Can you believe we are already entering Melfest season? You will no doubt be aware that Melodifestivalen is the real deal, an absolutely legendary institution of the Swedish music scene. It is so much more than just the national qualification for Eurovision, which is why we are still loving this spectacle even in these times when the EBU and Eurovision are breaking our hearts.
Melodifestivalen 2026 brings us once again a whoppping 30 new songs to jam to in the coming weeks, six artists in five preliminary heats in as many weeks. And it will all come down to the Grand Final, where 12 songs will meet on the 7th of March.
Like last year, the full songs are getting released on Spotify’s New Music Friday, so people can listen to the songs well in advance of Saturday evening’s live show. We will be addings links to the songs once they are out.
But let’s jump right down to it and check out the competitors going at it this week in Linköping.
1) Greczula – Half of Me
Kristofer Greczula won the Swedes over with his strong glam rock number in last year’s Melodifestivalen, and he ended up on the third spot in the final with his Believe Me. This time he returns with another pop-rock entry, leaning more towards the pop side with very clear ABBA vibes and harmonies. It’s very catchy and poppy, but he still brings the rock star strut to his stage presence. And he get’s hoisted in the air once again, but this time as a climax.
2) Jacqline – Woman
Not quite sure why they are putting two such strong contenders in the beginning of the line-up, but here we go. Jacqline had her breaktrhough on Idol 2021, in which she finished second. She made a very big impression on her Melfest debut in 2024 with Effortless, which took her to the final. This year’s entry Woman celebrates feminine power and sensuality. The very catchy pop tune is giving Ariana Grande from circa 10 years back (the Problem era, which I love, so it’s a great reference point). The choreo really pops off at times, especially when it’s just the dancing girls flanking Jacqline.
3) Noll2 – Berusade ord
The young Örnsköldsvik pop duo consisting of Jakob Westerlund and Wilmer Öberg bring melodic pop, in this case infused with violins and handclaps. The sound is pretty pleasant, more fun than I expected. Their stage show makes good use of colorful graphics taking over all the big screens on the Mello stage, as well as the TV screen.
4) Junior Lerin – Copacabana Boy
Absolutely one of the very worst things ever to graze the Melodifestivalen stage. I have never really been a fan of the Melfest entries sung by famous people who actually can’t sing. Carrying those huge samba feathers on his head and back makes his “singing” very breathy to top it all. If the only reason Junior is here is him being folkkär, ie. loved by the people, and being a success in Let’s Dance, I’m not here for it, sorry.
5) Indra – Beautiful Lie
Indra Elg was seen on Idol season 2020, where she did not make it very far, but she made an impression with her special voice nonetheless. She has also had quite a bit of TikTok success more recently, and she is now making her Melfest debut. The dramatic ballad is giving James Bond and Adele, especially when it builds up towards the end. She is making good use of the catwalks of the stage setup, and the lights and smoke do look quite effectful.
6) A-Teens – Iconic
The iconic group (see what I did there?) is making a comeback with their first new song in more than 20 years. They did get together for an interval act on Melfest 2024, which may gotten their appetite whetted for joining the actual competition. They start out looking a bit constrained in their neon-lit boxes, but eventually walk out and by the end get lifted on a higher plane. The song is quite an anthemic euro-poppy thing, but the great verses kind of promise more than what the chorus delivers.
All photos © Nina Uddin
