The first Semi-Final of Melodifestivalen 2018 took place tonight, which saw two artists qualify directly to the final, and two artists go to Andra Chansen.
Seven artists took to the stage in Karlstad tonight in the hopes of qualifying directly to the final of Melodifestivalen 2018 or going to Andra Chansen, the second chance round held on March 3rd. The results are as follows:
- John Lundvik – “My Turn” (Qualified to the Final)
- Benjamin Ingrosso – “Dance You Off” (Qualified to the Final)
- Renaida – “All the Feels” (Qualified to Andra Chansen)
- Sigrid Bernson – “Patrick Swayze” (Qualified to Andra Chansen)
- Edward Blom – “Livet på en pinne” (5th place, DNQ)
- Kamferdrops – “Solen lever kvar hos dig” (6th place, DNQ)
- Kikki Danielsson – “Osby Tennessee” (7th place, DNQ)
Melodifestivalen is being used once again this year to choose Sweden’s next entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. A total of 2772 entries were submitted to Melodifestivalen 2018. Twenty-three artists are making their debut at the contest next year, with fourteen returning artists.
The 2018 edition of Melodifestivalen will be hosted by David Lindgren. He returns this year after hosting the 2017 edition of the contest with Clara Henry and Hasse Andersson. David is the third presenter to return as a host for a second consecutive year, the others being Kristian Luuk (2007 and 2008), and Gina Dirawi (2012 and 2013).
Melodifestivalen 2018 will take place in the following locations:
- 03/02/2018 (Semi-Final 1): Löfbergs Arena, Karlstad
- 10/02/2018 (Semi-Final 2): Scandinavium, Gothenburg
- 17/02/2018 (Semi-Final 3): Malmö Arena, Malmö
- 24/02/2018 (Semi-Final 4): Fjällräven Center, Örnsköldsvik
- 03/03/2018 (Second Chance Round): Kristianstad Arena, Kristianstad
- 10/03/2018 (Grand Final): Friends Arena, Stockholm
Sweden debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1958 and has gone on to be one of the contest’s most successful countries. The country has won the contest six times, the most recent being in 2015. Sweden’s first victory came in 1974 when ABBA won the contest in Brighton with “Waterloo”. Since missing out on the final in 2010, Sweden has gone on to finish 3rd twice and has won the contest twice, only in 2013 did the country place outside of the top 10 in the final.
