Lopez Blogs

OK, I'm almost a week late with this review but I'm painting my house at the moment and there's not enough blogging-time so bear with me...

I previously posted about this year's much-maligned summer singalong shows which the Swedish media seem to take great delight in knocking. Yet on the other hand you can't help thinking there's a agenda at work - think of our own British TV shows like X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing which get press coverage on non-stories and rumours about presenter changes and show overhauls, and all that press gets the desired result - more people tune in and watch the show.

With that in mind - the 'any publicity is good publicity' idea - SVT must have been delighted (although probably not) with the hysteria over the idea that they had allegedly approached Måns Zelmerlöw to take over from Anders Lundin. When in fact they had asked MZW if he's be interested (at some point in the future) and MZW replied yes (at some point in the future). But when did the press ever let the facts get in the way of a good story?

Last Tuesday night, 27,000 people turned up at Skansen to watch the show, just falling short of the record 28,000 who watched Lordi's appearance in 2006 (tack, Wikipedia!!) anyway the massive turnout probably had more to do with who was on the bill than a pro-Anders Lundin show of strength.

If last week was "the week that Allsång fought back" then it was important that the evening kicked off on a high. I know just the man for the job....

Salem Al Fakir - who I have been known to mention once or twice in passing - opened the show with a rousing "4 O'Clock" ...


and closed the show with a triumphant "Keep On Walking"...


Interestingly enough he didn't do an Allsång this time, but it didn't really matter as we got "I'm So Happy" in the internet-only extra-show..


It was his second appearance on Allsång; he made his debut in the 2007 season, just a few months after he had shot to fame - but since then he has gone from a reasonably well known artist to superstar status. Allsång with its audience of all ages and musical tastes, was a perfect environment for Salem's music which appeals to everyone.

Salem has many young fans at the moment and the same could be said for his friend and fellow talented artist Oskar Linnros. The crowd went crazy for Oskar and who could blame them? He gave a fabulous and energetic performance of debut hit "Ack, Sundbyberg"...


Oskar followed that up with an Allsang: "Vem Kan Segla Förutan Vind" and if you caught the extra-show on SVT's website then he also performed the excellent "Från Och Med Du" which was co-written with Christian Olsson from Fibes, Oh Fibes! As if Oskar isn't musically talented enough, he collaborates with some other brilliant musical talents as well!!

Allsång being Allsång, it was inevitable that some of it would be hit-and-miss. At one point it appeared that trumpet-playing, bagpipe-blowing multi-instrumentalist Gunhild Carling was monopolising the show and becoming a bit annoying, but I have to admit she is talented even though that's not my kind of music.

The Real Group seem to have been around forever. Back in 1996 on my first trip to Sweden (Gothenburg) I remember going to Liseberg and seeing a sign advertising their concert there. Yes they are still going and still doing the acapella thing, on this occasion a medley of Swedish-written pop hits.

And then there was Thomas DiLeva, who I vaguely remember from a few years ago but couldn't remember what he looked like. EuropeCrazy readers of a certain age may or may not agree, but when I saw Mr DiLeva he reminded me of Doctor, from Doctor and the Medics, y'know "Spirit In the Sky" and all their other hits....umm.....well "Spirit In The Sky" anyway. At least Thomas DiLeva had many many more hits, the one I remember best is "Vi har bara varandra" which he played at Skansen.

And as for Anders Lundin? He seemed to have a little more 'oomph' although I still feel his time is up, but well done to him anyway for rising above all that media pressure.

IMHO we've seen the best show of the series and it'll be downhill all the way, but I'll still be watching regardless...