PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 4 starring Dotter & Danny Saucedo

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.

  • Read on for reasons including Albin Tingwall, Lia Larson, Scarlet & Lasse Stefanz
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Damdiggida by KEiiNO (January 2024)

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.

  • Read on for reasons including how this leans into a novelty Aqua/Little Big sound
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen Heat 3 starring Cazzi Opeia & Clara Klingenström

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.

  • Read on for reasons including Jacqline, Klaudy, Gunilla Persson & Kim Cesarion
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PREVIEW: Benidorm Fest 2024 starring Sofia Coll, Angy & Nebulossa

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.

  • Read on for reasons including Nebulossa, Lérica, Dellacruz & Almácor
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2024 Heat 2 starring LIAMOO & Maria Sur

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.

  • Read on for reasons including C-Joe, Engmanns Kapel, Dear Sara & Fröken Snusk
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PREVIEW: Melodifestivalen 2024 Heat 1 starring Smash Into Pieces, Lisa Ajax & Samir & Viktor

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.

  • Read on for reasons including Samir & Viktor, Lisa Ajax and Adam Woods
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AWARDS: Winners of the 2023 monstas are …

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 …

  • Read on for reasons including the winners of our 16 monstas for the best theatre, pop, TV, film and podcasts of 2023
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SONG OF THE MONTH: Here To Stay by Sofia Coll (December 2023)

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.

  • Read on for reasons including everything we know about Sofia and 2024’s Eurovision selection show Benidorm Fest
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AWARDS SHORTLIST: MONSTAS: Best TV/Film Actress of 2023

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.

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