Eurovision

The following articles have been tagged with "Eurovision":

Melodifestivalen draws 3.9 million viewers

Society: 15 Mar 10
A bumper week for public broadcaster SVT saw ratings explode for the finals on consecutive evenings of song competition Melodifestivalen and ever-popular game show På Spåret. READ »

Anna Bergendahl wins Melodifestivalen

Society: 13 Mar 10
Anna Bergendahl won Sweden's Melodifestivalen on Saturday night with This is my life and will represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo in May. READ »

Swedish Eurovision fever cools

Society: 12 Mar 10
Is Sweden falling out of love with Eurovision? On the verge of this year's national final, new figures show that while the event still tops the ratings, media interest, viewing figures and public voting are all in decline. READ »

Millions switch on for Eurovision heat

Society: 8 Feb 10
Saturday's Melodifestivalen heat was watched by almost three million Swedes as Hollywood actor Dolph Lundgren did his bit to ensure that Eurovision fever gripped the country once again. READ »

Five festive pointers for the perfect Swedish Christmas

Lifestyle: 8 Dec 09
It’s that time of year when people are starting to flippantly use the C-word. Or Jul as it is known in Sweden. But what are the secret ingredients to the perfect Swedish Christmas? Ben Kersley investigates. READ »

Thousands catch Abba fever in London's Hyde Park

Society: 14 Sep 09
A crowd of more than 40,000 turned out London’s Hyde Park on Sunday night to celebrate the music of legendary Swedish pop act Abba. READ »

The best of Stockholm Pride

Lifestyle: 30 Jul 09
As northern Europe's biggest Pride festival nears its climax, The Local offers its tips for how to make the most of the weekend. READ »

Ernman upbeat after Eurovision loss

Society: 17 May 09
Sweden and Malena Ernman could only manage a 21st place and 33 votes in Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest. Nordic neighbours Norway however had a perfect start to national day celebrations by claiming the title. READ »

Swedes stay at home with Eurovision fever

Society: 16 May 09
At least for a day, Eurovision Song Contest fever is making bigger headlines than swine flu. Almost a third of Swedes will be glued to their televisions today to watch opera singer Malena Ernman in her bid to bring the country its fifth Eurovision victory. READ »

Abba fans go for 'world record' ahead of Eurovision finals

Society: 15 May 09
Swedish Eurovision fever spread across the continent on Thursday, as Abba enthusiasts gathered in London for a world record crooning of Waterloo and a second Swedish vocalist helped Azerbaijan advance to the 2009 Eurovision finals. READ »

Ernman takes Sweden to Eurovision finals

Society: 13 May 09
Swedish opera star Malena Ernman took another step toward solidifying her pop-music credentials on Tuesday night by sailing through the first semifinal of the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. READ »

Sweden and Ernman gear up for Eurovision

Society: 12 May 09
Malena Ernman is in Moscow preparing for her semi-final heat of the Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday. Meanwhile Swedes are gearing up for the party, hopeful that the opera singer can bring home the glory. READ »

Swedish toads croak to choir song crown

Science & Technology: 11 May 09
The Swedish fire-bellied toad choir has retained its crown in the European Bombina Song Contest. READ »

The subtle pleasures of Europe Day: Margot Wallström

Analysis & Opinion: 9 May 09
"If you tried to market the EU as an aphrodisiac, it would rate up there with a nice pair of socks," writes Sweden's EU Commissioner Margot Wallström. But, she adds, May 9th is Europe Day and there's much to celebrate. READ »

Russia parody Tingeling tops charts for fourth week

Society: 17 Apr 09
A song labelled "disgusting" by the Russian Embassy in Stockholm remain on top of the Swedish pop charts for the fourth week in succession. READ »

Celebrity preacher in copper-coloured revenge

Society: 4 Apr 09
Celebrity evangelist Runar Sögaard displayed a keen sense of the Old Testament message "an eye for eye, a tooth for a tooth" when taking revenge on a Stockholm shopkeeper - he paid his debt in small change. READ »

Russian disgust over Sweden Eurovision skit

Society: 16 Mar 09
The Russian embassy in Stockholm has launched a scathing critique of Sveriges Television (SVT) for what it sees as a “disgusting” portrayal of Russia during the weekend’s Melodifestivalen finals. READ »

Malena Ernman wins Melodifestivalen

Society: 14 Mar 09
Pop opera sensation Malena Ernman claimed the Melodifestivalen 2009 title on Saturday night in a nail biting finish. READ »

What's your view of Sweden's Melodifestivalen?

Lifestyle: 11 Mar 09
Every week, we ask a regular panel of readers to discuss a particular aspect of life in Sweden. This week: Melodifestivalen. READ »

Trio complete Eurovision final line up

Society: 8 Mar 09
Sarah Dawn Finer, Carolina af Ugglas and Sofie Berntsson completed the line up for Sweden's Melodifestivalen by claimed the remaining places at the "Second Chance" heat in Norrköping on Saturday. READ »

Sweden's got talent: life beyond Eurovision

Lifestyle: 1 Mar 09
Sweden has a thriving music scene with acts achieving international acclaim and a number of exciting new artists hoping to follow in their footsteps, writes Keith Moore. READ »

Agnes and Malena win Eurovision heat

Society: 1 Mar 09
The fourth and final Melodifestivalen heat in Malmö in southern Sweden on Saturday was won by one hot favourite, soul queen Agnes, and one surprise, opera queen Malena Ernman. READ »

E.M.D and Molly Sandén win Eurovision heat

Society: 22 Feb 09
The third Melodifestivalen heat in Leksand in central Sweden left the hot favourites dreaming of glory in the Globen final. Pop trio E.M.D and teen sensation Molly Sandén claimed the final places. READ »

A new Abba generation

Analysis & Opinion: 19 Feb 09
Abba may have gone the way of Napoleon, but their music and the Eurovision Song Contest retain their phenomenal popularity thirty-five years after the Swedes first faced their Waterloo, writes Peter Vinthagen Simpson. READ »

Zelmerlöw and H.E.A.T. win Eurovision heat

Society: 15 Feb 09
Idol favourite Måns Zelmerlöw and rockers H.E.A.T. won the second Melodifestivalen heat on Saturday evening. READ »

Sweden braces for Melodifestivalen 2009

Society: 6 Feb 09
As Swedes struggle to make it through the final throes of a dark and dreary winter, millions are hoping to forget their troubles at the weekend with the start of this year’s installment of the Melodifestivalen, that shining spectacle of musical magic which inexplicably lifts the country’s forlorn spirits. READ »

What's on in Sweden: February 6 - 12

Lifestyle: 5 Feb 09
What's on in Sweden: African cinema festival and Cullberg ballet in Stockholm; Eurovision and Bollywood in Gothenburg; Soundtrack of Our Lives in Malmö. READ »

Maltese heartthrob sings home Swedish Idol prize

Society: 13 Dec 08
Sweden's Idol 2008 talent show came to a screeching climax on Friday night and left Kevin Borg, a young crooner from Malta who has only lived in Sweden for a year, clutching the champagne. READ »

Teen blogger tops Swedish celebrity search list

Society: 10 Dec 08
Blogging teenager Isabella 'Blondinbella' Löwengrip was Sweden's most sought after celebrity in 2008, according to a new list released by Google. READ »

The Local's Winter Concert Guide: 20 shows worth seeing

Lifestyle: 28 Nov 08
Looking for some tips about where to go for live music in Sweden this winter? Omri Grinberg offers a number of enticing options to warm up the cool Swedish winter, including Abalone Dots, Katy Perry and Sebastien Tellier. READ »

Malmö weekend nightclub tips: September 12 -13

Lifestyle: 12 Sep 08
Going out in Malmö has never been easier as The Local teams up with the knowledgeable nightlifers at Djungeltrumman to point you in the right direction. READ »

What’s on in Sweden: September 12 - 18

Lifestyle: 11 Sep 08
What’s on: Johnny Logan and American Football in Stockholm; Ukulele orchestra and psychobilly legends in Gothenburg; Cinema Bizarre and dance fusion in Malmö. READ »

Schlager brings a smile to Stockholm's Europride

Lifestyle: 1 Aug 08
You would need a heart of stone not to smile at the sight of tens of thousands of gay men screaming at middle-aged ladies singing Eurovision ditties, says James Savage. READ »

Gearing up for Europride: the best of Stockholm's gay scene

Lifestyle: 25 Jul 08
Stockholm will turn itself into Europe’s semi-official gay capital at the end of this month, as the Europride festival hits town. Visitors will find a city that does gay in its own, understated way, James Savage reports. READ »

Sweden’s National 'Sunny' Day

National: 6 Jun 08
Sweden’s National Day is off to a hotter start than usual with temperatures set to rise up to 30 degrees across most parts of the country. READ »

Laughter and pain in Stockholm on Saturday

Society: 31 May 08
Six hours of pain or ten hours of laughter are on offer for Stockholmers on Saturday as two very different marathons compete for an audience. READ »

Perrelli in Eurovision fiasco

Society: 25 May 08
Charlotte Perrelli finished a lowly 18th in Saturday's Eurovision song contest in Belgrade. Russia won for the first time. READ »

What’s on in Sweden: May 23 – May 29

Lifestyle: 23 May 08
What’s on this week in Sweden: Eurovision, speedway and Paul Potts. READ »

Sweden eases into Eurovision final

Society: 23 May 08
Sweden's Charlotte Perrelli has qualified for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest, due to be held in Belgrade on Saturday. READ »

Eurovision a winner for TeliaSonera

Business & Money: 20 May 08
Sweden’s domestic qualifying competition and the Eurovision song contest finals which follow are big cash cows for TeliaSonera, regardless of who wins. READ »

Witnessing Eurovision nightmares in a Gothenburg downpour

Travel: 28 Apr 08
In his book Cycling Back to Happiness, English journalist Bernie Friend covers 6,000 kilometres of northern Europe on a bicycle in a bid to overcome his paranoia. In the last of our three excerpts, Bernie and his pal Rhys get unexpectedly Eurovisioned in Gothenburg. READ »

Sweden chooses Perrelli for Eurovision

Society: 16 Mar 08
One time Eurovision winner Charlotte Perrelli is to attempt a repeat performance after winning Sweden's Melodifestivalen competition on Saturday. READ »

Sweden chooses Perrelli for Eurovision

National: 16 Mar 08
One time Eurovision winner Charlotte Perrelli is to attempt a repeat performance after winning Sweden's Melodifestivalen competition on Saturday. READ »

What’s on in Sweden: March 14th – 20th

Lifestyle: 13 Mar 08
Looking for something to do this week? Attend the St Patrick's Day parade in Stockholm, the World Figure Skating Championship in Gothenburg, Canadian electro pop in Malmö. READ »

Carola left out in the cold in Kiruna

National: 9 Mar 08
Eurovision queen Carola Häggkvist was knocked out of Sweden's Melodifestival in Kiruna. Hard rockers Nordman and Sibel (middle) took the second chance road to Globen. READ »

Perelli and Bengtzing win Eurovision heat

Society: 2 Mar 08
Hot favourites Charlotte Perelli (left) and Linda Bengtzing (right) won the final Melodifestivalen heat on Saturday evening. READ »

Bodies Without Organs win Eurovision heat

National: 24 Feb 08
Hotly-tipped Bodies Without Organs (back) won the third heat of the Melodifestivalen in Linköping on Saturday. They will be joined by outsider Frida (front) in the final in Globen. READ »

Carola in Eurovision omission shock

National: 17 Feb 08
Eurovision queen, Carola Häggkvist, missed out on a place in the final of Sweden's Melodifestivalen on Saturday. READ »

Euro music, African cinema, Swedish mentality: what's on in Sweden

Lifestyle: 7 Feb 08
Something for the weekend:Feast of film at Stockholm CinemAfrica festival, Eurovision qualification in Gothenburg, and Fredrik Lindström dissects the Swedish mentality in Malmö READ »

Artsy synth-princess Sweden’s best-dressed woman

Lifestyle: 3 Feb 08
Sweden's newly crowned best-dressed woman, BWO keyboard player Marina Schiptjenko, has a wardrobe that stretches from punk to princess, writes David Bartal. READ »

'Witch burning' causes women shelter outrage

Society: 28 Jan 08
Women's shelters in southern Sweden have expressed dismay over a band's plan to symbolically burn a witch during the country's Eurovision heats. READ »

Time to tango: what's on in Sweden

Lifestyle: 25 Jan 08
Something for the weekend: Learn how to dance the tango in Stockholm, learn about the lives of the Swedish settlers in the US in Gothenburg and satisfy your taste for the baroque in Malmö. READ »

Beltran released ahead of rape verdict

National: 21 Jan 08
Tito and Jenny Beltran leave Ystad District Court at the end of the opera singer's trial on rape charges. READ »

Carola: Nanny 'was upset after alleged rape'

National: 16 Jan 08
Eurovision winner Carola leaves court after testifying that a nanny who says she was raped by Swedish-Chilean opera singer Tito Beltran was 'very upset' after the alleged attack. READ »

Trial begins of opera star Beltran

National: 11 Jan 08
The trial has begun in Ystad of opera star Tito Beltran, who is accused of raping an 18-year-old nanny. READ »

Opera star rape suspect slams Sweden

Society: 7 Jan 08
Opera star Tito Beltran has described Sweden as "worse than Chile during the dictatorship". READ »

Opera star Beltran denies rape charges

Society: 5 Jan 08
Swedish tenor Tito Beltran has spoken out for the first time in response to accusations that he raped an 18-year-old nanny. READ »

Swedish pop star confirms HIV rumours

Society: 19 Dec 07
One of Sweden's best-known pop stars, Alcazar's Andreas Lundstedt, has said in an interview that he is HIV positive. READ »

Moustache men hope to follow Abba to victory

National: 21 Aug 07
Sweden could soon have some new world champions in an unconventional but hotly contested competition: the World Beard and Moustache Championships. READ »

Sporting gay fest set for kick-off

Society: 30 Jul 07
Stockholm Pride, the largest gay pride festival in the Nordic region, opens on Monday. Organizers have selected sport as the theme of the festival, with ex-footballer Glenn Hysén a controversial speaker. READ »

Author Lars Forssell dead

National: 26 Jul 07
Author and member of the prestigious Swedish Academy Lars Forssell died at his home on Thursday morning. He was 79. READ »

The lowdown on... Allsång på Skansen

Lifestyle: 26 Jun 07
Lots of people gathered in a big park, clutching songbooks and singing songs about flowers and waterways and general goodness. First televised in 1979, just a couple of years after punk broke, what exactly is Allsång på Skansen? READ »

Swedish toad chorus croaks to glory

Society: 22 May 07
A thirty-strong male toads choir from southern Sweden has become the first ever winner of the European Bombina Song Contest. The historic victory means that Sweden can now move on emotionally after a disappointing Eurovision. READ »

Great club - but make an effort boys

Lifestyle: 18 May 07
Tipping Point:Kathleen Harman gets a taste for the glamorous side of Stockholm gay clubbing, but is disappointed that in dress-down Stockholm, her efforts with leopard print are not matched by an abundance of well-oiled, shirtless, six-packed torsos. READ »

Disappointment for The Ark in Helsinki

National: 13 May 07
Swedish band The Ark came 18th in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night, despite being one of the favourites. Whoever represents Sweden next year will now have to qualify for the final. READ »

Raw pleasure on Kungsholmen

Lifestyle: 11 May 07
Tipping Point: In The Local's new review series, Kathleen Harman finds respite from the ubiquitous Stockholm Tan and a large helping of bistro charm at the refreshingly unpretentious Mäster Anders. READ »

A quickie with...Charlotte Perrelli

Lifestyle: 10 May 07
The Local asks Charlotte Perrelli, the last Swede to bring the Eurovision trophy to Stockholm, for her top tips ahead of this weekend's extravaganza in Helsinki. READ »

Sweden a good bet for Eurovision

Lifestyle: 8 May 07
Yes, it's that time of year again: the eyes of Europe will be on Helsinki on Saturday for the annual kitsch-fest that is the Eurovision Song Contest. And The Ark have put Sweden in among the favourites. READ »

Introducing...The Ark

Lifestyle: 7 May 07
They're the bell-bottom wearing, glam-rocking sons of Sweden following in the footsteps of Abba to defend Swedish pride in Saturday's Eurovision Song Contest. Paul O'Mahony takes a closer look at The Ark. READ »

Introducing... 'Food' Tina

Lifestyle: 30 Apr 07
Sweden's answer to Martha Stewart, Tina Nordström mixes southern charm with a cheeky sense of humour. Paul O'Mahony takes a closer look at the woman everyone calls 'Food' Tina. READ »

Neo-Nazi convicted of gay-bashing

Society: 11 Apr 07
The leader of a neo-Nazi group in southern Sweden has been jailed for three months for an attack on the local headquarters of gay rights group RFSL. READ »

Introducing...Runar Sögaard

Lifestyle: 10 Apr 07
It takes a special kind of man to be an Pentacostal preacher, a tireless Stockholm socialite and Carola's ex-husband. But Runar Sögaard takes it all in his stride, as Paul O'Mahony explains. READ »

Benny Andersson top of the pops

Society: 2 Apr 07
A song composed by Abba star Benny Andersson has spent a record-breaking 143 weeks on the Swedish top ten list. READ »

'Kick UK out of Eurovision Song Contest'

Society: 28 Mar 07
Swedish artist Pandora is furious about the United Kingdom's entry to the Eurovision Song Contest, claiming that Scooch stole the chorus to one of her old songs. READ »

Why is Brazil playing Ghana in Stockholm?

Lifestyle: 26 Mar 07
The Brazilian football team is in Sweden - but it is not playing the Swedish national side. Instead, Ronaldinho and chums have played Chile in Gothenburg and face Ghana in Stockholm. Eddie de Oliveira finds out why. READ »

The Ark triumph in Globen

National: 10 Mar 07
The favourites before the contest proved to be the experts' favourites and the public's favourites: on Saturday evening The Ark won Melodifestivalen 2007 with 'The Worrying Kind' and will represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest in May. READ »

Tension builds as Sweden gears up for Melodifestivalen final

National: 10 Mar 07
The Local's predictions | Who gets your vote?
All of Sweden is abuzz with anticipation of the year's big television event: the Melodifestivalen final, in which the country's musical standard-bearer will be selected for the Eurovision Song Contest. READ »

Introducing...Robert Wells

Lifestyle: 5 Mar 07
He's a hirsute cross between Richard Clayderman and Europe who can fill a concert arena better even than Elton John. Paul O'Mahony rhapsodizes about Robert Wells. READ »

Veteran rocker sparks diplomatic incident

Society: 1 Mar 07
The Polish ambassador has reported ageing Swedish rocker Magnus Uggla to the discrimination ombudsman for his reference to "dodgy Poles" in the song he has entered in Melodifestivalen. READ »

Melodifestivalen: Victory for The Ark and unknown teacher

Society: 11 Feb 07
Old pros The Ark will be joined in the final of Melodifestivalen by a schoolteacher with no prior stage experience. READ »

Melodifestivalen: The Ark accused of plagiarism

National: 10 Feb 07
They're one of the favourites to win Melodifestivalen and represent Sweden at Eurovision in Helsinki. But a well-known songwriter has accused The Ark of stealing his song. READ »

Swedes thrown out of Eurovision

National: 6 Feb 07
Swedish band the Rednex have been thrown out of the contest to represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest. READ »

Introducing...Carola

Lifestyle: 5 Feb 07
As Melodifestivalen kicks off, Paul O'Mahony takes a look at last year's winner – the charismatic Christian who has become Sweden's uncontested Eurovision queen. READ »

Book and Nilsson to song contest final

National: 4 Feb 07
Sweden votes for tradition, sending schlager veterans Anna Book and Tommy Nilsson to the final of Melodifestivalen in Stockholm. READ »

Melodifestivalen: old favourites line up again

National: 2 Feb 07
The trend at the Eurovision Song Contest might be towards the weird and wacky, but judging by the line-up in Saturday's Melodifestivalen, Sweden's entry looks likely to be from one of the old favourites. READ »

World's first ABBA museum to open in Stockholm

National: 28 Nov 06
They are one of the top-selling bands of all time, and soon ABBA could have a dedicated museum in its honour in Stockholm. "It will be a cool and groovy museum to visit," say the band's members. READ »

Introducing...Helena Paparizou

Lifestyle: 20 Nov 06
Her Eurovision victory in Athens earlier last year confirmed Gothenburg siren and former swimsuit model Elena Paparizou as Europe's Number One. Now Elena has become Helena, and she is taking her Greek charms stateside. READ »

Stalwarts make up Melodifestivalen shortlist

National: 10 Oct 06
The waiting is over - the songs set to compete to be next year's Swedish entry to the Eurovision Song Contest have been unveiled at a ceremony in Stockholm. And there are some familiar names on the list. READ »

Maud sings for victory

Politics: 16 Sep 06
Centre leader Maud Olofsson grabs the microphone in a last minute attempt to woo voters. "We need a government that has faith in the future," she tells Stockholm crowds. READ »

Singer Nanne Grönvall has cancer

National: 28 Jun 06
Nanne Grönvall, one of Sweden's most popular singers, has cancelled a summer tour after discovering she has breast cancer. "I'm going to take it one day at a time," the singer said in a statement. READ »

Hultsfred sets off a rocking Swedish summer

Lifestyle: 2 Jun 06
While there will be music for all tastes, those who like their music loud and heavy will be particularly well catered for in June, with Lordi, Def Leppard and Alice Cooper all putting in appearances in Sweden. READ »

Fifth spot in Eurovision for Carola

National: 21 May 06
The song was 'Invincible', but Carola wasn't. She failed to live up to the billing of favourite, while Finnish monster rockers Lordi turned the contest on its head as they romped to victory. READ »

Sweden believes in Carola at Eurovision

Smörgåsbord: 20 May 06
SEE ALSO: LOVE SWEDEN, LOVE EUROVISION
Allegations of a sex scandal, a Swedish-Finnish beauty and the beast battle and a frosty reception at the last rehearsal: controversy courts Carola before the Eurovision Song Contest final. READ »

Carola breezes through to Eurovision final

National: 19 May 06
SEE ALSO: LOVE SWEDEN, LOVE EUROVISION
To the enormous relief of Eurovisionophile Sweden, Carola and her wind machine have battled their way through to Saturday's final. READ »

Carola builds up for Eurovision semis

Smörgåsbord: 18 May 06
Forget the Champions League, the really important European competition starts tonight. And despite a broken heel and Greek taunts, Carola says she's focused on winning for Sweden. READ »

Carola wins song final

National: 18 Mar 06
SEE ALSO: LOVE SWEDEN, LOVE EUROVISION
Carola sweeps all ahead of her at the final of Melodifestivalen, winning the Swedish public's votes to take her to the Eurovision Song Contest in Athens. "I'm very grateful," she says. READ »

Love Sweden, love Eurovision

Lifestyle: 16 Mar 06
As Carola, Kikki, Magnus et al warm up to take their place in the pantheon of European music greats, Christine Demsteader explains how Sweden brainwashed her into becoming a Eurovision addict. READ »

Rednex and Bäcklund snatch final Melodifestivalen places

Lifestyle: 13 Mar 06
Rednex and Magnus Bäcklund bagged the last two places in Saturday's Melodifestivalen final after winning the 'second chance' competition on Sunday evening. READ »

Carola swept through to final

Lifestyle: 12 Mar 06
As if carried on the breeze of her trademark wind machine, Carola left her troubles behind to sail into the final found of Melodifestivalen. She will be joined there by balladeer Björn Kjellman, while the Rednex get another chance. READ »

Carola in gay question panic

National: 10 Mar 06
Melodifestivalen is always guaranteed to give good tabloid fodder. This year proves no exception, where Carola once again encounters sticky questions about her attitude to gays. READ »

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