Live: Melodifestivalen 2016 kicks off

Tonight, Melodifestivalen 2016 begins with the 1st Heat also noting the start of the Swedish National Final. After the disqualification of Anna Book and her song “Himmel för tva” (as reported by ESCDaily) six artists will compete with the top two advancing to the Final and the following two competing within Andra Chansen (Second Chance round). 

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Our editors Jill and Mihalis, known from ESCDaily’s “The Eurovision Experience”, are back again for this season: together they will discuss and comment on tonight’s show, artists and songs.

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All timestamps given in CET.
SVT Webcast

[19:45] Return at 20:00 CET for the start of Melodifestivalen 2016: Heat 1.

Tonight’s first heat is held in the Scandinavium venue in Gothenburg. Tonight’s hosts are Gina Dirawi and Petra Mede, who hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 and will host Europe’s favourite music show again this year in Stockholm.

Running Order for tonight:

1. Samir & Victor – “Bada nakna”
2. Pernilla Andersson – “Mitt guld”
3. Mimi Werner – “Ain’t No Good”
4. Albin & Mattias – “Rik”
5. Robin Bengtsson – “Constellation Prize”
6. Ace Wilder – “Don’t Worry”

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Jill and Mihalis: We hope you had as much fun as we had tonight following the kick off of Melodifestivalen 2016! Stay tuned and updated and follow ESCDaily.com for the latest Eurovison news…bringing you the news as it breaks! See you next week! :*

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Here are the full results!!!

6th place: Pernilla Andersson – “Mitt guld”

5th place: Mimi Werner – “Ain’t No Good”

andra chansen qualifier: Samir & Victor – “Bada nakna”

andra chansen qualifier: Albin & Mattias – “Rik”

finalist: Robin Bengtsson – “Constellation Prize”

finalist: Ace Wilder – “Don’t Worry”

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…and tonight’s second qualifier for the Melodifestivalen is (as predicted by both Jill and Mihalis)…

Robin Bengtsson – “Constellation Prize”

Jill: Mihalis…I have to say…We are awesome at predicting! LOL

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Sweden has also chosen their andra chansen qualifiers:

Samir & Victor – “Bada nakna”

Albin & Mattias – “Rik”

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Next pair of results are in:

Ace Wilder directly qualifies for the grand Melodifestivalen final with her song “Don’t Worry”.

No big surprise for Jill, Mihalis or anyone else tonight!

Mihalis: The top favourites are always the last ones to perform in Melodifestivalen! 😉

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Next interval act: Las Ketchup and their “Ketchup Song”! Time to hit the (dance) floor for Jill and Mihalis!

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Next on stage: Anna Book performs her disqualified song “Himmel för tva” as an interval act. She gets a lot of applause and sympathy from the audience.

Mihalis: “Himmel för tva” is a typical Swedish schlager pop tune! It might have not made a huge impact at the Eurovision Song Contest but I’m sure the Swedish Melodifestivalen viewers would have loved it and voted for it! It’s a pity for her that she got disqualified!

Jill: Incredibly typical…you’re definitely right!

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First result is in:

6th place for Pernilla Andersson – “Mitt guld”! That means she is out of the race! No big surprise so far!

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All 6 songs have been performed and the lines are open.

In the meantime, Mihalis explains the Melfest rules to Jill as it is her first time actually watching the Swedish preselection: the top two will advance to the Final and the following two will compete within Andra Chansen (Second Chance Round).

Jill: So who are your favourites tonight, Mihalis?

Mihalis: Ace and Robin Bengtsson for sure! What abou yours?

Jill: I have to say exactly the same! Ace was always goin to be a qualifier favourite and Robin just stands out from the rest.

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6. Ace Wilder – “Don’t Worry”

Mihalis: Tonight’s fave and Melfest fave on stage! The “Busy Dong Nothing” girl who competed in Melodifestivalen 2014 won’t have to worry about her qualification to the final!

Jill: Yup! That combined with the cool staging will give her a big advantage.

Mihalis: It definitely works but it somehow has the flair of Mans’s staging and winning performance. Swedes seem to really go for that kind of thing!

Jill: Ace’s staging was reminiscent of Mans, with the use of the screens to create a narrative at the back. But Ace was the centre of attention here, with her figure projected in various squares that flasehed in and out around the stage.

Mihalis: The vocals were also mellow and cool. Her dance tune from her last competition was exchanged for a more funk-infused composition. Definitely a favourite to represent Sverige this year on home soil – along with Molly Sandén.

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5. Robin Bengtsson – “Constellation Prize”

Jill: “Constellation Prize” has a nice melody and Robin Bengtsson has a good voice!

Mihalis: Definitely the best one so far! And he should definitely qualify to the final! I really like the combination of his harmonica with the modern sound. And the whole act is cool…nice prop on which the singer is performing! This does really work for me!

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4. Albin & Mattias – “Rik”

Mihalis: Samir and Victor again on stage? That’s kind of the same as the first song isn’t it? Two guys, a Swedish pop tune that does not really stuck in your head!

Jill: It really is the same!

Mihalis: But this time I like the stage background, colours and lighting: black, blue, white and these abstract  faces and cars! It looks pretty nice and cool!

Jill: Maybe…(long time slience) Only a tiny bit though! It’s still not very original though.

Mihalis: Also, the two guys seem a bit lost on stage.

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3. Mimi Werner – “Ain’t No Good”

Mihalis: Now it’s about time for a country pop dance act and some dancing on stage! Jill does this feel like America to you hahahha?

Jill: It’s a weird Americana throwback almost! Squaredancing almost seems appropriate!

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2. Pernilla Andersson – “Mitt guld”

Mihalis: Now if Samir and Viktor were way too Swedish! What about this? I feel this is perfect for a cigarette or toilet break… sorry! But Jill what’s up? I see you kind of enjoying this one?

Jill: Well, the art work in the back is nice! A bit gothic with the construction and modern with the subject matter. Interesting!…but I’m studying art history so….hahah! But yeah, I agree to some extent; it’s too mellow to really make an impact!

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1. Samir & Victor – “Bada nakna”

Mihalis: The props are a rip-off of Jedward’s fountain when they competed with “Waterline” in Baku.

Jill: It doesn’t look as awkward here though. The boys’ splashing around in the water is kind of cool.

Mihalis: And now the lads are taking off their shirts! Bring on the teen girl’s and gay votes hahahha! Or do they want to make their rather lame song more interesting with that?

Jill: I fear it is just too Swedish to work in the Eurovision Song Contest.

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Jill and Mihalis: Finaaaaaallyyyyyy….#Melfest starts! Bring it on!

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The show starts with a short recap of the last 10 Swedish entries and representatives at the Eurovision Song Contest.

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All is settled for this season’s first #Melfest evening. “Come together” with our editors Jill and Mihalis, known from ESCDaily’s “The Eurovision Experience”, as they are following tonight’s show in front of their flatscreen with a huge plate of Swedish Kanelbullars and bag of popcorn.