Melodifestivalen 2025 begins tonight and we are back our weekly #LiveBlog – starting with Heat 1 this evening. The first six acts take to the stage in Luleå, with one 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!!!

And we’re off, starting with a little sketch, featuring Gunilla. We arrive in the arena with hosts Keyyo and Edvin Törnblom descending from high up above. Keyyo and Edvin introduce us to the 2025 competition and the line-up for Heat One.

Some light humour is made of Joost after last year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Linda Bengtzing is introducing us to each of the acts, in their Postcards.

Albin Johnsén feat. Pa – “Upp i luften (Up in the air)”

With a heavily green lit stage, oranges and yellows soon appear. “Upp i luften” is giving carnival vibes and is certainly a great starter to tonight’s competitive proceedings. However, the genre is rap and we know how unsuccessful the genre is at the main Contest in May. The carnival vibes will work in its favour.

Maja Ivarsson – “Kamikaze Life”

Maja is stood on a plinth, performing this rock anthem. “Kamikaze Life” reminds me of a Blondie era track. A lot of pinks and blues in the lighting also make me think of Megara, the Spanish band that represented San Marino last year. Maja is a girl who is rocking it out and living her best life out on stage.

John Lundvik – “Voice of the Silent”

The 2019 Swedish representative of the Eurovision Song Contest is back. John is performing quite a stripped back song, that gradually builds in tempo. He is wearing a burnt orange, all-in-one number and is alone on stage. “Voice of the Silent” is probably the most contemporary entry we have seen so far. Certainly a finalist, but is it an overall winner?

Meira Omar – “Hush Hush”

Meira is bringing Bollywood vibes to the stage with “Hush Hush”. Reds and pinks are used heavily in the lighting. Don’t get me wrong, but this is the sort of entry I expect to come from Turkey, in yesteryear. Saying that, it is different for Sweden and very likeable. At the very least, I’d like to see “Hush Hush” make the second chance flash vote.

Adrian Maceus – “Vår första gång (Our first time)”

Adrian starts the performance sat within a ring of light. Pulses of white and red are soon seen on the stage floor. Adrian is dressed fully in black. Does the song really get going? I’m not sure and I’m not really sure who the target market is suppose to be. While another contemporary entry, I don’t see it progressing personally.

Linnea Henriksson – “Den känslan (That feeling)”

Linnea starts her performance sat in a heart frame, before descending down a staircase. She is joined on stage by four backing dancers – which remind me of those that joined Carola in Rome, back in 1991. With the addition of two drummers, they are all dressed in black. This is truly lively and could be a contender tonight!

It’s time for a voting recap and for the first time tonight, the phone numbers – old school as Edvin mentioned.

The voting has closed for the first voting phase. Käärijä (Finland 2023) and Hooja take to the stage to perform “San Francisco Boy” for the interval.

Edvin is chatting in the green room. Keyyo is in a sketch playing chess with Frans.

The first act through to the Final is John Lundvik, with his entry “Voice of the Silent”. The reprise is taking place.

The voting reprise starts again for the second voting phase. A teen group takes to the stage for the second interval. Edvin takes a look through the archives.

RESULTS! The second finalist is Maja Ivarsson, while the artist through to the flash vote at the end of the fifth heat is Meira Omar.

Let us know what you think about Sweden and the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, BLUESKY, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

The Eurovision Community, which Eurovision Ireland are a part of, celebrates diversity through music. Please keep your comments respectful. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body-shaming or any other derogatory or hostile language.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: Eurovoix