Melodifestivalen: Andra Chansen

The Andra Chansen (second chance) round of Melodifestivalen took place on Saturday. Eight songs were paired into duels, and four winners advanced to the final.

The line-up:
1. "Bring Out The Fire," Andreas Weise VS. "Forever Starts Today," Linus Svenning
2. "Guld och gröna skogar," Hasse Andersson VS. "I See You," Kristin Amparo
3. "Hello Hi," Dolly Style VS. "Make Me (La La La)," Dinah Nah
4. "Det rår vi inte för," Behrang Miri feat. Victor Krone VS. "Groupie," Samir & Viktor

Melodifestivalen: Heat 4

The last of Melodifestivalen's four heats was broadcast from Örebro on Saturday. We have seen all the contestants at this point, and the line-up for the Andra Chansen (second chance) round is set.

More importantly, there was a sighting of my favorite Swedish back-up dancer, Daniel Koivunen, formerly known as "Anton Ewald's Left Back-Up Dancer." After lots of research (internet stalking), I finally figured out his name, and I have requested to be his friend on Facebook. Fingers crossed he doesn't think it's weird that an American girl with zero connections to Sweden is trying to be his friend!

Anyway, Daniel Koivunen performed this week in two numbers! First, the opening, which featured host, Sanna Nielsen, singing "Free Your Mind" by En Vogue, for a reason I do not understand because I do not speak Swedish. And secondly, in Dinah Nah's entry, "Make Me (La La La)." But back to the competition.

The line-up this week:
1. "Don't Say No," Midnight Boy
2. "Black Swan," Caroline Wennergren
3. "Building It Up," JTR
4. "Guld och gröna skogar," Hasse Andersson
5. "Make Me (La La La)," Dinah Nah
6. "Ett andetag," Annika Herlitz
7. "Heroes," Måns Zelmerlöw

Melodifestivalen: Heat 3

Melodifestivalen continued in Östersund yesterday, which marks the half-way point through the competition.

The line-up:
1. "Insomnia," Ellen Benediktson
2. "För din skull," Kalle Johansson
3. "Bring Out the Fire," Andreas Weise
4. "Living To Die," Andreas Johnson
5. "Don't Stop," Isa
6. "I See You," Kristin Amparo
7. "Jag är fri (Manne Liem Frije)," Jon Henrik Fjällgren

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

Australia Will Compete in Eurovision 2015

The EBU (Eurovision Broadcasting Union) announced today that for the first time ever, Australia will be allowed to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest, taking place this May in Vienna. Australians have been watching the Contest for years, but because they are not members of the EBU, they have never been able to participate.

This is huge news for Australian fans, but it should be understood that this is intended as a one-time opportunity, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Eurovision. If Australia does indeed win the Contest, they will be allowed to send an additional entry next year. And a European city will host, with the help of Australian broadcaster, SBS.

Australia will advance directly to the grand final, held on May 23. This was decided so as not to take votes away from other countries who are participating in the semi-finals. Australian viewers will also be able to vote for the first time, in both the semi-finals and the final.

At last year's Eurovision in Copenhagen, Australia had the honor of performing the interval act during the second semi-final. SBS sent Jessica Mauboy and her song, "Sea of Flags."

This brings the total number of participants to 40, which is the largest Eurovision in its history. Australia joins the Big 5 countries: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK; host country, Austria; and Armenia, Belgium, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Macedonia, Moldova, the Netherlands, Albania, Belarus, Denmark, Georgia, Hungary, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Lithuania, Malta, Montenegro, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Azerbaijan, Cyprus, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Poland, Slovenia, Sweden, and Switzerland.  

Results From Melodifestivalen: Heat 1

Melodifestivalen, Sweden's Eurovision selection show, began on Saturday with the first round. It was held in Gothenburg and hosted by Robin Paulsson, a comedian, and last year's Melodifestivalen winner, Sanna Nielsen.

The line-up:
1. "I'll Be Fine," Molly Pettersson Hammar
2. "Pappa," Daniel Gildenlöw
3. "One by One," Rickard Söderberg & Elize Ryd
4. "Hello Hi," Dolly Style
5. "Det rår vi inte för," Behrang Miri feat. Victor Crone
6. "Can't Hurt Me Now," Jessica Andersson
7. "Sting," Eric Saade

Switzerland Makes Its Selection

Swiss audiences chose their representative today on the show, Die Entscheidungsshow, which was broadcast live from Kreuzlingen. With only six contestants, Switzerland has a relatively small national selection process, compared to many other countries that spend weeks watching and voting, and whittle down several dozen competitors.

The line-up:
1. "Take Me Back to 23," Deborah Bough
2. "Singing About Love," Timebelle
3. "Fly," Licia Chery
4. "Hey Now," Andy McSean
5. "Time To Shine," Mélanie René
6. "Only Human," Tiziana