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Posted by: LexC 21st February 2018, 01:36 AM

So, that was the Heat 3 that was. Jessica Andersson completes the circle from being the first victim of Heat 3 in 2006 to the 2018 Heat 3 curse PERPETRATOR *.*

And now we're moving onto the final heat of Melfest 2018. What Heat 4 usually lacks in reputation for being especially dramatic it usually makes up for in the hype stakes. So let's cut the waffle and get straight down to business!


Song 1: Emmi Christensson – Icarus

A quasi-regular feature of Melfest for a while has been the "song 1 heat 4" song which is typically something exceedingly camp that the eurogays live for whilst the Swedish public is largely indifferent to (on the most part at least) - think Charlotte Perelli's The Girl, Army of Lover's Rocking The Ride, Alcazar's Blame It On The Disco, Midnight Boy's Don't Say No and so on. This one looks set to belong to that tradition, albeit with a slight twist. Essentially we're going from Disco Queen to Theatre Queen with Emmi having a substantial amount of Musical Theatre experience. She describes 'Icarus' as a midtempo song with 'epic' and 'cinematic' touches. So it looks like this will certainly be memorable, but will it have the legs to get the votes in? Only time will tell.


Song 2: Elias Abbas – Mitt Paradis

Uh-oh, sixteen year old boy in an app voting environment! Prepare for this to go through in some form if you like it or not. Elias promises an uptempo dancehall-influenced pop track which ought to stand him in good stead, were it not for the fact that the lead writer on this is Anderz Wrethov with such respectful and non-appropriative songs as Running With Lions and...Kizunguzungu. So expect all the levels of sophistication those songs had!


Song 3: Felicia Olsson - Break That Chain

Like Mimi Werner in Heat 2, we've got a returning 5th placer hoping to restart their pop career by going to Andra Chansen in a week year in Melfest. Back in 2013, Felicia gave us the actually quite good ballad "Make Me Number One". Her song has been talked up by those in the know and she's got some good Schlager songwriting pedigree onboard (and a Deb to boot) but after how much Dotter was talked up last week, it's safe to say we'll be treading lightly with this song.


Song 4: Rolandz – Fuldans

It's the send up of dansband schlager you didn't know you needed and in the grand scheme of things you probably didn't need anyway! I expect this will be at least a bit better than Jonas's other "send up" in Heat 2 but it remains to be seen if the Swedes will really go for this. Given Kempe's involvement it'll at least have some good hooks.


Song 5: Olivia Eliasson - Never Learn

Olivia seems to be mostly an unknown in the music business so far but the one song she has on her Spotify profile is a pretty good bit of Spotify pop. What seems to be a good omen is that she's from the same management team as fellow unknown first attempt direkt qualifiers Wiktoria and Anton Ewald (who also has a writing credit on this). The tealeaves seem to suggest she'll be in the top three or so but could this be a sneaky contender that nobody sees coming (which I know I said about Dotter last week but this time it might actually come true)


Song 6: Felix Sandman - Every Single Day

Felix appeared in last year's Melfest as the lead (I think?) singer of the most inconsistently named boyband this milennium. The Fooo Conspiracy/The FOO Conspiracy/The FOO/FOO/FO&O/Felix Oscar Omar had, so everyone thought, the whole Melfest shebang wrapped up for them until three things happened. Firstly, Loreen threw her hat into the ring at the last minute, bumping them off of the Heat 4 pimpslot which in turn caused them to be shunted into...yes you guessed it, the dreaded HEAT 3! And Finally, their song was cack.

Not one to give up so easily though, Felix is back with a more downtempo, emotional song that he promises will be a world away from the lyrical genius of "You know just how to make a big dog bark/You make me wanna wag my tail". Given the demographics of Melfest voters these days, this is going to have to actively screw this up to not qualify in some form. But given how the biggest homegrown boyband in Sweden threw away the opportunity of their careers to send a 90s style Backstreet Boys album track, don't rule out that eventuality!


Song 7: Mariette - For You

And so we come to the hallowed spot in the Melfest lineup...the last slot in heat 4. The slot is generally reserved for the biggest name and/or the biggest song in the competition. If you end up in this slot, then the powers that be think you're destined for something good. Or at least...so goes the mythology. The "Last in Heat 4" songs have actually performed with a lot more variation than you'd expect for always being "the chosen one". To recap the last few Heat 4 closers;

2017: Loreen - Statements - well you know how that went!
2016: Molly Sanden - Youniverse - Style over substance ballad that got swallowed up by the song hiding in the middle of it's own heat.
2015: Mans Zelmerlow - Heroes - Winner of not just Melfest but Eurovision itself
2014: Anton Ewald - Natural - Suffered the indignity of losing the heat to Alcazar and then coming last in the final
2013: Ulrik Munther - Tell The World I'm Here - Got beaten in the final by a song that had come third in his own heat and a guy dressed as a Japanese doll
2012: Danny - Amazing - Would have won Melfest if it weren't for that darned Loreen

So I guess the purpose of that trip down memory lane would be...being given the pimp slot will only get you so far. If your song isn't deemed to be up to scratch, the Swedes will have no issue showing you to the exit. And who do we have in this hallowed position? Enter 35 year old Mariette Hansson. Those of you who have been Melfest fans for a while will recognize her from the hauntingly beautiful Don't Stop Believing in 2015 and the also very good A Million Years in 2017. Having been the bridesmaid twice, Mariette (and her PR team) have made it clear they are here to win. The song's been described as "groovy" and somewhere in between an uptempo and a midtempo and Mariette's promised that they'll bring some "innovative" staging to the party - whatever that's likely to mean.

Also of note here is the songwriter who, apart from Mariette herself, is the sole songwriter listed on the song - Jörgen Elofsson a Grammy nominated songwriter whose credited songs include A Moment Like This and Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson, Sometimes and (You Drive Me) Crazy by Britney, It's The Way You Make Me Feel by Steps, We R One by Same Difference, What You've Done To Me by Samantha Jade, practically the entirety of Agnetha Fältskog's comeback album and BJSC hit Rhys's Last Dance and Too Good To Be True. All together he's got 8 UK and 2 US #1 singles credited to his name. So we're talking proper IRL and not just Eurovision pedigree here.

And who knows, this might be "the one" and it'll mean that there'll now be TWO Scandinavian lesbians in Eurovision this year, or maybe it'll be the latest in a long line of Heat 4 pimp slot songs that fail to live up to the hype. The proof, as they say, will be in the pudding!

-x-

Wednesday: The Press get their first plays of the weeks songs, their reviews will appearing on social media after 18:00 CET
Thursday: 1 minute clips of the studio versions and 30 second clips of the stage rehearsals will be uploaded
Friday: Dress Rehearsal for the final show, the "genrep" poll of audience members from the rehearsal crowd gets released, giving us a first clue as to what's going to be popular with the Swedish Public
Saturday: 14:00 CET - 2:30 studio versions of all the songs uploaded on SVT's website
20:00 CET - The show!

Posted by: LexC 21st February 2018, 01:38 AM

And so that's (probably) the last proper write up for this year's Melfest. Hope that they've been at least mildly interesting for you over the last few weeks!

Posted by: RobBob 21st February 2018, 01:08 PM

You've done a wonderful job, Lex <3.

Posted by: gooddelta 21st February 2018, 01:26 PM

Excellent write-ups, another really good read, thanks for the effort on these Lex.

Posted by: ScottyEm 21st February 2018, 05:52 PM

Brilliant write up indeed, esp as I’m not quite as hot in MelFest knowledge as others.

Posted by: JosephSprayberry 21st February 2018, 06:23 PM

Gotta Thing About You was the best Eurovision-related song of 2017 so I am hoping Felix brings it this time round! (Lex I won't stand for the slander in your commentary even if the rest of it is well-written x)

Posted by: ionderella 21st February 2018, 08:46 PM

wait, is Rasmussen a lesbian?

Posted by: Iz 21st February 2018, 08:57 PM

Based on that lineup, I predict the week will involve me salivating over Rolandz, being disgusted by yet more attempts at teen boys and those that look like teen boys to cultivate fame by making bad pop music and probably having a quiet appreciation for what could be the likely winner but will more likely have a stumbling block somewhere.

Posted by: Martyn 21st February 2018, 10:43 PM

You have an interesting taste in men and music.

Posted by: Liаm 21st February 2018, 11:02 PM

I'm pinning everything on Mariette to absolutely bring it because otherwise I'm unsure how to feel that my fave song in the Of this year would be Samir & Viktor

Posted by: RobBob 21st February 2018, 11:49 PM

EMBRACE IT LIAM.

I'm really intrigued to see what we end up with for Mariette, whether it goes a Molly Sanden way or a Mans Zelmerlow way. I think a part of me is hoping for the former because we'd then be heading into the final as a complete free-for-all like 2013 was with Robin Stjernberg ending up with a win.

Posted by: JosephSprayberry 22nd February 2018, 07:17 AM

Not really sure why my taste in men is relevant here

Posted by: ionderella 22nd February 2018, 09:57 AM

funny you should say that. 2013 one of the worst (new format) MF years. what a striking similarity to 2018

Posted by: RobBob 22nd February 2018, 12:15 PM

Oh, by far! Quality wise, this year has been dire but if it's going to be dire, I at the very least want a nail biter of a final rather than a runaway winner. The excitement has to come from SOMEWHERE.

Like, just imagine if In My Cabana sprung up a surprise AC -> Winner leap. Would never happen but the GAG of it would save the year a little.

Posted by: Liаm 22nd February 2018, 12:31 PM

I still think it could be Mendez from AC, although that's not as much of a shock springing from seemingly nowhere as You was, if Mariette doesn't do it. But then the whole point of such a shock would be that we aren't calling it so I guess it could be anything if Mariette doesn't rise to the occasion (or Benjamin Ingrosso I suppose but that would be such a disappointment).

Posted by: gooddelta 22nd February 2018, 01:10 PM

2013 did at least deliver the incredible Heartstrings <3 (Just a shame that Janet didn't deliver vocally whatsoever).

I also loved Begging, Bed On Fire, Falling, Rockin' The Ride etc...so many songs I still revisit now, even if the winner was only 'good' - though it does now remind me of my trip to Malmo <3 - and I didn't like the runner-up at all.

There are other songs that I really like for sure this year but from the first three heats Party Voice is the only thing that comes close to the high standard that anything between 8-12 songs got to in my affections in 2007/8/9/11/14 etc...

REALLY hoping Heat 4 is amazing.

Posted by: RobBob 22nd February 2018, 01:14 PM

If only Wiktoria had just waited a year, she'd have surely won this year with As I Lay Me Down or something of its standard.

Posted by: AdamAloud 22nd February 2018, 01:43 PM

Mariette's clip is promising, we'll have to see what the staging is like later!

Posted by: ionderella 22nd February 2018, 01:49 PM

the problem is that if you don't really care about the majority of the songs it's hard to be too excited for the final results

Posted by: Aaron. 22nd February 2018, 03:50 PM

Wow that song from the guy from FO&O is boring AF.

Posted by: Iz 22nd February 2018, 03:56 PM

2013 is still my favourite year ever that I've watched in Melfest, with 2014 coming a close second, it's nowhere near as meh as this year has been, I'm same as Rich except swapping Begging and Heartbreak Hotel in respective affections. Party Voice, Everyday, In My Cabana are songs that I'll probably be cheering for when I'm there this year but I'd love for there to be something from this heat that is exciting. More songs that I care about would be lovely.

Posted by: Liаm 22nd February 2018, 04:09 PM

Mariette' sounds big, it's putting me in mind of what I wanted A Million Years to be but never quite got there. Before this I've only really got Party Voice, Shuffla and In My Cabana that I care about.

Also yes af Heartstrings being the highlight of 2013, highlight of all of Eurovision 2013 tbh *.* shame about her utter lack of any vocal capability but ah well.

Posted by: gooddelta 22nd February 2018, 04:12 PM

I so wish it had been an Agnes single As it was it was No.5 in my 2013 end of year chart but by Agnes I'm sure it could have been my favourite song of the year.

Posted by: ScottyEm 22nd February 2018, 06:40 PM

Feels like Mariette is the best bits of this years MelFest (granted there’s not many), clobbered together to make a so-so track. Very underwhelming. I think my favourite this year is Benjamin Ingrosso. But it looks like Sweden aren’t winning this year...

Posted by: Aaron. 22nd February 2018, 07:09 PM

Rehearsal clips are up.. Mariette's performance looks too silly to take seriously. Yeah, she will go DTF but this won't be the Melfest winner.

Posted by: ionderella 22nd February 2018, 07:26 PM

oooh Mariette's production sounds immense. Can't wait to see the full thing.

Olivia's had me intrigued too. Other than that lots of MEH and EH reactions as per usual.

Posted by: RobBob 22nd February 2018, 07:36 PM

If I hadn't seen any artist names, I'd be hard pushed to tell you Olivia wasn't Zara Larsson, the whole thing, from voice to song, is such a replica.

Posted by: Alpha. 23rd February 2018, 01:44 PM

Yeah thanks for the amazing write-ups Lex

I was holding my breath so hard during Mariette's clip but at the end I was so relieved!!! I think the production has the potential to sound huge, but I've been fooled before so I wanna wait for the full edit to be absolutely sure. In any case it's surely gonna be in my top 5 of the year

Posted by: ScottyEm 23rd February 2018, 02:31 PM

Felix is making me nervous, can’t help people will be drawn in by the “mood” whilst blissfully ignoring that fact the song is unbelievably piss-poor (the lyrics certainly don’t live up to much and he sounds like a very average singer). I’m hoping solid scoring from juries and public will edge Ingrosso as the winner in what has been a stinker of a year.

Posted by: LexC 23rd February 2018, 09:31 PM

Genrep

Mariette - 200 (26.4 %)
Elias Abbas - 152 (20.1 %)
Rolandz - 121 (16 %)
Emmi Christensson - 94 (12.4 %)
Olivia Eliasson - 75 (9.9 %)
Felix Sandman - 65 (8.6 %)
Felicia Olsson - 50 (6.6 %)

Vi har en vinnare?

Posted by: Liаm 23rd February 2018, 10:56 PM

YESSSS

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 09:51 AM

Rolandz will go DTF alongside Mariette, mark mah werds~ There hasn't been any novelty finalist so far and in a crap year like this there should be at least one.

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 01:19 PM

2:30 versions are out!

Mariette seems to cut out before a big final chorus. Sounds like a real world hit but I'm not sure it's quite got the legs to win Melfest, although at this stage what else? Benjamin bloody Ingrosso and no ty at that.

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 01:27 PM

Emmi Christensson - Icarus - I should hate this because it's VERY musicals but I can't, it's absolutely stunning and knocks my love for Elina in Eesti Laul a bit.

Elias Abbas - Mitt paradis - A BOP.

Mariette - For You - Her best Melfest song and I wouldn't mind it winning at all, don't think she'll quite do it though.

Olivia Eliasson - Never Learn - They really have just run Zara Larsson through a photocopier beginning to run out of ink haven't they. (Love it though).

Felicia Olsson - Break That Chain - A step up from her previous effort but she's been screwed a bit by being put in this heat.

Rolandz - Fuldans - Not a song to be consumed in studio form, wouldn't be surprised if I like it with the live perf.

FELIX SANDMAN - Every Single Day - Oh honey no. Should've been Omar's 'Que Pasa' here instead.

---

I hereby declare I'm firmly #TeamYessica for Melfest 2018! (although I'm 99% sure Benjamin Ingrosso has got this and I'm fine with those hips in Lisbon *.*)

Posted by: Iz 24th February 2018, 01:30 PM

OMG at Rolandz. BRING IT *.*

Mariette sounds like a great pop song also. Elias thankfully isn't as shit as I'd feared (but Felix is) either, it's actually quite a bop, so I wouldn't be TOO mad if app voting propels that one high.

Posted by: Iz 24th February 2018, 01:33 PM

I'm a little concerned at Emmi extolling us to 'fly like Icarus'. Surely that's a VERY BAD THING?

Great song though, I love the theatrical sound.

Posted by: Qassändra 24th February 2018, 02:59 PM

1 - Emmi Christensson - Icarus - MOVE OVER La forza - what an ODYSSEY! *.* This is the Aninia follow-up I was desperately hoping for this year. Other than throwing a reindeer onto a funeral pyre live onstage this could honestly do nothing more to shamelessly pander to the Västerbotten wasteland vote that powered En värld full av strider to the final - apart from maybe drafting in Jon-Henrik HIMSELF because actually the more I think about it the more this is totally dead on arrival in much the same way THAT would've been if it had been an Aninia solo number. Anyway, this takes me on a complete spiritual journey start to finish (those "AYO"s on BVs in the verses!) and the ludicrous money note + key change combo immediately puts this in contention for my song of the season.

2 - Mariette - For You - A total headphones track - the intricacies and layers of the production are so satisfyingly moreish and there's so much going on. I have my reservations on whether the "for you, for you" hook is good enough to win it all (which is a slight disappointment coming from the songwriter behind Rhys - Too Good To Be True and Kelly Clarkson - Stronger), but the middle eight is sensational and so long as she doesn't make a complete w*n**r of herself onstage like the rehearsal clip hinted I think this could still potentially be in with a shout.

3 - Olivia Eliasson - Never Learn - YES! What a COMPLETE BANGER! *.* This could be a Clean Bandit hit tomorrow and given they've basically SAVED POP for the last two years that is HIGH COMPLIMENT indeed. I'm living in hope she'll be more at the Zara Larsson end of the performing spectrum but even if she's more towards the Adelén end this is still likely to be exceptional value

4 - "FELIX SANDMAN" - Every Single Day - Even short of the fact he was by far the most likely-seeming one of FO&O to have ever had heterosexual sex, this is actually very good for what it is so sadly I think it's going direkt. Fingers crossed the audience poll was a hint that it isn't a winner in the waiting.

5 - Felicia Olsson - Break That Chain - Look it's derivative as f*** but I can't pretend that a part of me isn't rooting for this failed Jordin Sparks career renewal, even if I think a Sanna Nielsen take on Killing Me Tenderly was a spectacularly ill-advised way of going about it. Look me in the eyes during that key change. Don't tell me you don't feel at least a flicker of the old religion when she does those ad libs.

6 - Elias Abbas - Mitt paradis - There is a word for the kind of person who wants to spend their Saturday nights watching a 16 year old covering Behrang Miri.

7 - Rolandz - Fuldans - It sounds like someone threw Proud Mary, dansband and Leto svet into a blender. I'd have preferred it if they hadn't and if this qualifies Sweden and I are falling out.

Posted by: Qassändra 24th February 2018, 03:00 PM

!

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 06:11 PM

The best part about heat 4 is everything pings on to iTunes/ Spotify after.

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 06:28 PM

Although TEN Music have confirmed Benjamin's song will be released internationally tomorrow

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 06:37 PM

Apart from this year I'm only really fussed about this happening for Mariette, Emmi and Samir & Viktor

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:04 PM

I won't stand for this rampant homophobia that has manifested in David Lindgren butchering This Is Me.

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:05 PM

Nice to see David has let Fab Freddie do his face tonight

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 07:05 PM

Anyone else having subtitle issues again.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:06 PM

what kind of disney shit was that

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:06 PM

I don't on https://www.svtplay.se/video/17048166/melodifestivalen-2018/melodifestivalen-2018-deltavling-4-deltavling-4.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:07 PM

they include subtitles for all non-swedish speech

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 07:09 PM

Ah thanks. I was confused as the English songs don’t always have it.

Why is Fab Freddie now blonde ?

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:15 PM

Malena Ernman found ROTTING

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:15 PM

'Icarus' remains outstanding but that staging was all wrong. I wanted 'Alvedansen' part 2.

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 07:15 PM

The heart was not here for her.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:16 PM

Emmi - well the ending was really powerful! Me gusta. 8/10. Already in the top half of this year oops

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 07:16 PM

Sounded like a great song on first listen but wrong for this contest and not staged as well as it could have been.

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 07:18 PM

Elias is so off key.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:18 PM

HEART WHAT ARE YOU DOING???

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:20 PM

I'M BOPPING

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 07:20 PM

Wow this is really horrible :/

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:20 PM

That was very remedial Samir & Viktor, no thanks

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:21 PM

TRAGIC. those vocals are f***ing terrible. but he's easily at least in AC given how crazy the heart was during that~

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:22 PM

Here for Elias to go to AC and knock out Margaret lmao

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 07:24 PM

It’s not been great so far.

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:25 PM

Jordin Sparks is looking well x

That was very default winner of Malta or Moldovan national final that comes 16th in the semi.

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:26 PM

Felicia's gonna come 5th again isn't she.

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 07:26 PM

That was quite good, but yeah very decent Jordin Sparks album track in every way.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:27 PM

the heart was not dead!

i kinda liked this. it would be better if she just stood there dramatically though. her constant movements were distracting and nauseating

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:30 PM

please don't let this go DTG

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 07:30 PM

Why? Just why?

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:31 PM

It's hard to find the words.

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:32 PM

What in the name of Loreen Talhaoui was that........

Posted by: SevenSeize 24th February 2018, 07:32 PM

lemme gif that ass shot

my favourite so far *.* not that it's had much to beat oops

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:33 PM

one of those years this kind of song will win and finish last in the semis

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 07:35 PM

God Rolandz was terrible, almost as bad as that Edward Blom song :/

Posted by: Cal 24th February 2018, 07:36 PM

Really need Mariette to come out with a banger because this year has been a bit bland.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:37 PM

oooh this is NICE! a bit messy but hell i'll take her over pretty much anyone this year

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:38 PM

'Never Learn' is fantastic but you can tell she's not that experienced at performing yet.

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 07:39 PM

Is he the one dating the older woman?

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:41 PM

f*** me this is the most boring song I've heard all season.....

Posted by: Cal 24th February 2018, 07:41 PM

wot is dis

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 07:41 PM

I didn’t LOVE Olivia’s song, it was quite good but think the studio version will sound better.

This isn’t what I expected at all from Felix it’s super subtle and different, it really has a charm to it.

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:42 PM

Best staging so far but I'm not into the song.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:43 PM

wow the lyrics are extremely original here lmao

i feel it COULD be nice but the fact is it's NOT. bye

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:45 PM

seriously can Anna Book win and we'll cancel the remaining two weeks

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:46 PM

such a quiet reaction from the crowd. i guess she really doesn't have a fanbase in Sweden :')

Posted by: JosephSprayberry 24th February 2018, 07:46 PM

Felix had a really lovely song, not as good as Gotta Thing About You (or most of FO&O's album) but solid nonetheless. I hope the genrep results were deceiving, it deserves AC at least.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:47 PM

shut up you're biased

Posted by: Cal 24th February 2018, 07:48 PM

yaaaaaasss slap mi hole this is fab.

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 07:49 PM

OK that was bloody amazing.

It's Benjamin vs. Mariette.

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 07:50 PM

Much better staging and star quality than the rest of the heat put together.

Very Spotify banger, the best in this year for me quite easily.

Posted by: JosephSprayberry 24th February 2018, 07:50 PM

Mariette would be a worthy winner, very good track and I'm glad she delivered!

Posted by: Alpha. 24th February 2018, 07:51 PM

Mariette was amazing! I feel like the juries could eat that up in the final, so surely she has to be a big contender now

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:51 PM

the weakest of her 3 entries in MF but goddamn it she slays her performances every single time!

easily 2nd favourite song of the year after Party Voice.

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:52 PM

Song and performance of the year by quite some way, wow.

Posted by: SevenSeize 24th February 2018, 07:53 PM

Mariette did real good yasss, i liked A Million Years and this even better in my book, get that DTF

(also that drop *__ who let the chickens into the studio)

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 07:54 PM

Yes For You and Party Voice are definitely the highlights of the year for me too <3 Everyday a solid third.

A rather weak year indeed, can’t say I’ll return to many from this semi either...

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:55 PM

I've basically just got Shuffla, In My Cabana, Party Voice and For You to take away, I'm yet to really take to Everyday.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 07:56 PM

want

DTF: Mariette, Olivia
AC: Emmi, Felix ( )
5th: Felicia
6th: Elias
7th: Rolandz


THINK

DTF: Mariette, Rolandz
AC: Elias, Felix
5th: Emmi
6th: Olivia
7th: Felicia


This will be an interesting set of results given this is the best heat and it's not that easy to predict who's going through

Posted by: Alpha. 24th February 2018, 07:57 PM

some predictions

DTF: Mariette, Rolandz
AC: Felix, Elias
5th: Olivia
6th: Felicia
7th: Emmi

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 07:58 PM

Want:

DTF: Mariette, Emmi
AC: Felicia, olivia
5th Elias
6th Felix
7th Rolandz

Think:

DTF Mariette, Rolandz
AC Felix, Felicia (there's got to be some minor "shock" surely, so go on I'll stick my neck out)
5th Elias
6th Olivia
7th Emmi

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:00 PM

actually i'm changing my predixx

Emmi and Felicia will not Q

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 08:02 PM

Poor Felicia, in any other heat this year I think she might've had a shot at AC.

And Icarus was robbed.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:03 PM

according to the heart activity analysis it's all REALLY close so this will be down to the regular voters

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:05 PM

Olivia MUST go through goddamn it

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 08:07 PM

My gut says Olivia will be 5th as I think all her potential fans will flock to Mariette, gonna be VERY close between her, Elias and FELIX for those 2 AC spots though.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:11 PM

WHERE HAS THIS SONG BEEN ALL MY LIFE?? it's AMAZING

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 08:12 PM

The interval yet again being one of the best songs ffs Christer

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:15 PM

poor Olivia completely alone by her table there

Posted by: Liаm 24th February 2018, 08:16 PM

Ofc no surprise but YAAAASS😭

Posted by: Cal 24th February 2018, 08:17 PM

Mariette is so adorable.

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 08:21 PM

Mariette saving the final *.* would love to see this win (as Party Voice really doesn’t stand a chance).

That chicken drop is hilarious, talk about the ‘sound’ of the last few years finally jumping the shark in spectacular fashion, almost sounds like a parody of modern music

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:22 PM

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 08:22 PM

Poor Elias </3

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:23 PM

thank f*** Swedes didn't let this tuneless crap through

Posted by: gooddelta 24th February 2018, 08:24 PM

Wow hilarious.

What a dire finalist

Posted by: JosephSprayberry 24th February 2018, 08:24 PM

My three faves making it through in some capacity is very pleasing (Olivia / Felix / Mariette) *.* the less said about the final DTF the better but I can't say I'm surprised

Posted by: SevenSeize 24th February 2018, 08:26 PM

Mariette & Rolandz hoorah!

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:26 PM

you need to be more precise

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 08:26 PM

Elias could not hide his shock and disgust at going out 😂

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 08:26 PM

Now we wait for the AC duels *.*

Posted by: LUKΞ 24th February 2018, 08:27 PM

Rolandz?

Marriete and Felix were the only ones I was rooting for, so I'm pleased with the results. First time watching Melodifestivalen

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 08:27 PM

I hope they put the two from last week against each other. They are very similar in style.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:27 PM

Yassss

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:28 PM

it won't happen

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 08:30 PM

Didn’t think so.

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 08:31 PM

If I assume who came third and who came fourth then I'm thinking:

Sigrid v. Mimi
Margaret v. Moncho
Mendez v. FELIX
Olivia v. Renaida

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 08:32 PM

Posted by: Alpha. 24th February 2018, 08:35 PM

I'm thinking something like this for the duels (but ofc it depends if my idea of the 3rd/4th placements is right)

Renaida v. Olivia
Margaret v. Moncho
Mendez v. Sigrid
Felix v. Mimi

Posted by: Martyn 24th February 2018, 08:37 PM

Now we wait for the songs on iTunes.

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 08:39 PM

Samir och Viktor on Spotify *.*

Jessica as well but I've been hammering that leak all week *.*

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 09:04 PM

And you are SPOT ON

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 09:19 PM

seems like this year will be relatively bloodshed-less in AC


Renaida v. Olivia
Margaret v. Moncho
Mendez v. Sigrid
Felix v. Mimi

Posted by: Alpha. 24th February 2018, 09:21 PM

omg haha! christer better watch out, i'm coming for that job

Posted by: AdamAloud 24th February 2018, 09:21 PM

I think Renaida/Olivia will be quite close. But yeah the other 3 EASILY.

Posted by: Alpha. 24th February 2018, 09:23 PM

swap out Olivia for Renaida and I agree with this

the last three seem pretty clear cut tbh

Posted by: Iz 24th February 2018, 09:56 PM

Rolandz got straight through? My god yes Sweden haha.

Bleh at Elias being left outside for that Felix bore. I could have used a teen pop singer I actually kind of liked doing well.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 10:07 PM

in Eurovision forum you are like vidcapper of Buzzjack.

so unapologetically wrong ALL THE TIME that it begs the question if you're just a trolling us all

Posted by: Iz 24th February 2018, 10:11 PM

As if you haven't had your periods of contrarianism Pav! I actually like most of the songs that the consensus likes this time around. If I didn't, I'd say.

Fuldans is just very fun and I'm happy to see it in the final.

Posted by: ionderella 24th February 2018, 10:17 PM

fake news

Posted by: RobBob 24th February 2018, 11:32 PM

Just caught up and I also predicted the AC duels exactly! *.

Expecting through: Renaida, Margaret, Mendez and Felix.

Posted by: RobBob 25th February 2018, 12:44 AM

On tonight's show: I love For You but it's my least favourite of her entries and I actually find the way she performs REALLY offputting, it's kind of disingenuously intense and uncomfortable. I'm happy to see Rolandz through for varieties sake and neither of the AC entries were fully there, though they're both great.

Posted by: Aaron. 25th February 2018, 01:18 AM

This. I like this more than her entry last year, but nothing will beat Don't Stop Believing.

Posted by: RobBob 25th February 2018, 01:37 AM

Yeah, I've been watching the performances all night and I'm becoming pretty convinced Benjamin is going to win this and possibly quite comfortably. It stands out the most as a performance for sure and it achieves exactly what it's trying to do in a Charlie Puth 'Attention' kinda fashion perfectly, whilst I don't think For You nails exactly what it's going for quite as effectively, what with all the pointing and weird running.

I dare say Dance You Off is another top 5 for Sweden aswell.

(edit: sorry for so many posts, my fortnight of MF obsession now I've got all the tracks has definitely started tonight)

Posted by: Liаm 25th February 2018, 01:45 AM

I just canno get into Dance You Off, that would be a disappointing Melfest winner 3 years in a row I can't really see what it would be other than that or possibly Mariette, maybe Mendez from AC at a push. But for all the international appeal that the latter two have, it's not as if Benjamin doesn't have that.

Posted by: ScottyEm 25th February 2018, 02:33 AM

I love Dance You Off. Whilst For You is perfectly good, its not original enough IMO to win and it isn’t a patch on A Million Years, which was so warm and melodic. Dance You Off stands out, love how it’s not over produced but it’s distinctive enough to probably keep Sweden’s top 5 track record intact.

Posted by: ionderella 25th February 2018, 08:07 AM

For You is definitely weaker than Mariette's last entries but it was hard to compete with those anyway.

I am planning for a shock Party Voice win tbh but will take Mariette if my plan doesn't work~

Posted by: AdamAloud 26th February 2018, 09:40 AM

The first Spotify update is always a good shout at what the public are feeling:

03. Samir & Viktor - Shuffla (170,821)
05. FELIX SANDMAN - EVERY SINGLE DAY (122,572)
06. Méndez - Everyday (121,882)
07. Benjamin Ingrosso - Dance You Off (120,861)
10. Rolandz - Fuldans (108,514)
13. LIAMOO - Last Breath (97,933)
20. Margaret - In My Cabana (78,862)
21. Mariette - For You (76,914)
22. John Lundvik - My Turn (73,173)
25. Sigrid Bernson - Patrick Swayze (70,267)
29. Olivia Eliasson - Never Learn (64,011)
32. Jessica Andersson - Party Voice (63,133)
34. Moncho - Cuba Libre (61,913)
39. Martin Almgren - A Bitter Lullaby (55,513)
44. Elias Abbas - Mitt paradis (54,079)
48. Renaida - All The Feels (50,081)

(Mimi Werner being the only qualifier not to appear in the top 50).

FELIX and Méndez are obviously sailing through AC, could one of them actually become the 2nd winner from AC? And why the hell wasn't this happening for Loreen last year!

Posted by: gooddelta 26th February 2018, 09:42 AM

Oh lord at Rolandz getting the streams in Not that great for Mariette.

Posted by: RobBob 26th February 2018, 01:48 PM

I still don't think Mendez, because of his vocals, stands a chance but I still can't rule Felix out for sure and I thought that when I first heard his song. I'm surprised it didn't click enough to make it straight through in the first place.

SHUFFLA TO WIN. Also probably doesn't stand a chance because of juries, but one can wish. I really don't think the public have taken to Mariette herself the way "the internet gays" have, I can kinda see her landing about 4th/5th in the televoting again.

Gonna alter my feelings slightly on thinking Olivia might sneak ahead of Renaida, but that's definitely the toughest duel to call. I think 'recency bias' might work in Olivia's favour though.

Posted by: Styles Bilinski 26th February 2018, 01:55 PM

I think Felix is helped because of how recent it is. To me, those numbers are very good news for Benjamin more than anyone and I think it may be his for the taking.