By Aline Mahrud
WHEN/WHERE?: Saturday 19 February 2022, H3 Arena, Fornebu
HOW DO I WATCH?: NRK
Last year’s Melodi Grand Prix was very much a 2-horse race between TIX and KEIINO but 2022’s line-up is much more open with any number of possible winners.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Saturday 12 February (matinee), runs to 19 March 2022
It’s Steven’s birthday, he’s in a restaurant with his partner and their best friends – and a secret is uncovered.
WHEN? 7pm UK time Saturday 12 February 2022
WHERE? Avicii Arena, Stockholm
WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play
Last week Robin Bengtsson went direkt till finalen but we predicted little else right with the 3 eliminated acts all having MF history and the newcomers doing well at their expense.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
We last saw Charli XCX live at the 02 Brixton Academy when she was supported by Rina Sawayama and so this collaboration feels more organic than some duets sometimes do.
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: 26 February 2022
HOW DO I WATCH? YLE
Finland performed far better than we expected in 2021 when rock group Blind Channel finished 6th and in 2022 they have a diverse 7-song final including The Rasmus who had a worldwide hit in 2003 with In The Shadows.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***
WHEN?: Thursday 3 February (matinee), running to 5 March RUNTIME: 120 minutes (including 20-minute interval)
Zmitrowicz made our Best Theatre Actress shortlist in 2020 for The Welkin at the National and during her impressive body of work we have already described her as ‘captivating in a role that we felt should have been better explored’ by the author.
WHEN? 7pm UK time Saturday 5 February 2022
WHERE? Avicii Arena, Stockholm
WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play
The biggest story in this 1st heat is arguably the return of 2017 winner Robin Bengtsson who has taken part in Melodifestivalen 3 times (2016, 2017 and 2020) always going Direkt Till Finalen.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHEN?: Wednesday 2 February 2022, UK arena tour May 2022
SETLIST: Desire; Crave; Sooner Or Later; Shine; Muscle; If You’re Over Me; Play; Sunlight; Night Call; Starstruck; Sweet Talker; King
We’re near the front of the stage in this packed nightclub venue and when the excited audience start chanting: ‘Let go, let go, let go of everything’ during set closer and charttopper King we’re overcome with emotion and on the verge of tears.
By Neil Durham
WORTH A LOOK?: ***1/2
WHEN?: Sunday 30 January 2022
We 1st saw this musical co-written by Boy George around 20 years ago on its arrival to London’s West End at what is now Leicester Square Theatre and was then The Venue.
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: Semi finals Thursday and Saturday 3 and 5 February, final Saturday 12 February 2022
HOW DO I WATCH?: Eesti Laul 2022 ETV
Estonia has not 1 but 5 returning former entrants to its Eesti Laul 2022 Eurovision selection show.
