By Aline Mahrud
WHEN? 7pm UK time Saturday 11 February 2023
WHERE? Saab Arena, Linköping
WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play
We were surprised by the 1st qualifier in last week’s opening heat and think the quality, and therefore the competition, is much tougher here.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
A year ago Impossible by Norwegian electronic music duo Röyksopp featuring Alison Goldfrapp was a song of the month for us and now she features on an intriguing club collaboration before embarking on her 1st solo music.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: Saturday 25 February 2023
HOW DO I WATCH?: YLE
Finland’s Eurovision selection show UMK continues to be 1 of the season’s highlights and there’s a lot of quality here in the race to succeed internationally-renowned rock band The Rasmus who represented the country last year, finishing 21st.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
Think Maniac by Michael Sembello from 80s film Flashdance and you’re halfway there for a song which reminds of what the Swedish pop star can do at her frenetic dancefloor best.
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN? 7pm UK time Saturday 4 February 2023
WHERE? Scandinavium, Gothenburg
WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play
We suspect that the winner of this year’s Melodifestivalen isn’t within the 7 acts featured here not least because there are so many familiar faces here it feels more of a warm hug of a return than anything especially challenging – but there’s 3 more weeks to come for that.
