SWEDEN

The Swedish Final was held on March 10th at the Friends Arena in Solna, hosted by David Lindgren. Before the final there were 4 semi-finals and a second chance round for the runners up. 2018 The winner was chosen by televoting (50%) and 11 international juries (50%). The winning act was Benjamin Ingrosso with the song “Dance You Off”

Although this is a ‘stage’ performance it is micromanaged within an inch of its life for the cameras. A portion of the stage has been overlayed with a frame which goes behind and under the performer. This contains flashing strips of light which pulse to the music and creates different shapes, colours and themes throughout the song. Benjamin is dressed in black trousers and a black t-shirt with a jacket which he doesn’t really wear properly.

The song is a very Swedish production and has hints of Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake is its look and feel. Throughout the song Benjamin does a quite intricate, although quite small, dance routine which fits with the style of music. The three minutes is quite understated and there really isn’t very much to the whole thing. The stage is barely lit as the first verse which lasts last than 20 seconds before we get into the chorus. At this point the frame comes to life and the lighting show begins. The chorus is quite lengthy, lasting almost 40 seconds for both parts. We then have another verse and chorus before a small instrumental, which doesn’t really go anywhere, followed by a last foray into the chorus. The backing track is very samey and doesn’t progress at all. There is no change in key or volume or beat and feels a little underwhelming. It must be said that the backing vocals on the track were suspiciously high during the chorus and you could barely hear him during those points.

Out of all of the songs in the Melodifestivalen final this was possibly the most polished visually and more radio friendly. We have seen and heard this kind of thing so many times and it is starting to feel a bit disingenuous and over confident and too predictable from a Swedish entry. This isn’t a stage show – this is a glorified music video. I personally like a song with shots of the crowd or at least some semblance that there is an audience in from of them. Also I have very suspicious of his live singing ability although I suspect he will have 5 backing singers off stage to ‘help’ him. My only question is – can this staging be transported to Lisbon? Does the stage in Lisbon have the capacity for such an idea? Can it be taken on and off within the postcard time limit? This song without its staging simply would not have won the show. Being in semi 2 this will probably qualify although I personally think it should not.

ARTIST –  Benjamin Ingrosso

SONG – Dance you off

MUSIC - Benjamin Ingrosso, MAG, Louis Schoorl, K Nita

LYRICS - Benjamin Ingrosso, MAG, Louis Schoorl, K Nita