Melodifestivalen 2024: Everything you need to know about the final

THE MELODI FESTIVAL

On Saturday at 20:00, the long-awaited final of Melodifestivalen will be decided. Then twelve entries settle for the win, the songbird and the honor of being able to represent Sweden in Eurovision, which takes place in Malmö in May.

Marcus & Martinus have been pre-favourites throughout the competition, but whether the Norwegian twin brothers keep up the pressure of being favorites remains to be seen. The viewers and the international jury can give points in the final, but it is the viewers who decide who stands as the final winner.

After five partial competitions and a final qualification, it is now time to decide who will win the Melodifestivalen 2024. Of the competition’s total of 30 entries, twelve entries now remain to settle for the songbird. Melodifestivalen celebrates 65 years on TV since the first televised final in 1959 and this year’s final is broadcast live from the Friends Arena outside Stockholm.

Contribution in the starting field

Among the final entries we find debutants as well as more experienced Mello artists such as Danny Saucedo, Dotter and LIAMOO. In this year’s starting field, six out of twelve contributions are performed by women, the same proportion as in the final in 2022, and this year the final breaks the record for female songwriters as nine of the twelve contributions have at least one female songwriter.

The final’s force of nature on the songwriting side is once again Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, who has been involved in writing five contributions from those who qualified for the final. No other songwriter throughout history has had more than four. His entry now has a chance to win the final for the third time in four years. Something that only Fredrik Kempe, Lasse Holm and Åke Gerhard have succeeded in before.

Melodifestivalen 2024

Maria Sur. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

1. When I’m Gone – Maria Sur

Songwriters: Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Julie “Kill J” Aagaard, Maria Sur.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Ukrainian Maria Sur broke through in Melodifestivalen 2023 with the song “Never give up” and, just like this year, she received the most votes in her sub-competition. Love the song “When I’m Gone” and it is my absolute favorite in the starting field of the final. The appearance is perhaps a bit dark, but offers nice effects. Curious: The fact that Anderz and Joker also wrote Robin Stjernberg’s “You” and Tusse’s “Voices”, which I also loved, is an extra plus on the edge.

Jay Smith. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

2. Back To My Roots – Jay Smith

Songwriters: Jonas Jurström, Jonathan Keyes, Jay Smith, Maria Jane Smith and Victor Thell.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Jay Smith broke through on Idol 2010 when he went on to win the entire competition. He has since reaped some success and been praised both nationally and internationally. Jay is one of the three debutants in the final and his entry is one of the two that made it to the final via the final qualifier. Jay delivers a country-inspired song with a band that fits perfectly with Jay’s beautiful and slightly raspy voice. Curious: Jay’s sister Maria from Smith & Thell drives backstage.

Lisa Ajax. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

3. Awful Liar – Lisa Ajax

Songwriters: David Lindgren Zacharias, Sebastian Atas, Viktor Crone and Viktor Sjöström

Rating: 3 out of 5

Lisa Ajax was in Mello for the first time in 2016 and the last time was in 2022 where she played a duo with Niello and the song “Do you think I care”. The contribution “Awful Liar” is a ballad that suits Lisa’s beautiful singing voice very well. Stylish performance with a dancing couple in the moonlight.

Smash Into Pieces. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

4. Heroes Are Calling – Smash Into Pieces

Songwriters: Andreas Lindbergh, Benjamin Jannebo, Chris Adam Hedman Sörbye, Jimmy Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb and Per Bergquist

Rating: 4 out of 5

Smash Into Pieces was a success in Melodifestivalen last year with the song “Six feet under” which is still widely played here at home. Now the band is in the final with the contribution “Heroes Are Calling”, which is the final’s only rock element. Nice performance with some pyro at the end. The whole show that feels like a music video and it would be fun to see them in Eurovision.

Cazzi Opeia. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

5. Give My Heart A Break – Cazzi Opeia

Songwriters: Ellen Berg, Jimmy Jansson, Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker, Thomas G:son.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5

Artist and songwriter Cazzi Opeia has two chances to win tonight. Not only is she competing herself, she is also involved as a songwriter on “Effortless”. She last competed in Mello 2022 and this year offers a colorful and happy performance to her pop, danceable and fun song. Curious: Cazzi is an in-demand songwriter in K-pop and is behind more than 40 number one spots on the Billboard charts.

Annika Wickihalder. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

6. Light – Annika Wickihalder

Songwriters: Herman Gardarfve, Linnea Gawell, Patrik Jean and Annika Wickihalder.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Annika Wickihalder broke through in Idol 2021 and is one of the final’s three debutants. The entry was one of the songs that made it to the final via the final qualifier. That she has the gospel as her guiding light is really recognizable when you hear her contribution “Light”. She has a powerful song and offers a performance with many lighting effects.

Marcus and Martinus. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

7. Unforgettable – Marcus & Martinus

Songwriters: Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Marcus Gunnarsen, Martinus Gunnarsen and Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

The Norwegian twin duo are favorites to win the final. Last year they finished second to Loreen’s masterpiece. Marcus & Martinus deliver a pop song and certainly it settles a bit on the brain, but it is perhaps not surprising that it is unforgettable when the duo sings “Unforgettable” 14 times (yes, I counted).

Daughter. Photo. Janne Danielsson/SVT

8. It’s Not Easy to Write a Love Song – Dotter

Songwriters: Dino Medanhodzic, Johanna “Dotter” Jansson.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Dotter is one of Melodifestivalen’s veterans. She has both participated several times herself and written songs for other competing artists. She has previously competed with the songs “Bulletproof” in 2020 and “Little dot” in 2021. She wrote the final entry about it being difficult to write a love song together with her partner. A powerful ballad with a stripped down performance with a grand piano.

Medina. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

9. Que Sera – Medina

Songwriters: Ali Jammali, Sami Rekik, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt and Anderz Wrethov.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Medina, who celebrated his 20th anniversary last year, made it to the finals from round 5. Medina’s contribution, which is incidentally the only one performed in Swedish, is a catchy hip-hop song with a lot of joy and a colorful performance with a lot of dancing, smoke and fireworks. “Que Sera” is about accepting what happens and living fully.

LIAMOO. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

10. Dragon – LIAMOO

Songwriters: Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Julie “Kill J” Aagaard, LIAMOO

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

It is the fourth time that LIAMOO hopes to claim the win. In the final, he offers a stripped-down performance without dancers. There is no doubt that he can sing and the song is really good. A grand performance and the fiery effects elevate the entire show. Curious: LIAMOO told me after he went to the finals that he and Maria Sur’s entry was written on the same day. Not bad to squeeze into two final entries so quickly.

Jacqueline. Photo: Janne Danielsson/SVT

11. Effortless – Jacqline

Songwriters: Dino Medanhodzic, Jacqline Mossberg Mounkassa, Jimmy Jansson, Moa “Cazzi Opeia” Carlebecker, Thomas G:son.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

I had completely missed that Jacqline came second in Idol 2021 (stopped watching several years ago), but there is no doubt that she can sing. She is one of the debutantes of the final and offers a stylish and colorful performance with a lot of dancing. Just like Marcus & Martinu’s song, it also feels a bit corny with close to thirty “Effortless” (yes, I counted again).

Danny Saucedo. Photo. Janne Danielsson/SVT

12. Happy That You Found Me – Danny Saucedo

Songwriters: Danny Saucedo, Kristoffer Fogelmark, John Martin, Michel Zitron

Rating: 4 out of 5

Danny Saucedo is one of the veterans of the final and has competed several times before, both solo and with the band EMD. He has, among other things, two second places and a third place in his bag, but it is doubtful if he will manage to reach the final this year. He offers a cheerful song and a neat performance without dancers.

Reader question

Now you know what I think so now I want to know what you think…

FACTS / THIS IS HOW THE FINAL WORKS

In the final, twelve entries compete and it is possible to vote for all entries in two voting rounds. In each voting round, you can vote up to five times per contribution in the app and per phone number. The first round of voting ends before the reporting of the jury groups’ votes.

Eight jury groups must then distribute their points, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 points are reported graphically and 8, 10, 12, a total of 464 points. After the jury has reported its votes, the second round of voting starts. The viewers’ points are then distributed in the same way as the jury. The viewers have the same number, 464 points, as the international jury.

If two entries have received the same final result, the highest number of points from the viewing groups determines. If two entries have received the same final result and also the same number of points from the viewing groups, the entry that has received the most votes in total from the viewing groups wins.

Photo: Melodifestivalen/SVT