Sweden 2019 🇸🇪 first semi final review

Fred Medeiros (United Kingdom)

Song 1 – Nano – “Chasing Rivers” – Predict Direct to the Final
Nano is back after a year break finishing second to Robin Bengtsson even though he won the public vote with Hold On. This time around focuses on a similar sounding song with a message of not Chasing Rivers or to be yourself and not a follower. With Nano’s son actually in the performance representing Nano’s younger self this will clearly be the front runner tonight.

Song 2 – High 15 – “No Drama” – Predict 6th Place
The relatively new girl group, High 15, found some fame from Sweden’s Got Talent and released their debut song, Adios. Adios is actually a solid tune but No Drama is a bit girl chant whiny. Their talents deserve a better song but this is what the have to work with. The staging looks fairly high tech for an entry like this but I don’t see them continuing in the competition.

Song 3 – Wiktoria – “Not With Me” – Predict Direct to the Final
Another artist back after a year break is Wiktoria finishing 4th in 2016 and 6th in 2017. Wiktoria always does well with the Swedish televote but not as much with the international juries. So that may be the change in sound here with Not With Me, a touching breaking up ballad without the country edge. The staging looks stunning very much in the style of Sanna’s Undo. This isn’t expected to qualify directly according to the odds but I see her beating out the other big name blonde this evening.

Song 4 – Zeana featuring Anis don Demina – “Mina Bränder” (My Fires) – Predict 5th Place
There isn’t much fun within this semifinal but this will be the closest we will get. Mina Bränder is a repetitive party dance track with a big stage show production performed by the last place finisher of Idol 2016 and the saxophone player/DJ of Samir & Viktor’s entry last year Shuffla. Everything points to this being filler but actually it’s not bad actually but this semifinal is too crowded with names that already have a fanbase.

Song 5 – Arja Saijonmaa – “Mina Fyra Årstider” (My Four Seasons) – Predict 7th Place
Arja famously missed out on the trophy in 1987 with Högt över Havet by one point to Lotta Engberg. Since that moment Arja hasn’t been as successful with her other entries. Now at the age of 74, she tries again with Mina Fyra Årstider which translate to My Four Seasons. Her voice isn’t what it once was but it wouldn’t be Melfest without the kitsch pensioner numbers. This won’t do much but it will be interesting to see if the new scoring will change its result.

Song 6 – Mohombi – “Hello” – Predict Andra Chansen
Mohombi was one half of the duo Avalon with his brother, DJ Djo, who tried Melfest in 2005 with the song Big Up. After going solo with famed producer, RedOne, in 2010 there hasn’t been much traction in his career. Hello is a change in tempo for the singer which is much slower than his normal output. It is quite catchy actually and has a very simple chorus with a dramatic bassline combine that with a Måns’ Heroes style stage production should at least get the younger audience voting for him.

Song 7 – Anna Bergendahl – “Ashes To Ashes” – Predict Andra Chansen
The most unappreciated winner of Melfest has to be Anna Bergendahl. She won back in 2010 but went on to Eurovision and ended up being the only Swedish entry not to qualify for the final. Since then her music has gone fairly unheard. Ashes to Ashes is a change in style for the artist with a country pop schlager feel. The staging looks like they have brought the entire forest on stage but is that enough to change the minds of the public. I think she will do well with a couple of age groups but not all of them. I think Wiktoria will take her final slot that the bookies predict that she will get.