Reports suggest that new Covid restrictions may affect Melodifestivalen’s shows
Melodifestivalen 2022 will start in a little more than a month, but Swedish media report that the six shows may not be able to take place as planned. The media believe that Sweden’s new restrictions for large events mean that it may not be financially profitable to keep the Melfest arena with a reduced audience.
Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reports that several sources with good insight claim that the Melodifestivalen’s tour may be canceled. The alternative would be to hold all the Melodifestivalen’s shows in one place.
This follows new restrictions for live events in Sweden.
December 23, The health authority introduced new restrictions aims to reduce the spread of Covid-19. The new rules mean that for events with more than 500 participants, there must be a social distance between groups and with a maximum of eight people per group.
Aftonbladet notes that this would greatly limit the number of people allowed in the audience for each Melodifestivalen show. In one example, Linköping’s Saab Arena would normally accommodate a Melodifestivalen audience of 5900. But under the new restrictions, it would be reduced to about 1400 people.
The source also noted that an audience of that size will not be profitable for SVT. They told the newspaper, “It is not possible to do an arena show for 1,400. It does not break so it breaks. This is a disaster.”
Other sources also confirmed that it was not financially sensible to hold the Melodifestivalen’s arena shows with a drastically reduced audience. “There is no economy in it, it would just be insane to play for empty arenas,” said a source.
The performance must continue
However, the Melodifestivalen’s project manager Anette Brattström has not interrupted the tour. Regarding allegations of potential dismissal, she said: “That is not true. As long as the restrictions do not prevent us from going out into the country, the tour will continue.”
Live Nation, the organizers of the Melodifestivalen’s ticket sales, also said that it was wrong for the tours to be canceled. A spokesperson said: “We are reviewing different scenarios for the implementation of the Melodifestivalen tour, but we are working to make it go as planned. In addition, it is still too early to know what will happen with restrictions after January.”
Aftonbladet states that ticket sales usually cover the costs of holding Melodifestivalen’s shows, but Live Nation also earns money by sponsors who are on site at the arenas marketing products outside the camera to Melodifestivalen’s audience.
A source said, “If SVT were to push through that the tour should still be carried out, but without an audience or with a minimal audience in the arenas, Live Nation and [event organisers] The flash will lose. They will never agree to it. Not a chance.”
Aftonbladet has also talked to record company staff who are involved in the Melodifestivalen 2022 grant. One person said: “It would not come as a shock if they interrupted. We were probably quite surprised that they dared to go on with a tour. But we have received zero info.”
SVT must have a plan-B, where all Melodifestivalen’s shows are held in the same place. All shows for the Melodifestivalen 2021 were held at the Annex in Stockholm, but so far there is no confirmation of a reserve place for 2022.
What do you think? Should the Melodifestivalen tour be canceled? Or should it go on with a small audience? Tell us your thoughts below!