Before the big final of Melodifestivalen 2019 we had the chance to talk to one of the favorites for the show. We talked with Hanna Ferm & LIAMOO who compete with their song “Hold You” to represent Sweden in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2019. We talked about their history, what they expect and more. Read the interview here or below you can watch the video!
It all started as a spontanious idea
It’s already been three weeks since their semi-final in Malmö. Both are very excited about the final in Stockholm. After LIAMOO made his solo debut last year, Hanna debuts this year in a duet with LIAMOO. Together they perform “Hold You” in the final of Melodifestivalen 2019. Both prefer to do this experience together. Hanna says that it feels better because you can support each other and you feel not alone during this
The first time both performed together was, when Hanna took part in Swedish Idol in 2017. LIAMOO was invited as a guest artist that year. He won the previous season. The chemistry was there right from the first moment without both trying too hard. They were just lucky that it worked so good with them, they say.
The idea for Melodifestivalen only came some weeks before the official announcement. The first idea was to have Hanna alone competing in Melodifestivalen this year. When they first heard the song “Hold You” they got the feeling of it being something special and they first thought about the idea to perform together. They did not think about it before, as not many duets happen in Melodifestivalen.
Being one of the favorites for the shows adds extra pressure to the already 27.000 people in the audience and the millions watching at home. LIAMOO says, that he is always very nervous before performances. They wanna do a good job because so many people believe in them and they don’t wanna let them down. Hanna adds, that it was an even bigger pressure before their semi-final. They already were among the favorites without anybody hearing the song so they wanted to deliver a good performance to live up to their favorite status. So it was a relief when they got a great reaction from the audience.
It was hard keeping the song a secret for so long, so they started to “sing” the song in a random melody when they were out so nobody would notice. For their entry “Hold You” they just released a new video with backstage material. When talking about a music video they said that there is no plan for it at the moment but there is always the option to do it later.
Both already performed in the final of Idol in the Globen arena. But the final in Friends Arena is way different. Just walking in the arena and seeing all the people and sitting in the green room during the whole show is a great feeling. Hanna had a different perspective last year. She was actually in the audience at the Melodifestivalen 2018 final to support LIAMOO. When they perform on stage they don’t hear the crowd so loud as they are, because of their in-ears. Moreover, LIAMOO is usually wearing glasses so he is not seeing much while performing. He said this helps him concentrate.
Their goals for Saturday are, that both do their very best on stage and that both can be proud, so they don’t wake up the next day with the thoughts, that they haven’t done their best. To quote LIAMOO “Be proud, have fun and be the best version of you on stage” is the goal.
They also had a message for you guys in the video. Check the video below for more content!
We wanna wish Hanna Ferm and LIAMOO all the best for Saturday and thank you again for taking the time!
