Melodifestivalen Celebrities

I'm sitting in the Middle of the City. That's the name of the shopping center in Karlstad where several artists will appear. The first artist up is Eric Gadd and he will be on stage shortly. People are milling about waiting for the show to begin. I have a good seat next to the stage and two semlor at my side. They're from the grocery store, so they're smaller than the bakery versions. That's right - semlor and song.

What happens when celebrities from the biggest show of the year appear in person? How do people in Sweden react?

They react mildly.

An orderly crowd of young teenagers and students wait in line to get a look at the artists. Guards stand around. They chat with each other, since there's not much to do.

Looking on from the top balcony

The host for the show walks into the waiting crowd, asking if there are any big fans of Eric Gadd. The orderly crowd looks away. She walks into a group of waiting teens and attempts to get someone to chat. She has difficulty getting them to talk with her in front of the onlookers. The host finally succeeds in getting a few adults to talk with her. Maybe she will have more success when introducing teen heartthrobs like Robin Stjernberg.

She tries to pep the crowd again. A few people shake their head and tap their feet to the music. That's the extent of their celebration. She attempts to get a yell from the crowd and succeeds on the second try. It's not an easy job.

Walking by the stage. Quite empty a few minutes before the first artist is to appear.

I might suggest this reaction is a part of Swedish culture. Swedes just don't go crazy over celebrities in the same way the United States does. They're interested and will stop to watch. They might stare, even. The really "crazy" ones might ask for a photo or autograph. They usually don't go crazy with a red carpet and screaming fans. They leave that to America. And Americans like me.

Melodifestivalklubb Visit

I'm currently at Löfbergs Lila Arena just inside the press room door. Playing in the background is Lady Gaga's Paparazzi and other songs from Mello. Across the street, artists are practicing for the Second Chance competition on Saturday.

The press room is located across from the arena.

I recently spoke with Pia and Sara, representatives from Melodifestivalklubben, the fan club whose members follows the contest year 'round. They were kind enough to speak with me before today's practices got underway.  The club, a non-profit, has members from as far away as Kuwait and Australia. "There are even many international fans who learn Swedish just to understand the lyrics to the songs", Pia said. More about our interview a little later...

Sara and Pia, representatives from the Melodifestival club

Without a press pass, it's impossible to get in to either the press room or practices. However, the artists will make an appearance in a downtown shopping center later this afternoon. I'll head over there to see what excitement and chaos they create among the general public.

A view of the arena preparations:

The accreditation building brought in for the contest.

An imposing, slightly industrial building when seen from the ground.

 Santa Maria Tex-Mex "Festivalchips", which will be given out to festival visitors Friday and Saturday.

 The same signs from Malmö brought in for set-up shortly.

A handful of the 18 trucks it takes to haul needed equipment to various cities during the tour.

Karlstad, You Don't Disappoint

This city is ready for the schlager festival. Apparently, Anton Ewald, one of the artists for the Second Chance round was on the same train. I got off the train and saw people holding Melodifestivalen signs. I stopped to take a picture and realized they were there to pick up one of the artists, so I kept filming for a few seconds. Anton took the opportunity to mug for the camera as he walked past.

Anton Ewald is in good spirits.

Karlstad wants you to know it's hosting the contest.

A banner next to a stage in a shopping mall. "The city where everyone is a winner. A Second Chance, the Second of March."

And a blurry pic of a "Schlagerbakelse", a Melodifestival pastry on offer at the local grocery store. You get two purple marzipan covered cakes with a triangular music note decoration on top.  All for 40 kronor ($6.50 approximately).

Another Day, Another City

Tomorrow brings another town. Karlstad is up next on the agenda. It's time to meet Emma and Christian, my Couchsurfing hosts in the city. I'll also visit the Swedish American Center. The center was created in the early 60's to strengthen ties between the two countries. I'll see what they're up to these days and learn more about the work they're doing.  

We'll get back to Melodifestivalen, too. It's almost time for the Second Chance round. Karlstad is host and they've promised a good show. Time to see what the city has to offer in terms of pre-festival entertainment. Malmö was quiet on that front. Will Karlstad also take the same tactic? Or will they throw a big city party? One way to find out. The train leaves early in the morning. 

The Artists - Second Chance

Second Chance: Eight artists will compete. Two will make it out. These artists want the last two spots in Stockholm. They are prepared to fight hard for it.

Eric Gadd - An R&B guy with success both in and outside Sweden's borders. He's been asked many times to compete in the contest, but this year everything fell into place and he said yes. He describes his song, "Vi Kommer Aldrig att Forlora" as a fighting song for dreamers and those who live with heart in the logical and rational time we live in. He says the contest is something he watches every year from home.

Cookies 'N' Beans - A group composed of three women who sing and play their own instruments. They competed in 2009 and remember the huge stage, the audience and their signs. "Burning Flags" is described as a dramatic and powerful number with a warning in the lyrics. They don't call their style country music and don't want to set a stamp on their sound because they are influenced by many different styles.

Anton Ewald - An accomplished artist within the Mello world already at 19 years of age. He was a dancer, choreographer and backing vocalist in previous contests. This is his first competition where he is front and center. He is a little nervous but excited. His song, "Begging" is an electro-pop number with a memorable chorus.

Erik Segerstedt & Tone Damli - A duet between Norway and Sweden. Erik has been in the contest before with boy band EMD and Tone started her career in Norway's Idol when she was 16. She has released 5 albums already. The two first met last winter and have already grabbed a place in the second chance round with their ballad, "Hello Goodbye".

Martin Rolinski - A native of Gothenburg and former lead singer of BWO, a group with considerable success in other European nations and previous experience in Mello. BWO was formed by Alexander Bard, a part of Army of Lovers. Rolinski has Polish roots and can speak the language fluently. He received his ticket to Karlstad with his performance of "In and Out of Love" which featured glass cages and colored yogurt.

Caroline af Ugglas - A woman who marches to her own beat who sings a bit like Janis Joplin. Caroline took part last year with a well-received ballad. This year, she is competing with "Hon Har Inte", a ballad with a slightly faster pace written by her and her husband. The song reflects the differences between an established long-term relationship and a new relationship, "She has not had the chance to fight, to say things she shouldn't"..."She hasn't cared for you like I have, so what does she have that I don't?" Caroline says the listener will either love the lyrics or think they are too upfront.

*Clips can be found on YouTube, but broadcaster SVT works hard to have those videos taken down in accordance with contest rules which says advancing songs cannot be played on the radio, TV,or internet. This rule is meant to level the playing field for the artists still involved.

Photos:  SVT