PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2022 Heat 4 starring Anna Bergendahl & Klara Hammarström

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.

  • Read on for reasons including Klara Hammarström and Lillasyster
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for February 2022 starring Kit Harington

  1. Kit Harington stars as Henry V at the Donmar

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

  • Read on for reasons including Monica Dolan, new Tears For Fears album and intimate Years and Years gig
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2022 Heat 3 starring Linda Bengtzing, Faith Kakembo and Anders Bagge

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?).

  • Read on for reasons including Faith Kakembo, Lisa Miskovsky and Anders Bagge
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2022 Heat 1 starring Shirley Clamp, Robin Bengtsson & Omar Rudberg

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.

  • Read on for reasons including MF winner Robin Bengtsson and TV star Omar Rudberg
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PREVIEW: Spain’s Eurovision selection show Benidorm Fest starring Chanel 

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.

  • Read on for reasons including why this is Spain’s best ever selection and where our douze points is going
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9 reasons why we can’t wait for January 2022 starring Moulin Rouge

  1. Moulin Rouge at the Piccadilly Theatre

This musical version of the 2001 film won 10 Tonys in 2020 and opened in London in 2021 although Covid delayed its press night and, as we write, it is still in previews with a 1st official night pushed back to 9 January 2022. We hope to visit the jukebox musical ahead of its revised press night and check out our site for a review. Tickets

  • Read on for reasons including A Number at the Old Vic, new Years & Years album and Taboo reunion
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GIG REVIEW: Daði Freyr and HYYTS at 02 Kentish Town Forum

By Aline Mahrud

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Friday 26 November 2021, tour runs to 16 June 2022

SETLIST: Lag sem ég gerði; Where We Wanna Be; Hvað með það; Kemur Þér ekki við; Skiptir ekki máli; Clear My Head; Somebody Else Now; Birdy Song; Fugladansinn; Feel The Love; 10 Years; Næsta skref; Something Magical; Think About Things; Daði Guitar song; Endurtaka Mig

The winner of 2020’s Eurovision-that-never-was not only sold out the 2,300 capacity 02 Forum Kentish Town but was uttely charming in doing so.

  • Read on for reasons including how support band HYYTS revealed their Eurovision story
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PREVIEW: Second Cherry 2021 starring Charlotte Perrelli, KEiiNO and La Rappresentante di Lista

WHEN?: Friday 8 October 2021

WHERE?: Royal Vauxhall Tavern, London

Eurovision winner Charlotte Perrelli could only finish 8th in 2021’s Melodifestivalen but she is our pick of the bunch to win next month’s coveted Second Cherry.

  • Read on for reasons including KEiiNO, La Rappresentate di Lista and Suured tüdrukud
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ALBUM OF THE MONTH: Fyr & Flamme by Fyr & Flamme (August 2021)

WORTH A LOOK?: *****

TRACKLIST: Hemmelighed; 112; Kamaeleon; Hvor Er Du Nu; Menneskeforbruger; Ved Godt Det Var Mig Der Tog Fejl; Dansemusik; Kaereste; Øve os på hinanden; Dine Ojne

Viewers of 2021’s Eurovision Song Contest may remember Fyr Og Flamme who represented Denmark finishing 11th in the 2nd semi final with 3rd single Øve os på hinanden.

  • Read on for reasons including why you should check out these 10 songs in Danish
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SONG OF THE WEEK: I Wanna Be Your Slave by Måneskin (week beginning Friday 23 July 2021)

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

If winning May’s Eurovision Song Contest in front of 183 million viewers wasn’t enough, Italy’s Måneskin had a top 20 hit with the victorious Zitti e buoni in the UK – and then followed it with 2 top 10 successes.

  • Read on for reasons including how London’s live music gig scene was key to the band’s success
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