Melodifestivalen 2025 concludes this week and we have rehearsal #LiveBlogs ahead of the big show on Saturday evening – all coming to you live from the newly renamed Strawberry Arena, in Stockholm. The twelve finalists will be taking to the stage & for today, will be rehearsing outside of performance order.

So join me, Richard, from 08:20 GMT/09:20 CET, as we discover who will shine in Sweden. You know what to do by now, refresh regularly to see what we have to say in our #LiveBlog.

Refresh here from 08:20 GMT/09:20 CET

Nu kör vi!!!

08:20 GMT/09:20 CET: Maja Ivarsson – “Kamikaze Life”

Maja is first to rehearse this morning. Listening to “Kamikaze Life” again is giving me vibes of “Kids In America”. Plenty of blues and pinks in the lighting – just as in her heat. Maja performs on her own, on stage. Most of the time, Maja is on a raised stage.

Swinging the microphone around like that at the start could have someones eyes out, but also gives the impression of attitude. Attitude and emotion is something Maja oozes in, along with a fantastic voice. Maja owns the stage and connects well with both the camera and the audience. Part of this run through sees Maja run into the audience.

Maja is in leather jacket and trousers. The third run through as well as the other two proves why Maja should be in this year’s final. This would have been a great opener on the night.

Maja will perform 7th on Saturday evening.

08:50 GMT/09:50 CET: John Lundvik – “Voice of the Silent”

Some upbeat lights before John kicks in with his ballad. After the slow ballad start, the upbeat sound returns. John is dressed in a red one-piece. John has been on this stage before and knows how to connect with both the camera and the audience. Vocals are as strong as ever.

Time for the second run through. The emotion is clearly there now. John has raised the level another notch. As part of the stage set, there is a giant sphere behind John, which at times, he walks around. The sphere raises above him towards the end of the song.

The third run through proves this is John’s strongest chance since “Too Late for Love”. Can he win it from opening the Contest though? Only time will tell on Saturday evening.

John will perform 1st on Saturday evening.

09:20 GMT/10:20 CET: Klara Hammarström – “On and On and On”

Very much like the heat. Klara spends a lot of time on a roman plinth. Six backing dancers join her as before, all four dressed in white. Very fast paced. Was listening to a UK announcement of an announcement on BBC Radio 2, so the second run through will have a better description.

The very start of the performance is a slow build up to as I said above, is a very fast paced entry. Due to the pace of the song, with the added dancing etc., I do wonder if Klara will be able to maintain her strong vocals – which she has a good range. Due to the pacey nature, I do question the connectivity at times.

Well the third run through starts with added dry ice and smoke – too much you would say, as it is hard to see Klara in places until she stands up. Sadly, I think there it too much going on here to be Klara’s year – but she does deserve to get to Eurovision at some point.

Klara will perform 4th on Saturday evening.

09:50 GMT/10:50 CET: Greczula – “Believe Me”

Greczula’s vocals are slightly off, but this is the first run through. Like the heat, he starts the performance at the piano, before taking to the stage. He is in a white leather jacket and black trousers. Bundles of energy, including jumping on top of the piano. He ends the performance as he began, sat at the piano.

Second run through and Greczula’s vocals are back – even more, the piano is suspended in the air to start the performance. The confidence I remember Greczula having in the heat is now showing. He is certainly a showman. You could certainly see “Believe Me” been the big number at the end of a musical or concert.

The third run through again starts suspended in the air. Greczula’s connectivity with both the audience and camera are there, adding to what has become a strong performance. For a debutant, Greczula deserves to score well, as long as he comes out with his vocals strong.

Greczula will perform 3rd on Saturday evening.

10:20 GMT/11:20 CET: Måns Zelmerlöw – “Revolution”

Måns is stood in a similar stage set-up to that of Marcus & Martinus last year. Instead of scaffolding, we have cave like shapes. It doesn’t allow much movement until it opens up at the end, however it does allow for some dynamic camera angles, wind machine and smoke. Still dressed in black, Måns has added a long black overcoat to his attire. The vibes of 2015 are still there, but modernised for a decade later.

Måns starts the second run through with such intensity in his eyes/face. Måns doesn’t need to work on this. He is ready to take to the stage and compete for a place at the second competitive Eurovision Song Contest.

The third run through is purely a formality – but with added ticker tape. In my opinion, if Sweden want to win, they will send Måns instead of Kaj, but that is only my opinion and I can’t vote.

Måns will perform 9th on Saturday evening.

10:50 GMT/11:50 CET: Meira Omar – “Hush Hush”

Meira Omar is giving me “Dum Tek Tek” vibes here. In a burgundy coloured belly dancer outfit, her four backing dancers are wearing the same. The colour of the outfits go further with the lighting and back projection matching. Dancing is synchronised, which helps make it a polished performance.

Time for a second run through. While we haven’t seen anything like this from Sweden at Eurovision in the past, Meira has a strong vocal range and again has the needed connectivity. It is also giving me Sertab Erener vibes, who of course went on to win the 2003 Eurovision.

Meira will do well with “Hush Hush”, as the third run through is proving. Pyrotechnics have been added to the final run through for some added sparkle. I don’t think it is winning material however and I do wonder if the juries will award “Hush Hush” many points.

Meira will perform 8th on Saturday evening.

LUNCH BREAK – #JoinUs again from 14:35 GMT/15:35 CET

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14:35 GMT/15:35 CET: Scarlet – “Sweet n’ Pyscho”

We’re back with the first run through with Scarlet. From the look of their faces and their mannerisms, Scarlet should allow this to be in a horror movie – therefore those of you that are nervous should probably avoid this one at all cost. It’s a clever concept and the staging remains the same as the heat – chains and podium.

With the second run through Scarlet have added extra attitude. The staging is quite dark, with the use of mainly red lighting. The four backing dancers are in sync with Scarlet when it is required. Scarlet has the connectivity required and while not much vocal range is required, the vocals are spot on for the concept.

Time for the final run through with added pyrotechnics. If I’m honest, I don’t think the flames add anything extra to the performance. This will score well with the juries and the public, but just not enough to take the victory – I wouldn’t like to guess their final position though.

Scarlet will perform 5th on Saturday evening.

15:05 GMT/16:05 CET: Kaj – “Bara bada bastu” (Just take a sauna)

Ok, for the comedic element, I understand why the Swedes are going mad for these Finns. It’s a clever staging, with the backing dancers changing the wooden element of the set. The backing dancers in towels – that could lead to all sorts of mischief.

Kaj start the second run through with grins across their faces. It is hard to see if they are taking this seriously. In all seriousness, they have great connectivity with both the cameras and the audience. Their vocal tone suits the song. It’s just a shame their attire is stuck in the 1970’s.

The third run through is now taking place. I’ll be honest, I’m finding it hard to find words. I’ll be honest, if Sweden want to send this to Eurovision, that is ok with me, however if they want to win in Basel, they need to send Måns.

Kaj will perform 12th on Saturday evening.

15:35 GMT/16:35 CET: Dolly Style – “YIHAA”

Dolly Style are in the final for the first time and this year are a foursome. This is a mixture of country and pop, which should appeal to all ages. They are joined by four backing dancers – or should that be cowboys and cowgirls? The staging remains the same from their heat.

Following John Lundvik in the running order, “YIHAA” will really get the crowd going. Been a show where families all attend together, I can already visualise the youngsters dancing along to this. In fact, I think we may see a few mini Dolly Style girls in the crowd.

While the third run through is happening, I’m thinking who will vote for the girls – considering getting to their first final would be a victory for them after several attempts. The juries will be voting for stronger entries, while the public votes will probably come from the younger age groups.

Dolly Style will perform 2nd on Saturday evening.

16:05 GMT/17:05 CET: Annika Wickihalder – “Life Again”

Annika is back after making the final in her debut year last year. Some dodgy camera work. Annika is performing “Life Again” as if it should be on a musical or film soundtrack. “Life Again” is quite anthemic. Annika and her four backing dancers are dressed in white. The backdrop is draped in white material too.

The second run through and Annika is showing great connectivity – especially with the camera. Emotion is expressed through her wonderful vocal range. Red lighting is added to create extra drama.

Just like the third running order with Dolly Style, I do wonder who will vote for “Life Again”. It should get some votes from the juries. In terms of the public votes, this should appeal to enough people to get Annika a decent result in her second year. Emotion is clearly visible in her final run through – hopefully this will be visible to the voting public too.

Annika will perform 11th on Saturday evening.

16:35 GMT/17:35 CET: Erik Segerstedt – “Show Me What Love Is”

As before in his heat, Erik starts sat at the piano. The first connections with the camera don’t quite work as he has his eyes shut, but from a performance point of view, I can understand why he is doing it. He is joined as before, with a couple of guitarists and a drummer. They move to the satellite stage and are joined by two backing singers.

Erik is having slight ear piece issues at the start of the second run through, but is able to rectify the problem without stopping. The eyes are open more, making connectivity better. He has a good vocal range, but I’m not sure it helps to express emotion. Erik and his band are in a range of blues, while the backing singers are in white.

The third run through doesn’t really have anything new about it. Really not sure how this will do in either of the jury or public voting.

Erik will perform 6th on Saturday evening.

17:05 GMT/18:05 CET: Saga Ludvigsson – “Hate You So Much”

“Hate You So Much” is an upbeat, foot stomper, country number. Saga is in sync with her five backing dancers. The stage is utilised to it’s maximum – something we don’t get a lot in the final. Connectivity is there for both the camera and the audience. Vocals fits in with the genre of the song. This may surprise many with the votes.

Saga will perform 10th on Saturday evening.

#JoinMe, Richard, in Stockholm tomorrow, from 18:00 GMT/19:00 CET, for the 1st Dress Rehearsal of this year’s Melodifestivalen final.

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