The Swedish broadcaster SVT has revealed the stage design of Melodifestivalen 2020, which will kick off in just a few days in Linköping.
“Freedom for the artists” is the recipe behind the stage for Melodifestivalen 2020. We will see the largest stage in modern times and the largest area for moving material in the festival, ever. At the same time, the green room will no longer be in the arena.
This year, scenographer Viktor Brattström wanted to create an open scene with maximum opportunities.
“The stage should be able to be transformed into 40 different looks, opening numbers and middle acts including. Therefore, it is difficult to show a single sketch image that shows the stage exactly as it is”, Viktor says.
– It’s up to the number (act) to fill the space. It is not only the artists’ responsibility, but they have an unusual amount of freedom.
Viktor believes that the flexible stage could become style-forming for Melodifestivalen.
– Larger surface can accommodate more props and larger choreography.
The stage also creates more space in the roof of the arenas. There, the acts can have props and technology that are hoisted or used in individual numbers.
– This can be a very successful stage solution where we can do everything without locking ourselves in. No number needs to make major compromises due to fixed scenography.
The open stage goes hand in hand with the scenography for Eurovision Song Contest 2020, where the key words are “Open Up”.
– Last year there was a big ring in the middle of the stage. The ring was an extremely clear expression, and some wanted it to remain this year as well. But it is part of my job description to vary. This year’s scene we can turn from a black box to a color celebration of light and projection.
At the back, there is the backdrop in fabric from Melodifestivalen 2019. It will be used this year for projections.
– It is not a video wall but more of a “poetic” graphic lighting in a very large format. We are turning the backdrop into a more dynamic background than last year, says Viktor.
The backdrop is 35 meters wide and will be able to expose over 222 square meters with animated content. The fabric comes to life through eight projectors.
Another part of the scene that will be noticed is the two wide stairs on the stage floor. They have two steps each, which are so deep that artists or broadcasters can easily stand there and perform. The stairs are movable and can be moved inwards to make the scene smaller.
The stage also has pillars built-in LED strips that can display video material.
– We have chosen not to incorporate a LED wall in this year’s stage. Some of the acts will take it with them and put on the stage in their particular contribution.
Anyone who reviews the drawings for 2020 will soon notice that the greenroom is not visible. The arena audience has become accustomed to being able to spot the artists after the stars have performed. But this year, the green room is in an adjoining room in the arena building.
On TV, this year’s green room will be seen briefly in the introduction and in conjunction with the recap The artists will be present in the arena in a different way.
– This year we have chosen to have a historically real green room where the artists can get charged and prepare. There they get an honest chance to focus and prepare for the performance, says Christel Tholse Willers, executive producer for Melodifestivalen 2020.
But in the final at Friends Arena, the green room will be in the middle of the parquet floor as usual.
Melodifestivalen 2020 consists of 6 shows, four semi-finals, a Second Chance show and the Grand Final held in Stockholm. Two acts from each semi-final will make it directly to the final, while the 3rd and 4th placed will compete in the Second Chance (Andra Chansen) from which four contenders will qualify for the Grand Final.
- Semi-Final 1: February 1st, Linköping (Saab Arena)
- Semi-Final 2: February 8th, Gothenburg (Scandinavium)
- Semi-Final 3: February 15th, Luleå (COOP Norrbotten Arena)
- Semi-Final 4: February 22nd, Malmö (Malmö Arena)
- Second Chance: February 29th, Eskilstuna (Stiga Sports Arena)
- Final: March 7th, Stockholm (Friends Arena)
All six shows will be hosted by Lina Hedlund, Linnea Henriksson and David Sundin.