And then there were eleven.
In the time it took me to whip up some butternut squash soup with harissa and a grilled cheese sandwich, Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet has released two new articles with a total of six new acts for Melodifestivalen 2024. The leak is now a flood!
If reporters Torbjörn Ek and Stina Dahlgren have it right — and they usually do — then we’ll be seeing Norwegian duo Marcus & Martinus, “Behöver inte dig idag” breakthrough artist Clara Klingenström, blondie Adam Woods, Drag Race Sweden star Elektra, “Tattoo” songwriter Cazzi Opeia, and four-time Mello veteran Lisa Ajax on the Mello stage this winter.
Marcus & Martinus
Last year’s runners-up are ready to go one better. According to the newspaper, the beloved Norwegian duo are keen to participate…even though the contest conflicts with their massive arena tour this winter. That means the 21-year-old twins will have to request a specific heat that doesn’t conflict with their schedule, which will take them through Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
Aftonbladet’s sources say that If SVT really wants to include an act, then they’ll make it happen. “But it’s also challenging fate a bit,” they say. “If you are not free to compete every week, there is a greater risk of ending up in a more difficult competition.”
“I usually discourage artists from trying to request specific weeks or cities during Mello, because SVT wants to do the best for each artist. If you are limited by which cities work, it becomes more difficult.”
Clara Klingenström
Twenty-eight year old Clara Klingenström finished fifth at Melodifestivalen 2021 with the song “Behöver inte dig idag.” That was after qualifying from the Andra Chansen round.
Adam Woods
At Melodifestivalen 2023, Adam teamed up with Jon Henrik Fjällgren and Art North on the song “Where You Are (Sávežan)”. They won the first heat and went on to finish fourth in the final.
Elecktra
She finished fourth on Drag Race Sweden. And now Elecktra wants to snatch some crowns at Melfest.
“Elektra is completely ready for Mello,” a well-informed source tells Aftonbladet. “The song is very Electric, exactly as you imagine it should sound.”
Cazzi Opeia
The 34-year-old brought the colour and the joy with her 2022 entry, “I Can’t Get Enough.” And she went even higher as co-writer of Loreen’s “Tattoo,” which won Eurovision in Liverpool. She’s apparently hungry for another win — and as the performer.
Lisa Ajax
In 2022 Lisa finished last in her heat when singing alongside Niello. Well she’s done with that. Instead, she’s ready to hit it solo again — like she did in 2016, 2017, and 2019. Her debut entry “My Hearts Wants Me Dead” remains her best placing song (seventh in the final). She also performed it at our debut Wiwi Jam at the Hard Rock Cafe in Stockholm.
The names are coming thick and fast from Aftonbladet. Their full list is below.
- Lasse Stefanz
- Smash Into Pieces
- Dotter
- Liamoo
- Samir & Victor
- Elecktra
- Cazzi Opeia
- Lisa Ajax
- Marcus & Martinus
- Clara Klingenström
- Adam Woods