Deltävling 4 of Melodifestivalen 2022 is happening this week, and Tim 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.
Anna Bergendahl – “Higher Power”
We see Anna standing in the middle of the stage, and standing on a circular platofrm, with lights surrounding it. In the LED backgrounds, we see horses, thunder and lightining. Throughout the performances, we see a lot of panning shots, soom closed up towards Anna, and some further away. Throughout the performances, the same type of camera shots are used, and the lights in the mini platform staged are also used significantly throughout the song.
Photo Credit: SVT / Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Tim | Angus |
| This is more country than what we would usually expect Anna to send into the competition. What I really like about this is that Anna stays true to her roots, while brigning something new to the table. The simplistic performance is more than enough to captiave the viewers. Personally, its impactful for a Direkt til Finalen spot, and hopefully i’m not proven wrong. | Anna is an amazing performer, the staging is excellent, and the chorus memorable. This has all the ingredients to do well, and I’m expecting this to get a bunch of votes across the board. We’ve seen a lot of unexpected things already happen this Melfest, but expect to see Anna in the (semi?) final. |
| Tim’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Direkt til Finalen | Direkt til Finalen |
Lillasyster – “Till Our Days Are Over”
The performance starts on some purposefully out of focus shots of the stage, before focussing on the singer, sitting at the front of the stage. He gets up and stands among his fellow band members, slotting his microphone into the microphone stand by the time the chorus rolls around. The background throughout the performance shows a video of a motorway played at high speed, creating a colourful visual effect. Besides the band and their instruments, the only thing on stage are a collection of car parts on the left and right side.
The camera shots are a mix of close ups of the members and wide shots showing the entire band. Towards the end of the song, the singer starts moving around the stage again. The performance ends on a shot of all four band members standing in the centre of the stage.
Photo Credit: SVT / Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Tim | Angus |
| This does start off slow. However, I have to hand it to Lilasyster, the build-up is worth it, they do give us a feel-good live performance, and the chorus is very catchy. If I have to be honest, I do prefer “Till Our Days Are Over” than “Pretender”. However, I am still a little bit concern that it might struggle a bit, (I don’t mind being proven wrong though) | The song starts a bit slow, but when it gets going it is powerful and catchy. Lillasyster are experienced performers and it shows, as watching this performance feels like watching a live recording of a good concert. Despite all this, I fear this will struggle. This is another quality rock entry at this year’s Mello, but I fear this will suffer the same fate as the other bands. Yes, the genre is different and Lillasyster are not new to Melfest, but I sadly just don’t see them qualifying. |
| Tim’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 6th | 7th |
Malin Christin – “Synd Om Dig”
We start behind a piano, seeing how Malin plays the piano before cutting to a close up of her face while she starts singing. The stage is completely dark except for a light behind her and the piano itself, which isn’t just a piano but also a screen. The piano displays a graphic of two hands making a variety of movements.
As the chorus kicks in the lights start turning on and the camera starts panning around Malin more and more. Towards the end of the song, she gets up from the piano and starts singing in the centre of the stage. The floor of the stage now shows the same graphics as the piano did earlier in the song. The performance ends on a shot of Malin’s silhouette.
Photo Credit: SVT / Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Tim | Angus |
| It’s very simplistic, it does remind me a bit of “When We’re Old” by Ieva in 2018 in Lisbon, but a more updated version. However, the simplisticness of things, might mean that it might be a struggle to progress further. But it is a nice ballad, and I would not mind adding this to my playlist and being in my zone while listening to it. | It’s a nice Swedish ballad with tasteful staging. Malin is a great singer, but overall… It doesn’t quite do it for me? Even though it stands out following the previous performances and what is to come, it doesn’t quite hit me or stick with me as much as I want it to, because it clearly is a quality song from a quality singer. I see this just about making it through to the Semi, and growing on me in the meantime! |
| Tim’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 7th | Semi-Final |
Tenori – “La Stella”
The two members of Tenori start with their backs to each other, while the background shows a graphic of the Moon. Red lights start flashing and the singers face forwards when the beat of the song kicks in. The background starts flashing red as well. During the chorus, the graphics on the background change to show a shining star, before changing back to the moon for the verses. The camera shots involve a lot of panning and zooming in or out. At the end of the song, a curtain of golden fireworks falls from the ceiling.
Photo Credit: SVT / Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Tim | Angus |
| This is something unique, and I think that we won’t be getting in the competition for a long time. I do love Kalle and Alexander’s harmonisations. They do have the vocal capabilities to sing the song and it is mindblowing that we still get to see these types of song in Mello. I really would like to see this progress further, I slightly need to further convincing, and who knows my predictions might change come Saturday. | Interesting, unique, and well performed. If Tenori make it through they could become genuine contenders to win Melfest 2022. That is the thing though, I don’t quite see this doing that. The performance feels too serious and earnest for people who are not a fan of this music to get swept up in it, whilst also feeling a bit too slick and borderline silly to appeal to voters who would want to vote for entries like this. I don’t think this will qualify, which is a shame, but if the performance on the night is perfect it might just squeak through. |
| Tim’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 5th | 5th |
Medina – “In im dimman”
The two members of Medina start on a dark B-stage. When the beat starts, the lights turn on and we get a shot of dancers among the crowd. For the chorus, dancers take to the main stage, who then perform a variety of choreography during the musical break. On the main stage we see fire and a background showing a variety of gold and black graphics.
Towards the end of the song Medina and their dancers walk back to the B-stage, ending their performance on a shot of everyone posing on that stage.
Photo Credit: SVT / Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Tim | Angus |
| Medina really does bring their presence on to the stage when they are performing this song. They make use of the whole stage, and they move around, and with the audience around them in Friends Arena, I think that the audience will be cheering along to this. | It’s a fun and energetic performance of a catchy song. Despite its catchiness, the melody doesn’t quite grab me. On the one hand, this kind of song hasn’t been doing great in Melfest. On the other hand, this is Medina’s big return and the staging, especially the graphics, are beautiful. |
| Tim’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Semi-Final | Semi-Final |
Angelino – “The End”
We start the performance off with a close up shot, then a zoom out shot, we see Angelino sitting in the middle of the main stage. As the song progresses on, he stays in the same position, with lights complimenting his presence in the middle of the stage throughout the performance, with minimal movements or effects.
Photo Credit: SVT / Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Tim | Angus |
| Personally, this is in line with what I would expect from a debut participant in Melodifestivalen. With a few more rounds of rehearsals until Saturday’s show, I think that he can progress further into the competition in a respectable placing in this Heat. | Angelino plays well with the cameras and sings the song well. The song itself doesn’t end up giving me that moment that makes me think people will vote for it, however. Similarly, the staging is fairly simple and understated. Not a bad choice at all, but I’ve got the distinct feeling this might not live up to some people’s expectations, and subsequently won’t make it out of this heat. |
| Tim’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Semi-Final | 6th |
Klara Hammarström – “Run To The Hills”
We start of the performance in darkness, with a bright light being projected behind Klara, then zooms out. A spotlight is then projected to Klara, as lights projected to her. As we get to the chorus, the lights surrounding her are then flashing, alongside a tree that is projected on the LED screen, which becomes brighter as the song progresses on. Throughout the performance, Klara stays on the middle of the stage, and only moves slightly, especially in the bridge when her dancers join her towards the ened of the song. Until we reach the end of the song Klara stays in the middle, with a close-up shot finishing the performance.
Photo Credit: SVT / Annika Berglund
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Tim | Angus |
| Okay hear me out, an EDM banger in Turin? – Uhm Yes please!!! I’m such a sucker, but comparing this with Klara’s previous participations in the competition, this is the one that stands out the most, and I am ready to party. | A fascinating outfit, staging that gives me a typical Melfest finalist vibe, a strong performer, and a memorable song. This has all the ingredients to do very well throughout Melfest. Expect to hear this song again in the final! |
| Tim’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Direkt til Finalen | Direkt til Finalen |
The fourth heat of Melodifestivalen 2022 is set to commence on the 26th 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
