Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

The rumour mill is running wild for Melodifestivalen 2014 participants and it seems Martin Stenmarc k (ESC 2005) is back while the ladies Sanna Nielsen and Linda Bengtzing are giving it yet another go. Dr Alban might finally make his debut? Aftonbladet also reveals the other possible names: Oscar Zia, Panetoz, J.E.M., Outrigger, Judit & Judit, Eko, Cajsa Stina Äkerström, Josef Johanson that are more or less unknown to this blogger. Christer Björkman is quoted of saying there are still five open slots but negotiations on going with more big names and "the big names are usually the last ones to be confirmed and the talking-them-over period is at full swing right now". It is rumored Avicii, Ola Salo and Lisa Nilsson are some of those Björkman is sweet talking. I hope he has a chat with Sarah Dawn Finer and Darin as well! SVT will reveal all the names by the end of November 2013.

Alexander Rybak was to perform in the live broadcast of Lotta på Liseberg and was rehearsing with the other stars when something went wrong. After playing a bit his violin he stopped and smashed the violin to the sofa on stage breaking it and walked away mumbling "I'm not feeling good" before disppearing to his hotel room. He was to perform besides solo also in a duet with Charlotte Perrelli. "It was seen by so many people we can't pretend it never happened " says Perrelli. "I know what he is going through. I have been there ."  Rybak has been having problems with his voice the last a couple of weeks and had a burnout already last year. He is his own manager and doesn't want to let his fans down and keeps on performing in scheduled shows against maybe his better advice. Lisa Nilsson who met him last Sunday for rehearsals says he was lacking energy and the sparkle already then. Here's the video . 

Two days to go and the kings and queens, crownprinces and other blue blooded are heading to Stockholm. Today also the lists of the invited and selected ones have been published. We already know Eurovision and Melodifestivalen veterans have been singing all around Stockholm this week and will continue to do so tonight and tomorrow in official and unofficial receptions. Carola and others will entertain the guests in the royal wedding dinner Saturday night, Agnes and Björn Skifs will perform in the church during the wedding. But also amongst the real guest - both in church and the dinner - we also have some names: Roxette's Per Gessle with his wife, Malena Ernman with her husband, Lisa Nilsson with her husband and Peter Jöback with his husband to be shortly, Oscar Nilsson. Schlager rules in Sweden!