Photo: Lizel Strömberg (ZEL Photography)

LIAMOO was favored by many after being announced as a potential winner for Melodifestivalen 2018. Despite only placing sixth in the finals, LIAMOO's artistic style was undeniable. In teaming up with Sasha Jean-Baptiste, he was able to have to have his song elevated with a show that utilised dark but warm colour design, close and often quick camera shots, and even a few visual effects. The song wasn't as high-impact in an obvious sense, but LIAMOO did excellent work in conveying his personal narrative in the lyrics and showcased both his singing and rapping ability in the three minutes given.

Watch our full interviews with LIAMOO here:

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Photo: Lizel Strömberg (ZEL Photography)

LIAMOO entered Melodifestivalen with tremendous hype behind him, as many predicted him to win the entire contest. Now that his song and performance have premiered, he may not have as simple a task to beat out the many other popular competitors to have made it to the finals. But regardless of the results he may get in Friends Arena, he has already gained a tremendous boost in his following from countries all over the world.

LIAMOO, or Liam as he's known to those better acquainted with him, comes from a mixed family background. His mother's parents are originally from the Philippines and Finland, and are incredibly important to him (as evidenced by his showcasing them in his semi-final introduction video). There aren't many Swedish artists that have made significant pushes to break out and tour in Asian markets. But Liam shares that he is open to visiting the Philippines and making some professional moves there, saying he has some "contacts" there.

Watch our full interview with LIAMOO here:

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Photo: Carol Blomarv

David Lindgren has quickly risen the ranks of Melodifestivalen-royalty. With three direct qualifications to the finals as a competitor, and a second run as host of the contest, the question remained of how he could top himself. Enter one Sacha Jean-Baptiste who has worked with David Lindgren to put together a truly iconic opening number in which he shows off a whole new set of skills never seen before: pole-dancing. Whatever the rest of 2018 may bring, we can at least be grateful that it brought us this priceless gift.

Watch our interviews with David Lindgren, Samir & Viktor, Margaret, and LIAMOO here:

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Photo: Lizel Strömberg (ZEL Photography)

In true Melodifestivalen tradition, the most competitive line-up has been drawn for Göteborg. In their return to the contest, Samir & Viktor have brought their most impressive entry yet, "Shuffla". With a catchier melody, more diverse genres incorporated in the production, and actual choreography that they perform with their dancers, Samir & Viktor have elevated their capabilities as entertainers to a whole new level.

Margaret enters as a fan-favourite among Melodifestivalen viewers for her previous pop bangers including "Cool Me Down" and "What You Do", both of which brought her success outside of her native country Poland and onto Swedish streaming charts and television programs. Now she has brought a lighter but nonetheless stellar "In My Cabana" complete with intricate camera works to show a narrative of having fun with her dancers and getting her flirt on all the while.

LIAMOO shot up to number one in the betting odds early on, along with other bookie-favourites Benjamin Ingrosso and Mariette. After winning Swedish Idol, LIAMOO spent much of his tie touring across Sweden and only releasing a couple singles along the way. Now he has teamed up with famed choreographer and artistic director Sacha Jean-Baptiste to create an intimate, well-designed show with dark colours and close-up camera shots to allow viewers to better connect with LIAMOO and the lyrics he worked on himself.

Watch our interviews with Samir & Viktor, Margaret, and LIAMOO here:

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Photo: Lizel Strömberg (ZEL Photography)

LIAMOO, winner of Swedish Idol 2016, is set to make his Melodifestivalen debut with a song he co-wrote called "Last Breath," one that he promises to be both personal and epic. With a multicultural background of heritage including Filipino and Finnish roots, LIAMOO is no stranger to approaching music with an open and creative fusion which intermingles various genres. He sings, he raps, and he always aims to look his best in how he presents himself as an artist.

"Last Breath" will also be staged by famed artistic director and choreographer Sasha Jean-Baptiste, who presented LIAMOO with a mood board which he gave his approval to. With a considerable amount of buzz surrounding him, and even theories that he will win the whole contest, LIAMOO admits to not being aware of his rise to the top of the betting odds until his father told him so. But he is flattered nonetheless by the vote of confidence from the public and their belief in his ability to succeed.

Watch our full interview with LIAMOO here:

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With the first semi-final mere weeks away, SVT unveiled the last anticipated announcement regarding the show, that of the running order. With the most coveted spot being the closer (7), followed by the opener (1) and pre-closer (6), the most dreaded spots are going second (2), followed by third (3). So who has benefitted most and who will be made to fight that much harder for a qualification?

KARLSTAD – DELTÄVLING 1

1. Patrick Swayze
Artist: Sigrid Bernson

Sigrid was always the most obvious choice to open the show given her performance background and familiarity to the public as a professional dancer. Typically the producers will favour something that can offer a big show and strong impression to viewers. Start the show with a bang!

2. My Turn
Artist: John Lundvik 

It's unfortunate that an artist as quality as John Lundvik would end up in the worst slot in the running order but given his decision to enter the contest with a ballad, it's less surprising that he'd have a lot to overcome in winning over the viewers (and producers, apparently).

3. All The Feels
Artist: Renaida 

SVT has had a shoddy record when it comes to quality diversity and representation in the contest. So are we surprised that this is one of three semi-finals where artists offering representation to a more diverse audience are crammed back-to-back in the worst spots of the running order? Not at all.

4. Livet på en pinne
Artist: Edward Blom

Somehow an act that is listed (on Wikipedia, anyway, so we'll tread lightly on claims of accuracy) as an archivist, trade historian, writer, and television personality warrants a more favourable treatment from producers than legitimate artists who have made an effort to release music. Yikes.

5. Osby Tennessee
Artist: Kikki Danielsson

Kikki's been around for a while now but she's had an influx in popularity more recently so the timing was right for her to return to the contest.

6. Solen lever kvar hos dig
Artist: Kamferdrops

We saw this one coming for a while. Given that Kamferdrops had gained momentum in the last year in Sweden (she's originally from Norway) by releasing a cover of a Kikki Danielsson song, it was entirely predictable that SVT would not only put these two back-to-back in the same semi-final but that Kikki would go first between the two in order to ensure the maximum effect of emphasizing the connection between the two.

7. Dance You Off
Artist: Benjamin Ingrosso

He closed his semi-last year as a newcomer to the contest, qualified direct to the finals where he finished in the Top 5; there was never any doubt that Benjamin would be the one to close his semi-final once again in the 2018 contest!

GÖTEBORG – DELTÄVLING 2

1. Shuffla
Artist: Samir & Viktor

Samir & Viktor were tapped to open the show during their last competitive run and given how competitive a line-up they've found themselves in yet again, we just knew that they'd be the ones to open the show with another signature party number.

2. Allting som vi sa
Artist: Ida Redig

Despite having heard from some Swed-pop fans that have rated her favorably, it would seem that producers don't feel inclined to help out Ida Redig at all in this bloodbath of a semi. We can hear the echoing choruses of "Robbed!" from fans already.

3. Det finns en väg
Artist: Jonas Gardell

No surprises or objections here.

4. In My Cabana
Artist: Margaret

Perhaps it's not entirely surprising that the producers wouldn't favour Margaret as much as her fans would like. It's also a highly competitive semi-final with only seven slots to fill. But still, this borderline-position leaves us concerned about her qualification. She will really have to deliver every component at a high level to push past the threshold.

5. Titta vi flyger
Artist: Stiko Per Larsson

This was a big surprise. The winner of the Svensk Nästa Toppen contest didn't have much of an impression with viewers as this particular contest has long been treated as a giant question mark to fans since little to none of its winners have been able to even make it past the first round of voting in the semi-final. Nonetheless, we're intrigued. It's always fun to have good surprises in the line-up.

6. Songburning
Artist: Mimi Werner

Mimi had a rough ride in her debut back in 2016. Despite bringing an impressive and highly commendable song and performance, she found herself up against other strong competitors that had a larger name and establishment beforehand so she ended up finishing fifth in her heat. Now that she's back, we couldn't be happier to see that producers believe in her entry enough to give her such a strong position.

7. Last Breath
Artist: LIAMOO

Ever since LIAMOO was announced for Melodifestivalen 2018, there was little doubt to his potential and now he's shot up to number one in the betting odds even over the likes of Mello veterans Mariette and Benjamin Ingrosso. Who better to close this powerhouse semi-final?

MALMÖ – DELTÄVLING 3

1. A Bitter Lullaby
Artist: Martin Almgren

One of two Idol winners to this year but Martin's more old-fashioned (in comparison to LIAMOO) impression to the public may account for why he's been tapped to open instead of close this semi-final. Still, this capable vocalist may impress with something uplifting and up-tempo and we look forward to what that may be.

2. Stark
Artist: Barbi Escobar

Now we return to the tomfoolery. Our concerns beforehand regarding this semi-final would be that the three 'Latin' entries would be stacked back-to-back in the running order. Despite Mendez being able to break free of that, it's highly irksome to see the remaining two still pressed up against one another and in particular, going second and third.

3. Cuba Libre
Artist: Moncho

Given that Barbi's song is said to be more of a ballad while Moncho's is more up-tempo, it's not surprising that he would get the more favourable slot of the two (this same concept applies to semi-final 1).

4. Party Voice
Artist: Jessica Andersson

Though many veterans of the contest have gone out in the lowest manner possible (finishing last in their semi-final), Jessica Andersson's most recent foray back in 2015 saw her still manage to qualify direct despite having a more old-fashioned style of ballad (and staging). Will she maintain a steady set of decent results with a more up-tempo song? We'll se!

5. Min dröm
Artist: Kalle Moraeus & Orsa Spelmän

We have no idea.

6. Cry
Artist: Dotter

Dotter has had some decent start in gaining momentum as a solo artist and has displayed a more secure artistic presence. We always expected her to have a decent slot in the running order.

7. Everyday
Artist: Mendez

But perhaps the most pleasant surprise of all was to see that despite it being fifteen years since his last go in the contest, Mendez has been tapped to close his semi-final! He's been very clear in communicating his desire to bring a big party that will have everyone up, dancing, and having fun with a Latin (Spanglish) flavour! We can't wait!

Ö-VIK – DELTÄVLING 4

1. Icarus
Artist: Emmi Christensson

Emmi is more so known for being a musical theatre artist so this is a surprising announcement considering how many other traditionally-pop artists are available to choose from in the line-up. This is an intriguing choice.

2. Mitt paradis
Artist: Elias Abbas

This is perhaps the most shocking and outrageous development in the running order. Elias gained huge traction this past year with his infectious summer jam "Min queen" and has the legendary composer/producer Anderz Wrethov on his track. Yet somehow he's been stuck into the worst spot possible. Outrageous.

3. Break That Chain
Artist: Felicia Olsson

Felicia was last seen back in Melodifestivalen 2013 and presumably has developed quite a bit as an artist and person since then. So why bring her back into the fold at all if her 'upgrade' in running order is from 2nd to 3rd? Good grief.

4. Fuldans
Artist: Rolandz

A joke act getting a better spot than legitimate, diverse artists who were relegated to slots 2 and 3? Entirely on-brand with SVT's track record.

5. Never Learn
Artist: Olivia Eliasson

As Olivia is managed by the same team that has backed Anton Ewald and Wiktoria's runs in the contest, we're expecting staging with a large budget. As for the song, it's too early to tell.

6. Every Single Day
Artist: Felix Sandman

Despite coming alone this time, Felix (the 'F' in FO&O) Sandman is a highly experienced artist and performer. Regardless of the shift in musical style, his established popularity and extensive touring and performing experience will be major assets to him as he competes to establish himself as a solo artist.

7. For You
Artist: Mariette

This has been the announcement everyone knew was coming. The last artist in the last semi-final has always been someone with a lot of hype about them leading into the contest. It doesn't necessarily result in winning the whole thing but the build-up to seeing what they deliver is always exciting.

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