Former Eurovision participants Robin Bengtsson and Anna Bergendahl are taking part in Melodifestival again in 2020. Swedish broadcaster SVT has published the line-up for Melfest 2020 and it includes a lot of big names and returning artists.
Just like every year in Sweden, where Eurovision is extremely popular, many big names in the Swedish music industry take part. Artists like Mohombi, Linda Bengtzing, Mendez, Mariette and Nanne Grönvall are on the list again. Another notable name is the one of Victor Crone, who represented Estonia at Eurovision 2019 with the song ‘Storm’ and made it to the final.
The full line-up for Melodifestivalen 2020 can be seen below, with the descriptions of the official press release from SVT:
Heat 1: Linköping 1/2 2020
• Ballerina – Malou Prytz
Songwriters: Thomas G:son, Peter Boström, Jimmy Jansson
Malou had a breaktrough in Melodifestivalen 2019 with a surprise qualification to the final, singing ”I Do Me”. She has since followed up the success with releasing new music and performing nationally. Now she returns, looking to surpass the 12th place from last time.
• Boys With Emotions – Felix Sandman
Songwriters: Tony Ferrari, Parker James, Peter Thomas, Philip Bentley, Nicki Adamsson, Felix Sandman
Felix started out in the successful boy band FO&O (formerly The Fooo), which made it to the final in the 2017 Melodifestivalen. The next year he went solo, making it all the way to the runner-up spot in the final with the ballad ”Every Single Day”. In the 2019 Melodifestivalen, he opened the final with Benjamin Ingrosso and their duet hit song ”Tror du att han bryr sig”.
• Inga problem – OVÖ
Songwriters: Nicholas Frandsen, Lukas Nathanson, Jean-Willy Akofely, Nickie Osenius Kouakou
The duo OVÖ (”Om Vi Överlever”, i.e. ”If We Survive”) was formed in 2017 by the artists Finess and Ivory, who both has successful solo careers. Their music is influenced by pop, afrobeats and African dance music.
• Move – The Mamas
Songwriters: Melanie Wehbe, Patrik Jean, Herman Gardarfve
The Mamas was formed as backing singers for John Lundviks winning song ”Too Late for Love” in 2019. They have since become an independent group, with the members Loulou Lamotte, Ashley Haynes and Dinah Yonas Manna. The original member Paris Renita is however off to other projects and is no longer part of the group.
• Moves – Suzi P
Songwriters: Joy Deb, Suzi Pancekov, Aniela Eklund, Malou Ruotsalainen, Chanel Tukia, Kenny Silverdique
Suzi Pancekov, 16, has created a fan base by interpreting Swedish hiphop songs on Instagram and Youtube. She released her debut single ”Shunon” earlier this year, creating a controversy when performing it with a censored version of the lyrics in a SVT children’s show. She has also been a guest act for several Swedish artists.
• Sluta aldrig gå – Sonja Aldén
Songwriters: Bobby Ljunggren, David Lindgren Zacharias, Sonja Aldén
Sonja has taken part in Melodifestivalen both as an artist and as a songwriter. After her stage debut in the contest in 2006, as Sonya, she returned in force in 2007 with ”För att du finns”. The song became a major hit and lead her to the titles Newcomer of the Year and Song of the Year in the Svensktoppen radio chart. In early 2008 she won the ”Swedish Female Artist of the Year” in the Rockbjörnen Awards. In 2012, she returned to Melodifestivalen, finishing 6th in the semi final with ”I din himmel”. Last spring she released the single ”Vi har varit här förut”.
• Take A Chance – Robin Bengtsson
Songwriters: Jimmy Jansson, Karl-Frederik Reichhardt, Marcus Winther-John
Robin got his education for TV in the 2008 Swedish Idol, finishing 3rd. In 2013 he released his first single, under the stage name B Robin. In 2016 he made his Melodifestivalen debut with ”Constellation Prize”, finishing 5th in the final. The next year, he returned and won it all with ”I Can’t Go On”, eventually finishing 5th in Eurovision. In 2019, he took part in Strictly Come Dancing Sweden with the professional dancer and Melodifestivalen 2018 singer Sigrid Bernson.
Deltävling 2: Göteborg 8/2 2020
• Alla mina sorger – Linda Bengtzing
Songwriters: Yvonne Dahlbom, Jesper Welander, Adam Jönsson, Linda Bengtzing
Linda Bengtzing enters Melodifestivalen for the 7th time, and becomes the artist competing as a solo act during the most Melodifestivalen years ever. She made her debut in the contest with ”Alla flickor” back in 2005 and last took part with ”Killer Girl” in 2016.
• Bulletproof – Dotter
Songwriters: Dino Medanhodzic, Johanna Jansson (Dotter), Erik Dahlqvist
Johanna Jansson is a singer and songwriter who made her debut in 2014 with the stage name Dotter (”Daughter”). She first took part in Melodifestivalen in 2017, as a songwriter for Mariette’s ”A Million Years”, finishing 4th in the final. The next year she took part as a singer herself, performing ”Cry”. The song was briefly the favourite in the odds to win Melodifestivalen but eventually finished 6th in the semi final. The next year Johanna took part as a songwriter for Lina Hedlund’s ”Victorious”, finishing 11th in the final. She also released the Måns Zelmerlöw duet ”Walk With Me”, which was, along with Johnny Logan, one of the two interval acts in the Second Chance show.
• Kingdom Come – Anna Bergendahl
Songwriters: Bobby Ljunggren, Thomas G:son, Erik Bernholm, Anna Bergendahl
Anna had her national break-through in the 2008 Swedish Idol. In 2010, she debuted in Melodifestivalen and won. But in Eurovision, she was narrowly eliminated in the semi final, finishing 11th, and thus is the only Swedish act to date not making it to the Grand Final. After studying to become a doctor, Anna returned to the limelight in 2018 with new music. She made her comeback in Melodifestivalen in 2019 with ”Ashes to Ashes”, making the 10th place in the final and scoring a considerable hit nationally.
• Miraklernas tid – Thorsten Flinck
Songwriters: Thomas G:son
The director and actor Thorsten Flinck has been a musician since the 1970’s. In 2012 he made his Melodifestivalen debut, finishing 8th in the final with ”Jag reser mig igen”.
• Nobody – Klara Hammarström
Songwriters: Erik Smaaland, Palle Hammarlund, Klara Hammarström
Klara has long been a successful youth horse-rider. She was a part of the Swedish team that won the bronze medal in Eventing in the 2015 European Championships in Pony Riding. In 2018 she featured along with her parents and nine siblings in an SVT reality show. Klara aims at a music career, and released her first two singles ”Break Up Song” and ”You Should Know Me Better” earlier this year.
• Talking in My Sleep – Paul Rey
Songwriters: Paul Rey, Lukas Hällgren, Alexander Standal Pavelich
Paul started making hiphop music as a teenager and had success under the stage name P.J. In 2015, he got an American record deal, and in 2017, he released the single ”California Dreaming” with Arman Cekin and Snoop Dog. His mentor is Quincy Jones.
• Vamos Amigos – Mendez feat. Alvaro Estrella
Songwriters: Palle Hammarlund, Jimmy Jansson, Jakke Erixson, Leo Mendez
Leo Mendez scored international hit songs in the year 2000 and was a door opener when taking part in the 2002 Melodifestivalen. His song ”Adrenaline” finished 2nd in the final. He returned to the contest the following year, but subsequently took a long break, in which he among other things ran for mayor in his other home country Chile. In 2018, Mendez returned to the contest with ”Everyday”, which became a major hit in Sweden. Alvaro Estrella has an outstanding track record as a backing singer and dancer, with a 2nd place in Melodifestivalen and, in Eurovision, a 2nd place (Sweden 2011), two 3rd places (Azerbajdzjan 2013 and Russia 2016) and one 5th place (Sweden 2017). In 2014, he took part in Melodifestivalen as an artist, finishing 6th in his semi final with the song ”Bedroom”.
Deltävling 3: Luleå 15/2 2020
• Crying Rivers – Faith Kakembo
Songwriters: Jörgen Elofsson, Liz Rodrigues
Faith started singing in church choirs. Earlier this year, she took part in the P4 Nästa talent contest, finishing 3rd. She describes her music as a mix of Soul, Gospel and Jazz and counts Whitney Houston and Lauren Hill among her role model. The song is penned by international top composers Jörgen Elofsson and Lis Rodrigues, who have written for, among many others, Britney Spears and Eminem.
• Late – Amanda Aasa
Songwriters: Amanda Aasa, Siri Jansson, Erik Grahn, Alex Shield
Amanda made the final in the P4 Nästa talent contest 2019 and won the ticket for Melodifestivalen, which is awarded to one of the finalists every year. After a brief stay in the 2014 Swedish Idol, she struck a record deal and released the debut single ”Wrong Chemistry”. Amanda has been a supporting act for several successful Swedish artists, including Miss Li and others.
• Livet börjar nu – Albin Johnsén
Songwriters: Robin Stjernberg, Albin Johnsén, Gino Yonan
Albin shot to Swedish fame with the major hit ”Din soldat” in 2014. In 2015, he co-wrote ”Det rår vi inte för” with Måns Zelmerlöw and reached the Second Chance. In 2016, he took part as a singer together with Mattias Andréasson, again making the Second Chance.
• Piga & dräng – Drängarna
Songwriters: Anders Wigelius, Robert Norberg, Jimmy Jansson
Drängarna (”The Hodges”) had their first national hit song in 1995. A quarter of a century later, they are still scoring hit songs, having more than 70 million streams on Spotify. Their only previous touch on the Melodifestivalen history came when band member Robert Åhlin wrote the song for Cecilia Wennersten in 2005.
• Shout It Out – Mariette
Songwriters: Thomas G:son, Cassandra Ströberg, Alex Shield, Mariette Hansson
After many years as an active musician, Mariette took part in Swedish Idol in 2009 and finished 4th. In 2015 she qualified for Melodifestivalen and shot to stardom, finishing 3rd in the final. She has since followed up the success with two more Melodifestivalen attempts, finishing 4th and 5th in the final.
• Vem e som oss – Anis Don Demina
Songwriters: Anderz Wrethov, Johanna Elkesdotter Wrethov, Anis Don Demina, Robin Svensk
Anis is a DJ, singer and YouTube star. He made his Melodifestivalen debut with a saxophone, backing Samir & Viktor when the duo made the final with ”Shuffla” in 2018. The next year, Anis took part himself as a featuring act, backing up Zeana in ”Mina bränder”, finishing 5th in the first semi final. Now it’s time for Anis to take the front seat. Outside of the contest, he has released songs like ”On my mind” and ”Wasted”.
• Winners – Mohombi
Songwriters: Jimmy Jansson, Mohombi, Palle Hammarlund
Mohombi is known in many countries. Not for his participation in the 2005 Melodifestivalen, but rather for his work in the early 10’s, when he scored hits like ”Bumpy Ride”, working with world-class producer RedOne (who himself has taken part in Melodifestivalen 2011 and 2012 and Eurovision 2011). In 2016, he won an American Grammy Award for taking part in Pitbull’s album ”Dale”, which won the Grammy for ”Best Latin Rock Urban or Alternative Album”. In 2019, Mohombi returned to Melodifestivalen with ”Hello”, finishing 5th in the final and scoring a major hit in Sweden.
Deltävling 4: Malmö 22/2 2020
• Brave – Hanna Ferm
Songwriters: David Kjellstrand, Jimmy Jansson, Laurell Barker
Hanna competed already back in 2014, taking part in Sweden’s Got Talent, making it to the second round. Three years later, she finished as the runner-up in Swedish Idol. Hanna made her Melodifestivalen debut in 2019, singing the LIAMOO duet ”Hold You”, grabbing the third place in the final.
• Carpool Karaoke – Nanne Grönvall
Songwriters: Nanne Grönvall, Peter Grönvall
Nanne Grönvall is a Melodifestivalen legend. Since her debut in 1986, she has achieved one victory, two 2nd places and one 3rd place, and on top of that one 3rd place in Eurovision (1996). Last time we saw her as an artist in the contest was in 2007, but last year she returned as a songwriter, for Arvingarna. In 2020, she has also written one of the other songs.
• Molnljus – William Stridh
Songwriters: Markus Lidén, Christian Holmström, David Kreuger, William Stridh
William Stridh was first seen when he took part in the 2018 Swedish Idol, finishing 5th. Before that he was playing the guitar and singing in the band The Audrey. This is his Melodifestivalen debut.
• Om du tror att jag saknar dig – Jakob Karlberg
Songwriters: Nanne Grönvall, Isak Hallén, Henrik Moreborg, Jakob Karlberg
Jakob was first seen for the broad national audience in 2011, making it to the final audition of Swedish Idol. After receiving a record deal, he released ”Fan va bra”, which became a summer hit in Sweden in 2015. He has since released new singles in a steady pace.
• Surface – Ellen Benediktson & Simon Peyron
Songwriters: Paul Rey, Laurell Barker, Anderz Wrethov, Sebastian von Koenigsegg, Ellen Benediktson
Ellen was spotted when taking part in the stand-in rehearsals for Eurovision 2013, performing the French entry. The next year, she got the chance in Melodifestivalen, where she eliminate Helena Paparizou and made it to the final with ”Songbird”, finishing 7th. The next year, she returned to Melodifestivalen with ”Insomnia”, finishing 5th in the semi final. Simon Peyron is a co-founder of the metal band Outtrigger, which made it to the Second Chance in the 2014 Melodifestivalen.
• Troubled Waters – Victor Crone
Songwriters: Dino Medanhodzic, Benjamin Jennebo, Victor Crone
Victor started out with the stage name Vic Heart, releasing his first single ”Hot Summer Night” in 2011. He took part in the 2015 as a featuring singer for Behrang Miri with ”Det rår vi inte för”, making it to the Second Chance round. In 2019 he won the Estonian national selection with the song ”Storm”, eventually finishing 20th in Eurovision. The song became a considerable radio hit in Sweden.
• We Are One – Frida Öhrn
Songwriters: Frida Öhrn, Hampus Eurenius, Nicklas Eklund
Frida is a versatile musician who was first seen in Melodifestivalen back in 2004 as a part of the trio LaRoxx, finishing 5th in their semi final. She was a member of the group Oh Laura, scoring an international hit in 2007 with ”Release Me”. On top of this, she was also a member of the trio Cookies ’N’ Beans, taking part in the 2009 Melodifestivalen, finishing 5th in their semi final. In 2013, the group returned to Melodifestivalen, making it to the Second Chance round.
The entries in the respective heats are here presented in alphabetical order based on song title. The running order will be announced later. Here are the dates and host cities for Melodifestivalen 2020:
Semi-Final 1 (Linköping) – February 1st
Semi-Final 2 (Gothenburg) – February 8th
Semi-Final 3 (Luleå) – February 15th
Semi-Final 4 (Malmö) – February 22nd
Andra Chansen (Eskilstuna) – February 29th
Final (Stockholm) – March 7th