Sweden’s Eurovision selection competition Melodifestivalen is one of the most anticipated events in the Eurovision calendar. Spanning over six weeks and six major Swedish cities, the competition is a celebration of Schlager, a coup d’etat of kitsch and just downright fun. Today the details for the 2018 edition were revealed.
Melfest will kick off with the first of four semi finals in the city of Karlstad on 3 Feb. From there it will visit Gothenburg, Malmo and Ornskoldsvik for the remaining semi finals on consecutive Saturdays while the Second Chance show will take place on 3 March and the Final on 10 March.
Melfest 2018 Dates and Venues
Semi Final 1: Lofbergs Arena, Karlstad- 3 February
Semi Final 2: Scandinavium, Gothenburg- 10 February
Semi Final 3: Malmo Arena, Malmo- 17 February
Semi Final 4: Fjallaven Centre, Ornskoldsvik- 24 February
Second Chance: Kristianstad Arena, Kristianstad- 3 March
Final: Friends Arena, Stockholm- 10 March
While the dates and venues for Melfest 2018 have been confirmed, there is no announcement yet regarding competing entries or hosts. There will more than likely be a few familiar faces in the running as artists tend to compete in multiple years. Since 2015 there has been a reduction in the amount of competing performers from eight in each semi final to seven (overall down from 32 entries to 28). This format will likely remain the same with two acts qualifying directly to the final from each semi final and two further acts moving on to the second chance show battles.
Melfest has helped Sweden cement itself as one of the most successful Eurovision nations ever. In their past seven attempts they have finished in the top five on six occasions and won in both 2012 and 2015. Most recently Sweden came in fifth place with Robin Bengtsson’s ‘I Can’t Go On’.
Let us know who you would like to see return to the Melfest stage next year by commenting below!
