zum, zum, zum lilla sommarbi” and “Säg varför” where both songs didn’t place in the top three, in 1966 with “En ballad om för länge sen” coming fourth, in 1967 with “Christina dansar” and “Sjungas till sömns” coming seventh and tenth respectively, in 1969 with “Svenska flicka” coming fourth, in 1973 with “En liten sång som alla andra” as part of Swedish group Glenmarks coming fourth, in 1974 with “I annorlunda land” as part of Glenmarks coming eighth, in 1975 with “Lady Antoinette” as part of Glenmarks in collaboration with Hadar Kronberg coming sixth, in 1982 with “Kärleken lever” coming fifth, in 1983 with “Bara en enda gång” in collaboration with John Ballard coming fifth, in 2002 with “Sluta!” in collaboration with Molle Holmberg coming sixth in their round failing to make it to the final, and in 2004 with “C’est la vie” in colaboration with Towa Carson and Siw Malmkvist coming 10th in the final, can she finally win this year? Bishara makes his debut in 2019, he’s known for uploading covers on Instagram. Pagan Fury is a folk metal band whose music has featured in the video game, Crusader Kings II. John Lundvik returns after debuting this year, 2018, with the song “My Turn” where he came third. Lisa Ajax won Idol 2014 and has competed in Melodifestivalen twice, in 2016 and 2017 with the songs “My Heart Wants Me Dead” and “I Don’t Give A”, respectively, she placed seventh in the former year and placed ninth in the latter year.
Here Are The 28 Acts Of Melodifestivalen 2019 With Their Song Titles:
Semi-final 1 (2 February – Scandinavium, Gothenburg)
- Anna Bergendahl – Ashes to Ashes
- Nano – Chasing Rivers
- Mohombi – Hello
- Zeana feat. Anis Don Demina – Mina bränder
- Arja Saijonmaa – Mina fyra årstider
- High15 – No Drama
- Wiktoria – Not With Me
Semi-final 2 (9 February – Malmö Arena, Malmö)
- Andreas Johnson – Army of Us
- Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO – Hold You
- Malou Prytz – I Do Me
- Oscar Enestad – I Love It
- Jan Malmsjö – Leva Livet
- Vlad Reiser – Nakna i regnet
- Margaret – Tempo
Semi-final 3 (16 February – Tegera Arena, Leksand)
- Dolly Style – Habibi
- Martin Stenmarck – Låt Skiten Brinna
- Jon Henrik Fjällgren – Norrsken
- Omar – Om igen
- The Lovers of Valdaro – Somebody Wants
- Lina Hedlund – Victorious
- Rebecka Karlsson – Who I Am
Semi-final 4 (23 February – Sparbanken Arena, Lidköping)
- Arvingarna – I Do
- Anton Hagman – Känner dig
- Ann-Louise Hanson – Kärleken finns kvar
- Bishara – On My Own
- Pagan Fury – Stormbringer
- John Lundvik – Too Late For Love
- Lisa Ajax – Torn
We cannot wait for Melodifestivalen 2019 to start, February really can’t come around quick enough. This is one national selection show we do not want to miss, actually, we’d be willing to state that this is one competition show no one should miss.