Melodifestivalen 2018: Introducing the Artists

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

Mariette makes a surprising return to the contest, as it will mark her third participation in the last four years. Her song was written by famed Swedish composer Jörgen Elofsson and Mariette promises that her staging will be designed by the same choreographer that worked on her previous two entries. It will be a pop song with a great deal of expectations placed on it by fans and viewers but despite her desires to finally win the contest, she assures us that she doesn't feel the pressure from others to win.

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

Samir & Viktor make an exciting return to Melodifestivalen with a song called "Shuffla" that they co-wrote. The concept is about a 'shuffle' dance that many young kids have gotten into in Sweden through their use of the Musical.ly app. While professing love to the fans and viewers that have supported them over the years, Samir jokes about how they also love their haters who have made them go viral by posting death wishes towards them. Though humour is the go-to coping mechanism they've used over the years when dealing with the animosity hurled at them by trolls and 'professional' media alike, we hope that people will get over themselves and simply enjoy Samir & Viktor for all that they bring to the contest: fun, energy, and an emphasis on togetherness.

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

Margaret is a Polish pop powerhouse making her Melodifestivalen debut with a song "In My Cabana" that boasts writers that have worked on some of her most popular international hits including "Cool Me Down" and "What You Do". Margaret has gained traction in Sweden with these prior releases and now hopes to allow the Swedish audience to better connect her image to the songs that they have played on radio and streaming services. She shares that her song is "sexy" and though she still had to work on the design of her performance, she did tease on the idea of incorporating dancers to what seems to be one of the must-have bangers of this year's line-up.

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

Felix Sandman will now be stepping out from his long-standing gig as the 'F' in FO&O who were finalists in Melodifestivalen 2017 ("Gotta Thing About You"). He will be entering Melodifestivalen 2018 with a song he co-wrote in Los Angeles called "Every Single Day" in a style he describes as really personal and inspired by his deeper thoughts and feelings. Despite his reputation of being skilled at acrobatic tricks, he hopes to design a stage performance that will showcase the song's lyrics and allow the audience to better connect with them.

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

Benjamin Ingrosso makes a welcome return after winning over a wave of new fans and impressing the international juries to finish fifth overall in the 2017 contest with his song "Good Lovin'". Ingrosso consistently co-writes on the music he releases and excels in bringing an energetic charisma and showmanship to his performances. He has teased that "Dance You Off" is the best song of what he's released thus far and he has already shot a music video for it.

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

Mimi Werner previously competed in Melodifestivalen 2016 ("Ain't No Good") relatively unknown in a competitive Göteborg line-up and finished fifth overall much to the disappointment of all her new fans that were impressed with her lively performance and catchy, country-pop song. Now she returns to battle it out once again in a competitive Göteborg line-up. "Songburning" is another country-pop song Werner has co-written though it is said to be a more personal song.

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

Méndez is a Melodifestivalen veteran, having formerly competed in Melodifestivalen 2002 ("Adrenaline") and 2003 ("Carnaval") with the former finishing as the runner-up in the finals. His return to the contest is one that he has been pursuing for quite some time, having sent in songs for roughly the last four years straight. He was also one of the many acts tapped to appear in the large medley that unfolded during the Melodifestivalen 2016 finals. Originally from Chile, Méndez promises that "Everyday" will be another Spanglish party song that is true to his artistic style.

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

John Lundvik is best known to Melodifestivalen viewers for having written Anton Ewald's 2014 entry "Natural" that Lundvik himself declares is not the style of music he creates for himself. His Melodifestivalen entry "My Turn" is an honest, personal ballad that speaks to his own determination to pursue his solo career. Though he has not recorded a music video for it, he admits he would love to create one, though the final decision rests on his label, Warner Music Sweden.

Photo: Lizel Strömberg

Barbi Escobar is one multiple newcomers to this year's Melodifestivalen. Having co-written her song "Stark" with Costa Leon and Andreas "Stone" Johansson, Escobar shares that the song is personal and was written not long after her father passed away from cancer. Escobar is of a Chilean background and looks forward to bringing a soulful R&B musical style to the contest.

Watch our full interviews with the aforementioned Melodifestivalen 2018 artists here: