WHEN?: Saturday 10 March (7pm UK time) on SVT (link to watch below)
The quality of the songs in this year’s Melodifestivalen has attracted criticism but for us 2018 has been all about the Swedish public’s love of the novelty entry ahead of possible Eurovision winner Cry by Dotter.
WHEN? 7pm Saturday 10/3/18 on NRK (link at the bottom of the preview)
This year’s Norwegian selection includes a former Eurovision winner, a past entrant and the writer behind one of Scandinavia’s biggest groups of the 90s in its ranks.
WHEN?: 7pm Saturday 3/3/18 on SVT (link to watch below)
WHERE?: Kristianstad
We’re very excited about the upcoming four duels that will see our eight-strong final become a dozen not least because some of our favourite songs compete again here.
WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 24/2/18 on SVT (link at the bottom of the page below)
WHERE: Örnsköldsvik
Has this year’s been the worst Melodifestivalen ever?
WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 10/2/18 on SVT (link at the bottom of the page below)
WHERE: Gothenburg
This week’s heat boasts a very contemporary song which is our favourite entry so far but will the Swedes get behind a singer not from their own country?
WHEN?: BBC2 7/2/18 7.30pm
WHERE: Brighton Dome
We think this year’s UK Eurovision selection is the best since its 90s heyday (when Deuce were beaten by Love City Groove) and venture that there’s a potential Eurovision Song Contest winner in this year’s half dozen.
1. Comeback of the year
It’s hard to envisage an act of their stature coming back with quite the impact that Steps managed in 2017 (and 2018). Their Party On The Dancefloor tour moved seamlessly into Summer Of Steps. Do supports Blue, Aqua and Saara Aalto foreshadow a Steps Eurovision bow?
Nicki French is bowled over by the love shown to her new single Teardrops (On The Disco Floor), which is a slice of 70s Donna Summer, penned by a Eurovision-winning lyricist that is shaping up to be one of the hits of the season.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
WHERE: New Victoria Theatre, Woking
WHEN: 11/3 (matinee), touring the UK until 27/5
This 20th anniversary production of Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical features a showstopping performance by this year’s UK Eurovision entrant Lucie Jones as Maureen (pictured above).
WHEN?: Saturday 11 March (7pm UK time) on SVT (link to watch below)
2017 sees the strongest final line-up we can remember, our favourite is currently the highest placed entry on Swedish iTunes and the introduction of the international juries into Saturday’s show should add a fascinating dynamic to proceedings.
