Melodifestivalen: Heat 2

Melodifestivalen was broadcast from the city of Malmö yesterday, from the same arena Eurovision 2013 was held. Seven acts were up for consideration.

The line-up:
1. "Forever Starts Today," Linus Svenning
2. "Där och då med dig," Emelie Irewald
3. "Groupie," Samir & Viktor
4. "If I Was God For One Day," Neverstore
5. "Nonetheless," Marie Bergman & Sanne Salomonsen
6. "Möt mig i Gamla stan," Magnus Carlsson
7. "Don't Stop Believing," Mariette


The Great: Magnus Carlsson and Mariette

Magnus Carlsson, a former member of Melodifestivalen all-stars, Alcazar, was back with "Möt mig i Gamla stan" (translation: "Meet Me In Old Town"). Between the years of 2000 and 2007 (minus just one, 2004), Magnus competed in every Melodifestivalen, either solo or with a group. He's an old pro, and his entry was pure schlager perfection. Luckily, Swedes thought so too, and Magnus was sent directly to the final.  Watch his performance here.

Mariette Hansson is a Melodifestivalen newcomer, who has recently gained some celebrity thanks to her tour with last year's runner-up, Ace Wilder. "Don't Stop Believing" is cool, current, and Eurovision-ready. Mariette was voted directly to the final. Watch her performance here.

The Good: Linus Svenning and Samir & Viktor

Linus Svenning made his Melofestivalen debut a year ago with "Bröder," and he did very well, qualifying for Andra Chansen, making it to the final, and finishing fifth overall. I was VERY anti-Linus last year, and I still think he has the stage presence of a dead trout, but "Forever Starts Today," is a good pop song. However, I do think the song and performance is very familiar, which will probably hurt him in the competition. Linus received enough votes to go to Andra Chansen again. Watch his performance here.

This duo is made of Samir Badran, a reality show contestant, and Viktor Frisk, a fashion blogger. Great! They should definitely make music! Their first release, "Success," went to the top of the charts in Sweden, and it looks like "Groupie" will too. By the way, in Sweden,  a "groupie" is a group selfie. I can't wait to go to Sweden and scream, "inga mera selfies, för vi ska ta en groupie" (translation: "no more selfies, for us to take a groupie"). This has very little chance of making it to Eurovision, but it's fun and silly, so who cares? "Groupie" qualified for the Andra Chansen round. Watch their performance here.

The Robbed: Marie Bergman & Sanne Salomonsen

Marie Bergman is an institution: she represented Sweden in Eurovision three times, and she was in the band that was the model for ABBA. Sweden, how could you not vote for this? "Nonetheless" was performed simply and beautifully, yet it came in last place. It was reminiscent of last year's Eurovision runner up, The Common Linnets, and Irish winners, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan, who swept the competition at Eurovision in 1994. The five Americans I bribe to make them watch Melodifestivalen with me were shocked this didn't qualify. This song made us feel things! I know you Swedes love your pop music (and thank you for that), but respect your elders. This should have advanced. Watch their performance here.