Melodifestivalen 2025 continues tonight and we are back with our weekly #LiveBlog – continuing with Heat 2 this evening. The next set of six acts take to the stage in Gothenburg, 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!!!

We open with 1970’s/1980’s sketch with a take on Melodifestivalen of the era. Not really seeing the point/need for this sketch.

And we are back with tonight’s Contest! Let’s meet tonight’s line-up.

Nomi Tales – “Funniest Thing”

Lotta Engberg features in the Postcards this week alongside the participating artists.

Nomi is surrounded by dry ice at the start of the performance. Her look gives me a Loreen vibe. The back screens are covered in a dark forest imagery. Contemporary artists join Nomi on stage. “Funniest Thing” doesn’t really get going, until the key change adds some drama to the proceedings.

Schlagerz – “ Don Juan”

Schlagerz is bringing back the schlager of Melodifestivalen past from the 1980’s. “Don Juan” isn’t my favourite Schlager entry from Melodifestivalen, but it certainly is bringing the Contest back in line what it is known for. The crowd are loving it, as am I, however I fear it won’t make the Final.

Erik Segerstedt – “Show Me What Love Is”

Erik is back for another attempt at representing Sweden – either as part of EMD or as a soloist. Erik is sat at a piano at the start of his performance, surrounded by others playing other instruments. This is quite an upbeat number, not what you would expect from seeing the first few seconds. While the crowd appear a bit flat, this is certainly an arena performance. The crowd do get going, but only when he sings amongst them.

Klara Hammarström – “On and On and On”

Klara is back for another attempt at representing Sweden. Klara starts the performance laying on a plinth. The imagery suggests a lost city/regal pillar type setting. Backing dancers move both Klara and the plinth around before she descends to the stage. There is a lot to this performance – not just the song, but dancing too. The crowd love “On and On and On”.

Fredrik Lundman – “The Heart of a Swedish Cowboy”

A darkly-lit country number. Fredrik is giving this performance not only emotion, but atmosphere too. His vocal range is one of the best we’ve heard so far in the Contest over the past two weeks. Country and western imagery is used on the backdrop. Not my genre, but I’d like to see Fredrik as a finalist based on that performance.

Kaliffa – “Salute”

Kaliffa is ending the main bit of the proceedings with a Caribbean vibe. Lots of bright lighting, with dancers throughout the number. “Salute” is a bit chanty/shouty, which I know won’t appeal to everyone. Could this progress? It’ll be interesting to see how the Swedish people vote.

It’s time for a voting recap and for the first time tonight, the phone numbers.

The voting has closed for the first voting phase. Edvin Törnblom takes to the stage to perform his version of “Spirits Calling My Name” (Sweden ESC 2000).

Keyyo is back with another “Mellohunk” sketch – this time with Liamoo.

We now have a marching band playing “Unforgettable”. Marcus & Martinus appear on stage with the Melodifestivalen trophy.

The first act through to the Final is Erik Segerstedt, with his entry “Show Me What Love Is”. The reprise is taking place.

The voting reprise starts again for the second voting phase. Edvin takes a look through the archives. Style (1986) are announced as the first 2025 inductees into the “Melodifestivalen Hall of Fame”.

RESULTS! The second finalist is Klara Hammarström, while the artist through to the flash vote at the end of the fifth heat is Kaliffa.

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: SVT