SWEDEN: MELODIFESTIVALEN 2017 GETS 2.478 ENTRIES

The hunt is on in Sweden, too, and the submission period is over. This year 2.478 entries arrived in time, slightly more than last year. Karin Gunnarsson is the new woman in charge at this point and she tells their aim is to get as many new songwriters in as possible, those who have never participated before and Christer Björkman says it's a bit easier this year as half the songs last year had chart success after MF.

"Karin's exactly what we've been looking for. She has both the innovative thinking that knowledge of the industry and sense of what Melodifestivalen needs" says Christer.

"New artists, songs and sound are a never ending source which year after year continues to fascinate and interest me. It is a privilege to work and share it to a large and enthusiastic audience. I'm incredibly proud to be a part of SVT and the Eurovision Song Contest", says Karin.

Karin has worked at Sveriges Radio P3 as music editor for over ten years with music-related projects P3 Gold, Musikhjälpen and P3 Love tour. 2013 was Karin's first year in Melodifestivalen selection panel and she has participated in the jury since.

Melodifestivalen continues with its familiar formula:

Semifinal one - February 4, 2017 - Gothenburg

Semifinal two - February 11, 2017 - Malmö

Semifinal three - February 18, 2017 - Växjö

Semifinal four - February 25, 2017 - Skellefteå

Second Chance round - March 4, 2017 - Linköping

Final - March 11, 2017 - Stockholm

Here are the number of entries submitted since 1995:

• 1995: 981

• 1996: 1475

• 1997: 1223

• 1998: 1121

• 1999: 1315

• 2000: 1394

• 2001: 1567

• 2002: 1831

• 2003: 2630

• 2004: 3228

• 2005: 3131

• 2006: 3326

• 2007: 3234

• 2008: 3489

• 2009: 3440

• 2010: 2860 (incl. 246 webjokers)

• 2011: 3832 (incl. 424 webjokers

• 2012: 485 (incl. 570 webjokers)

• 2013: 2549 (incl. 647 to the public contest)

• 2014: 2628 (incl. 561 to the public contest)

• 2015: 2177 (incl. 444 to the public contest)

• 2016: 2450 (incl. 468 to the public contest)

• 2017: 2478 (incl. 362 to the public contest)

Comments

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Today's funniest Eurovision related story comes from Belarus. Some sources claim Ivan wants to perform on stage naked and with live wolf or wolves. It surely would be a first on Eurovision stage! We have seen some forgotten underwear over the years, and some cardbox animals though..... Is it time to take things a bit further? No, according the rules live animals are not allowed, and Eurovision being a family show nudity won't do either. (It seems to be ok to be half naked if you are a dancer though..... )

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CAROLA'S BOOBS STEAL THE SHOW, SVT APOLOGIES

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Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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