Deltävling 3 of Melodifestivalen 2022 is happening this week, and Jazzi and Angus had a chance to watch some of the rehearsals for the third heat of the competition. These are their opinions and predictions for Saturday’s show.
Cazzi Opeia – “I Can’t Get Enough”
The performance starts with a silhouette of Cazzi, with blue and pink clouds behind her. Cazzi’s outfit is adorned with puffy sleeves and sequins. After the first verse, we get a wide shot showing that she is joined on stage by four dancers. When the chorus hits the clouds in the background give way to a tunnel before switching back to the clouds for the verses.
Just like the staging, the camerawork changes between the verses and the chorus. During the verses we get the familiar wide shots, zoom ins, and close ups. During the chorus, the camera spins around Cazzi and her dancers. The performance closes on a shot of Cazzi, with the clouds slowly giving way to a night sky.
Photo Credit: SVT / Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Jazzi | Angus |
| Cazzi seems like such a fun performer. This song may be going first in the running order, but it has a fun memorable hook. I like the light pink and light blues of the staging it fits well with the song – which is playful and fun. Cazzi’s voice I also find quite unique as well as her style – which she has 100% stayed true to for her Melodifestivalen performance. | It’s a fun, upbeat pop track with colourful staging. Cazzi is a good performer as well. The dancers don’t quite do enough for me to engage me, and while the chorus is fairly memorable, it isn’t that interesting melodically. Still, I definitely see myself and Mello viewers listening to this again! |
| Jazzi’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 5th | Semi-Finals |
Lancelot – “Lyckligt slut”
This starts with a wide shot of Lancelot and his band. The lights are mainly dark with some yellow lighting in the first verse. Throughout the first verse we get a lot of close up shots of Lancelot. The song is soft acoustic ballad and the staging is perfect for that. As the first chorus kicks in white lights are introduced to make the staging a little brighter but the staging still remains subtle and minimalist.
The camera for a lot of the performance is very focused on Lancelot! His eye contact with the camera is good throughout. Occasionally in the second verse, we get close-up shots of his band members playing. In the second chorus we do get more wide shots introduced so you can see Lancelot and his band together. Throughout the second chorus and verse the white lighting remains in place.
As the song reaches a climax Lancelot starts playing the guitar he has over his shoulder and we get a 5 or so second musical break where the band is just playing. The white lighting then drops for the bridge and we are back to just black and yellow lighting. In the last chorus we get a small overhead shot of the band before the music kicks back in and the white lighting is added into the performance again.
Photo Credit: SVT/ Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Jazzi | Angus |
| This is simple but effective. The staging is pretty perfect for this kind of song. It is a bit lowkey so I do worry with it going in second it might be forgotten. It is nice to see an acoustic band in Melodifestivalen as I do think that is a bit different from what we are used to seeing. I hope this does well. | It is a lovely song with a strong message. The lowkey staging makes you focus on the song and the performance. Lancelot has a lot of charisma, and performs the song well. Between another song in English and the rather slow build-up I see this struggling, but if this song finds its audience it can easily overperform expectations. |
| Jazzi’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 6th | 6th |
Lisa Miskovsky – “Best to Come”
The background displays a metro station in which Lisa, her fellow musicians, and her dancers are performing. The camerawork switches between shots focusing on Lisa and wider shots that show off the dancers. They perform a story on stage of people meeting and helping each other while waiting for their train. ,
From time to time a metro train whizzes by in the back, but beyond that there are no big changes in background. There are some props on the stage, with a big lamp behind and to the side of Lisa being the most notable one.
Photo Credit: SVT/Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Jazzi | Angus |
| This is nice! Country ballads or Country in general often fairs quite well at Melodifestivalen. Lisa has an amazing soft voice that I really enjoy. While Sweden often appreciates this genre this is all a bit lowkey and again I am left with worries it may be forgotten so early on. | It is a nice ballad that goes nowhere. The staging and the song stay exactly where they start, but the song is very radio friendly and surprisingly catchy. Lisa has a lovely voice and the dancers turn this performance into a full package. I think people will enjoy this song, but I don’t see people actually voting for it, sadly. |
| Jazzi’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 7th | 7th |
Tribe Friday – “Shut Me Up”
This starts with a 4-way split screen of all the band members of Tribe Friday! You can also see a pink screen background- which works well instantly with this song’s vibrant vibe. As the first verse kicks in we get a wide shot of the group members and then a rooming camera onto all the group members. The staging itself has a lot of pinks, blacks, and light blues – works well for that rock indie vibe they are going for.
In the pre-chorus in the first verse, we then get another pink screen split into 4 again this time it’s one big screen of the band on stage the other 3 screens split up the singers face into three it’s a bit weird but works with the vibe of the song – that comes together as the chorus kicks in and we get a 3rd screen come up of the drummer! Throughout the chorus, we get rooming shots of the band and closes ups of the members
In the second verse it’s more the same as the first close ups of band members mainly the singer! In the second pre-chorus we see the split screen again this time more simply of the 4 members of the band. We get a nice wide shot in the second chorus when the audiences is there that will be quite nice and effective for this kind of song.
Bridge has a small musical break of the guitarists rocking out the song goes quieter for the bridge and you can hear the singers voice. Before the end of the song we get one last small musical break.
Photo Credit: SVT/ Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Jazzi | Angus |
| This is a fun happy pop-rock indie song, the staging is bright and vibrant and I really like it. Among the four we have heard so far this stands out the most to me. Again like a few songs in this heat this is very different to your typical Melfest song, but I do think Sweden will be on board with it based on what we have heard thus far. | A cute and fun indie pop-rock moment. The song is catchy and the performance solid. Will people vote for it though? Based on this year’s Melodifestivalen so far I think it will find an audience, but not get quite enough votes. |
| Jazzi’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Diretk til Finalen | 5th |
Faith Kakembo – “Freedom”
The performance opens on Faith walking into the shot. In the background we see a large light square surrounded by grey, as if the performance took place in a square tunnel. As the song keeps building in momentum the square narrows, making the stage feel smaller and more intimate.
At around halfway through the song Faith is joined on stage by other singers. The square in the background gives way to a large circle of light surrounded by graphics of rippling and splashing water. The singers sometimes stand left and right of Faith, at other times directly behind her. While the performance started mostly with fairly close up shots of Faith, towards the end we get a generous number of wide shots. The more the song builds, the bigger the stage gets and the more we get to see.
Photo Credit: SVT/Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Jazzi | Angus |
| Faith gives a passionate performance. Her vocals are definitely some of the best we have heard this national final season. I find the staging very empowering and memorable. I would be shocked if this wasn’t in the top 4 on Saturday Night, it definitely deserves to be in this field. | Faith is an unbelievably charismatic and talented singer. The song, which she co-wrote, is a ballad with a strong build, keeping the attention of the viewer. The staging is smart and helps reinforce the message of the song. I’m expecting this to do well. |
| Jazzi’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Direkt Til Finalen | DTF |
Linda Bengtzing – “Fyrfaldigt hurra!”
This starts with Linda laying on the floor and shot above her! Most of the staging is black bar the circle she is laying on which is filled with yellows purples, whites, and orange! Partway through the first verse she sits up! There is a lot of joy and excitement in Linda’s voice as she sings the first verse.
As the chorus kicks in Linda is joined by 4 dancers wearing pink jumpsuits! The background is now filled with firework effects! The lighting has gone from very dark to very pink and bubbly.
As the second verse there is a close up of Linda and camera slowly pans out! The background is now a warm pink colour! Everything is now very bright vibrant and happy. During the second verse Linda goes into the audience which will be great fun on the actual night. In the second pre-chorus Linda then goes on a smaller stage in the middle of the arena! As the chorus kicks in Linda heads back out to the audience before going back on the main stage, while this also goes on there are close up shots of her backing dancers.
In the bridge, the song slows down again and Linda sits down and sings to her backing dancers. In the final chorus, everyone is back up and back dancing. The background is back to firework effects!
Photo Credit: SVT/Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Jazzi | Angus |
| Old school Melodifestivalen fans will adore this song. It’s a fun schlager pop number that you can dance and sing along to. Linda is also such a fun charismatic performer. I see this at least reaching the semi final and potentially even further. | A pop moment in Swedish by a big name? You wouldn’t be surprised to see this do well regardless of the quality of the performance. Luckily, Linda has the performance chops and the rest of the staging is good enough as well. Musically it’s… well, it’s schlager and that isn’t for me! But it is a well made and performed song, so expect to see it progress in the competition. |
| Jazzi’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Semi Finals | DTF |
Anders Bagge – “Bigger Than The Universe”
The camera starts on Anders, with the background showing a graphic of Earth in a tree. As the chorus kicks in, the background zooms in on the planet, zooming past clouds, trees, and mountainous landscapes. The background cuts back to the original graphic for the verse, and zooms in and past various beautiful nature shots during the final part of the song.
Anders is dressed in all black, and is usually shot close-up or in wide shots that show off the graphics. The lighting is fairly simple, with white lights and spotlights flashing along with the music.
Photo Credit SVT/Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Jazzi | Angus |
| This is a nice uplifting pop song. The backgrounds are all very pretty. I do think going last will really help this entry. I know he is a pretty big deal in Sweden I d think this will get enough votes to see it though to the semi but I do feel there are stronger songs in this heat. | Anders is mostly known as a songwriter, but he has quite the voice too! The backgrounds really are the star of this performance though, some beautiful nature shots! I see this doing decently, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if this struggled and something else went through instead. |
| Jazzi’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Semi Final | Semi-Finals |
The third heat of Melodifestivalen 2022 is set to commence on the 19th of February at 20:00CET. Don’t forget to follow That Eurovision Site to keep up to date with the latest coverage of Melodifestivalen 2022.
Sweden’s Eurovision Journey
In 1958, Sweden made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Alice Babs representing them with the song “Lilla stjärna” which placed fourth. Since their debut, the Scandinavian nation has managed to win six times (1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, and 2015).
In 2021, Sweden was represented by Tusse, who won the 60th edition of Melodifestivalen and competed with the song “Voices”, which managed to qualify for the Grand Final and placed 14th with 109 points from the jury and televoters.
What are your thoughts about the Melodifestivalen rehearsals? How do you think the show will go on Saturday night? As always, let us know what you think by getting in touch in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ on our social media – we are on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Source: SVT / Annika Berglund
