By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 24 February 2024
WHERE?: Stiga Sports Arena, Eskilstuna WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
Both this week’s returning acts – Dotter and Danny Saucedo – have come agonisingly close to winning Melodifestivalen and would be expected to advance straight to the finalen from this heat.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
We’ve heard all 18 songs vying to represent Norway at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden in May and this is the 1 we couldn’t get out of our head on 1st listen.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 17 February 2024
WHERE?: Vida Arena, Växjö WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
This heat boasts 4 MF debutants alongside the much-anticipated returns of 2 familiar names including Opeia who won 2023’s Eurovision as a co-writer of Loreen’s Tattoo.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 1st heat Tuesday 30 January; 2nd Thursday 1 February & final Saturday 3 February 2024
WHERE?: Palau Municipal d’Esports l’Illa de Benidorm Watch on TVE
Spain missed a trick at its otherwise fantastic Eurovision selection process in 2023 by not choosing runner up Quiero Arder by Agoney which won our Best Song monsta.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
Berger 1st competed in the Eurovision Song Contest for Norway in 2013 finishing 4th in the Malmö Arena.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 10 February 2024
WHERE?: Scandinavium, Gothenberg WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
This week’s half a dozen new entries include 4 by artists who are making their Melodifestivalen debuts.
By Neil Durham
WHEN?: 7pm UK time 3 February 2024
WHERE?: Malmö Arena, Malmö WHERE DO I WATCH?: SVT Play
Last year Sweden won Eurovision for a 7th time equalling Ireland’s record and this 1st heat is from the venue where the Eurovision Song Contest final itself will take place on Saturday 11 May 2024.
monstagigz readers have been voting throughout November and December for their favourite pop, theatre, TV, film and podcasts of 2023 from our shortlists. Read on for details of our 2023 monstas winners …
WORTH A LOOK?: ****1/2
‘For all of you who don’t speak Spanish, this is a message for the 1s who didn’t believe in me, well guess where I am honey? I made it … and I’m Here To Stay.’ Here to slay more like.
It’s been quite the year, it’s almost Christmas and what would the festive season be without some recognition of the best of 2023? Over the next month we’ll shortlist five nominees in each of 16 categories for our Oscars, or monstas if you will, of 2023.
