If the UK hosting this year’s Eurovision wasn’t exciting enough, one of the contest’s most famous faces is back to compete. Former winner Loreen is back to represent Sweden for the second time at the Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool in May, with her song ‘Tattoo’.
Back in 2012, she won Eurovision with her dance track ‘Euphoria’, viewed by many as one of the defining songs of the modern Eurovision era. It achieved commercial success across Europe, peaking at number three in the UK charts.
To get to the contest in the first place, Sweden’s Eurovision hopefuls first must win Melodifestivalen, or Melfest, a national selection that takes place over six weeks. The competition tours around Sweden in the country’s biggest arenas, and with elaborate staging and huge crowds, the show often feels like a mini-Eurovision.
‘Tattoo’ is Loreen’s fourth Melfest entry, with two previously unsuccessful attempts, including in 2017 (five years after her Eurovision win) where she failed to progress to the final — which shows how competitive Sweden’s national selection is!
Loreen’s Melfest experience this year didn’t go without a hitch. Her first performance was disrupted by an environmental activist storming the stage, which meant she had to restart. Despite this, the 39-year-old charged to victory, coming first in her heat and winning both the jury vote and the public vote in the final.
There is a lot of hype around Loreen’s triumphant return. Sweden is currently the clear favourite in the Eurovision betting odds, and ‘Tattoo’ has already had streaming success — at present, it’s in Spotify’s global viral 50 chart, as well as the UK’s equivalent.
With a victory in May, Sweden would match Ireland’s record of seven Eurovision wins, and Loreen would become the first woman ever to win the contest twice.
However, she faces tough competition in Liverpool, including Finland’s Käärijä, Norway’s Alessandra, and of course the UK’s very own Mae Muller. It remains to be seen if, next month, Loreen will manage to replicate the magic of 2012, and once again claim victory on the Eurovision stage.
The Eurovision semi finals will be held on Tuesday 9 and Thursday 11 May, with the Grand Final on Saturday 13 May — all shown on BBC One.
Words by Erin Zammitt
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