 Melfest, just like ESC2013 is not as good as it was in past years. And it had very unexpected results, so it was all a big surprise. Here's my commentary on the Melodifestival 2013 final; not the final I was hoping for (I still think Cookies N'Beans, Behrang Miri and Caroline Af Ugglas should have been there), but still with a potential to bring Sweden to the top 15.
But there's not a winner here. Sweden won't win ESC2013. I can assure you. 1. Ulrik Munther - "Tell The World I'm Here" Position in my ranking: 7th (Tie) This Danny Saucedo 2.0 (keeps and keeps and keeps trying) brought a song that to me sounds like a male remix of Beyoncé's "I Was Here" (don't ask me how, though). It is a bit catchy, but the problem is that among all this low-tempo songs in ESC2013... Well I don't think it will do THAT well. As usual, Thomas G:son has something to do with the favourite entry. The staging is actually very appropiate, but I'm not very fond of this Paradise-Oskar-type of songs. P.S.: He looks much younger than last year. I know that's nothing important, but I just wanted to point it out... Maybe the clothes and hairstyle? 2. David Lindgren - "Skyline" Position in my ranking: 2nd Say hello to the first song of the Melfest final that I actually like. And it's weird because it isn't my common style. Reminds us of Eric Saade, however he CAN sing and dance at the same time. Some may say it will compete with Ireland's song..... But just like I've said about Germany v. Slovenia's fight.... that ain't gonna happen. It is the second best choreography we'll see in the final, and I sense it could be a commercial hit. The last minute is the perfect occasion to make its performance memorable (with the slow-mo effects and etc). 3. State of Drama - "Falling" Position in my ranking: 5th Out of the two rock songs in the Melfest final, I think this one is better in terms of quality. However, when it comes to voting patterns and what Europe's trend is now, YOHIO would definitely do better. But, since I stand in the name of good music... I still root for this beautiful rock ballad. In fact, I'd be more than glad to put this song into my music library. And it has the necessary staging to showcase what the song purely is..... That's just perfect. 4. Anton Ewald - "Begging" Position in my ranking: 7th (Tie) A very typical Fredrik Kempe song... And despite I'm pleased for watching an awful LOT of Michael Jackson inspired moves, for some reason I feel this song is the soundtrack of a new Disney Channel series; or a new One Direction single. It's like the kind of song that would appeal to teen girls, and I have to admit it is quite catchy. But after Tooji's failure last year, I'm leaned to say this won't be appreciated were it represent the hosts in Malmö. This one is for me the best choreography; but I still don't see how it could have rightfully won over "Jalla Dansa Sawa" in Andra Chansen. 5. Louise Hoffsten - "Only The Dead Fish Follow The Stream" Position in my ranking: 3rd People, don't be so shallow. She isn't just singing about dead fish. Is the metaphor that comes along with it. And the harmonica and the band, it's nice. But that's it, the first time you hear it... 'nice'. However, when you keep on listening, you get captivated by this simple yet meaningful performance. Unlike many other national finals, there's only a female act in Melfest, and it is this one. Nevertheless, I think Louise lacks a certain confidence and strength when singing... <<To sell a product well, you have to believe in it>>. 6. Ralf Gyllenhammar - "Bed On Fire" Position in my ranking: 4th I really find this song a very interesting concept on itself. Although one could question at times his singing skills, it's a totally new proposal; and it feels like ByeAlex in Hungary.... It's so different that you want to see how it'll do in Malmö. It is quite powerful both in lyrics and melody, and it's the most visually-appealing staging of the final. You just feel what he's saying, you really do. 7. Ravaillacz - "En Riktig Jävla Schlager" (A Real Damn Schlager) Position in my ranking: 9th Oh, this Nashville (to those unfamiliar with the term, Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state called 'Tennessee'. It is the capital of country music) song by old men. Sounds like a formula the BBC would use! The song is quite simple in musical terms, as after hearing the first seconds you can easily predict the rhythm of rest of the song, which in my opinion, is much better suited for a nursery rhyme. And I know it is meant to be like that, because the song is a satyre of Schlager music. However, with a staging that looks to you as a commercial (of a shampoo against alopecia; an insurance program; or a prostate cancer awareness campaign) when you don't speak Swedish, there's no joke... And hence, no sense to the song. So it is a real DAMN schlager. 8. Sean Banan - "Copacabanana" Position in my ranking: 10th (Last) Are you freaking serious? This thing?! THIIIIIS?!. Okay, Swedes, you'd have to move out of Sweden if this wins. I won't respect you anymore XD. No, but seriously? All that combination of Mardi Gras with stand up comedy with a pirate cirque du soleil and an awful wording (not singing, I heard absolutely no singing)..... It's just too much. Too much. Awful. I feel like I wanna punch someone and at the same time throw up all those colours. It's like something Latvia would've chosen ¬¬ (no offense to Latvia intended). Somewhat creative? Maybe. But we're not looking for that kind of creative. 9. Robin Stjernberg - "You" Position in my ranking: 1st I know, I know, maybe I'm overrating this. After all it came from Andra Chansen, right?. Well, I think there is a hidden potential in this song that many don't see. I agree on the fact it is a bit cheesy pointing out every time that it is "all because of you"; but the song is very strong in melody, and the staging (which incorporates bits of contemporary music) is outstanding. When it comes to Robin's singing, I like the fact it builds up throughout the song to reach a climax at the last 45 seconds. You really have to love his voice!.... I really perceive a somewhat 'Euphoria' ambience (good) around it. 10. YOHIO - "Heartbreak Hotel" Position in my ranking: 6th Visually, this felt like Sílvia Night had met rock. However, the lead singer has a nice voice and the rhythm overall is kind of nice. But again, there's something missing. And he kinda looks like a power ranger with his moves. On the other hand, although the song can be somewhat modern; I think the staging is in the wrong decade. It has a hook "heartbreak of daaaay"; but I still think there's a certain je ne sais quoi, that not even a revamp will make up for. --- Well, the final is just some minutes away, and you can enjoy it in the www.svt.se official page. The comedian genius Linda Woodruff will make a comeback (I really look forward to it), and as usual, there'll be controversy in the voting, totally. Lastly, I'd like to point out that the race might be between YOHIO, Ulrik Munther and David Lindgren; according to what I've seen around the internet. (LAST MINUTE UPDATE: Robin Stjernberg and Ralf Gyllenhammar are starting to be a 'trending topic'). Just time will tell..... Written by Dago Lesmes, Head Journalist and Lebanese HoD
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 It's true! For the 1st time in the history of our contest, the EM Participants will have the chance to pick the winner of Eurovision Song Contest 2013 before the big event in Malmo arrives!
We will pick the qualifiers from the Semifinals and then we will hold a special edition dedicated to Eurovision 2013 where we will pick our own winner. Here are the official dates:
The exact dates for the Semifinals shows will be revealed soon! Only EM Participants will be allowed to vote individually, we will open a poll dedicated to the public!  The voting for the EM 28 Semifinals just started and people can cast their votes from today. A total of 39 countries will compete for the honor to host the next edition of EM.
Romania, Finland and Switzerland qualified directly in the Grand Final of EM 28 since they came in top 3 last edition. Many Eurovision artists has entered EM 28: Zeljko Joksimovic (Serbia 2012 & 2004), Nikki Jamal (Azerbaijan 2011), Flor-de-Lis (Portugal 2009), Loreen (Sweden 2012), Alexey Vorobyov (Russia 2011), Kejsi Tola (Albania 2009) and Ivi Adamou (Cyprus 2012). According to the webmaster a new rule can appear soon. All Eurovision artists will be banned from EM since they are popular among Eurovision Fans and that can consists in a big disadvantage for the other participants. (A correction was done after this article was posted. Pastora, the EM28 Spanish entry is a Catalan electronic group, not the popular Pastora Soler who represented the Iberic country in ESC2012 coming 10th). Finland won the right to host the next edition of EM last night when EM 27 Final took place. In the end Finland won, followed closely by Romania and Switzerland. The broadcaster decided that Tampere will have the honor to host the next edition of EM. Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It is the most populous inland city in any of the Nordic countries. The city has a population of 217,497, growing to approximately 300,000 people in the conurbation and over 340,000 in the metropolitan area. Tampere is second-largest urban area and third most-populous municipality in Finland, after the Greater Helsinki municipalities of Helsinki and Espoo. In 2007, the entire Pirkanmaa region had around 470,000 residents, of which 230,000 were employed, and a turnover of 25 billion euros. Tampere is located between two lakes, Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. Since the two lakes differ in level by 18 metres (59 ft), the rapids linking them, Tammerkoski, have been an important power source throughout history, most recently for generating electricity. Tampere is dubbed the "Manchester of Finland" for its industrial past as the former center of Finnish industry, and this has given rise to its Finnish nickname "Manse" and terms such as "Manserock". Helsinki can be reached in 1.5 hours by train and 2 hours by car. The distance to Turku is approximately the same. Tampere Airport is the third-busiest airport in Finland, with 800,000 passengers annually. 
Tampere is known for its active cultural life. Some of the most popular writers in Finland, such as Väinö Linna, Kalle Päätalo and Hannu Salama, hail from Tampere. These are all known as writers depicting the lives of working-class people. Also from a working-class background was the famous poet Lauri Viita of the Pispala district (which is the original home of Hannu Salama too). Tampere also has old theatre traditions, with such established institutions as Tampereen Työväen Teatteri, Tampereen Teatteri and Pyynikin Kesäteatteri, which is an open-air theatre with the oldest revolving auditorium in Europe. Tampereen Teatterikesä or Tampere Theatre Festival is an international theatre festival held in Tampere every August. Tampere is also known for its Tampere Art Museum, Tampere, Finland which featured American artist Richard Humann in 2004, for his exhibition entitled, Delicate Monster. Tampere Film Festival, an international short film festival, is held every March. Tammerfest is Tampere's urban rock festival held every July. Similarly, the Tampere Floral Festival is an annual event, held each Summer. Tampere is home to Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra. Tampere Music Festivals organises three international music events: Tampere Jazz Happening each November, and in alternate years Tampere Vocal Music Festival and Tampere Biennale. Tampere is home to the television channel YLE TV2, with its studios in the Tohloppi district, known among all for such popular TV comedies as Tankki täyteen, Reinikainen and Kummeli. A local food speciality is mustamakkara, which resembles black pudding of northern England. 
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