🇸🇪 TES Reviews: Deltävling 1 of Melodifestivalen 2023

With less than 48 hours to go until Melodifestivalen 2023 is due to commence, Jazzi and Ben had a chance to watch some of the rehearsals for the first heat of the competition, where they give their opinions and predictions for Saturday’s show.

Tone Sekelius – “Rhythm of My Show”

The staging starts off very dark, but as Tone starts singing you get flashes of purple and red flames on the backdrop. Tone is dressed in a short black number, the top is very suit like along with a short black skirt. This suits the feel to the song very well. Tone is joined by 6 dancers on stage, the choreography to this is very fun, but also very sharp.

In the bridge of the song, the tempo slows and there is lighting changes from the purple/red colours to a black backdrop with white strobing effects. There are lots quick of close up shots of Tone and her dancers. As the last chorus kicks in the purple and red lighting returns, however the white strobing effect remains, showing this song is really bringing the party. Before the last chorus ends everything fades to black before quickly exploding with colour at the end.

What did we think of the rehearsal?

Jazzi	Ben
This was a really fun energetic performance, this is totally different to Tone’s song last year. There is a really gritty element to this. This is up-tempo like last year’s track but has a Latin feel to the song. Tone also performs this with such personality I will for sure be listening to this over and over once it’s released.	Last year Tone embodied a classic schlager diva, and this year she is serving modern pop princess. It is a very slick performance, and she owns the stage. The song also has a great club feel. I really love it.
Jazzi’s Prediction	Ben’s Prediction
Semi-Final	Semi-Final

LouLou LaMotte – “”Inga Sorger””

LouLou is in a green outfit for her performance, the staging for this starts off very dark, with a slight strobing effect, LouLou starts off alone on stage, in the chorus the lighting becomes brighter and very warm. It becomes apparent as the song goes on LouLou will remain on stage alone for the entire performance. Lou Lou really gives all her personality to this song.

As the bridge approaches it fades completely to black again with only a small strobing effect, before the lights really kick in for the last chorus. The dark black lighting is fully lifted to a blue with lots of strobing lights, you get a really celebratory feel from this performance. The staging is simple but effective through LouLou’s personality.

What did we think of the rehearsal?

Jazzi	Ben
I thought the song was really nice, and I really liked how although it was simple, this still put a smile on my face. You can tell that LouLou is so happy on the stage, I hope this is memorable enough to get through as I personally really enjoyed this.	The song is very sweet and positive. LouLou’s voice is as stunning as always and her brightness shines through the performance. I really hope the public gives this song the respect it deserves, but I fear we may lose her on Saturday.
Jazzi’s Prediction	Ben’s Prediction
7th	5th

Rejhan – “Haunted”

Very simple staging for Rejhan here, the first verse basically is close up’s of Rejhan, he is in a white shirt and trousers, the staging is all dark with just a spotlight on him, as we go into the chorus we see more wide shots, but we also continue to see close-up shots as well.

The white lighting becomes more prominent in the second chorus, you also see a contemporary dancer on a platform behind Rehjan. In the bridge the white lighting lifts and we see dark red lighting as tension builds in this ballad, the red lights are flashing somewhat. As we reach the end of the song it goes dark like in the first verse, before the darkness lifts for the last chorus, lots of white lighting, a sense of hope in this staging. The song ends with a nice close-up shot of Rejhan

What did we think of the rehearsal?

Jazzi	Ben
This isn’t a genre that would typically appeal to me, however the song is really nice, and while simple the staging also really works with the song. The camera work in this is also really nice, I am unsure however if this heat is too strong for Rejhan to stand out.	I am not a big fan of the ballads that are the same level the whole song. I understand the appeal, but for me the build comes too late and then drops back down again. Otherwise, its a clean performance even if he seemed kinda nervous.
Jazzi’s Prediction	Ben’s Prediction
Semi-Final	7th

Elov & Beny – “”Raggen Går””

Elov and Beny start off with the LED behind them as if they were in the middle of a street. They are both in black pants and a black jacket. Midway through the first verse, two dancers in 60’s inspired red polka dot tops appear. As they head into the first chorus, the camera tightens in on them as props are rolled out. When the chorus starts, the prop is revealed to be the front half of a car while the led changes to footage driving down a winding road. After some 60’s inspired choreo, they all hop in the car as if they were driving down the road.

For the second verse, the scenery changes to a diner. It is also here that the backing vocalist’s red and black flame outfits are shown. The rest of the second verse and chorus continues with more choreo. Eventually, they head over to the satellite stage and a hot dog stand for the bridge/rap. We end back on the main stage for more choro.

What did we think of the rehearsal?

Jazzi	Ben
This is really fun, this will get the audience dancing for sure, For me this isn’t as dynamic as Medina from last year, however it is still a really fun song that I am sure will stand out to the audience.	The song is very fun and energetic. However, the choreo seemed really cheesy to me and it felt a bit chaotic at times. The fun chaos does do well sometimes so I think this could connect with the audience.
Jazzi’s Prediction	Ben’s Prediction
5th	Semi-Final

Victor Crone – “Diamonds”

We start with Victor alone on a smoky stage. He is in a half unbuttoned lacy black top and white pants. Throughout most of the verses, the LED behind him is a single line, and it becomes very triangular with some moving lines during the chorus. The triangular parts of the LED are very fluid and move with him. similarly, the camera shots are very fluid and move around Victor throughout the performance.

What did we think of the rehearsal?

Jazzi	Ben
I really liked Victor’s other entries, so I also really enjoy this, I think this will definitely make the top 4 at least on Saturday. Victor seems to be ore confident on the stage than he was in previous years.	The song is pretty consistent with the rest of his entries. The LED isn’t as spectacular as it needs to be for him to be alone on stage. Overall, if you’ve seen another Victor entry, you’ve seen this one.
Jazzi’s Prediction	Ben’s Prediction
Direkt til Finalen	6th

Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos – “”Länge Leve Livet””

Eva and Ewa open on a colorful and very cabaret inspired stage. Ewa is in a gold sequined top and pants and Eva is wearing a gold, flapper inspired, dress. They are joined by four dancers holding trumpets and trombones. Eva & Ewa start on a pedestal with the dancers on the stage around them. In the chorus, they begin to do some choreo that feels 1920’s inspired.

When the second verse starts, a circular graphic comes on the screen framing Eva & Ewa, and the dancers bring burlesque feathers in front of them. As the verse continues, more feathers appear moving around them and almost covering them up. At the end of the second chorus, they join the dancers down on the stage for more dancing. The bridge is then a jazz skat with the camera snapping where they look. The final chorus is filled with more dancing as Eva & Ewa close it out.

What did we think of the rehearsal?

Jazzi	Ben
I love Eva and Ewa, they just seem to love life and everything they do does put a smile on my face. This doesn’t grab me as much as their 2021 entry, however this will still be a really fun moment on Saturday.	These two are ICONS. I had a massive smile on my face the entire performance. It is so fun and joyful, and they ooze charisma and joy on stage. They dance their hearts out and Sweden better vote their hearts out for them. If this isn’t direkt til finalen I might need to fly to Sweden to chastise the whole country.
Jazzi’s Prediction	Ben’s Prediction
6th	Direkt til Finalen

Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc North feat. Adam Woods – “”Where You Are (Sávečan)””

Jon Henrik, North, and Woods open on a metallic, raised, stage with LED tube lights arranged in a hexagonal pattern behind them. JHF starts out wearing a white fur cloak with the Sámi flag colors on the collar. Adam is in a silver lame puffer vest and Arc is in a jacket of a similar material. The first verse starts with JHF on a raised part of their custom stage with a blue crystal eye behind them. As we get closer to the chorus, pictures of nature, an eye, and factories flash on screen. This continues throughout the performance.

Before the second chorus, Jon Henrik steps down to the fog covered main stage and is joined by a dancer. After some choreo, JHF goes back up to join Arc and Adam for the final chorus where the LED shows images of snow capped mountains and forests. Finally, they end in a silhouette shot of all three which flickers into a shot of a snowy forest.

What did we think of the rehearsal?

Jazzi	Ben
This brings together two different styles really well, this is a upbeat and uplifting track, I have no doubts in regards to this sailing through on Saturday. This has the most winner-ish vibes from today’s rehearsals.	As a big fan of indigenous cultures being represented in national finals, I love this. Jon Henrik’s joik is complimented by a great EDM backtrack, and they made the stage uniquely theirs. My only gripe is that the constant images flickering on screen is a bit disorienting especially if you are sensitive to flashing images. Otherwise a stellar performance.
Jazzi’s Prediction	Ben’s Prediction
Direkt til Finalen	Direkt til Finalen

The first heat of Melodifestivalen 2023 is set to commence on the 4th February at 20:00CET. Don’t forget to follow That Eurovision Site to keep up to date with the latest coverage of Melodifestivalen 2023.

What we know about Melodifestivalen 2023

Melodirestivalen 2023 will be hosted by Farah Abadi & Jesper Rönndahl, with the shows for next year’s comeptition taking place as follows:

• Heat 1 – February 4 –  Gothenburg – Scandinavium
• Heat 2 – February 11 – Linköping – Saab Arena
• Heat 3 – February 18 – Lidköping – Sparbanken Arena
• Heat 4 – February 25 – Malmö – Malmö Arena
• Semi-Final – March 4 – Örnsköldsvik – Hägglunds Arena
• Final – March 11 – Stockholm – Friends Arena

The running order for this year’s shows can be found right here. Whilst, tickets for the Melodifestivalen 2023 shows are now available to purchase.

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 its debut, the Scandinavian nation has managed to win six times (1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, and 2015).

In 2022, Sweden was represented by Cornelia Jakobs, who won the 61st edition of the competition and competed with the song “Hold Me Closer”, which managed to qualify for the Grand Final and placed 4th with 438 points from the jury and televoters.

Are you excited for Melodifestivalen 2023? What do you think of the running order for this year’s competition? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tik-Tok as we prepare for Eurovision 2023!

News Source: SVT

Photo Credit: Alma Bengtsson, SVT for Melodifestivalen 2023