Melodifestivalen 2023 begins tonight and we are back our weekly #LiveBlog – starting with Heat 1 this evening. The first seven acts take to the stage in Gothenburg, with two progressing to the Semi Final and two to the Grand Final after tonight.

So join me, Richard, from 19:00 GMT/20:00 CET, as we discover who will progress in Sweden. You know what to do by now, refresh regularly to see what we have to say in our #LiveBlog.

Refresh here from 19:00 GMT/20:00 CET

Nu kör vi!!! And we’re off with a drone’s view of Gothenburg. The show opens with a musical family. Circus acts are involved throughout the opening number. Farah and Jesper, the Hosts, are welcomed on stage by the musical family.

Heat One’s Acts are been introduced from the Green Room. The voting details are now been explained.

Tone Sekelius – “Rhythm of My Show”

Tone is dressed in a black one piece, with added jewels. Tone is joined by six backing dancers – all of which are dressed in black. “Rhythm of My Show” is a very different sound to “My Way” from last year – hints of Spanish sounds with club/dance. The song doesn’t grab me as much as “My Way” did last year.

Loulou LaMotte – “Inga sorger” (No Worries)

Loulou is a member of The Mamas – backing singers to John Lundvik in 2019 and Melodifestivalen 2020 winners. Loulou is dressed in a long green ballgown. “Inga sorger” is a Swedish language, schlager anthem. It is an upbeat number and is one of those Swedish language songs that deserves to make a Melodifestivalen final. Does Loulou look lost without the other Mamas? I’m unsure.

Rejhan – “Haunted”

Rejhan is dressed in a white shirt and black trousers. For the opening verse, Rejhan needs to breathe in places – although this could be nerves of course. He has a contemporary dancer in the very background. I feel for Rejhan because I feel his nerves is preventing him from performing at his full potential.

Elov and Beny – “Raggen går” (The rattle goes)

Elov and Beny are a male duo, who look they’re having the time of their lives! The backing singers/dancers do quite a bit of whistling. I’m getting an American Diner/Garage vibe from the staging. The crowd are going wild for what I would consider as, the fun act.

Victor Crone – “Diamonds”

Victor reached the Eurovision final in 2019 for Estonia and is a previous Melodifestivalen finalist too. Victor is in a black frilly shirt and white trousers. “Diamonds” has a good beat in which you can tap your feat along to and Victor’s strong vocals add to this great performance. “Diamonds” is a good, all rounder, which should do well. Victor is alone on stage and has no need for additional personnel as he own’s it!

Eva Rydberg and Ewa Roos – “Länge leve livet” (Long live life)

Eva and Ewa are back after been heroes during the pandemic hit Melodifestivalen in 2021, when no audience was in attendance. Well they’re certainly gold and sparkly! This feels like a vintage performance from the Eurovision Song Contest in the 1950’s/1960’s. Eva and Ewa are infectious though in terms of knowing how to grab you in with their entertaining ways! Is this particular number as strong as 2021? I’m not sure.

Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc north feat. Adam Woods – “Where are you (Sávečan)”

Jon Henrik, a seasoned Melodifestivalen finalist, is joined by Arc North and Adam Woods. This is bit more of a dance tune, not something we are use to from Jon Henrik. All three are in silver jackets of some sort. Jon Henrik leaves the raised staging to interact with a dancer for a period of the song. Does the overall performance work? We will find out in the results.

The first round of voting has started with the performance recap. The first round of voting has now closed. We now have another circus act on stage.

The first song direct to the final is: Jon Henrik Fjällgren, Arc north feat. Adam Woods – “Where are you (Sávečan)”

The second round of voting is open with another recap of the songs. The dancing ‘app’ hearts are back!

Now we have a magician. The second round of voting has closed.

Cornelia Jakobs, who placed 4th at Eurovision for Sweden last year, is back reprising “Hold Me Closer”. This song is special for so many reasons – personal, I know.

The two songs in the semi finals are: Victor Crone – “Diamonds” & Elov and Beny – “Raggen går” (The rattle goes)

The second song direct to the final is: Tone Sekelius – “Rhythm of My Show”

Let us know what you think about Melodifestivalen 2023 – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK and TWITTER pages.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: SVT