Yohio at Melodifestivalen 2014 – Photo : Olle Kirchmeier / SVT

SWEDEN – The first rehearsals for this Saturday’s First heat are in and it is not all plain sailing for Yohio and Helena Paparizou according to the press.

The accredited press that have gathered in Malmo have been played the studio versions of the first 8 acts competing in the first Semi Final of Melodifestivalen.

“Helena Paparizou and last year’s rising star Yohio have tough competition,” writes Expressen columnist Anders Nunstedt but adds about Paparizous “Survivor”: “Succeeding her shine on stage as she is this week’s top favorite.”

Music site Poplights posted immediately that they have got their eye of Linus Svenning saying

“Many will relate to this and he gets to his number, well then it can become very dangerous,” wrote Ludvig Alfredsson on Poplight .

Mahan Moin at Melodifestivalen 2014. Photo : Olle Kirchmeier/SVT

“It’s a pretty fun starting field, without being fantastic. Personal festival favorites are Alvaro Estrella and Mahan Moin. Think that Yohio absolutely deserves a finalist too, “she wrote in a blog post .

“Elisa Lindström’s “Casanova” will go hot on the music bars, think Aftonbladet Torbjörn Ek.

With such an open field of contestants – after the press heard the songs – it seems that a lot will come down to stage performance on the night.

To see the full story from Malmo make sure to check the official Swedish Melodifestivalen Website HERE

Stay tuned for more information from Sweden.

Author/Website co-founder and Editor in Chief Garrett Mulhall

Source : SVT