Melodifestivalen 2024: The Swedish Music Festival
Le Melodifestivalen is one of Sweden's most eagerly awaited music events. Organised since 1958, Melodifestivalen is Sweden's national selection for Eurovision. It's much more than just a music competition; it's a major cultural event, an institution firmly rooted in Swedish culture and a real spectacle that brings together millions of television viewers and thousands of fans across the country (but not only!). It has a significant impact on the Swedish music industry. The participating songs often become commercial successes and the artists who take part gain notoriety, even if they don't win the competition. It is not uncommon for artists to take part in Melodifestivalen several times in one year during their career.
As well as a ticket to Eurovision, the winner receives a miniature version of the Great Singing Bird, the "Den stora Sångfågeln »", designed by artist Ernst Billgren and unveiled in 2005. All the winners since the origins of Melodifestivalen have received a copy of the trophy.
Format and selection stages
Although this has not always been the case, Melodifestivalen takes place over several weeks, usually starting in February and ending with the final in March. Each week, artists perform their original songs in front of a live audience and a panel of jurors. The performances are broadcast on Swedish television and viewers have the opportunity to vote for their favourite songs via phone calls, text messages and online voting. The competition is divided into several stages, including the qualifying rounds and the final.
The stars of Melodifestivalen 2024
This year's Melodifestivalen features a fairly diverse line-up (in big inverted commas) of artists and songs, each bringing their own unique touch to the competition. Why the inverted commas?
It's a bit of a controversy at the moment. In the world of Melodifestivalen, it's not uncommon to notice similarities between the songs in the running. One notable trend is that fewer than five producers are often responsible for writing all the songs entered. This concentration of production can sometimes lead to a certain uniformity of style and themes. Despite this, each artist brings his or her own interpretation and personal style to the song, ensuring a variety of sounds and artistic expression throughout the competition.
In a nutshell. Here's a look at the finalists:
| Artist | Song | Points |
|---|---|---|
| When I'm Gone | – | |
| Back to My Roots | – | |
| Awful Liar | – | |
| Heroes Are Calling | – | |
| Give My Heart a Break | – | |
| Light | – | |
| Unforgettable WINNER | – | |
| It's Not Easy to Write a Love Song | – | |
| What will | – | |
| Dragon | – | |
| Effortless | – | |
| Happy That You Found Me | – |
The Melodifestivalen 2024 is an event not to be missed in the Eurovision pre-season. It's a real party that unites the whole country around music. Whether you're a fan of pop, rock or folk, there's something for everyone. So get ready to dance, sing and move to the rhythm of Sweden's best songs. It's going to be epic!
You can follow the final live this Saturday on SVT.
