Facts: Melodifestivalen semi-final
1. Theoz: “More of You”
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. Mariette: “One day”
099-908 02 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen).
099-208 02 (SEK 3.60 per vote).
3. Victor Crone: “Diamonds”
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. Tennessee Tears: “Now I Know”
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. Elov & Beny: “Raggen goes”
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. Melanie Wehbe: “For the show”
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. Nordman: “Let go of all sorrows”
099-908 07 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen).
099-208 07 (SEK 3.60 per vote).
8. Kiana: “Where did you go”
099-908 08 (9:90 kroner per vote, of which 9:20 kroner goes to Radiohjälpen).
099-208 08 (SEK 3.60 per vote).
The duels are scrapped and now all artists compete against each other in the semi-finals. At half-time, the viewers will be told which four entries are the best, but there will be no points distribution as in the sub-competitions. Only the twelve points are reported and then the four finalists are presented in one sweep.
— You have no idea how it will go. It might be a fun thing to show the votes at halftime, but it’s very scary when you sit here, says Theoz about the new system.
The duo Tennessee Tears have similar sentiments.
“Oh, I think it’s scary, but also good,” says one half Tilda Feuk.
– You don’t know any numbers. There can be a difference of five points between or it’s two million, but it’s funny that they push the tension as far as it goes, says band colleague and love Jonas Hermansson.
Tennessee Tears burn pyrotechnics during their number.Smell burnt
Under the rope, sparks flew about the duo, literally.
— We smelled something burnt. It was actually a bit worrying, but it didn’t start burning and I hope it won’t tomorrow either, says Tilda Feuk.
For Kiana, the biggest concern has been the voice. The 16-year-old debutante has had throat problems after a viral infection and during the rehearsals this week she has had to hold back and mime. But during the genre rep the voice held and afterwards she is satisfied.
— Now it’s good, but yesterday it was like that. Tired voice and tired vocal cords. Then I was a little worried, but today I took care of my voice and did all my warm-ups. It will be fine tomorrow.
Kiana’s vocal problems seem to have been resolved before this weekend’s semi-final. Tribute to Lindarw
Melodifestivalen’s project manager Anders Wistbacka explains that the hope is that the new voting system will be more exciting for viewers and increase involvement in voting.
“We wanted to make it straighter, simpler and clearer,” he says.
The semi-final also offers a tribute to Christer Lindarw, who is celebrating his 70th birthday, starting with a drag show performer taking on Lindarw’s old parade role of Queen Silvia and reading a fairy tale to the birthday child.
According to Anders Wistbacka, it is not a wink at the recent uproar around storytimes with drag queens in libraries.
— The screenwriter thought that Christer Lindarw’s life has been like a classic fairy tale from hut to castle. That’s why it became a fairy tale, he says.