• Sweden edition

Erik Grönwall Sweden's new Idol

Published: 12 Dec 09 10:10 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23808/20091212/

With his big stage presence and booming rock voice, Erik Grönwall took home the Idol 2009 Final at Stockholm’s Globen arena on Friday night.

The diminutive Grönwall’s stature belies his powerful vocal talent, and he nailed his three numbers in the final, receiving overwhelming praise from the judges. The viewers too fell for Erik, Sweden’s newest Idol.

Both Erik Grönwall and the other finalist Calle Kristiansson gave three strong performances in the final. Erik began his set with his free choice selection, Europe’s ‘Final Countdown’.

“Cool and raw,” said jury member Laila Bagge, with enthusiastic agreement from her colleagues.

Viewers were aching to hear Erik sing Queen’s ‘The show must go on’. Strong song, strong voice, and the jury were enraptured once again.

“All the pieces have fallen into place,” gushed Andreas Carlsson.

The winning song, ‘Higher’, was the last in the final. Calle sang his version with calm charisma, and Erik countered with intensity. Erik was in tears as he sang the winning song like a winner. And for him, the dream has only just begun.

“Idol is a start for me, both musically and personally,” an emotional Erik told TV4. Erik will record two albums as the winner of Idol 2009.

Stuart Roberts (news@thelocal.se)

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12:03 December 12, 2009 by johnnytango
Happened to see this last night accident. My wife had her bottom nestled in the sofa so I decided to join her with my 35 kilo lap dog. Calle sang a Led Zeppelin tune to begin with and followed with Joe Cocker...really sound interpretations. Even his outfits fit the bill. He was the only rock and roller in the whole bunch. This piece of vanilla fudge, Eric, would not know rock and roll if it hit him in the face. Just another sign of the times.

If Eric was lame the judges were even lamer...come to think of it the whole program strikes me as completely imbecile. Another imported distraction from you know where...the land of make believe.
12:58 December 12, 2009 by calebian22
Johnnytango,

If by the land of make believe, you mean Britain, where Idol started, than I agree. It was originally called Pop Idol.

As for Erik, can anyone say tone deaf? He sounded like he was slaughtering chickens during the Final Countdown. He is cute though, so all the women and tweeners love him. Calle has more talent, but he looks like Bobcat Goldwaithe.
12:58 December 12, 2009 by diegoveggie
sweden's finest. hahhah
13:23 December 12, 2009 by Random Guy
I thought the season was great. Tove should have been #2 not #3 but Eric was the best for the year. I hope the same judges are back next year as well!
19:11 December 12, 2009 by Argentina84
My husband and I watched the finale show and agreed that Erik should win cause he interpreted "Higher" much better than Calle but his performance was not brilliant or memorable. The judges flattered the finalists just because they needed to justify they own work as judges.
06:27 December 13, 2009 by KingArthur
Outcome should have be : Calle, Tove and then Erik.

Calle is Much better, and so is Tove, but im not afraid. In a few months nobody will remember erik, but the other 2 will continue
07:44 December 13, 2009 by Thompsuleme
all top three are good,Erik won because I beleive he was the one who improved the most over the course.

I think it was a good show this time.
11:18 December 13, 2009 by izbz
Calle is definately much better, have personality,voice and will last long in music industry. Agree that Erik did better in 'Higher' but non memorable- Idol is a program where most people vote for *favourite' not who is better. Look at Maria Picasso, the former winner, I don'tr really remember how she look like-.

So far from Idol, Agnes, Darin and Amanda are doing quite well. Of course Ola is doing well in Sweden( not that I like his Songs)
13:45 December 13, 2009 by digital
Refusing to watch TV is a bliss it seems...
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