Facts: They compete in the competition in Gothenburg
1. “Rhythm of my show” – Tone Sekelius
099-908 01 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 01 (SEK 3.60 per vote)
2. “No Sorrows” – Loulou LaMotte
99-908 02 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 02 (SEK 3.60 per vote)
3. “Haunted” – Rejhan
099-908 03 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 03 (SEK 3.60 per vote)
4. “Raggen goes” – Elov & Beny
099-908 04 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 04 (SEK 3.60 per vote)
5. “Diamonds” – Victor Crone
099-908 05 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 05 (SEK 3.60 per vote)
6. “Long live life” – Eva Rydberg & Ewa Roos
099-908 06 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 06 (SEK 3.60 per vote)
7. “Where you are (Sávezan)” – Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc North featuring Adam Woods
099-908 07 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 07 (SEK 3.60 per vote)
In Melodifestivalklubben’s survey, Fjällgren’s contribution “Where you are (Sávezan)” receives 38.1 percent of the votes. Tone Sekelius’ “Rhythm of my show” is close behind with 37.5 percent. A total of 480 people from the audience were asked who they want to move on from the first part of the competition in Gothenburg.
Arc North and Adam Woods, who compete together with Jon Henrik Fjällgren, are debutants in this context. Like their veteran colleague, they have tried to stay away from the speculation.
— It is impossible not to see anything, but I have received so much advice – not least from Jon Henrik – to “stay away from everything”. I’m grateful to be here and if it’s just tonight, that’s almost enough, says Adam Woods.
“Give all you have got”
Tone Sekelius has had a little trouble hitting all the notes during rehearsals, but is looking forward to tonight’s live broadcast.
— I’m just going to give it my all and hope that people like me. I’m a little nervous that people are linking me to my entry last year and this is “slay” in a different way. I am full of anticipation, but also a little nervous about having to sell something new, she says.
Between the other contributions, a few votes separate in the repeat poll and it can go basically either way. The same applies to the odds at the betting companies, where it changes between which artists are at the bottom, while everyone places Tone Sekelius and Jon Henrik Fjällgren at the top.
Eva Rydberg and Ewa Roo’s “Länge leve lifet” was popular with the revival audience, which was largely made up of younger children.
Ewa Roos and Eva Rydberg with the song “Länge leve lifet”.
— There were so many children who shouted after us when we passed by. We all gave high fives. It’s thanks to “Rena rama ding dong”, says Ewa Roos.
— It’s the “ding dong” children, adds Eva Rydberg.
The last time they competed, two years ago with “Rena rama ding dong”, the duo went to Second Chance, which has now become the semi-finals.
TT: Do you feel any pressure to repeat the success of “ding dong”?
— No, you know what. This song is so completely different. I don’t have the feeling “Oh my, how are we going to top it?” We can’t because it’s a completely different song, says Ewa Roos.
Bad weather
It is rare for Melodifestivalen’s outcome to be decided by bad weather. But that’s something the party goblins Elov & Beny ask the weather gods for.
— We’re hoping for a lot of snow and sleet tomorrow so that our fans aren’t out cruising, says Oscar “Beny” Kilenius.
— Or if they can park their Americans for a little while and go in and watch TV and vote for us, says Mattias “Elov” Elovsson.
Elov & Beny hope that their epa raggar audience will vote for the “Raggen går” contribution:
Victor Crone’s entry “Diamonds” is tipped to be one of the entries that may have a chance to reach the semi-finals and ultimately perhaps the final. The artist himself has not taken part in any favorite speculation, but has his own favorites among the competitors.
— “Raggen går” is a strong song, it has a really catchy chorus. It was the first time I got to hear all the songs tonight and I think the biggest competitor in the final is Jon Henrik and Arc North, they are dangerous. Then Tone’s song feels very Eurovision compatible. I have been there before (Crone competed for Estonia in 2019, editor’s note), and of course hope to get there again, he says.