The first heat of Melodifestivalen 2020 was on Saturday in the southern city of Linköping. For those unfamiliar with Sweden's National Final - seven acts performed, two acts were selected to compete again in the Andra Chansen (Second Chance) Round and two were selected to go directly to the Final in Stockholm.
According to show producers, the approach to Melodifestivalen this year is to focus on the music-- postcards feature the songwriters talking about each song and sadly no pyro. The first show was filled with veterans who were no stranger to Melodifestivalen. Five of the seven acts have previously competed. Sadly, it was not a night for the newbies.
Competing Entries:
The Mamas - "Move" - ADVANCED TO FINAL
Suzi P - "Moves" - ELIMINATED (7th Place)
Robin Bengtsson - "Take a Chance" - ADVANCED TO FINAL
Malou Pryz - "Ballerina" - ADVANCED TO ANDRA CHANSEN
OVÖ - "Inga problem" Eliminated (6th Place)
Sonja Aldén - "Sluta aldrig gå Eliminated (5th Place)
Felix Sandman - "Boys with Emotions" - ADVANCED TO ANDRA CHANSEN
This recap will only focus on the top four placing entries of the night.
Malou Prytz - "Ballerina"Malou Prytz previously completed in Melodifestivalen 2019 with "I Do." This year, Malou is joined by two other Melodifestivalen veterans on her team: ISA (2015, 2016) as a backing vocalist and Ace Wilder (2014, 2016, 2017) for staging. "Ballerina" has a darker and more serious tone, compared to Malou's upbeat entry last year. Fog and special effects as well as a backing dancer who is made to be the mirror image of Malou fill the stage. The song itself is simple, I find the repetitiveness of the chorus helps you remember the song.
Felix Sandman - "Boys with Emotions"Felix previously competed in Melodifestivalen in 2017 with the group FO&O and as a soloist in 2018 where he finished second with "Every Single Day." This song is very slick uptempo dance song. It definitely has a mainstream radio feel to it. Visually, I think this was my favourite of the night. Cool effects with back lighting, strobe lights, and projection.
Robin Bengtsson - "Take a Chance"Robin is also returning for his third Mello appearance. The 2017 champion brings us an uptempo somewhat county rhythm but still distinctively pop. It's just Robin alone on stage with some projections on the stage's back curtain wall and some spotlights. The staging really compliments on the message of the song, it makes you want to focus on him.
The Mamas - "Move"The Mamas (also known as John Lundvik's backing singers in Tel Aviv) have their own go at Melodifestivalen. Staging is simple as it should be, some lights that remind me of last year's winning song, but clearly the focus for The Mamas is their voices and powerful harmonies. The Mamas bring us a nice blend of gospel-pop, it's a song that puts you in a good mood and makes you just want to dance. Sure it may be really close to "Is It Too Late for Love," but they still sound fantastic, and I can't say no to them!