Lopez Blogs

Breaking news of popular Summer live-music TV-show Allsång på Skansen!
New season will get new host and it will Måns Zelmerlöw who'll replace Anders Lundin who was host since 2003. Last year has met critically low viewing rates and loads of press claims show needs to change host, format and everything to keep going (read more about it on EuropeCrazy) so Måns' name was constantly rolling along with this negative wave as new host who could save it all. And today it was officially announced that Måns will be new host. What can we say about it? Sure we're glad as Måns is amazing live-artist and hope that it'll also bring some renovations among invited artists. Usually we don't complain but still it would be better to get more starting and younger artists so we could enjoy some really fresh music in orchestral arrangement through Summer music season.

Idrottsgalan is annual awards where Sweden as sport-loving and health-caring nation praises people achieving success internationally and proudly representing Sweden in the world of sport.
Every year Idrottsgalan becomes show connecting all country together in front of TV-screens with breathtaking pre-win pauses, funny jokes and big pop-stars with some special performances. This year among biggest music guests of the show in Globen were Darin, Molly Sandén, Johnossi and Måns Zelmerlöw. Darin delivered colourful disco-performance of opening and closing the show with The Jacksons' "Can You Feel It" (yep, we remember that Michael is the biggest Darin's Idol), Molly Sandén performed classic cover of "Forever Young" (this girl was born to stand on the stage in hero poses singing some anthemic ballads and she did it again as stunning as she can), Måns Zelmerlöw with Lisette Pagler performed some sort of trailer for musical Romeo & Julia (that was hmm...not trivial!), Johnossi was singing Summer hit "What's The Point" and Lena-Maria Klingvall (amazing singer, swimmer and painter born without hands but achieving so much more than people use to!) performed cover of "You Raise Me Up" with Nacka Musikklasser. You can check all performances below.

It's quite popular among singing artists to become voices of cartoon heroes and Swedish stars as many others get involved in animations so Swedish kids has a great chance that many Swedish pop-fans wouldn't refuse to get.
For example few years ago EMD have become voices of Disco-Daggarna (Disco-worms) joined by Anna Sahlin, Helen Sjöholm, Nanne Grönwall and Tommy Nilsson. Impressive team? And quite funny cartoon for sure. "Disco-Daggarna" has also got soundtrack with some classic disco-anthems performed by Velvet, Magnus Carlsson, Martin Stenmarck and others.

Another example of stars collaboration was "Tingeling" ("Tinker Bell") cartoon getting Marie Serneholt as voice of main charecter, Anna Book, Hanna Hedlund and Emma Lewin (Sheelah) were among other involved artists.

And now new stars plan to bring success to another recently released cartoon "Trassel" ("Tangled") - Måns Zelmerlöw and Molly Sandén have become voices of Flynn Rider and Rapunzel. Due to trailer it's not easy to realize that it's Molly's voice but you can hear Måns very well.

If there were few candidates for position of this year Christmas pop-queen there's only one guy pretending to be Christmas schlager-king. Alright, alright, if we'll take a look at sales we'll see someone else who sold more copies of Christmas album but at least title of this Christmas schlager-prince belongs to Måns Zelmerlöw and no one else can't pretend!
Few days before Christmas Måns was invited to Bingolotto to perform his two singles "December" and "Vit Som En Snö", second song was performed with Sonja Aldén - it wasn't the first time when audience could see them in duo as they use to perform this song in their Christmas tour and can you even suppose Sonja could sound bad in romantic ballad-duo? No! This woman is made to sing goosebumps ballads and this time she has also become perfect couple for Måns.
Another Christmas appearance was delievered by Måns at Christmas concert on TV3 where he was singing "Tomten Jag Vill Ha En Riktig Jul" with child choir - very lovely performance that I also recommend to you.
P.S. Picture above is taken from musical "Romeo och Julia". Funny? Hot? Weird? Whatcha think?

One of the most long-awaited winter releases of this year "Christmas With Friends" was provided by Måns Zelmerlöw. Album was released in charity collaboration with ICA market and sold nowhere except ICA shops but supported by digital singles "December" and "Vit Som En Snö" featuring Pernilla Andersson - the only original tracks of the albums. The rest of the songs are traditional Christmas covers as it happens usually on this sort of albums. But it wouldn't be fair to speak about Måns' album as another Christmas album because actually it's quite nice experiment in completely new style for Måns being almost 100% jazz-record with quite special mixed atmosphere of retro, musicals, it's not trying to sound like big band-jazz of 30-40ies, it sounds very naturally like it was recorded then, sure with modern production but Måns just floating out in your mind in black and white colour performing at some glamourous VIP-party entertaining public in old suits and dresses. You're diving into this atmosphere of retro-party right from the opening "Jag drömmer om en jul hemma/White Christmas" and this track presents another trend - this album contains both Swedish and English covers. You'll hardly find here any sadness or Christmas melancholy, mostly it's playful happy mood and loads of energy and big wide smiles in such beloved gems like "Christmas (Baby please come home)", "Christmas song" and "Winter wonderland". Though fans of classic religious ballads also get amazing treatment with "The angel Gabriel" - probably the deepest track of the album - epic and spiritual and being one of a kind becoming especially precious. Another ballad-highlight of the album is duo "Vit Som En Snö" with Pernilla Andersson that in contrast with cheerful jazzy "December" is fragile and delicate love-ballad single. Another duo on the album is arranged for cover of "All I want for Christmas is you" performed with Pauline, earlier Måns recorded this song with Agnes and when Agnes was felt like primary vocalist artists are equal in this version, on the one hand track's losing identity on the other hand it's still as good as any track that could be performed by such pleasant voices. The album serves as great treatment for Christmas mood creation so if you'll just put it as background making some Christmas preparation I can promise you'll fall into this festive atmosphere not later than in 4-5 tracks.
Örebro had ability to watch amazing Christmas show "O, Helga Natt" with Måns as main artist this year and we're also becoming luckies to watch it now! Whole show was held in Allsång-format so beloved by Swedish public where everyone was involved in singing traditional songs with artists, Måns performed "Tomten Jag Vill Ha En Riktig Jul", "All I want for Christmas is you" and "Vit Some En Snö" with Pauline. Another invited artists were Moa Gagnert with quite impressive schlager-smelling performance and French tenor Avi Klemberg. I really recommend you to watch this Allsång-concert to get taste of real Swedish Christmas.

Don't you mind a bit more Christmas mood from Måns Zelmerlöw?
That's good as I'd like to share some with you. Today Måns album "Christmas With Friends" is gonna be released in Sweden and Warner generously provides a taste of some other tracks. First one is "Vit som en snö" recorded with Pernilla Andersson, both Måns and Pernilla are going to appear on stage of Melodifestivalen next year so this duet looks like something very special but mostly it's all about beautiful original ballad track with utterly charming and gentle atmosphere. Another one is classic hit "Christmas (Baby please come home)", previously it was released by Mariah Carey and U2, not that it's a good decision to compare them. Let's start and stop on that we love them all equally. And don't forget to check another cover of "Winter wonderland" performed by Måns live at Nyhetsmorgon. I guess Sweden has just got new male Christmas-Carola with annual massive winter tours being held every year and not becoming less popular at all!

Måns Zelmerlöw's album "Christmas with Friends" will be released already tomorrow!
This weekend single "December" written by Jörgen Elofsson, Andreas Carlsson and Niklas Strömstedt was premiered on the radio and TV. What to say about the song, it's jazzy retro-pop smelling 50ies and bringing joy of old good Christmas feeling. Would you say it's written by Swedish hit-monsters Jörgen Elofsson and Andreas Carlsson responsible for tonnes of Swedish export-music? I wouldn't. Seems like team just forgot about all commercial part of work and decided to just enjoy by creating their little Christmas music miracle. And we're gonna enjoy it with them as the song sounds like real hit with chorus catching from the first listen and soulfull warmth that won't let fans get cold this winter.
For peformance at Nyhetsmorgon Måns took whole band, pack of happiness and huge bunch of charisma. You can enjoy it and studio version below!

De som har lite koll på IDOL har säkert nåtts av informationen om finlandssvenska Elin åkte ut ur tävlingen i fredags. Det hjälpte inte att hon hade ett stort stöd från Terjärvbor som tagit sig till Luleå för hennes skull. Mer info om resultat och sypunkter hittar ni på Poplight.

Det kan alltid diskuteras om det var rätt eller fel artister som gick vidare. Personligen låter jag bli att tycka något eftersom jag inte har lyssnat tillräckligt på de medverkande. Däremot kan man fundera över vem som röstar. Genom åren har killarna haft en bättre position som torde grunda sig på att unga tjejer är en ytterst aktiv röstningsgrupp. Är killen dessutom söt så spelar sånginsatsen mindre roll.

Om det nu kan vara någon tröst för Elin så är det ingen fördel att vinna tävlingen. Tvärtom är det artisterna som åkt ut som gjort störst succé. Amanda Jensen, Darin, Måns Zelmerlöw, Ola Svensson, Danny Saucedo med flera. Det är knappt man kommer ihåg vinnarnamn som Daniel Lindström, Marie Picasso, Markus Fagervall och Kevin Borg.

Foto: TV4, Poplight

Unexpectedly fast Måns' already releasing his brand new Christmas album "Christmas With Friends" - album that turned to be collaboration with charity organization World Childhood Foundation and market net ICA and it's coming out already on November 15th. Album will include tracks recorded with Björn Skifs, Lunds Studentsångare, Pauline, Göteborgs symfoniorkester and Pernilla Andersson and produced by Peter Nordahl.
Mostly album contains some popular Christmas hits but also you'll find completely new song "December" written by some biggest Swedish songwriters Jörgen Elofsson, Andreas Carlsson and Niklas Strömstedt. Another new song "Vit som en snö" is written with participation of Måns himself.
Below you can already get the first taste of this album with classic "Christmas Song" recorded in quite classy and very pleasant way with soft Måns' vocal that turned to be much better Christmas treat than I even could imagine.

"Christmas with Friends " Tracklist:

Jag drömmer om en jul hemma
Christmas Song
I Pray on Christmas (with Björn Skifs)
December
Oh, come all ye faitful
All I want for Christmas Is you (with Pauline)
Tometen jag vill ha en riktig jul
The angel Gabriel (with Lunds studentsångare)
Winter wonderland
Christmas (Baby please come home)
Vit som en snö (with Pernilla Andersson)

Probably I could not to write about amazing trio of Martin Stenmarck, Linda Pritchard and Jessica Marberger performing at "A Grand Evening" Christmas show...


...though I guess you remember I commpensated it with news about Sanna Nielsen, Shirley Clamp and Sonja Aldén Swedish Christmas album "Vår Jul"...


...and Måns Zelmerlöw who will release his first Christmas album and (I haven't told about it) will join girs in Christmas tour second year in a row, this time with help of Brandur and Björn Kjellman...


But these great news have arrived just now!!!


New Malena Ernman's Christmas album "Santa Lucia" will be released on November 17th and officially it's the most exciting Christmas release I've ever heard about!!! In Christmas period Malena will be touring a lot and to understand how heavenly can Malena sound with this sort of song check her performance at Nordiske Julkoncert year ago.

When Allsång På Skansen was losing its viewers previous weeks Anders Lindin's biggest rival Lotta Engberg has lost something more important - voice, right before the final show - during programme, how catastrophic! It turned worse and worse every time she started to read her text and finally she ended up standing behind Jill Johnson who was asked to finish show instead of Lotta, you can watch full drama here. But thanx God she has recovered closer to the last show and closed season of Lotta På Liseberg-2010 with all usual expression and charm.
Let's see who was invited to last shows in Liseberg. Firstly it was Timoteij who performed both of their hits "Kom" and "Högt över ängarna", girls were sweet as always. Eric Gadd who recently released new album "Rise Up!" (peaking at #6 of Swedish chart) that I'd like to tell you about soon presented last single "Rise Up!" and his old hit "My Personality". Måns Zelmerlöw and Maria Haukaas Storeng as always perfectly performed their collaboration "Precious To Me" (how pity it hasn't become hit in Sweden yet). Lill-Babs have sung Carlene Carter's old song "Full orkan". One of the biggest public favorites Andreas Johnson performed his biggest international hit "Glorious" and single-2006 "Sing for me". Cookies n Beans have pleased people with their unique voices and songs "First we take Manhattan" and "Kings & Queens". Melodifestivalen-winner Anna Bergendahl presented her platinum single "This is my life", song "Got my heart in your pocket" from her debut album, Robert Broberg's cover "Båtlåt" and duet with Jill Johnson "Why do you come in here looking like that" - Dolly Parton's cover that Jill released 3 years ago with Nina Persson. Jill also was singing Eagles' cover "Desperado" and Ted Gärdestad's "Oh vilken härlig dag". And Rigo performed summer set of "La bamba", Claes-Göran Hederström's "Det börjar verka kärlek banne mig" and "Stockholm ström" in his own original style. Last show featured Eric Saade who was singing three of his singles "Manboy", "Break Of Dawn" and "Masquerade", Caroline af Ugglas presented new songs "Du får tycka om mig" and "Vill kunna säga förlåt" from her new album planned for release in September and Tommy Körberg has been singing Astrid Lindgren's "Fattig bonddräng" and Neil Diamond's "Red red wine".

Timoteij - Kom
Timoteij - Högt över ängarna
Eric Gadd - Rise Up!
Eric Gadd - My personality
Måns Zelmerlöw och Maria Storeng - Precious to me
Lill-Babs - Full orkan
Andreas Johnson - Glorious
Andreas Johnson - Sing for me
Cookies n Beans - First we take Manhattan
Cookies n Beans - Kings & Queens
Anna Bergendahl - This is my life
Anna Bergendahl - Got my heart in your pocket
Jill Johnson och Anna Bergendahl - Why do you come in here looking like that
Anna Bergendahl - Båtlåt
Rigo Pencheff - Stockholm ström
Rigo Pencheff - Det börjar verka kärlek banne mig
Rigo Pencheff - La bamba
Jill Johnson - Desperado
Jill Johnson och allsång - Oh vilken härlig dag
Gäster och allsång - Beatlesmedley
Eric Saade - Masquerade
Eric Saade - Break of dawn
Caroline af Ugglas - Du får tycka om mig
Caroline af Ugglas - Vill kunna säga förlåt
Tommy Körberg - Red red wine
Tommy Körberg - Fattig bonddräng

Måns Petter Albert Zelmerlöw turns 24 and congratulations come to this young and talented guy today not only from us but from all over Scandinavia. Icelandic Friðrik Ómar Hjörleifsson's releasing his cover of the song that Måns has started his big career with 3 years ago and although we actually don't have idea why it's happened right before Måns' birthday let's think that Fridrik has made it in honour of Måns and this great song that has become legendary pop-anthem and pushed Måns to the highest star-level of Swedish music industry.

Short caramiastory. Måns Zelmerlöw appeared in front of big audience first time in 2005 participating in Swedish Idol together with Agnes, Sibel, Ola and Sebastian Karlsson, he finished 5th and started waiting for his time 2 years. Fredrik Kempe already well-known songwriter and artist has sent demo of the song "Cara Mia" co-written by Henrik Wilkström and recorded with Daniel Mitsogiannis vocals to Melodifestivalen-2007 and the song almost missed the contest as jury initially prefered Fronda's entry "Alla kan bli stjärnor" but Fronda didn't want to sing it himself and finally the song was pulled out and "Cara Mia" was taken instead, Måns was chosen to sing it.

How ironic that finally this song reached the top-3 of the final, has become second in public voting, #1 in singles-chart and big Eurovision fans favorite across Europe. Måns released one platinum and one golden album, successfully participated in Melodifestivalen one more time, even took part as a host of the show, met his pop-princess Marie Serneholt, so there's nothing to wish him today that he has not so let's just wish him to come back faster with new stuff and new #1 hits.

Couple of months ago SVT has started new talent-show "Jakten på Julia" in a search of partner for Måns Zelmerlöw in musical "Romeo och Julia". Not longer after last season of Idol viewing figures of this show turned to great fiasko and didn't meet expectations of channel but what have been started should have been finished and finally last Saturday Julia for Måns was found. Real name of Julia is Lisette Pagler, this girl has come originally from Korea and she actually wasn't newcomer in musical playing in Cats and Jesus Christ Superstar before. Reaching the final Lisette had to meet her rival Frida Modén Treichl in final duel with appearance of Måns himself on the stage and though Frida showed her as really strong individual artist with great skills in singing and choreography Måns looked a bit scared of this strong woman and only playing with Lisette they showed that chemistry and love sparkles that made audience believe in this couple and give Lisette victory. Rightful winner and I also really hope that Frida won't get lost.

Seems like year before Swedish pop-princess Marie Serneholt asked to disconnect and un-attach her too realistically as Swedish audience understood it literally. Marie (ex-A-Teens, independent solo singer with amazing Top-10 debut album "Enjoy The Ride" that you need to listen right now if you didn't manage before and girl of Måns Zelmerlöw that you can see in post below) has made comeback with song "Disconnect Me" written by Peter Boström & Tony Nilsson for Melodifestivalen-2009. Though she entered as joker (special participant with the biggest attention to her and impressive backgound) she finished 6th in semifinal and single has peaked only on 46th place of Swedish chart, beautiful video also didn't help. After it comeback of Marie as pop-singer was hidden from public (though she told about new songs written with Tony Nilsson) and girl decided to try some new directions - she became SVT's Eurovision staff expert in show “Inför ESC 2010″, was a host of Swedish National Day and has made debut as artist in musical "Grease" along with Sebastian Karlsson (Idol-2005). Due to rumours she rejected offered song "Spinning" that was released in the end of last year by Gathania and currently "Disconnect Me" is promoted in the mix of Oscar Holter in Russia. But we're still waiting for your new stuff, Marie!!!
By the way Marie is diligent blogger, you can follow her active life here.

Maria Haukaas Storeng's preparing release of her new album "Make My Day" (release is appointed to 14th of June). This year she's managed to start comeback quite successfully with her hit single "Make My Day" in Norwegian pre-selection to Eurovision managing to qualify right to the final. After it she decided to involve her previous year Melodifestivalen rival - Måns Zelmerlöw to the next step so recently they released cover of Phil Seymour's "Precious to me". Not that it became a big hit yet but Maria and Måns don't give up and you can see their recent performance in tv-show "God Morgen Norge" as clean and perfect vocally as only such professional artists are able to make.

I går var det den officiella invigningsfesten för Melodifestivalsfinalen. Den lämpliga lokalen var för detta ändamål var Gyllene Salen i Stadshuset. Media, artister, skivbolagsfolk, kompositörer minglade och programledartrion Måns- Christine-Dolph hälsade alla välkomna. Dolph ser trött ut och Christine verkar göra dansövningar eller nåt.






En delikat buffé serverades - inte bara godis som på fotot.
Tjejerna i Timoteij minglade i samlad trupp men avslutade kvällen tidigt.

Det som alla väntat på kom i natt - nämligen startordningen på lördag. Det finns säkert många kalenderbitare, experter och fans som kommer att ägna veckan till att analysera hur detta kommer att påverka slutresultatet i finalen. För att nämna några klassiska slutsatser:
* Darin eller Eric Saade kommer att ha störst vinstchanser eftersom de startar som 1:a och 10:a.
* Pernilla Wahlgren kan omöjligt vinna eftersom hon startar som 2:a. En 2:a har statistiskt aldrig vunnit.
Jag drar min egen slutsats - nämligen att allt kan hända. Det har de senaste veckornas skrällar bevisat.

Startordning:
1. Darin - "You’re Out Of My Life"
2. Pernilla Wahlgren - "Jag vill om du vågar"
3. Andreas Johnson - "We Can Work It Out"
4. Timoteij - "Kom"
5. Peter Jöback - "Hollow"
6.Ola -"Unstoppable"
7. Jessica Andersson - "I Did It For Love"
8. Salem Al Fakir - "Keep On Walking"
9. Anna Bergendahl - "This Is My Life"
10. Eric Saade - "Manboy"

Det fanns många glada personer på andra chansens efterfesten på Elite Hotel i Örebro. Gladast var givetvis Pernilla och Jessica men även de som blev utslagna verkade lika glada. Pontus Assarsson är en av låtskrivarna till Pernilla Wahlgrens låt. Han var uppriktigt förvånad över att ”Jag vill om du vågar” nu är i final. Han hade också en teori kring Kalle Moraeus & Orsa spelmäns vinst över Neo och menade att deras fans var tillbaka i och med att OS var slut.


NEO var trots allt sprudlande glad över sin framgång från helt okänd till NEO med hela folket. Han var rörd över allt berör och den uppmärksamhet han fått under de senaste veckorna. Nu kommer snart hans album och det lär säkert sälja en del. Festivalgeneralen Christer Björkman var inte ett dugg förvånad över att NEO inte gick vidare. Han menade att det hela var en mediabubbla.





Alcazar var heller inga sorgens barn. Tess Merkel var på topphumör. Eller som Andreas sa ”Melodifestivalen är över men Alcazar lever sitt eget liv”.
Pain of Salvation verkade trivas på festen och hårdrockarna syntes dansa till schlagerlåtar. När man träffat sångaren Daniel Gildenlöw med sina fantastiska ömsinta blå ögon så undrar man hu bandet överhuvudtaget kan sjunga nåt annat än smäktande ballader.

Programledarnas insatser har utvecklats storligen sedan debuten i Ö-vik. Framför allt har Christine Meltzer och Måns Zelmerlöw börjat prata i normalt tonläge.

















Linda Pritchard från första deltävling hade uppträtt i Örebro på torget under dagen. Det fanns ingen anledning att åka hem när hon kunde stanna kvar på efterfest.
Pauline verkade betydligt mera uppåt än i samband med sitt uppträdande.
Kalle Moraeus dansade till sin låt med Annica Jankell och hela församlingen sjöng allsång i ”Underbart”. Dethär är en låt som alla verkar kunna texten till. Den har förvisso inte hamnat i finalen men den har redan vunnit 2010-års allsångsmedalj. Kalle passade också på att låta sig fotograferas med snygga Jessica och Lina Hedlund i Alzazar.

Foto: Lilian