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: A*Teens – “Iconic”

A*Teens take me back to my school days! Sorry, had to slip that in at some point. If you are a fan of Steps, then “Iconic” is the song for you. The staging – think Ani Lorak for Ukraine (ESC 2008), hasn’t changed since the first heat. They also wear the same blue outfits.

The second run through and lets look at a few of the techy bits. Plenty of blue lighting – with hints of pink and white within the light boxes where A*Teens spend most of the performance. “Iconic” is also lit up above the light boxes in white at the start of the performance.

The third and final run through saw the pyrotechnics take centre stage – although these will only be used at the end of the performance. “Iconic” is the perfect opening number for this year’s Grand Final.

A*Teens will perform in 1st position on Saturday evening.

08:50/09:50: Meira Omar – “Dooset Daram” (I love you)

Meira is in a pale green outfit that matches her backing dancers. If you remember Turkey’s “Dum Tek Tek” from 2009, it has a similar beat to it. Meira starts the performance on a massive rock, along with their backing dancers, before they all rise up for the performance. A very turkish vibe. I’m sure it matches the routine from the heat, but I honestly can’t remember.

The second run through and lets look at a few of the techy bits. Lighting features subtle fiery colours with hints of purples and blues. This will be the first time in the running order we see the catwalk in use during the performance – what do we find at the end? Grains of sand.

The third and final run through saw the pyrotechnics take centre stage. These are used while Meira and her dancers are at the rock. Then we get more on the main stage while the performance moves to the Catwalk. “Dooset Daram” is the a safe and nice option, but I personally can’t seeing it troubling the top of the results table.

Meira will perform in 2nd position on Saturday evening.

09:20/10:20: Saga Ludvigsson – “Ain’t Today”

Saga Ludvigsson is back for a second successive final after her debut last year. “Ain’t Today” has a cowgirl vibe about it, similar to her entry last year. Saga is in black with silver accessories, while her backing dancers are in black. The set is simple, with a couple of light towers and a fan wall behind.

For her second run through of “Ain’t Today”, pyrotechnics have been added to Saga’s performance. We have sparks flying out from the fan wall sporadocally throughout the performance, while Catherine wheels are used at the end. Lighting tends to be a bit more on the brighter side.

Saga’s third run through is a formality and has been done to ensure everything is polished. Saga has a strong entry for the second year running, but again I personally can’t seeing it troubling the top of the results table.

Saga will perform in 4th position on Saturday evening.

09:50/10:50: Cimberly – “Eternity”

Cimberly is making her debut at Melodifestivalen this year. Dressed in gold, she is stood on a raised piece of stage. She is joined by a couple of backing dancers, in matching gold. Cimberly certainly adds some sass to the performance. The bright lighting is a performance in itself.

Cimberly will perform in 6th position on Saturday evening.

10:20/11:20: Greczula – “Half Of Me”

Greczula will perform in 8th position on Saturday evening.

10:50/11:50: Felicia – “My System”

Felicia will perform in 10th position on Saturday evening.

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

Refresh here from 14:35 GMT/15:35 CET

Nu kör vi!!!

14:35 GMT/15:35 CET: Sanna Nielsen – “Waste Your Love”

Sanna will perform in 11th position on Saturday evening.

15:05/16:05: Robin Bengtsson – “Honey Honey”

Robin will perform in 9th position on Saturday evening.

15:35/16:35: Brandsta City Slackers – “Rakt in i elden” (Straight into the fire)

Brandsta City Slackers will perform in 7th position on Saturday evening.

16:05/17:05: Medina – “Viva l’amor”

Medina will perform in 7th position on Saturday evening.

16:35/17:35: Smash Into Pieces – “Hollow”

Smash Into Pieces will perform in 5th position on Saturday evening.

17:05/18:05: Lilla Al-Fadji – “Delulu”

Lilla will perform in 3rd position on Saturday evening.

Let us know what you think about Sweden and the 2026 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