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 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 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.
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: Saturday 26 February 2022 7pm UK/8pm CET Update: Covid means all shows will now be from Stockholm
WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play
Bergendahl is Sweden’s least successful Eurovision entrant, failing to make the final in 2010, and her successful return to Melodifestivalen – finishing 10th with Ashes To Ashes in 2019 and 3rd with Kingdom Come a year later – has been a genuine thrill.
The most memorable time the Game Of Thrones star performed in the West End was at the Duke Of York’s in 2016 for Jamie Lloyd’s Doctor Faustus. It was our 2nd best read piece that year which may have had something to do with Harington flashing his bum during the performance. Hard to know what to expect from his Henry V (Harington pictured) at the Donmar which is in previews from 12 February and is booking until 9 April. Directed by Max Webster (Cover My Tracks, The Lorax, Old Vic). Tickets Update: due to Covid-19-related absences in the company the 1st 4 previews have been cancelled
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: Saturday 19 February 2022 7pm UK/8pm CET Update: Covid means all shows will now be from Stockholm
WHERE? Linköping Saab Arena WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play
Bengtzing returns to the scene of her greatest success for an 8th attempt at the Melodifestivalen win that has eluded her with such fan favourites as Jag ljuger så bra (I lie so well), Hur svårt kan det va? (How hard can it be?) and E de fel på mig? (Is there something wrong with me?).
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN?: Saturday 12 February 2022
WHERE?: Scandinavium, Gothenburg WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play UPDATE: Covid means Stockholm will now be the venue for all 2022 events
Lundvik (pictured above) is the 2nd of 3 returning former winners to this year’s 60th Melodifestivalen but we wonder whether the 1st trans contestant in its history, Tone Sekelius, closing this heat (read further down this article) might steal the pre-show headlines?
By Aline Mahrud
WHEN? Saturday 5 February 2022
WHERE? Malmö Arena WHERE DO I WATCH? SVT Play UPDATE: Covid means Stockholm will now be the venue for all 2022 events
We’re at the venue of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest final, our last live Eurovision, and our highlight is the 1st appearance in 8 years on a Melodifestivalen stage for the legend that is Shirley Clamp.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 26, 27 and 29 January 2022
WHERE?: Watch on TVE
2021 Eurovision winners Måneskin were selected at Italy’s San Remo Festival and Spain, looking for its 1st Eurovision victory since 1969, has revived its own Benidorm Fest for 2022.
By Andrew Mosley
It’s easy to become despondent at the state of music, what with fame-hungry talent show contestants a safer bet for any record company than some raucous indie rocker and cliched lyrics about believing in yourself, flying high and touching the sky as abundant as fruit flies in July.
