Meet the first 14 Melodifestivalen acts 🇸🇪

The winner of Melfest (or ‘Mello’ as it’s affectionately known) represents Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest.

In a slightly revamped format, a total of 28 acts will compete over 5 semi finals, with the best of the best battling out in a grand final on Saturday 12 March.

Pop star and Melfest stalwart Oscar Zia assumes hosting duties this year and is expected to be joined by a raft of weekly special guests.

Let’s take a look at the first 14 acts, the song titles and writing teams…

Anders Bagge

Bigger Than The Universe

There are very few people left in Sweden unaware of Anders – he’s one of the Nordic nation’s most popular TV personalities and composers.

The Swedish Idol judge has worked with international artists such as Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Celine Dion, Janet Jackson, Santana and Enrique Iglesias. He also co-wrote Azerbaijan’s entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012; When The Music Dies performed by Sabina Babayeva.

Now a big challenge awaits Anders: take to the stage and be an artist in your own right.

Songwriters: Anders Bagge, Jimmy Jansson, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son

LIAMOO

Bluffin

LIAMOO won the hearts and minds of the good people of Sweden back in 2016 when he won Idol, showcasing his abilities as both a singer and a rapper.

In 2018, LIAMOO participated in Melodifestivalen with the song Last Breath which he co-wrote, and in 2019 it was time for Mello again, this time a duet, Hold You, together with Hanna Ferm, finishing in third place.

Songwriters: Jimmy ‘Joker’ Thörnfeldt, Sami Rekik, Dino Medanhodzic, Ali Jammali

Faith Kakembo

Freedom

Everyone’s favourite nurse from Jönköping was discovered when she participated in the talent competition P4 Nästa 2019, winning her county final.

She was introduced to hitmaker Jörgen Elofsson who gave her the song Crying Rivers which she performed at Melodifestivalen 2020; Faith Kakembo finished in fifth place when the contest reached Luleå.

Songwriters: Laurell Barker, Anderz Wrethov, Palle Hammarlund, Faith Kakembo

Linda Bengtzing

Fyrfaldigt hurra!

What needs to be said about Linda Bengtzing that hasn’t already been said? Linda delivers the hits – both on and off the Melfest stage.

Beyond her extensive Mello experience, Linda had appeared in a number of TV shows and musicals, earning her critical acclaim, including a nomination for best female lead thanks to her portrayal of Mimi Marquez in RENT.

Songwriter: Thomas G:son, Linda Bengtzing, Myra Granberg, Daniel Jelldéus

Danne Stråhed

Hallabaloo

Danne Stråhed has been in a variety of bands since the mid 1970s and, as a member of the band Chinox, had connections to the (then) relatively unknown AC/DC.

The rocker has his musical roots in Swedish folk music, the American South, and the Caribbean. At home in Sweden, his Scandi/Cajun-inspired music has reached a large, broad audience.

Songwriters: Danne Stråhed, Fredrik Andersson, Erik Stenhammar

Cornelia Jakobs

Hold Me Closer

Cornelia Jakobs has lived and breathed music since she was seven years old. At school she started playing in various garage rock bands and her passion for playing live for audiences has remained as strong as ever.

An artist with strong creative visions in both music and visuals, for the past five years she has done pretty much everything herself. With 9 singles out and a debut album on the way, Cornelia is one to watch.

Songwriters: Isa Molin, David Zandén, Cornelia Jakobsdotter

Cazzi Opeia

I Can’t Get Enough

Moa ‘Cazzi Opeia’ Carlebecker is a Swedish artist, songwriter and producer who started writing their own music at an early age.

She has become one of the most sought after songwriters in K-pop, with many smashes on the US Billboard charts and collaborations with superstars such as BTS, Red Velvet, NCT 127 and Enhypen.

As a songwriter, Cazzi has sold more than 20 million physical albums, been streamed over 4 billion times and has more than 1.5 billion views on YouTube.

We’ll stop listing the accolades now or we’ll run out of space on the page!

Songwriters: Bishat Araya, Jakob Redtzer, Cazzi Opeia, Paul Rey

Samira Manners

I Want To Be Loved

Samira Manners is 21 years old and has been playing and writing music since she was little. The singer-songwriter creates music based on her own feelings and experiences, and her dream is to share her experiences through song with big audiences.

Songwriters: Samira Manners, Fredrik Andersson

Omar Rudberg

Moving Like That

Omar is an artist, songwriter and actor, and an ex-member of Scandinavia’s biggest boy band: FO&O.

As one of the main characters in the hit series Young Royals, he has reached idol status among younger viewers and become a worldwide name.

This is Omar’s third participation in Melodifestivalen.

Songwriters: Omar Rudberg, Gustav Blomberg, Amanda Kongshaug, Kristin Marie

Klara Hammarström

Run To The Hills

Klara Hammarström became known to the public through SVT’s reality series Familjen Hammarström, which was about Klara’s successful horse-loving family, where she is one of eleven siblings.

Having competed in both 2020 and 2021, Klara Hammarström completes a rare consecutive hat trick of Melodifestivalen appearances.

Songwriters: Jimmy ‘Joker’ Thörnfeldt, Julie Aagaard, Anderz Wrethov, Klara Hammarström

Tribe Friday

Shut Me Up

With their signature mix of indie rock, dance-pop and emo, Tribe Friday have enjoyed a dedicated global fan base since their debut.

The band describes themselves as three ‘emo-losers’ from three different Swedish small towns who share the dream of becoming the world’s biggest band.

Songwriters: Isak Gunnarsson, Robin Hanberger Pérez, Noah Deutschmann

THEOZ

Som du vill

THEOZ is one of Sweden’s biggest influencers with over two million followers across their channels.

He broke through as an artist in 2018, at only twelve years old, with the song Het – the accompanying music video became the most watched in Sweden that year.

Songwriters: Tobias Lundgren, Axel Schylström, Tim Larsson, Elize Ryd, Jimmy ‘Joker’ Thörnfeldt

Niello & Lisa Ajax

Tror du att jag bryr mig

This will be the first time Niello and Lisa perform in Mello together but not the first time they’ve worked together; that was this summer on the song Ingen annan.

Niello broke through in 2013 with the track Legenden, while Lisa Ajax’s path to success was via Idol.

Songwriters: Yvonne Dahlbom, Niklas 'Niello’ Grahn Linroth, Jesper Welander

John Lundvik

Änglavakt

This man needs no introduction! Fifth place at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv with Too Late For Love.

Songwriters: Anderz Wrethov, Elin Wrethov, Benjamin Rosenbohm, Fredrik Sonefors, John Lundvik

📺 Watch: John Lundvik – Too Late For Love

The next 14 participants will be revealed by SVT soon!

Big thanks to our friends at Scandipop.co.uk for helping to navigate the Melodifestivalen favourites.

Looks like a strong Mello line-up, doesn’t it! What do you think? Let us know via the official Eurovision Song Contest Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook channels.