ESC Insight
@escinsight.com
In-depth discussion, commentary, editorial and thoughts on the Eurovision Song Contest. We've a website for words, a podcast for audio, and now we have Bluesky for talking to you all through the year.
A*Teens: Iconic
BPM: 135
The fusion of 2000's pop with modern production and an energy kick. Feels made for a tremendous comeback with clear A*Teens sound still emanating through.
Perhaps more gloss than substance, but still - I-C-O-N-I-C
Sounds like: Andreas Lundstedt's Vicious ( #melfest 2025)
BPM: 135
The fusion of 2000's pop with modern production and an energy kick. Feels made for a tremendous comeback with clear A*Teens sound still emanating through.
Perhaps more gloss than substance, but still - I-C-O-N-I-C
Sounds like: Andreas Lundstedt's Vicious ( #melfest 2025)
January 27, 2026 at 9:27 AM
A*Teens: Iconic
BPM: 135
The fusion of 2000's pop with modern production and an energy kick. Feels made for a tremendous comeback with clear A*Teens sound still emanating through.
Perhaps more gloss than substance, but still - I-C-O-N-I-C
Sounds like: Andreas Lundstedt's Vicious ( #melfest 2025)
BPM: 135
The fusion of 2000's pop with modern production and an energy kick. Feels made for a tremendous comeback with clear A*Teens sound still emanating through.
Perhaps more gloss than substance, but still - I-C-O-N-I-C
Sounds like: Andreas Lundstedt's Vicious ( #melfest 2025)
Indra: Beautiful Lie
BPM: 63
Is this #melfest? A dramatic and organic ballad, but this screams MGP in Norway (would win there easily this year) with rich orchestration, Northern Lights mentioned and touches of folklore. Lovely entry.
Sounds like: My Way in the verses, Elsie Bay in the choruses
BPM: 63
Is this #melfest? A dramatic and organic ballad, but this screams MGP in Norway (would win there easily this year) with rich orchestration, Northern Lights mentioned and touches of folklore. Lovely entry.
Sounds like: My Way in the verses, Elsie Bay in the choruses
January 27, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Indra: Beautiful Lie
BPM: 63
Is this #melfest? A dramatic and organic ballad, but this screams MGP in Norway (would win there easily this year) with rich orchestration, Northern Lights mentioned and touches of folklore. Lovely entry.
Sounds like: My Way in the verses, Elsie Bay in the choruses
BPM: 63
Is this #melfest? A dramatic and organic ballad, but this screams MGP in Norway (would win there easily this year) with rich orchestration, Northern Lights mentioned and touches of folklore. Lovely entry.
Sounds like: My Way in the verses, Elsie Bay in the choruses
Junior Lerin: Copacabana Boy
BPM: 128
Dirty beats and spoken/shouted singing through what can best be described as the most disaster of #melfest disaster bops. Will get people talking on Monday in the office for it's (intentional) bottom of the barrel quality
Sounds like: Sean Banan from Wish
BPM: 128
Dirty beats and spoken/shouted singing through what can best be described as the most disaster of #melfest disaster bops. Will get people talking on Monday in the office for it's (intentional) bottom of the barrel quality
Sounds like: Sean Banan from Wish
January 27, 2026 at 9:18 AM
Junior Lerin: Copacabana Boy
BPM: 128
Dirty beats and spoken/shouted singing through what can best be described as the most disaster of #melfest disaster bops. Will get people talking on Monday in the office for it's (intentional) bottom of the barrel quality
Sounds like: Sean Banan from Wish
BPM: 128
Dirty beats and spoken/shouted singing through what can best be described as the most disaster of #melfest disaster bops. Will get people talking on Monday in the office for it's (intentional) bottom of the barrel quality
Sounds like: Sean Banan from Wish
noll2: Bersuade ord
BPM: 184 (!), slows in bridge.
If Jacqline is slick produced pop, this is the rural variant, with a fiddle running call and response with lyrics.
Good intonation in bridge to give the text focus. Creative
Sounds like: Something fresh and authentic which we need in #melfest
BPM: 184 (!), slows in bridge.
If Jacqline is slick produced pop, this is the rural variant, with a fiddle running call and response with lyrics.
Good intonation in bridge to give the text focus. Creative
Sounds like: Something fresh and authentic which we need in #melfest
January 27, 2026 at 9:15 AM
noll2: Bersuade ord
BPM: 184 (!), slows in bridge.
If Jacqline is slick produced pop, this is the rural variant, with a fiddle running call and response with lyrics.
Good intonation in bridge to give the text focus. Creative
Sounds like: Something fresh and authentic which we need in #melfest
BPM: 184 (!), slows in bridge.
If Jacqline is slick produced pop, this is the rural variant, with a fiddle running call and response with lyrics.
Good intonation in bridge to give the text focus. Creative
Sounds like: Something fresh and authentic which we need in #melfest
Jacqline: Woman
BPM: 111
BOOM! You liked Effortless, you'll love this!
Powerful girl-power theme and the hooks in the chorus and post-chorus are sublime! A great show for Melfest lovers I am sure!
Sounds like: Everything good about Swedish pop, what we all with Agnes came to #melfest with.
BPM: 111
BOOM! You liked Effortless, you'll love this!
Powerful girl-power theme and the hooks in the chorus and post-chorus are sublime! A great show for Melfest lovers I am sure!
Sounds like: Everything good about Swedish pop, what we all with Agnes came to #melfest with.
January 27, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Jacqline: Woman
BPM: 111
BOOM! You liked Effortless, you'll love this!
Powerful girl-power theme and the hooks in the chorus and post-chorus are sublime! A great show for Melfest lovers I am sure!
Sounds like: Everything good about Swedish pop, what we all with Agnes came to #melfest with.
BPM: 111
BOOM! You liked Effortless, you'll love this!
Powerful girl-power theme and the hooks in the chorus and post-chorus are sublime! A great show for Melfest lovers I am sure!
Sounds like: Everything good about Swedish pop, what we all with Agnes came to #melfest with.
Greczula: Half of Me
BPM: 67, 143 by chorus
Perhaps more Queen than last year, and definitely more ABBA.
Two main choruses, hints of electric guitar in outro. Big show. No immediate winner vibes but cool edition to #melfest
Sounds like: Our Sam Ryder. But the voice isn't quite where he was.
BPM: 67, 143 by chorus
Perhaps more Queen than last year, and definitely more ABBA.
Two main choruses, hints of electric guitar in outro. Big show. No immediate winner vibes but cool edition to #melfest
Sounds like: Our Sam Ryder. But the voice isn't quite where he was.
January 27, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Greczula: Half of Me
BPM: 67, 143 by chorus
Perhaps more Queen than last year, and definitely more ABBA.
Two main choruses, hints of electric guitar in outro. Big show. No immediate winner vibes but cool edition to #melfest
Sounds like: Our Sam Ryder. But the voice isn't quite where he was.
BPM: 67, 143 by chorus
Perhaps more Queen than last year, and definitely more ABBA.
Two main choruses, hints of electric guitar in outro. Big show. No immediate winner vibes but cool edition to #melfest
Sounds like: Our Sam Ryder. But the voice isn't quite where he was.
Time for our @bensvision.bsky.social to take over this Bluesky channel for the next hour for the ultimate test of punditry in the #eurovision business.
Does this #melfest heat have the ultimate winner....maybe even in Vienna?
Grezcula is first up at 10:00 CET. High expectations for last year's 3rd
Does this #melfest heat have the ultimate winner....maybe even in Vienna?
Grezcula is first up at 10:00 CET. High expectations for last year's 3rd
January 27, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Time for our @bensvision.bsky.social to take over this Bluesky channel for the next hour for the ultimate test of punditry in the #eurovision business.
Does this #melfest heat have the ultimate winner....maybe even in Vienna?
Grezcula is first up at 10:00 CET. High expectations for last year's 3rd
Does this #melfest heat have the ultimate winner....maybe even in Vienna?
Grezcula is first up at 10:00 CET. High expectations for last year's 3rd
"There are challenges in almost every act." 😱
Christer Björkman runs the team that stages each Eurovision Song Contest entry - and whether it's people flying or a simple microphone, every detail has to be perfect ✨
Listen to our full Christer Björkman on the latest episode of Eurovision Uncovered!
Christer Björkman runs the team that stages each Eurovision Song Contest entry - and whether it's people flying or a simple microphone, every detail has to be perfect ✨
Listen to our full Christer Björkman on the latest episode of Eurovision Uncovered!
December 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM
"There are challenges in almost every act." 😱
Christer Björkman runs the team that stages each Eurovision Song Contest entry - and whether it's people flying or a simple microphone, every detail has to be perfect ✨
Listen to our full Christer Björkman on the latest episode of Eurovision Uncovered!
Christer Björkman runs the team that stages each Eurovision Song Contest entry - and whether it's people flying or a simple microphone, every detail has to be perfect ✨
Listen to our full Christer Björkman on the latest episode of Eurovision Uncovered!
"In the old days, it would have been beneficial to go in the second half." 🪩
But Christer Björkman told me he thinks the #Eurovision running order works differently now we can vote during the show 📊
🎧 Listen in full to learn how the running order really gets put together.
But Christer Björkman told me he thinks the #Eurovision running order works differently now we can vote during the show 📊
🎧 Listen in full to learn how the running order really gets put together.
December 17, 2025 at 5:01 PM
"In the old days, it would have been beneficial to go in the second half." 🪩
But Christer Björkman told me he thinks the #Eurovision running order works differently now we can vote during the show 📊
🎧 Listen in full to learn how the running order really gets put together.
But Christer Björkman told me he thinks the #Eurovision running order works differently now we can vote during the show 📊
🎧 Listen in full to learn how the running order really gets put together.
And finally, the one in charge of it all, Karin Gunnarsson who was on the four person @melodifestivalen jury that selected the final entrants
This year is more party, and Karin thinks the 2026 artist cohort are going to be a barrel of laughs all the way to Strawberry Arena in Solna!
This year is more party, and Karin thinks the 2026 artist cohort are going to be a barrel of laughs all the way to Strawberry Arena in Solna!
December 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM
And finally, the one in charge of it all, Karin Gunnarsson who was on the four person @melodifestivalen jury that selected the final entrants
This year is more party, and Karin thinks the 2026 artist cohort are going to be a barrel of laughs all the way to Strawberry Arena in Solna!
This year is more party, and Karin thinks the 2026 artist cohort are going to be a barrel of laughs all the way to Strawberry Arena in Solna!
Heat 5 #melfest
Bladë
Who You Are
Back at Melfest after a rebrand from Isa, Bladë is bringing a never seen before vibe to the Melfest stage
Bladë
Who You Are
Back at Melfest after a rebrand from Isa, Bladë is bringing a never seen before vibe to the Melfest stage
December 2, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Heat 5 #melfest
Bladë
Who You Are
Back at Melfest after a rebrand from Isa, Bladë is bringing a never seen before vibe to the Melfest stage
Bladë
Who You Are
Back at Melfest after a rebrand from Isa, Bladë is bringing a never seen before vibe to the Melfest stage
Heat 5 #melfest
Sanna Nielsen
Waste Your Love
Former Melfest winner and Hall of Fame member Sanna is back not as ballad Sanna - she is back with a banger!
Sanna Nielsen
Waste Your Love
Former Melfest winner and Hall of Fame member Sanna is back not as ballad Sanna - she is back with a banger!
December 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Heat 5 #melfest
Sanna Nielsen
Waste Your Love
Former Melfest winner and Hall of Fame member Sanna is back not as ballad Sanna - she is back with a banger!
Sanna Nielsen
Waste Your Love
Former Melfest winner and Hall of Fame member Sanna is back not as ballad Sanna - she is back with a banger!
Heat 5 #melfest
Alexa
Tongue Tied
It’s serious, but that’s because AleXa is serious about bringing a jaw-dropping show to Melfest with the same team as American Song Contest winner Wonderland
Alexa
Tongue Tied
It’s serious, but that’s because AleXa is serious about bringing a jaw-dropping show to Melfest with the same team as American Song Contest winner Wonderland
December 2, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Heat 5 #melfest
Alexa
Tongue Tied
It’s serious, but that’s because AleXa is serious about bringing a jaw-dropping show to Melfest with the same team as American Song Contest winner Wonderland
Alexa
Tongue Tied
It’s serious, but that’s because AleXa is serious about bringing a jaw-dropping show to Melfest with the same team as American Song Contest winner Wonderland
Heat 5 #melfest
Vilhelm Buchaus
Hearts Don’t Lie
Probably the one I’m most excited to hear. Written with the same team as Hold Me Closer was, these answers are exactly what I would have expected for that greta winner number
Humour is intentionally off the scale.
Vilhelm Buchaus
Hearts Don’t Lie
Probably the one I’m most excited to hear. Written with the same team as Hold Me Closer was, these answers are exactly what I would have expected for that greta winner number
Humour is intentionally off the scale.
December 2, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Heat 5 #melfest
Vilhelm Buchaus
Hearts Don’t Lie
Probably the one I’m most excited to hear. Written with the same team as Hold Me Closer was, these answers are exactly what I would have expected for that greta winner number
Humour is intentionally off the scale.
Vilhelm Buchaus
Hearts Don’t Lie
Probably the one I’m most excited to hear. Written with the same team as Hold Me Closer was, these answers are exactly what I would have expected for that greta winner number
Humour is intentionally off the scale.
Heat 5 #melfest
Lilla Al-Fadji
Delulu
Yes, we don’t know why the Edward af Sillén/Daniel Réhn written number is not fully on the humour scale either
Lilla Al-Fadji
Delulu
Yes, we don’t know why the Edward af Sillén/Daniel Réhn written number is not fully on the humour scale either
December 2, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Heat 5 #melfest
Lilla Al-Fadji
Delulu
Yes, we don’t know why the Edward af Sillén/Daniel Réhn written number is not fully on the humour scale either
Lilla Al-Fadji
Delulu
Yes, we don’t know why the Edward af Sillén/Daniel Réhn written number is not fully on the humour scale either
Heat 4 #melfest
Felix Manu
Hatar att jag älskar dig
Slow and intimate but fiery and different., Felix is bringing one of the most intriguing entries to this year’s Melodifestivalen
Felix Manu
Hatar att jag älskar dig
Slow and intimate but fiery and different., Felix is bringing one of the most intriguing entries to this year’s Melodifestivalen
December 2, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Heat 4 #melfest
Felix Manu
Hatar att jag älskar dig
Slow and intimate but fiery and different., Felix is bringing one of the most intriguing entries to this year’s Melodifestivalen
Felix Manu
Hatar att jag älskar dig
Slow and intimate but fiery and different., Felix is bringing one of the most intriguing entries to this year’s Melodifestivalen
Heat 4 #melfest
Erika Jonsson
Från Landet
Erika’s giving you the country song from the countryside that you are all expecting given that outfit
Erika Jonsson
Från Landet
Erika’s giving you the country song from the countryside that you are all expecting given that outfit
December 2, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Heat 4 #melfest
Erika Jonsson
Från Landet
Erika’s giving you the country song from the countryside that you are all expecting given that outfit
Erika Jonsson
Från Landet
Erika’s giving you the country song from the countryside that you are all expecting given that outfit
Heat 4 #melfest
Cimberly
Eternity
Cimberly’s Melodifestivalen debut promises to be one of the least extreme of this year’s 30 track shortlist
Cimberly
Eternity
Cimberly’s Melodifestivalen debut promises to be one of the least extreme of this year’s 30 track shortlist
December 2, 2025 at 1:28 PM
Heat 4 #melfest
Cimberly
Eternity
Cimberly’s Melodifestivalen debut promises to be one of the least extreme of this year’s 30 track shortlist
Cimberly
Eternity
Cimberly’s Melodifestivalen debut promises to be one of the least extreme of this year’s 30 track shortlist
Heat 4 #melfest
Meira Omar
Dooset Daram
With a title in Persian, Meira is bringing another fusion pop track to the viewers of Swedish television
Meira Omar
Dooset Daram
With a title in Persian, Meira is bringing another fusion pop track to the viewers of Swedish television
December 2, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Heat 4 #melfest
Meira Omar
Dooset Daram
With a title in Persian, Meira is bringing another fusion pop track to the viewers of Swedish television
Meira Omar
Dooset Daram
With a title in Persian, Meira is bringing another fusion pop track to the viewers of Swedish television
December 2, 2025 at 1:23 PM
December 2, 2025 at 1:22 PM
