Melodifestivalen 2024 continues tonight and we continue with our weekly #LiveBlog – with Heat 3 this evening. The third set of six acts take to the stage in Växjö, with two progressing to the flash vote at the end of Heat 5 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!!! Carina Berg is joined by Carolina Gynning & Christine Meltzer for a musical number, to open the show. After a conversation with Carolina & Christine, we have the voting details and a run down of tonight’s artists.

The pundits are back, along with Carina greeting them romantically with red roses & other scenarios in their postcards.

Jacquline – “Effortless”

Jacquline is dressed in black for this upbeat, club number. Jacquline is in sync, ‘effortlessly’ with her four backing dancers and the connection with the camera is spot on. Jacquline delivers great live vocals. The stage is lit in red nearly throughout the whole performance. But, could this have been taking up another notch? It’s not bad.

Clara Klingenström – “Aldrig mer” (Never again)

Clara makes a welcome return to Melodifestivalen. Clara is dressed in black like Jacquline. She is lone on stage with a guitar hung around her neck. Clara has good connectivity with both the camera & the audience, while delivering strong live vocals. A real foot stomper. Surely Clara will be a finalist?

Kim Cesarion – “Take My Breath Away”

Kim has brought his smooth voice, which has strong vocals, to the Melodifestivalen stage this year. Another artist dressed in black, he is joined by six backing dancers/singers on stage. While Kim’s dancing isn’t necessarily in sync with the backing dancers, the performance does feel polished. It deserves to make the flash vote after HHeat 5, but could also go direct to the final.

Klaudy – “För dig” (For you)

Klaudy is surrounded my a mini field/foliage on stage. He is alone on the stage. Klaudy’s vocals are ok, however I feel he could turn them up another notch. Connectivity with the camera is nearly there, but this will improve with confidence. Sadly I don’t see Klaudy progressing, but this will have been a good experience for him.

Gunilla Persson – “I Won’t Shake (La La Gunilla)”

Gunilla is in a silver dress for this cowboy & western number. Her vocals appear to be slightly monotone in places, while they have more range in others. While a foot stomper, this performance really doesn’t get you going – their is some magic missing here.

Cazzi Opeia – “Give My Heart a Break”

Cazzi is back in a shiny & sparkley pink outfit. Oh now this is oozing fun, just what we’d expect from Cazzi. She sorts of remind me of a solo version of the Pet Shop Boys. Cazzi should be direct to the final. She is the agony aunt of the Eurovision national selection season, singing on behalf of the viewing audience.

We are now in the Green Room. Voting has finally opened!

The voting has closed! Bjorn, the so-called funny man is back. Have they got no other content to fill?

The first act through to the Final is Jacquline, with her entry “Effortless”.

The second round of voting has now opened! Voting has now closed! It’s time for the third Hall of Fame inductee of 2024. Edward af Sillén is live with Carina in the arena.

RESULTS! The second finalist is Cazzi Opeia, while the two artists through to the flash vote at the end of the fifth heat are Klaudy and Gunilla Persson.

Thank you for joining me on the third weekend of Melodifestivalen – will you join me again next week?

Let us know what you think about Sweden and the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: SVT