Melodifestivalen 2018 will have a line-up with many new artists, taking the big stage for the first time. Broadcaster SVT released the names of the 28 participating acts this Tuesday morning, with Kikki Danielsson and Jessica Andersson as the only names that ever went to Eurovision before.
This marks a big change, when compared to recent years. There are a lot of artists that make their Melodifestivalen debut overall. However, Benjamin Ingrosso, Samir & Viktor, Mimi Werner, Mendez, Felix Sandman, Felicia Olsson and Marietta all participated before. Whereas Margaret took a shot for Poland in 2016 with her internet hit “Cool me Down“.
The line-up for Melodifestivalen 2018
Below you can see all 28 competing acts and the shows will perform in, trying to get a ticket for the grand final or Andra Chansen.
Semi-final 1, 3rd of February, Karlstad:
Renaida – All The Feels
Benjamin Ingrosso – Dance You Off (MF 2017)
Edward Blom – Livet på en pinne
John Lundvik – My Turn
Kikki Danielsson – Osby Tennesse (ESC 1982 and 1985)
Sigrid Bernson – Patrick Swayze
Kamferdrops – Solen lever kvar hos dig
Semi-final 2, 10th of February, Göteborg:
Ida Redig – Allting som vi sa
Jonas Gardell – Det finns en väg
Margaret – In my Cabana (Poland NF 2016)
Liamoo – Last Breath
Samir & Viktor – Shuffla (MF 2015 and 2016)
Mimi Werner – Songburning (MF 2015)
Stiko Per Larsson – Titta vi flyger
Semi-final 3, 17th of February, Malmö:
Martin Almgren – A Bitter Lullaby
Dotter – Cry
Moncho – Cuba Libre
Mendez – Every Day (MF 2002)
Kalle Moraeus & Orsa Spelmän – Min Dröm
Jessica Andersson – Party Voice (ESC 2003)
Barbi Escobar – Stark
Semi-final 4, 24th of February, Örnsköldsvik:
Felicia Olsson – Break That Chain (MF 2013)
Felix Sandman – Every Single Day (MF 2017)
Mariette – For You (MF 2015 and 2017)
Rolandz – Fuldans
Emmi Christensson – Icarus
Elias Abbas – Mitt Paradis
Olivia – Never Learn
Format of Melodifestivalen 2018
Melodifestivalen 2018 will be the 58th edition of the Swedish music competition Melodifestivalen, which will select Sweden’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. The competition will take place over a six-week period between the 3rd of February and 10th of March 2018.
The format of the competition will consist of 6 shows: 4 semi-final rounds, a second chance round and also a grand final. The 28 competing entries will then be divided into four semi-finals, with seven compositions in each. From each semi-final, the songs that earn first and second place qualify directly to the final, while the songs that place third and fourth proceed to the Second Chance round. The bottom three songs in each semi-final will be eliminated from the competition. Then an additional four entries qualify from the Second Chance round to the final, bringing the total number of competing entries in the final to 12. All 6 shows will be hosted by David Lindgren.
Melodifestivalen-winner always a success at Eurovision
In recent years, Sweden has been (one of the) most successful countries in the Eurovision Song Contest. The ability to win such a big contest like Melodifestivalen is almost a guarantee of success at Eurovision as well. In the last four years, the Nordic country made it to the top-5 of the contest, including ‘I can’t go on’ by Robin Bengtsson in Kiev 2017.