Lopez Blogs

En av tisdagens mest intressanta händelser var givetvis Eric Saades första rep och hans efterföljande presskonferens. Glasburen gick inte sönder som planerat under repet. Det är troligen tysk kvalitet som gäller.




 Intryck från repetitionen:
- Jag sparar på rösten eftersom jag har jobbat intensivt med mitt nya album
- Vi ska träna glastricket i morgon igen
- Alla dansare/sångare är nya och därför fick man hålla sig till en a capella version av ”Popular”

Gaykoreografi?
På frågan om koreografin var anpassad till gay-publiken (enbart manliga dansare/backing vocals) så skrattade hela den manliga panelen gott inkl Christer Björkman och Fredrik Kempe. Den är enligt Saade mer år hip-hop-street-dance hållet men han hade inget emot att den gick hem hos gaypubliken.


Kungafamiljen
Eric fick också frågan om den svenska kungafamiljen supportar honom. Christer Björkman har hört ryktas att Kronprinsessan Victoria gillar schlager och Erics kommentar var: ”Kungen gillar ju att partaja så han gillar nog Eurovision”.



”Mediakriget” mellan Sverige och Ryssland
Här höll Eric en mycket lägre profil än tidigare. Han ville inte kommentera ordväxlingarna ytterligare och vill just nu visa vad han går för på scenen.

Favoritlåt från Melodifestivalen:
Här hade Eric vissa svårigheter att komma på en favorit. Någon i publiken föreslog Carola men det gick inte hem. ”Det är inte min typ av musik”. Till slut fastnade han för The Ark and "A Worring Kind"

Photo: www.oikotimes.com by Yannis Papoutsakis

Hope you haven't missed first episode of "Inför Eurovision Song Contest 2011" - preview-show where Swedish music experts discuss songs of upcoming Eurovision - probably you have analogues in your countries if you live in Europe but however the show is really worth watching because of quite interesting participants - Lotta Engberg, Andreas Johnson, Sarah Dawn Finer, Christine Meltzer, Thomas Lundin, Christer Björkman.
It's hard to follow if you don't know Swedish but you have ability to switch subtitles, maybe it'll help you!
So if you want to know which entry sounds like Magnus Carlsson with "Dansar I Månens Sken", who reminds mix of Anastacia, Pink and bat, what common "One More Day" and One More Time have, if it's good to send Le Kid from Serbia and who tried to steal Gaga's "Born This Way", come here and watch.
Switzerland, Norway, Serbia and Finland have got highest marks, watch full table here.

För ett par veckor sedan intervjuade jag Christer Björkman och han berättade att han inte alls hade sökt Svante Stockselius jobb. Svante slutar som executive supervisor of Eurovision Song Contest vid årsskiftet. För mycket administration involvera och det är inte Christers starka sida. Dessutom är han inte intresserad att lämna sin man i Sverige och flytta till Genève.
A couple of weeks ago I did an interview with Christer Björkman and he confirmed that he didn’t apply to be the successor of Svante Stockselius, executive supervisor of Eurovision Song Contest. Too much administration involved which is not Christer’s biggest talent. The second reason is that he does not want to leave his husband in Sweden and move to Geneva.

Vid samma tillfälle berättade fjolårets Melodifestivalare Erik Linder att han har en CD på gång och målet är att alla låtar ska vara så bra att de blir hits. Bra ambition. Som kontrast måste jag säga att det är med viss rädsla jag väntar på Idol-vinnaren Jay Smiths nya album. Det lär komma inom kort och har troligen producerats i rekordfart. Det gäller att smida innan folkets fokus fylls av julmat och nya TV-serier.
At the same occasion I was speaking to last year’s Melodifestivalen artist Erik Linder. His new album will come in the beginning of 2011. His aim is that every song will have a hit potential. Good ambitions! As a contradiction I have to say that it’s with fear I’m waiting for the album by the Swedish IDOL winner 2010, Jay Smith. It will be release within shortly. A quick production which has to take place before people’s memories are filled with Christmas food and new TV-productions.     

Kayo Shekoni är en av damerna i MF vinnar-trion Afrodite från 2002. Hon har öppnat skönhetssalong på Östermalm i Stockholm. Goda nyheter är att Afrodite planerar en ny show för 2011.
Kayo Shekoni is one of the ladies in Afrodite – the Swedish winning trio from 2002. She has opened a beauty salon in fashionable part of Stockholm. But the good news is that Afrodite is planning a new show for 2011.

Expressen har aviserat att SVT jobbar på nya regler för Melodifestivalen 2011. Folkets röst begränsas och det gäller även de svenska jurygrupperna. Nu är det internationella jurygrupper som ska hjälpa Sverige att bli framgångsrikt. Det finns stora möjligheter att de dyker upp redan i deltävlingarna.
The tabloid Expressen has announced that SVT will change the voting rules for Melodifestivalen 2011. The people’s voice will be limited as well as the Swedish jury groups. International juries will replace the Swedish in the final and maybe also in the semi-finals.

Last weekend I spent in my favorite city Budapest. There is a hole-in-the-wall-place in the middle of the new renovate areas on the Pest-side. The place has the French name Montmartre and you can listen to live latino music while studying the walls filled with posters by Manowar.  This heavy-metal-rock-band does not seem to fit in to the appearance of the place. After some talk with the Israeli owner, I found out he was a big fan and friend of the band and he also arranges tours for them. Honestly speaking – I still not have a clue where the connecting point is between French, latino and metal rock. But I don’t care – I like the place. 
More info at Café Montmartre

You can listen to the live interview with Chister Björkman at: www.radiointernational.tk

Photos: Lilian, Tor

Tro nu inte att det handlar om hästar och deras kuskar. Nej – det är disco och schlager varat med en måttlig dos julsånger framförd av yngre Melodifestivalare och äldre schlagerveteraner. Det hela knyts ihop av Christer Björkman i en spetsfyndig dialog, delvis improviserad, delvis författad av Edward Af Sillén.




 För andra året i rad står entusiasten Stefan Eriksson bakom föreställningen på Sundbyholms Travbana. Tre julbordsshower har det blivit med artisterna Anne-Lie Rydé, Kayo, Erik Linder, Niklas Andersson, Suzzie Tapper och Pernilla Wahlgren (endast 1:a föreställningen). Vid första anblicken skapar startfältet ingen WOW-känsla men den infinner sig garanterat på plats. Vid den tredje och sista föreställningen satt dialogen och låtarna som de skulle, proffsigt uppbackade av det unga och tighta bandet Big Eyed Mike.

Big Eyed Mike grundades 2007 och består av sångaren Richard Lundh, Mikael Ericsson, Daniel Karlsson, Mikael Hronek och Dan Jisei. Jag hörde dem i fjolårets show och bandet har verkligen mognat och utvecklats. Richard Lundh gör en superversion av årets Belgiska Eurovision-låt – Tom Dice’s ”Me And My Guitar”. Jag ser gärna att de dyker upp i Melodifestivalssammanhang framöver.



En extra höjdpunk för kvällen var Towa Carson, Eskilstunas grand old schlagerlady, som satt i publiken och blev upplockad på scenen av Anne-Lie Rydé. Anne-Lies stilettklackar åkte av för att matcha Tovas längd och tillsammans gjorde de Tovas låt ”Alla har glömt”.

Jag är djupt imponerad av Anne-Lie Rydé som bara verkar bli bättre och roligare för varje gång jag hör henne. Som hon själv säger så har hon ”kommit ut” ett flertal gånger. Nu senast som dansbandsnörd i och med nya skivan ”Dans På Rosor”. Låten ”Hallå”, som ursprungligen gjordes av Vikingarna, har spelats flitigt på radion under hösten. 



Efter showen rådde det en lätt sentimental stämning bland de medverkande. Trist att allt var slut för denna gång och enligt Christer Björkman var det nu som deltagarna var inkörda med varandra och showen borde ta sin början. Om Stefan Eriksson får som han önskar så blir det turné nästa år. Det finns ett antal trav- och galoppbanor i Sverige som skulle lämpa sig för dessa showande stjärnor som omväxling till de fyrfota dito. 

Foto/video: Lilian och min kameraman, tillika chaufför, Tor

 Today I attended the press conference where SVT presented the artists in semi final 1 and 2. Without having a clue about the songs (they are not allowed to be played until the event kicks off in February) it seems to be a cocktail of known, unknown, young and older artists, English and Swedish language and a dictionary in music genres. Very often the participation is connected to an album release. Melodifestivalen is the best PR you can get for your new album.

Christer Björkman, the producer of Melodifestivalen, said he was happy with the mix. He looked a bit tired - maybe it was because of spending the last week in Minsk with Junior Eurovision Song Contest. And if you heard that Sweden will arrange the contest next year it is only a rumour without any essence.   


I had the possibility to interview some of the participants. Among them was Elisabeth Andreassen who is very close to a world record in this context. Her CV includes five times Melodifestivalen, five times Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix and four times in Eurovision where she won 1985 with Bobbysocks and "La de swinge".



 Another wellknown artist in Sanna Nielsen. She celebrates 15 years as an artist and this is her sixth attempt in Melodifestivalen. Keep in mind that Sanna is only 26 years so Elisabeth Andreassen might lose her record one day to Sanna.

All the interview will be published here but already on Wednesday you can listen to Sanna and Elisabeth on www.radiointernational.com or www.oikotimes.tv.


Here are the entries in alphabetic order - the running order has not yet been decided. Next Monday the semi final 3 and 4 will be presented.

Semi final 1, Luleå, 5th March 2011










 Pernilla Andersson: "Desperados"
Danny: "In the Club" 
Swingfly: "Me And My Drum"
Le Kid: "Oh My God"
Jonas Matsson: "On My Own"
Rasmus Viberg: "Social Butterfly"
Jenny Silver: "Something In Your Eyes"
Dilba: "Try Again"

Semi final 2, Gothenburg, 12 March 2011:











Anniela: "Elektrisk"
Babsan: "Ge mig en spanjor"
Sanna Nielsen: "I'm In Love"
Christian Walz: "Like Suicide"
Loreen: "My Heart Is Refusing Me"
The Moniker: "Oh My God!"
Brolle: "Seven Days And Seven Night"
Elisabeth Andreassen: "Vaken i en dröm"

Photos: Lilian

Melodifestivalens webbjokrar utsågs i måndags och de två lyckliga vinnarna blev Julia Alvgard med "Better or Worse" och Jonas Matsson med "On my Own". 













It was the second year for the web selection and this year it was live broadcasted. After the show I got a few words with the producer Christer Björkman and according to him SVT will continue to develop the concept.
Det var andra året i rad som tävlingen ordnades och denna gång blev det också ett direktsänt TV-program. Jag fick några kommentarer från Christer Björkman och han siar om att konceptet ska fortsätta växa och utvecklas.

Christer - what do you think about the results?
- The audience made an excellent choice. Both songs are very good.

How do you find the selection this year compared to last year?
-  Big difference. First of all we had a many more voters, over 800.000. Secondly the quality of the songs was higher.

Will you continue with the concept next year?
- The process with the wild card selection is a concept that we will continue to improve. We want to create a platform for new artists and give them a possibility to be seen and heard and hopefully they get a contact with producers and record labels. Tonight I have seen that many publishers and record companies are present. Obviously the expectations are high and I really hope that all five get a contract in one way or another.

What chances do you think the songs have in Melodifestivalen?
- I think they may work really well.

The overall standard and performances were acceptable. The TV-production was a budget version compared to Melodifestivalen but despite that I think SVT made a good decision when they decided to broadcast the show. According to Christer Björkman it was a possibility to test the artists and see how they act on stage.
Överlag var programmet helt acceptabelt även om det var en budgetproduktion. Jag tycker det var helt rätt av SVT att sända live och enligt Christer Björkman var det också ett bra tillfälle att se hur artisterna agerar på scen. 

Photos: www.poplight.se, Lilian, SVT

It's a busy time for music lovers. Besides interesting concerts every week (tonight Friday I have missed Gotan Project) we can follow several competitions on TV and the web. Friday is the Swedish Idol and I have to admit that I haven't been too keen on following it until now. From innumerable artists the contest is down to seven with decent quality.

För mer information om IDOL på svenska - kolla in POPLIGHT

Same goes for the Melodifestivalen web wild card. From several hundreds of song down to five. The final will be held on Monday night at the show-restaurant Golden Hits.

As originating from Finland I'm happy that Elin Blom is still on for one more week in the Idols. After all - she is from my homevillage.




 
I'm sorry for Geir Rönning who was voted out from Idol. Despite his Norwegian backround he lives in Finland with his family and I met him for the first time at the Eurovision in Kiev 2005. Unfortunately he didn't make it "throuh the grapevine". He did a fab performance of the Marvin Gaye classic ("I heard it through the grapevine") but the sms-people didn't like it.









Back to Melodifestivalen - here are the five songs that qualified for the final on Monday (in starting order):

1. Tusen nätter                
Composer: Daniel Wollbratt
Artist: Billy         

2. Better or Worse             
Composers: Manne Hjelm, Ola Holstad, Joar Lenz
Artist: Julia Alvgard

3. I Wanna Be With You   
Composers: Dennis Andersson & Anton Dahlrot
Artist: Anton & Dejo

4. Don´t Stop                  
Composer: Sargon Jakob
Artist: Engla

5. On My Own                    
Composers: Peter Autio, Sari Autio Olsson
Artist: Jonas Matsson

Listen to them HERE.
PS: On Saturdays Swedes can continue to sms-vote in DANSBANSKAMPEN!

Source: SVT, TV4

Dansband, vispop, stompschlager och rap. Ungefär så skulle man kunna stildefiniera de första klara artisterna inför 2011-års Melodifestival. SVT med Christer Björkman i spetsen släppte under torsdagen namnen på fyra av de tävlande. Om ca två veckor kommer ytterligare namn och proceduren lär fortgår ett flertal veckor framöver. Allt för att hålla spänningen vid liv och Eurovisions fantasterna på halster.

Dance-band, vispop (=mix of ballad & pop), stomp-schlager and rap. The artists confirmed yesterday for Melodifestivalen 2011 are representatives for these genres. SVT with Christer Björkman in lead has given us four names for next year’s contest. A few more names will come in a couple of weeks and I suppose the procedure will continue for several weeks or months. The excitement must be kept alive and fans hold in tension.

I'm starting to feel a bit schizophrenic

Om fortsättningen ser ut som starten så tyder allt på att vi kanske har 32 låtar och 32 musikstilar att ta ställning till. Ur ett bildningsperspektiv är det fantastiskt men fungerar konceptet för att skapa ett ”nytt” startfält inför 2011? Personligen tycker jag det verkar oroväckande likt tidigare år.

If it continues as it started we might end up with 32 songs in 32 different genres. From a music educational perspectives it’s fantastic but is this the right kind of concept to create a “new” kind of starting field for 2011 and to improve Sweden’s chances? Personally I think it is very similar to previous years.

Själv har jag en dröm om att Orup skriver alla låtarna och utser 3-4 artister som framför dem. Det är visserligen ingen ny idé utan snarare en återgång till 50-60-talens koncept. I modevärden blickar man ju ständigt tillbaka och vintage, retro och recycle är supertrendigt. Varför inte testa det konceptet i Melodifestivalen.
I have a dream that Orup will write all the songs with 3-4 different artists performing them. This is of course not a new invention but a return to the concept used during the 1950-60. The fashion world is always looking back in time to find inspiration. Vintage, retro and recycling are trendier than ever. Why not give this concept a try in Melodifestivalen.

De fyra första klara bidragen är följande - hur det låter får vi vet i februari-mars nån gång:
These are the four confirmed song – how they sound will be a secret until February-March:










Song title: "En blick och något händer"
Composer: Alexander Bard, Ola Håkansson, Tim Norell
Artist: Lasse Stefanz

Song title: "E de fel på mig"
Composer: Pontus Assarsson, Thomas G:son, Jörgen Ringqvist
Artist: Linda Bengtzing

Song title: ”Me And My Drum”
Composer: Teron Beal, Patrik Magnusson, Johan Ramström
Artist: Swingfly

Song title: ”Desperados”
Composer: Pernilla Andersson
Artist: Pernilla Andersson
 
Source: SVT
Photos: SVT, Poplight, Lilian

Remember I warned you about Swedish representative at Junior Eurovision-2010 Josefine Ridell? The song has appeared online much faster than we could imagine!
Josefine is 13-year-old girl from Oxie (Malmö), she wasn't noticed in any big tv-events yet but being talented girl she's fallen to the spot of big proffesionals who decided to choose her as representative this year. This year Swedish delegation is headed by not less than Christer Björkman and just like year ago Sweden has got support of huge stars Arash, Thomas G:Son, Robert Uhlmann and Johan Bejerholm in writing the song who were responsible for many Swedish international hits and both - Arash and G:Son have written most successful Swedish-related entries on Eurovision last two years.
"Allt Jag Vill Ha" is beautiful touching ballad in Ryan Tedder's style, Beyonce is huge idol for Josefine so being co-writer of the song girl wanted to put this passion in it. So don't forget to switch on your TV on November 20th and vote for Josefine! If you will forget - I'll remind you, don't worry!

The most popular evening during Stockholm Pride Festival is the Eurovision evening.  This year’s event was accompanied by grey clouds but compared to the heavy rain earlier a small dripping and dropping might be seen as a tribute to Safura, one of the guest artists. Me and my good friend JP, were in front of the stage to film and take photos. Dressed up in rain coats. The show was in two acts. Some of the artists have been announced in beforehand but this is an evening where the surprise element is important.

Act one included Swedish Eurovision and Melodifestivalen artists performing with a live band. The host was Anne-Lie Rydé (MF 2004, 2005, 2007) and she presented the artists with humor and happiness. The first  on stage was Shirley Clamp, followed by many beloved artists who we remember from the early days of Eurovision. The last one in the cavalcade was Björn Skifs who is still one of the most popular singer, entertainer and actor in Sweden with long career which started already during the 60ies.











Act 1: List of artists - some including the video from the performance
Shirley Clamp (MF 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 + backing for Antique 2001):
- "Med Hjärtat Fyllt Av Ljus" and "Att älska dig"
- "Min kärlek"
Claes-Göran Hedenström (MF 1968)
Jan Johansen (ESC 1995): "Se på mig"
Christer Sjögren (MF 2008): "I Love Europe"
Nanne Grönvall (MF  1998, 2003, 2005, 2007)
Nanne Grönvall together with Angelique Widengren (MF 1986, 1987)
Göran Fristorp (ESC 1973 with the group Nova): "Sommaren som aldrig säger nej"
Svenne och Lotta (MF 1975): "Bang A Boomerang"
Blond (ESC 1997)
Jill Johnson (ESC 1998, MF 2003)
- "Crazy in love"
- "Kärleken är"
Björn Skifs (MF 1975, ESC 1978, 1981)
- "Fångad i en dröm"
- "Michelangelo" 













Act two was hosted by the entertainment group Schlagerfeber and with Mr Melodifestivalen himself, Christer Björkman, acting as master of ceremonies. The live music was gone and we were back in the modern, pre-recorded time. The cavalcade was very much a flash back of Melodifestivalen and ESC 2010 with a hint of earlier years. Anna Bergendahl was greeted as a queen and it was easy to understand the disappointment Swedish people must have felt when she didn’t qualify for the final in Oslo.

Great applauds were also given to Chiara from Malta, dressed in a rainbow colors and Norway’s Didrik Solli-Tangen. It was very nice to see a relaxed Didrik, dressed in jeans and with a twinkle in his eye, far away from the proper and strict Didrik we met on stage in Oslo. In the interview we made before the concert he confirmed that a new album with up-tempo song is under production.











Last but not least, the rumor was confirmed. Lena, the winner, Meyer-Landrut entered the stage. She is on a promo tour right now and she arrived directly from the airport. She is as charming and relaxed as ever before. Maybe it was because of the late evening but somehow I felt that her English accent was a bit softer that it used to be.
All in all the Schlager evening of 2010 was far more better than last year. The surprise element was found mainly in act one and I have to say that nothing compares to a good live band. Act two was okay but maybe Melodifestivalen and ESC 2010 are too close in time and therefore it sometimes felt a bit boring. An extra praise to Christer Björkman and the small stories he told in between the performances.









Act 2: List of artists - some including the video from the performance:
Elin Lanto (MF 2007, 2010)
Sofia (MF 2007, 2009)
Chiara (ESC 1998, 2005, 2009):
- What if we
- Angel
Sibel (MF 2008, 2010)
Jenny Silver (MF 2010)
Neo (MF 2010)
Hanna Lindblad (MF 2010)
Linda Pritchard (MF 2010)
Didrik Solli-Tangen (ESC 2010): "My Heart Is Yours"
Anna Bergendahl (ESC 2010): "This Is My Life"
Safura (ESC 2010): "Drip, Drop"
Hera Björk (ESC 2010): “Je Ne Sais Quoi”
Lena Meyer-Landrut (ESC 2010): "Satellite"

Videos, photos: Lilian, JP
Source: stockholmpride.com

The biggest shock of 2nd semifinal of Eurovision-2010 for everyone was that Sweden won't participate in the final of Eurovision since 1977. Sweden didn't miss the final every year since semifinals-system was introduced in 2004 and this year it's the first time. By my personal observations Swedish media didn't blame Anna a lot, many star bloggers and newspapers showed compassion to her though sure there were a lot of evil remarks. Cruel irony is that we'll see all five songs written by Swedes for another countries qualified to the final + Iceland produced by Swede and Belarus with Swedish Robert Wells on the stage.
I need to say that I was as much shocked as I felt proud for Anna's performance, it was the first time for a long time when Melodifestivalen winner has made her best 100% and it looked incredibly powerful and magical. Unfortunately this year Melodifestivalen didn't have artist with a full pack (song+stable performance+interesting show) so Swedes have chosen talent and sincerity and I don't have any doubt it was the rightest choice. But as every year few brilliant songs are left not qualifying to the final here's no drama at all. Anna is the artist out of schlager-bubble and just like Martin Stenmarck who released his #1 album already in a year after his fiasko on Eurovision or Malena with her sold-out concerts last autumn Anna will be able to walk her own road to the top of charts so I don't worry about her.
We need to see advantages and the biggest one here can be that next year SVT will really try to make selection much better than this year and we'll have a lot of big names with amazing songs and fantastic show. And you know what? Doors of Melodifestivalen-2011 are already open!!! Songwriters can already send their song since tomorrow and rules of next year contest are already publiched. Some interesting moments that I've mentioned:
1) entries must be sent from 29 May through 21 September both to webjoker contest and main contest;
2) songs must be no longer than 3 minutes but no shorter than 2 minutes;
3) and the most interesting is that finally song can be written by foreign songwriters but at least one of authors must be Swede.
So heja Sverige! And let's prepare for a new season of Melodifestivalen that will start to give us some exciting news and actions already in September. And sure loads of luck to sweetest Anna Bergendahl and all Swedish songs in the final of Eurovision-2010.

Ambassadbesök och officiell invigning i Oslo Rådhus. Nu stiger tempot och temperaturen ytterligare i Eurovisionens värld.

Även om många har varit här en hel vecka så var det först igår söndag som Eurovision Song Contest officiellt invigdes. Det skedde med stil och istället för röda mattan som man har i Oscars, så fick deltagarna skrida fram till Rådhusets pampiga entré på rosa mattan. En färg som matchar årets logotype.

Innan invigningen hann vi också med ett besök på Finlands ambassad och där var  det givetvis Kuunkuiskaajat hedersgäster. Nyfriserade dagen till ära. Värd för tillställningen var ambassadör Hans Ottelin.
Själv passade jag på att göra ett eget lite inslag i diplomatmiljö. Jag har ju min Bollywood karriär att tänka på.



Anna Bergendahl skred fram med Christer Björkman vid sin sidan. Hon var också nyfriserad och klädd i en klänning från Tiger med matchande Eurovision-färger.











Både Eva Rivas från Armenien och Filip från Portugal hade tagit finkläderna på. Det hade även denna okände man vars skor jag fick fotografera.