A First Look at Melodifestivalen 2022
Surface level, not much appears to have changed at SVT's flagship entertainment show with Bjorkman handing over the reigns. There's still the same recognisable names in the running and filling out the lineup and still your very usual sort of running order. Andra Chansen has been tweaked to remove the duel aspect, but beyond that small change, it's all very familiar and let’s hope predictable too…
So, in running order, here's the view on who could challenge for the ticket to Turin:
Omar Rudberg-’Moving Like That’ (Semi 1, Song 4)
Omar can count on a strong following and is surely equipped with something competitive otherwise there's little point in him being here. Another melfest underperformance on his cv would just be pointless at this stage of his career. Not my kind of thing at all but odds in some places have perhaps overreacted to his draw. Not to be wrote off just yet.
Robin Bengtson ‘Innocent Love’ (Semi 1, Song 7)
Bengtson's good record at the contest is capped by his 2017 victory. Capable is a fairly honest description of him but he's got competition in the ‘heartthrob’ field. His most likely path through is as a ‘Default Winner’ again. Word is that he's got something strong and juries should be keen if so. Might be a little value here.
Liamoo - ‘Bluffin’ (Semi 2, Song 1)
I just about gave Liamoo his spot in the front runners, mainly because I respect the writers here and feel he may have got one of their better attempts. That is dampened against his draw and that I'm not sure exactly where he comes out on top in this lineup.
John Lundvik- ‘Anglavakt’ (Semi 2, Song 6)
If there's one thing that says “I'm not here to win” it's singing in Swedish. His track record and credibility with international juries means he can't be completely ruled out but much like say Danny Saucedo last year, a nice 5th or 6th place would suit all parties and John can come back again in a couple of years with a more concerted effort. One to avoid for now unless post semi stats are truly exceptional.
Anders Bagge-’Universe’ (Semi 3 Song 7)
It's very easy for someone outside of Sweden to overlook this guy with him being well removed from your typical melfest contender and he does have a usp in this field. I'm not reading much into his semi pimp slot and I'm also not expecting the song to be anything special. The main question is where/will the ‘I like Anders Bagge’ voters start to consider if he should be sent to Turin. Right now there's better options at a similar price.
Anna Bergendahl - ‘Higher Power’ (Semi 4, Song 1)
Bergendahl and Svt seem set on making this whole ‘redemption’ arc happen. ‘Higher Power’ is the final part of her comeback trilogy and will need to be a significant step up to challenge. Has a chance if the schlager trimmings are stripped back, otherwise will flounder. Odds are reasonable.
Angelino- ‘The End’ (Semi 4 Song 6)
So this chap is a bit of an interesting case and his short price was unexpected. Odds that started low teens have even come down slightly in places. You may not be familiar with the name, but this guy is more than a “dark horse”, he’s a frontrunner. His (49 subscriber) youtube has some good stuff on it and he clearly has backing. Whilst not in the traditional pimp slot (nice try with the title mate, svt have fallen for less) he is second to last in the final semi. It’s a shame that bookmakers have been wise to his threat from the off, a rarity in specials betting but then again, Melfest is hardy watertight.
Klara Hammarstrom- ‘Run To The Hills’ (Semi 4 Song 7)
Klara is back for the third time in a row and is another who has clearly got fans amongst the producers and svt. A bit like Bengtson, she lacks a bit of magic for me but she is capable and means business. Word was already going around she has been given something strong with a big staging and her ultimate pimp slot draw confirms this. Winning over the older viewers may be her biggest challenge but juries should play ball. Would be a surprise if she is not in contention.
The rest of the pack
So beyond the main front runners, and before we get to the real outsiders- a word on a few of the more recognisable acts left:
Malou Prytz- ‘Bananas’ (Semi 1 Song 1)
A very unpromising title and will surely lead to a Margaret type piece of summery pop. Not in contention.
Niello and Lisa Ajax - ‘Tror du att jag bryr mig’ (Semi 2, Song 2).
Lisa has underperformed previously, it's a song in Swedish and has the coffin slot of all coffin slots. Juries will probably hate this if it gets that far. There is little precedent for this to do well yet can be backed at the same price as Bengtson. Bizarre.
Tone Sekelius- ‘My Way’ (Semi 2 Song 7)
A quick flick through the stats in the last 7 editions, just 1 pimp slot (Margaret 2019) has failed to qualify to at least Andra Chansen with most achieving more than that so there has to be something here, most likely a big show of some sort. The odds available in some places must be the highest ever on a semi closer and whilst I likewise don't see a contender here, the price of a meal deal can get you some peace of mind just in case Sweden lose theirs.
Cazzi Opeia- ‘I can't Get Enough’ (Semi 3, Song 1)
There’s not many Melfest acts that you can’t be sure what they will bring but Cazzi is one of them. There are votability concerns with the Swedish public and the international jury often go for the more vanilla options. An exit in andra chansen (or fine “semi final 5”) would be my pre song guess although it's not out of the question she could make a bit of a splash.
Faith Kakembo- ’Freedom’ (Semi 3 Song 5)
Returning to the show after a few years out, Faith may be the act that most closely fits the recent winner mould. Following a strong run for the pretty boy types (2013-18), each recent winner has been of more substance with Melfest morphing more towards the idol/xfactor/gottalent type of shows. A strong story is important and a nurse singing about ‘freedom’ could be a hit in these corona times. A lively outsider cheap enough to cover at 20+ as long as she can improve on her last showing.
I don't think there's too much to add about any other act right now- I mean we know what we're getting from the likes of Linda Bengtzig, Alvaro Estrella and Lillasyster and know they won't be winning.
So my educated guess at this stage is that we are looking at a Robin Bengtson and Klara Hammarstrom h2h who are probably the safest place to invest. It's hard trying to complete the top 3 out of the rest of the pack but I'll say it's whoever goes direkt out of Anna Bergendahl and Angelino - most likely the latter.
It’s worth noting that Melfest will be grounded in Stockholm again this year and remains to be seen what sort of audience will be in place. Coverage here will continue as usual with a preview of each of the semi finals once we have our snippets and clips.