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).
Four entries will soon be sent on to be pitted against Loreen and the rest of the already established finalists at the Friends arena next weekend.
Probably none of the evening’s contributions have anything to do with the final top battle, but a final place is still a final place – and the glitter-clad audience in Hägglund’s arena is at least as excited as the one at the grand final.
If you ask those who are there, Theoz, who sings first tonight, can count on an easy ticket to the final.
When Melodifestivalklubben asked the repeat audience who their favorite was, the “Mer av dig” artist ended up in first place, with 37 percent of the vote (441 people answered the question). Even the betting companies’ odds makers consider Theoz as the evening’s favorite.
— It is clear that I want to go to the final very much, but there are strong competitors and it is difficult. I just have to do my best and hope it goes my way, said the 17-year-old Linköpingssonen after the general rope.
Theoz after the genre rope on Friday night.”Had flow”
Theoz, who advanced from the section competition in Linköping, says that during the genre rep he did one of his best performances of the song so far.
“I had flow today and I had a lot of fun on stage,” he said.
In second place, with 18 percent of the votes, comes Nordman and the contribution “Släpp alla sorger”, with the betting companies. For the seasoned duo, the biggest challenge right now is to smile more on stage.
16-year-old Kiana also seems to be doing well.
— We’ve been told that if we just smile a little, it goes out the window. During the rehearsals you look a little bit tight, but now that we’re performing in front of an audience, you can’t help but enjoy and smile a little spontaneously, said key harp player and songwriter Mats Wester after the rehearsal.
“Just a Bonus”
They hope for a place in the finals, but it is not something they take for granted, explains Hemlin.
— It would be fun, but nothing stands or falls with that.
Also 16-year-old debutant Kiana, who advanced from last week’s competition in Malmö, is among the top names at the betting companies. She is the favorite of 13 percent in the audience survey and ends up there in third place.
Norman has been working on smiling more during his act.
This year, SVT has overhauled the voting system for the semifinals. The duels are scrapped and nowadays all artists compete against everyone. At half-time, the viewers also get to know which four entries are the best, but there will be no points awarded as in the sub-competitions. Only the twelve points are reported and then the finalists are presented in one sweep.
In addition to competition entries, the evening also offers some intermission numbers. Among other things, Pernilla Wahlgren is elected to Melodifestivalen’s “Hall of fame” and to pay tribute to the singer, Tiktok star Luciano Axelsson sings her “Piccadilly Circus” in a dance band version.