Just eight of the 28 acts who take part in 2018’s Eurovision Song Contest selection show for Sweden – Melodifestivalen – have competed before, many less than in previous years.

• Read on for reasons including details of this year’s returners and their past glories

Heat 1: Karlstad: 3/2/18

Kikki Danielsson Osby Tennessee (Sulo Karlsson, Kikki Danielsson)

Schlager legend Charlotte Perrelli strummed a guitar during last year’s opening heat while we listened without joy for a key change and we’ve similarly low expectations for Osby Tennessee. Kikki last competed in Melodifestivalen in 2006 with the above, finishing 10th. This will be her 10th appearance and she’s won twice, finishing 8th and 3rd in Eurovision in 1982 and 1985. Charlotte sang 5th in Heat 1 last year as Kikki does this.

Benjamin Ingrosso Dance You Off (Benjamin Ingrosso, MAG, Louis Schoorl, K Nita)

Benjamin’s mother Pernilla Wahlgren (Piccadilly Circus, Let Your Spirit Fly) is a MF veteran and he was 5th last year with the faux Justin Timberlake Good Lovin’. Last spot the best one and mini-Wahlgren sings 7th.

Heat 2: Gothenburg: 10/2/18

Samir and Viktor Shuffla (Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Robert Gustafsson, Regina Hedman)

Samir and Viktor have reached the final in 2015 and 2016, finishing eighth and last. Sweden’s answer to Jedward are probably best remembered for their topless work and sing first.

Mimi Werner Songburning (Göran Werner, Mimi Werner, Niki Niki, Carl Varga, Johan Åsgärde, Oliver Lundström)

Mimi’s only entry (Ain’t No Good) sounded much like Dolly Parton’s Jolene in parts and didn’t make it out of her heat in 2016. She sings 6th.

Heat 3: Malmö: 17/2/18

Méndez Everyday (Leopoldo Mendez, Jimmy Jansson, Palle Hammarlund)

The Ricky Martin Latino pop sound of Méndez was runner-up in 2002 with the above and didn’t make it out of the Andra Chansen round in 2003 with Carnaval. Last to sing in this heat.

Kalle Moraeus & Orsa Spelmän Min dröm (Thomas G:son, Alexzandra Wickman)

The dreary folk of their 2010 entry Underbart fell at the Andra Chansen hurdle. On fifth.

Jessica Andersson Party Voice (Fredrik Kempe, David Kreuger, Niklas Carson Mattsson, Jessica Andersson)

Jessica competed in Eurovision in 2003 as one half of the duo Fame who finished 5th with Give Me Your Love. This will be her 4th solo entry since then and, given the writing team, we think it will be in a similar uptempo vein to the much-underrated clip above. Our 1 to watch, although 4th’s not the best position.

Heat 4: Örnsköldsvik: 24/2/18

Mariette For You (Jörgen Elofsson)

The author has written for Westlife, Steps, Agnetha ABBA and Britney amongst others. (We’ll skirt over the song that didn’t make the final for Ireland in Eurovision last year) Mariette is the bookies’ second favourite to win this year after finishing 4th in 2017 with the above and 3rd two years before with Don’t Stop Believing. 2018’s final song looks set for a final shoo-in.

• Stay tuned as we’ll be previewing all 28 songs in the run-up to their heats. Picture via YouTube courtesy SVT. Tickets
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