With just over 24 hours to go until the third night of Melodifestivalen 2024 kicks off, Daniel and Tim had a chance to watch some of the rehearsals for the third semi-final of the competition, where they give their opinions and predictions for Saturday’s show.
Jacqline – “Effortless”
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist / SVT for Melodifestivalen 2024
We see Jacqline in a rectangle shape box, and is lowered from the air, with the spotlight shining right behing her. She starts off the performance in the middle of the stage, and is then joined by four female backing singers. After the first chorus, Jacqline and the dancers move out of the box, but remain within the vicnity. When the second chorus comes up, Jacqline and the dancers move our of the platform and walk towards the front of the stage, where Jacqline dance. Towards the end of the performance, Jacqline returns to the box and is lifted a few feet in the air as the per
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Daniel | Tim |
| A really good stage production from start to finish. A modern sounding pop tune with sharp choreography and good vocals from Jacqline. I do think the song could use a bit more oomph but all the signs point to a good placement. Wasn’t expecting the staging to go where it did in the end but I do like it. | This is very upbeat. Jacqline’s vocals really shines through. I think the performance could do with a bit more oomph in terms of transition in angles, but I am very impressed with what I have seen so far. |
| Daniel’s Prediction | Tim’s Prediction |
| Direkt til Finalen / 1st | Direkt til Finalen / 1st |
Clara Klingenström – “Aldrig Mer”
Photo Credit: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2024
Clara’s in a black sparkly dress top with tights and boots, and is standing infront of what looks to be a cloth cube with strands draping down forming a backdrop behind her. She’s of course brought the guitar with her, and for the bulk of the song carries herself in a manner very similar to her Melodifestivalen 2021 performance. Before the climax of the song, she picks the wired mic off of its stand, and crouches down, laying her guitar to the floor, before standing up again to finish the song without the guitar, however on this occasion it appears she hit a snag as her now free hand goes behind her back, clearly struggling, and emerges holding something.
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Daniel | Tim |
| If I’ve not made it abundantly clear since I joined the site quite how much I love Clara Klingenström as an artist then I’m not doing my job properly. I Absolutely love everything about it. Clara looks and sounds great on stage, and the song is already tunneling its way to the centre of my brain after just one listen. I don’t think it quite matches up to Behöver inte dig idag, but I don’t think anything ever will for me. Call off this show and the others after it, this one’s my winner. I just hope Sweden agrees. | I have to say, it is not easy following up “Behöver Inte Dig Idag”, but I think that Clara did a great job in doing so. It is something that is more of a grower (for me, personally), but let’s see how Sweden decides this weekend. |
| Daniel’s Prediction | Tim’s Prediction |
| Direkt Til Finalen / 2nd | Still In Competition (3rd) |
Kim Cesarion – “Take My Breath Away”
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2024
We see Kim in the middle of the stage standing along, with the spotlight on him, and starts walking towards of the front of the stage, where he is joined by two dancers. This then increases to four, as Kim moves towards the front further. When the chorus kicks in, the lights start to kick in, and we see the dancers dance around him on the sides. After the first chorus, we see the camera and Kim do a 360, where two backing singers join Kim and the dancers on stage. Kim and the dancers stay on the same position, with numerous camera angles used towards the end of the performance.
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Daniel | Tim |
| No fault to the good vocal performance, but this is just not my thing at all. Looks and sounds like something from Sweden’s 2010s basic male pop song streak, which for some will be really appealing, but I’m in a camp of Melfest moving away from songs like this, because I really like the Sweden of the 2020s. | Very interesting, Kim’s soulful vocals really shine through, I like the dance moves, it does remind me a bit of Robin Bengtsson for some reason. Overall, I like the camera work, and I know that the camera transitions would be much smoother come Saturday. |
| Daniel’s Prediction | Tim’s Prediction |
| Still In Competition / 4th | Still In Competition / 4th |
Klaudy – “För dig”
Photo Credit: Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2024
As the song starts Klaudy is crouched down, surrounded by his staging, what looks to be a field of wheat and wildflowers. There is smoke coming from machines behind this setup. There is liberal usage of the LEDs behind him on the stage with some flashing as well as others providing a spotlight for him to sing in. Below the “field” there is a pulsing pattern reminiscent of waves gently rolling against a shoreline. As the melody picks up slightly the smoke and lights turn purple, and a similar rippling effect is seen on the side screens.
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Daniel | Tim |
| Standing in a field is the second best staging concept behind standing infront of lanterns, so I’m instantly drawn to it, and it is executed beautifully. Klaudy can sing well, and the song itself is a really sweet pop ballad, that I’ll enjoy on the night, but wouldn’t be inspired enough to vote for. I think it lacks a bit of flair that will make it get somewhat lost in a competitive heat that has its fair share of fireworks. I’d love to be proven wrong, but I can’t see this progressing. | Sometimes, you don’t need much for staging, and your vocals are all you need to shine through. Personally, I think Klaudy does a great job with this. The only concern for me is if whether or not it will appeal to everyone. |
| Daniel’s Prediction | Tim’s Prediction |
| Out / 6th | Out / 5th |
Gunilla Persson – “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)”
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist / SVT for Melodifestivalen 2024
We see Gunilla in a circular platform, with the desser in a background, and is joined by four backing dancers in cowboy outfits. In the first half of the song, Gunilla stays on the platform, whilst the dancers dance around her. When we get to the second chorus, Gunilla leaves the circular platform to go towards the front of the stage, while the backing dancers take turn dancing on the circular platform. Towards the end of the song, Gunilla returns to the platform, whilst the dancers dance around. This remains until the end when the pyro comes into play.
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Daniel | Tim |
| It’s certainly something. Probably something I would enjoy a lot more if I knew who Gunilla was before Melfest. Fits the older participant novelty act entry mould, but I think the likes of Eva & Ewa did it far better. I think she’s lacking a bit of charisma that made the former work so well, but it is still a type of song that adds variety to the competition. | Now, we all know Gunilla is not rally a performer, but I have to hand it to her, she does a decent job with this, its nice to have something different on the stage. |
| Daniel’s Prediction | Tim’s Prediction |
| Out / 5th | Out / 6th |
Cazzi Opeia – “Give My Heart A Break”
Photo: Stina Stjernkvist / SVT for Melodifestivalen 2024
Dressed in a sparkly pink tinsel-like jumpsuit, the song opens with Cazzi sitting in a yellwow box adorned with flowers, and a keyhole shape cut out of it, where she’s sat. She’s joined on stage by a group of dancers in some particularly fetching yellow leotards with pink polka dots, and a pink heart on their heads. The palms of their hands have eyes drawn on them, reminiscent of Chérine’s Eurosong staging. She makes usage of the LED screens throughout, ending with a flurry of yellow and pink hearts, the same shade as those on her dancers.
What did we think of the rehearsal?
| Daniel | Tim |
| In a word, whimsical. You can tell from the very first second it’s a Cazzi Opeia song, with a really fun beat, and the staging and dancers remind me of Chérine’s performance the in Belgian Eurosong last year. Cazzi is a good vocalist and brilliant songwriter, but I don’t think this is her strongest work and have to say I was expecting more from her. Visually It’s a very attention grabbing performance that I think can win over the younger age brackets. | Now what I love about Cazzi Opeia is that there is always a distinct sound, but it doesn’t seem so repetitive, which is the case for “Give My Heart A Break”. I love how colourful and bubbly the performance is, and Cazzi just shines through here and I love it. |
| Daniel’s Prediction | Tim’s Prediction |
| Still In Competition / 3rd | Direkt til Finalen / 2nd |
The third heat of Melodifestivalen 2024 is set to commence on the 3rd February at 20:00CET. Don’t forget to follow That Eurovision Site to keep up to date with the latest coverage of Melodifestivalen 2024!
What we know about Melodifestivalen 2024
As revealed back in June – the Semi Final stage is no more. Two artists from each heat will go directly to the final (10 artists in total), and the two remaining places will be allocated via a run-off vote among the 3rd and 4th placers in each heat, bringing us to 12 artists in the final.
The dates and venues for this year’s competition are as follows:
- Semi-Final 1 – February 3 – Malmö – Malmö Arena (RESULTS)
- Semi-Final 2 – February 10 – Gothenburg – Scandinavium (RESULTS)
- Semi-Final 3 – February 17 – Växjö – Vida Arena
- Semi-Final 4 – February 24 – Eskilstuna – Stiga Sports Arena
- Semi-Final 5 – March 2 – Karlstad – Löfbergs Arena
- Final – March 9 – Stockholm – Friends Arena
The shows will be hosted by Carina Berg. Tickets for this year’s edition of the competition went on sale in early November.
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 seven times (1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, 2015 and 2023).
In 2023, Loreen returned to represent Sweden, who won the 2012 edition of the competition. She competed with the song “Tattoo”, which managed to qualify for the Grand Final, and placed 1st with 583 points. Loreen won the jury vote, accruing 340 points from the jury, earning an additional 243 points from the televote. This now means Sweden matches Ireland for the record of most wins in Eurovision history.
Are you excited for Melodifestivalen 2024? 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 2024!
News Source: SVT
Photo Credit: Stina Stjernkvist /SVT for Melodifestivalen 2024
Tim J