WORTH A LISTEN?: ****
OUT: now
Former Alcazar frontman Carlsson references two of his biggest Melodifestivalen hits in this positive, high-energy tale of coming out and finding happiness which is, appropriately, this year’s Stockholm Pride anthem.
WORTH A LOOK?: ****
OUT: now
Regular readers of monstagigz will be familiar with Swedish singer songwriter Dotter, real name Johanna Jansson, not least through bringing her idiosyncratic brand of indie pop to the last four Melodifestivalens.
WHEN?: 12/5/2020 (semi 1 now cancelled, although the BBC is planning a Eurovision moment for the night of what would have been the final, 16/5/20)
WHERE?: Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam
Coronavirus has caused the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in its 65-year history but we’re not letting it spoil our fun and, because we know the 41 songs which would have participated, we’re predicting who would’ve made the final here from Semi 1.
WHEN?: 7/3/20
HOW TO WATCH: Outside Sweden SVTPlay from Stockholm Friends Arena
Will it be Dotter (pictured above) for Rotterdam in Eurovision 2020? Sweden hasn’t selected a female soloist to represent it at Eurovision since Sanna Nielsen and Undo in 2014 and we think this is the year it will.
WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 8/2/20
WHERE?: Linköping Saab Arena
Last week’s big shock was hot favourite Felix Sandman only making Andra Chansen and, if anything, this 2nd heat feels even more wide open than that one.
WHEN?: 7pm (UK time) 1/2/20
WHERE?: Linköping Saab Arena
Only a fool would predict the outcome of Saturday’s #GreatestShowOnEarth Melodifestivalen Heat 1 on the basis of the snippets available (see below) – but we’re going to have a go.
Bryan Adams co-wrote this musical version of the beloved 1990 Julia Roberts/Richard Gere film which ran on Broadway starring Samantha Barks (performing in clip above) for a year until August. Atkinson has a Eurovision connection and we saw her in Six in the West End. Mac will be familiar to Strictly viewers. Opens at the Piccadilly Theatre 13/2, booking until 2/1/21. Tickets
Last year’s Melodifestivalen winner – John Lundvik – sang last in the final heat and here that honour goes to Hanna Ferm rather than MF royalty Nanne Grönvall.
Jörgen Elofsson has written songs for pop titans including Celine Dion, Agnetha Fältskog, Britney Spears and Geri Halliwell and this year his sole Melodifestivalen credit is for Faith Kakembo (pictured above).
UPDATE: This post has been updated to reflect the 10/1/20 running order reveal
Will it be seventh time lucky for schlager legend Linda Bengtzing at the Scandinavium arena in Gothenburg on 8 February 2020?
