Sweden’s Eurovision queen: The Contest is stuck on Loreen

When Sweden select their Eurovision entry, they mean serious business. The country settled in for 6 weeks of the Melodifestivalen competition (talk about walking through fire and through rain), with the final held in Stockholm. And it wasn’t just up to Swedes watching at home - 10 international juries had their say as well. Loreen smashed her performance, throwing her soul into the show. Both the juries and public were stuck on Loreen, and she took the win by some distance ahead of the other acts.

Loreen stepped onto the Eurovision stage for her first rehearsal on Sunday 30 April, and if all she wants is to be loved, then she’s succeeding. The Swedish superstar performed her song wearing the same outfit we saw at Melodifestivalen, and gave a run through similar to the one that brought her victory at the national final in March. As the music built, so too did the show - as did the anticipation for next week's Live Shows.

The official Eurovision Live Blog inked out a few thoughts about Loreen’s first rehearsal in Liverpool, writing: "So the light box is back, but it's a smaller version than the one we saw at Melodifestivalen. It's also raised off the ground, so the bottom section can be wheeled onto the stage. The stage and the LED screen is a sea of swirling smoke, and the whole effect is incredibly intense."

Loreen’s music is a staple of Scandinavian pop, with her unique brand of energising beats and lyrics. But there is a calm being inside Loreen, as evidenced by the three wishes she told us she’d make if she ever got her hands on Aladdin’s lamp. She’d like a peaceful balance in humanity, to slow down time so the days are longer, and for nature to recover itself.

Loreen’s favourite songs come from across the globe, often with calming sounds, gentle beats, and soothing instrumentals. First on her playlist is Arhegh Ad Annàgh by Tinariwen, a group of musicians from Northern Mali using traditional sounds. She also loves the very chilled out Summer Madness by Texan group Khruangbin, and the Moroccan beats of Salat Ala Nabina by Mr. ID and Kawtar Sadik. But there’s plenty of room for disco too. Lady (Hear Me Tonight) by Modjo is the one song guaranteed to get Loreen up on the dancefloor.

“It’s such a beautiful vibe to be in,” Loreen said, as she told the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast about the Eurovision pre-parties. “It’s spiritually fun.”

She told our host Steve Holden how Eurovision is so much bigger now than just over a decade ago when she won the crown for Euphoria. “Now compared to then, I have this more motherly vibe going on inside of me - I don’t know what’s going on - it feels more effortless. It has a soft energy. Although it’s crazy wild and people are having fun, the aura this time is very pink.”

There’s more from Loreen on Episode 12 of the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

You can learn more about Loreen from Sweden right here.