The highly anticipated Melodifestivalen 2025 kicks off tonight, February 1st, with its first heat at the Coop Norrbotten Arena in Luleå. This year’s competition features 30 artists competing across five heats, culminating in the grand final on March 8th in Stockholm.
Heat 1 Contestants:
1. Albin Johnsén feat. Pa – “Upp i luften” (Up in the Air)
Text & music: Albin Johnsén, Christoffer Balazik, FERNAND MP, Mattias Andréasson, Pa Modou
Albin Johnsén: A Swedish rapper and singer-songwriter, Albin gained prominence with his 2014 hit “Din soldat,” which topped Swedish charts. He has since released multiple singles and albums, showcasing his versatility in blending pop and hip-hop elements.
Pa Modou: Known for being part of the Swedish hip-hop duo Panetoz, Pa Modou has been active in the music scene with hits like “Dansa Pausa.” His energetic performances and catchy rhythms have made him a notable figure in Swedish pop music.
2. Maja Ivarsson – “Kamikaze Life”
Text & music: Andreas ”Giri” Lindbergh, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Maja Ivarsson
The charismatic lead singer of the Swedish rock band The Sounds, Maja is renowned for her dynamic stage presence and powerful vocals. The band achieved international success in the early 2000s with hits like “Living in America.” Maja’s solo endeavors continue to highlight her distinctive rock influence.
3. John Lundvik – “Voice of the Silent”
Text & music: Jimmy Jansson, John Lundvik, Peter Boström, Thomas G:son
A multifaceted artist, John is not only a singer but also a songwriter and former athlete. He represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with “Too Late for Love,” securing fifth place. His soulful voice and emotive performances have garnered him a significant following.
4. Meira Omar – “Hush Hush”
Text & music: Anderz Wrethov, Dino Medanhodzic, Laurell Barker, Meira Omar
A rising star in the Swedish music scene, Meira is known for her soulful and smooth vocal style. “Hush Hush” marks her debut in Melodifestivalen, and she has been praised for her captivating performances and unique sound.
5. Adrian Macéus – “Vår första gång” (Our First Time)
Text & music: Adam “Rymdpojken” Englund, Adrian Björklund, Adrian Macéus, Hugo Geijer Persson, William Pärlenskog
A young and talented artist, Adrian has been making waves with his fresh pop tunes. He has been involved in various musical projects and is recognized for his youthful enthusiasm and relatable lyrics.
6. Linnea Henriksson – “Den känslan” (The Feeling)
Text & music: David Lindgren Zacharias, Linnea Henriksson, Sebastian Atas
A Swedish pop and jazz singer-songwriter, Linnea first gained attention as a contestant on “Idol” in 2010. She has since released several albums, with her music often reflecting personal experiences and emotions. Her heartfelt songwriting and distinctive voice have made her a beloved figure in Swedish music.
The hosts
Melodifestivalen 2025 will be hosted by Kristina “Keyyo” Petrushina and Edvin Törnblom. Both are renowned comedians in Sweden, bringing their unique humor and charisma to the stage. Their collaboration is highly anticipated, promising an engaging and entertaining experience for viewers.
Full songs are now released to all platforms!
In this year’s edition SVT brings something that the fans were asking for! The release dates of the competing songs! All these years, SVT were very strict about the release of the songs prior to the contest. The viewers were only getting a few seconds of rehearsals and snippets and the finalists were not allowed to be streamed before the last heat was over. This changes for the 2025 edition. All six songs from each heat will be released to all platforms on Friday, one day before their competing heat and will be available throughout the entire competition. So here are the first competing songs in their full studio version!
Albin Johnsén feat. Pa – «Upp i luften»
Maja Ivarsson – «Kamikaze Life»
John Lundvik – «Voice of the Silent»
Meira Omar – «Hush Hush»
Adrian Macéus – «Vår första gång»
Linnea Henriksson – «Den känslan»
In a notable addition, Finnish artist Käärijä, who achieved second place in Eurovision 2023 with “Cha Cha Cha,” will perform as an interval act alongside Hooja, debuting their new song “San Fransisco Boy.”
The top two entries from this semi-final will advance directly to the final, while the third-placed song will have another chance in the final qualification round after the fifth heat. This year’s format introduces changes, including the immediate release of competing songs on streaming platforms the day before their respective heats, allowing fans to familiarize themselves with the entries ahead of the broadcasts.
As Sweden’s premier music competition, Melodifestivalen continues to be a significant event, not only for selecting the country’s Eurovision representative but also for showcasing a diverse array of musical talent.