Deltävling 2 of Melodifestivalen 2023 is happening this week, and Ben and Angus had a chance to watch some of the rehearsals for the second heat of the competition. These are their opinions and predictions for Saturday’s show.
Wiktoria – “All My Life (Where Have You Been)”
A spotlight on Wiktoria, who is wearing a sparkly pink out, and a lit-up set of stairs is all the light we get for the opening of the song. As the beat kicks in, more lights come on, with lots of pink everywhere. As the chorus hits, Wiktoria gets joined by two dancers. The background starts looking like a pink starry sky.
For the second chorus, the second duo of dancers joins everyone on stage and they all do some choreography together. Throughout the song we get medium shots from the front and sometimes slightly from the side. For the bridge, Wiktoria and her dancers make a 180 and turn us around with them, so that the camera faces them and the audience. Turning back, we see the set starting to change, and for the last chorus we get the big reveal. The track slows down for a second, and the lights dim. When the beat and tempo kicks in again, the lights do too and we can finally see a big glittery W standing on the stage.
Photo Credit: SVT / Alma Bengtsson for Melodifestivalen 2023
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Ben | Angus |
| So happy to see Wiktoria back again at Mello!! Her recognisable voice is beautiful along with her outfit and the staging. Really like the soft disco vibe to the song. However, the song isn’t as catchy as her previous entries I still think she will easily qualify. | The song is cute, and so is the staging. There is nothing too big or dramatic happening here, but Wiktoria is a big name and a great performer. I don’t see a reason to predict anything other than her Mello-finalist streak continuing. |
| Ben’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Direkt til Finalen | Direkt til Finalen |
Eden – “Comfortable”
Warm lights around the stage light up Eden and the guitarist as we spin around them. Eden, who is wearing a white top and some grey-ish trousers, has her attention mostly focused on guitarist Lovisa, while making occasional eye contact with the camera.
The string players, which he have been able to just barely hear so far, get lit up and receive some close-ups halfway through the performance. Eden stands up and now sings directly to the camera. We now get the full mix of clsoe, medium, and wide shots, the zoom outs and zoom ins. The stuff you’d expect from Mello. Towards the end of the song, the guitarist joins Eden in standing at the front of the stage.
Photo Credit: SVT / Alma Bengtsson for Melodifestivalen 2023
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Ben | Angus |
| A very sweet and touching song. Love the chemistry on stage between Eden and the guitarist as well as the orchestral players in the background. However, it wouldn’t surprise me if this song was left in the heats. | It’s a solid song and it is staged and performed well. However, Sweden typically isn’t that kind to songs like this, and it didn’t grab me as much emotionally as I hoped it would. Eden and his song deserve better, but I don’t expect this to go through. |
| Ben’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 6th | 6th |
Uje Brandelius – “Grytan”
Uje is sitting down behind a table and sings directly to the camera. His table and the furniture set in the back all are a beautiful rich, orangey yellow. In the back three women, Uje’s backing singers, are wearing a similar blue overall to Uje and grab some drinks. Two of them walk off, while the remaining mimes having a discussion before also leaving the frame.
The camera has been static throughout, but now we and Uje start turning around. We pan past the backing singers, and one of them gets up and walks along with Uje. Once a full circle has been completed, the lighting on the women turns red and the music gets a bit darker, before the lights turn bright again for the end. As the performance ends, we cut away to a wider shot as Uje remains seated and the other singers walk to the front of the stage.
Photo Credit: SVT / Alma Bengtsson for Melodifestivalen 2023
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Ben | Angus |
| First I thing that really interested me was the staging concept. The staging really makes the song stand out. The song itself reminds me of a movie soundtrack for some reason? Nice break of the fourth wall at the end. However, the song just doesn’t make the cut in comparison to the others in this heat. | I’m sure no one will be surprised to learn I love this song, and the staging is both interesting and a perfect fit for the song. This entire package really stands out against all the ultra slick and poppy performances we usually get. Which is also why I think this will go precisely nowhere, sadly. |
| Ben’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 7th | 7th |
Panetoz – “On My Way”
The background is a teal-to-black gradient as we start with one performer, zooming in on him. As the camera zooms out again, all of Panetoz is now on the screen as they dance and sing together. Two female dancers join them in the build-up to the chorus. At this point, the background transform into a tropical beach scene, in which the setting sun is replaced by an orange slice. For the verses, the gradient returns, but with purple instead of teal.
We get to see a mix of close-ups of individual members and middle and wide shots showing the entire group throughout the performance. Panetoz and the dancers dance, move, and walk around throughout the performance, extensively interacting with the camera as they do so.
Photo Credit: SVT / Alma Bengtsson for Melodifestivalen 2023
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Ben | Angus |
| A nice refreshing energy and a stand out within the heat. Nice to Swedish in another song too. Extremely catchy with a Latin vibe along with a charismatic group. Personally my favourite of all the songs in the heat. I hope to see them advance DTF or to the semi-finals. | Bright, colourful, and a lot of energy after some slower songs. There will be a good chunk of voters drawn to this, and I expect this to do decently well. The song isn’t quite catchy enough to be DTF, but I do expect to see Panetoz back in the semi-finals. |
| Ben’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Semi-Final | Semi-Final |
Tennessee Tears – “Now I Know”
The song opens to a video of two children behind the two artists, presuming that these children are the duo. Both of the artists are stood together side by side surrounded by warm lighting with Jonas playing his guitar. As the song progresses to the chorus, the stage lights up with a burnt orange sunset while the two children are running through some fields in the background. A small band appears behind them as well.
Into the second chorus, the background changes once again to the children, who have now aged into their teenage years walking through the fields. The camera follows Tilda as she sings her solo. The background then returns back to the original. At the final chorus, the pair turn towards each other and ends with an image of the two children hugging each other.
Photo Credit: SVT / Alma Bengtsson for Melodifestivalen 2023
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Ben | Angus |
| Swedish country pop, what Sweden does best. Particularly love her voice when she does her solo. Love the chemistry between the two at the end. Unfortunately, I believe it will just miss out on qualifying. | It’s an uplifting sounding, radio friendly track with a solid staging package. The song is also pretty catchy. While I don’t think it will survive the heat, I definitely could see this qualify if one of my predictions underwhelms on the night. |
| Ben’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| 5th | 5th |
Maria Sur – “Never Give Up”
Maria is lit by a spotlight, while lighting behind her flashes to the beat of the song. To begin with there are up-close camera shots of Maria while smoke is emitted behind her. Along with two lighting bars, diagonally, either side of her. These bars begin to rise before we reach the chorus. At the chorus, there are now flashes of blue/purple/green lighting behind her but then reverse back to white and purple lighting as we enter the second verse.
At the bridge, Maria is only illuminated by a pink spotlight and as we enter the final chorus, Maria is joined by six backing singers behind her. The stage is now a lit in warm and white lighting. The song ends with a spotlight on Maria.
Photo Credit: SVT / Alma Bengtsson for Melodifestivalen 2023
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Ben | Angus |
| Amazing voice and beautiful ominous staging. Loved the bridge of the song, very touching and impactful. However, I do question whether the styling compliments her song or the staging well. Either way this will most likely be DTF. | Maria has strong stage and camera presence, and the staging is fairly simple yet effective. With Mello viewers loving a strong personal story to go along with the entries, this is a likely candidate to go through. |
| Ben’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Direkt til Finalen | Semi-Final |
THEOZ – “Mer av dig”
THEOZ is illuminated by a spotlight but then additional spotlights reveal his four backing dancers. The background is a white/red/black mosaic. As we enter the chorus, THEOZ is joined by two more backing dancers. The mosaic background now includes shades of blue. Colourful lighting throughout illuminates the stage. The second verse gives the spotlight back to THEOZ and his two backing dancers and the other dancers eventually come back into the performance. The second chorus includes a small amount of pyro smoke.
As we enter the bridge of the song, THEOZ is surrounded by a mosaic panelling which flashes white and red. At the final chorus, the panelling is moved towards the back of the stage and we are dazzled by the use of pyro until the end of the song.
Photo Credit: SVT / Alma Bengtsson for Melodifestivalen 2023
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Ben | Angus |
| Straight away from the first few notes it’s very cheerful, upbeat and bright. By far the catchiest song within the heat with a catchy whistle. The performance never bored me either! Good old key change after the bridge. Either Maria Sur is going to DTF or THEOZ without a doubt. | THEOZ is a talented performer and a natural on the stage. He also happens to have the catchiest song of this entire heat. Energetic, a good song to close the evening on, and pyro is also always a plus. You can expect to see this again in the final. |
| Ben’s Prediction | Angus’ Prediction |
| Semi-Final | Direkt til Finalen |
The second heat of Melodifestivalen 2023 is set to take place on the 11th 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 (RESULTS)
- 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
