Melodifestivalen 2009 - CHANGES

[Jake]

Melodifestivalen, the selection process to choose who will represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest, will have a number of major changes for its 2009 edition. Since 2002, four semi-finals have been held each year. The top two songs from each semi-final would qualify automatically to the final, whilst the third and fourth placed songs would participate in an Andra Chansen (second chance) round. From 2009 this will no longer be the case. The four songs getting the most votes during the first round of televote will face knock-out matches in the second round.
The matches have been fixed as follows: the song placed first will compete against the song placed fourth; second and third placed will fight in the other knock-out stage. Apparently, this system gives advantage to the two top-ranked songs, especially the first one. The winners of these matches will go straight to the final, while the other two will be drawn to the Andra Chansen stage.

Another major change introduced by SVT for next year's Melodifestivalen is the use of an international jury. This panel of specialist will choose one of the 22 songs that didn't pass the semifinals nor the Andra Chansen round and make it the 11th finalist. Therefore, 2009 Melodifestivalen will see 11 songs on stage instead of 10. Jurors also will be able to vote in the final, alongside 11 regional votes and the televote.

Also, 2009 Melodifestivalen entrants will be allowed to use pre-recorded backing vocals and the maximum number of persons on stage rises to 8 (two more than EBU's established limit for Eurovision Song Contest).

My head hurts

There is nothing wrong with the current system...or is that just me thinking that?

[Jake]

OK

I GET it now. The only bit i am not huge on is the use of pre-recorded backing vocals. Had this system been used this year it would have meant Velvet would have made the second round = GOOD

Having a maximum of eight on stage will be good me thinks. Suppose it further shows how much MF doesn't need Eurovision.

The 11th finalist thing is surely there to stop a Carola style debacle again?

[David]

I quite like the sound of the format changes.

I'll have to digest them and see how they would have affected previous year's results.

[Jake]

Heat 1

Amy Diamond vs. Velvet
Christer Sjogren vs. E-Type

Heat 2

Sanna vs Ola
Carola vs Rongedal

Heat 3

BWO vs. Patrik Isaksson
Caracola vs. Frida

Heat 4

Charlotte Perrelli vs Nordman
Linda Bengtzing vs. Sibel

[Jake]

I would say the only changes from the actual results would be Caracola and Sibel would automatically make the final with Frida and Linda having to go into the A.C.

[David]

I'm actually looking at results from 2004 and 2005 at the moment.

[Samuel]

So, now it's going to be the top four announced an then the voting continues for each pairing?

[Jake]

So, now it's going to be the top four announced an then the voting continues for each pairing?

I think it will be

Announce who is in 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
They then go into their head to heads
Then an A.C style sing off. They each perform again
And so on like the A.C.

[David]

I like the idea of an 11th finalist, I mean how many great songs have we lost due to getting fifth place in a heat or some AC debacle?

[Madison]

11th finalist chosen by international jury - FANTASTIC

Knock-out format - MEH, will this mean we get an additional performance

Backup track - not sure, it's a shame when backup singers ruin the performance (hello belarus) - but it runs the risk of a track with an horrendously complicated backing getting through and then bellyflopping in moscow.

[Madison]

Do we know in which city the MF final will be yet?

[Jake]

Maybe this would have meant Therese would have made the final in 2007



LOVES IT

[Ill Advised]

All a bit confusing but the same amount of songs to start with?

[Ill Advised]

Do we know in which city the MF final will be yet?

This is essential need to know info!!!

[Jake]

It is going to be in Malmo i read. But nothing has been confirmed so i DO NOT KNOW.

[Madison]

This will complicate future Moopyfestivalens - why don't SVT think about this?

(SV: what's the correct plural form?)

[Samuel]

The 11th Finalist thing is only there for a big name, like Carola or Nanne to be brought back. But it's a nice idea and hopefully it means that someone like Velvet or Sonja will stand a chance in the Final.

The pre-recorded backing track thing won't work and if you're sensible you wouldn't take the option of using them either. Imagine Charlotte on stage by herself because all of her backing vocals were done beforehand, er, no thanks.

[Madison]

It is going to be in Malmo i read. But nothing has been confirmed so i DO NOT KNOW.

Booo - almost as bad as Copenhagen

[Madison]

The pre-recorded backing track thing won't work and if you're sensible you wouldn't take the option of using them either. Imagine Charlotte on stage by herself because all of her backing vocals were done beforehand, er, no thanks.

I agree, there would be nothing to distract you from her face until the blessed distraction of the lasers.

Presumably the backing singers would still be on stage miming.

[Samuel]

I agree, there would be nothing to distract you from her face until the blessed distraction of the lasers.

Presumably the backing singers would still be on stage miming.

You'd think so but I don't like that, I want them to be joining in otherwise it's a bit half hearted.

[Toyah]

I DEMAND to be a member of the international jury!

[Samuel]

I suggest they call it the Moopy Jury and just get on with it, I demand we make Jake's vote null and void though, Velvet would be through every fucking year.

[Jake]

Nah, every other year

Bringing in Moopy would lead to good quality control me thinks

[David_5000]

11th finalist chosen by international jury - FANTASTIC

Knock-out format - MEH, will this mean we get an additional performance

Backup track - not sure, it's a shame when backup singers ruin the performance (hello belarus) - but it runs the risk of a track with an horrendously complicated backing getting through and then bellyflopping in moscow.

My thoughts exactly. I don't like the knockout at all, I preferred Andra Chansen without it. But who knows, maybe I'll change my mind come February.

[Madison]

Do we know in which city the MF final will be yet?

Good news!

http://www.esctoday.com/news/read/12274

• 1st Semi Final - 07 February 2009 - Scandinavium, Gothemburg
• 2nd Semi Final - 14 February 2009 - Skellefteå Kraft Arena, Skellefteå
• 3rd Semi Final - 21 February 2009 - Ejendals Arena, Leksand
• 4th Semi Final - 28 February 2009 - Malmö Arena, Malmö
• Second chance round - 07 March 2009 - Himmelstalundshallen, Norrköping
• The final - 14 March 2009 - Globen, Stockholm

[Lars]

I'm so glad the final is in Stockholm and not in Malmö.

Are you all coming again? I want to do some more serious schlager dancing.

[Sheena]

Having missed possibly the BEST FINAL EVER last year, I'm tempted...despite my ongoing attempts to save money and not waste it on things like travelling to Sweden on a RANDOM WHIM

When do tickets go on sale ?

[Lars]

It would be so great if you came Sheena.

[Sheena]

It would be so great if you came Sheena.

I did it FIRST

They just all COPIED me last year

[Lars]

I did it FIRST

They just all COPIED me last year

LOL!

[Madison]

I'm so glad the final is in Stockholm and not in Malmö.

Are you all coming again? I want to do some more serious schlager dancing.

Would you be able to get us on the guest list again, thus skipping a two hour queue in the cold - walking past a masses of well dressed queueing Swedes with nice teeth?

I never felt so guilty in my life.

[Lars]

Would you be able to get us on the guest list again, thus skipping a two hour queue in the cold - walking past a masses of well dressed queueing Swedes with nice teeth?

I never felt so guilty in my life.

Of course I can, the owner is a friend of mine.

You shouldn't feel guilty, you're fabulous!

Who cares about people with nice teeths anyway?

[David]

Given the precariousness of my finances, I think I shall watch online.

[Madison]

Having missed possibly the BEST FINAL EVER last year, I'm tempted...despite my ongoing attempts to save money and not waste it on things like travelling to Sweden on a RANDOM WHIM

When do tickets go on sale ?

Last year it was October 18th.

[Lars]

Given the precariousness of my finances, I think I shall watch online.

It has nothing do to with the Swedish food I hope?

[RobotBoy]

Who cares about people with nice teeths anyway?

I have nice teeth

I've been for the last 2 years and I can't imagine ever missing it again.

[Lars]

But if Moopy is going I want to go too. But I don't want to sit on my own.

[Apocalypt_flyer]

I might BUY, see out how the line up PANS OUT and either GO or SELL AGAIN.

[Lars]

I have nice teeth

I've been for the last 2 years and I can't imagine ever missing it again.

There are always exceptions to the rule.

[Madison]

Oh hell, I'll probably be going again.