Rotterdam 2021🇸🇪 Sweden

🇸🇪 Melodifestivalen 2021 rehearsals – complete review of semi-final 4

What are the chances in the fourth Melfest semi-final?

With rehearsals for the fourth semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2021, currently underway, the press were allowed to watch the rehearsals of the seven competing artists, who will take part in Saturday’s show.

In the lead-up to Saturday’s show, you are now able to listen to the one-minute clips of the songs right here. Ahead of Saturday’s show, Nick and Sami review today’s performances and share their thoughts.

Tess Merkel – Good Life

© Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2021

Nick: Tess Merkel does what you expect, really. A former member of Alcazar doing a classic pop entry? Who would’ve thought! However, in this case, the expectations need to be fulfilled. Tess is a great performer, who delivers the song really well. The red and pink outfit, I’m not too sure of, but this song could make it to the final… in any other week. For this week, I have my doubts.

Sami: The performance reminds me a lot of Charlotte’s performance from last Saturday. Tess seemed to be holding back a lot on the rehearsals but I’m still bit worried about her vocals. It’s quite average pop song and I don’t think it really has a chance at this year’s contest.

Lovad – Allting Är Precis Likadant

© Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2021

Nick: Every Melodifestivalen semifinal really needs a decent ballad in Swedish, right? Last week, it was Elisa, this week, it’s Lovad. Her vocal is stunning and the light dress and simple lights really work together. I struggle to see where this is going to pick up the votes, but the lyrics and emotions may just manage to get this somewhere?

Sami: Allting Är Precis Likadant is quite a sophisticated song but sadly doesn’t really go anywhere. As Sweden already slept on Fingerprints by Nathalie Brydolf in the first semifinal, I can’t see this going through either.

Efraim Leo – Best of Me

© Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2021

Nick: Yeah, this is what I expect from a Christer Björkman coordinated Melodifestivalen. A young guy with a decent pop entry, screens are on in the background, the dancers are out and about. I mean, this is not for me, but I can see the appeal for others. It’s a very slick performance and credit where credit is due – that is something that Melodifestivalen fans and voters usually enjoy.

Sami: The song is quite a typical radio pop song. It reminds me of On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons for some reason. As he is not that great singer and he definitely not a dancer, I don’t think Efraim Leo will be the next Eric Saade or Anton Ewald, but as there are not really any better songs, this will probably go to Andra Chansen.

The Mamas – In the Middle

© Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2021

Nick: Oh. My. God. Yes, yes and yes again! The Mamas are vocalists like no other act this year, we know that. But let’s kick off at the beginning: At the start of the performance, we see footage of The Mamas singing In The Middle in their 2020 outfits – the black dresses. After some visual effects, we see the new, sparkly, golden outfits. This is more gospel than Move, probably needs a second listen to land properly. But yes, I am here for it. Contender!

Sami: The opening of the performance is very touching and this really is the start of The Mamas 2.0. I wouldn’t mind this winning Melodifestivalen this year, as it’s actually very good song and of course everyone loves The Mamas. In The Middle reminds me a lot of This Is Me from The Greatest Showman. However, I really wish they had Move this year, as it would be the landslide winner.

Sannex – All Inclusive

© Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2021

Nick: Okay, so, Arvingarna is not our only dansband consisting of men of a certain age this year: Sannex are there as well. I however fear All Inclusive may just be less instant than Arvingarna’s entry from the first semi. I don’t really know what to do with this, but yeah… it’s competent enough, I guess?

Sami: This is very lazy attempt to be the fun song of Melodifestivalen 2021. I’m tired of it already after the first minute. We already have Arvingarna in the final doing this genre much better.

Clara Klingenström – Behöver Inte Dig Idag

© Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2021

Nick: There’s a tiny red sparkly dress, a white guitar and Clara… And that really is all for Behöver Inte Dig Idag. But that also is all it needs? A midtempo effort from Clara, which she delivers with class and dedication. It has hints of Caroline af Ugglas from time to time, but then more 2021… I enjoy this, but have no idea how it will fare? In this line-up, I’m going to take a guess and say it will scrape through to Andra Chansen.

Sami: She comes across very awkward but somehow it’s very charming. The song sounds like it’s from a soundtrack of Swedish roadtrip movie. It’s quite an enjoyable song, but not that competitive, unless we are in for a big surprise.

Eric Saade – Every Minute

© Stina Stjernkvist/SVT for Melodifestivalen 2021

Nick: If there ever was a song pretty much sure of going Direkt til Finalen, it’s this one… Really, Eric Saade just delivers. And what a performance too: Eric on a small white square, dressed in white. About two thirds in, a dancer joins him, but we really only see their shade and silhouette. This is a surefire contender in two weeks, I feel.

Sami: It’s exactly what Eric said about the song before, a sexy and addictive pop song. It’s nothing like his previous Melodifestivalen entries but very similar to his latest EP in English. The performance is unique and is actually the reason why this might be one of the candidates to win. However, the song alone is definitely not the winner but something people will probably stream a lot after the contest.

Our Predictions:

Based on the performances we saw today, we are predicting the following result on Saturday’s show:

ResultNickSami
Direkt til finalenEric Saade
Every Minute
Eric Saade
Every Minute
Direkt til finalenThe Mamas
In the Middle
The Mamas
In the Middle
Andra ChansenTess Merkel
Good Life
Tess Merkel
Good Life
Andra ChansenClara Klingenström
Behöver Inte Dig Idag
Efraim Leo
Best Of Me

About Melodifestivalen 2021

As previously reported, due to COVID-19, all the shows will take place in Annexet in Stockholm. You are able to find out more about this week’s show, by reading our guide here.

The fourth semi-final of Melodifestivalen 2021 will start 20:00CET on February 27. Two songs will qualify to the final and two songs will be sent to the andra chansen (second chance) round.

Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest

Sweden has participated in the contest 59 times since its debut in 1958. They have missed only three contests since their debut (1964, 1970 and 1976). Since 1959, the Swedish entry has been chosen through Melodifestivalen. In 1997, Sweden was one of the first five countries to adopt televoting, and have continued to innovate the technology behind the contest whenever they host.

Sweden is one of the most successful countries at the contest, winning six contests so far. Notably, their wins span their participation history; their victories span five decades with ABBA (1974), Herreys (1984), Carola (1991), Charlotte Nilsson (1999), Loreen (2012) and Måns Zelmerlöw (2015). They currently have the second-highest number of wins, behind Ireland’s seven.

What are your first impressions of the competing songs this week? Let us know! Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram, and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates! Also, be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our reactions to the news in the upcoming months.

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