Gothenburg: second big city in Sweden but not second in music. This is the main feeling after 22 performances from 22 bands competing for the semifinals in Musikens Hus, trying to reach the bigger brother Stockholm for the national final. Musikens Hus can be considered a real music laboratory: recording studios, intimate unplugged shows in the cozy cafeteria and a big stage known by many famous Swedish and international bands, all this makes it really seem like a huge temple built for music culture; and all the musicians could feel it. Starting with an “all ages” night, the only one on four, gave us the chance to listen to the youngest talents in the Festival, and despite of the lack of beers (a deep sorrow for a Swedish night!!), the genuine funk and pop from Freetown Funkariffics took us in the right atmosphere since the first minute. No doubts they would have been the winners of the night. Something different with Pink Lips (second band going to the final): a touch of glamour and very good songs, but just a step behind their first performance in Pustervick. Good to have one more chance to show how really great they are and to make us feel again in a “Velvet Goldmine” atmosphere. What about the third? If it’s true that Gothenburg is mad for metal, a cool metal band as Somber couldn’t have stopped there. We’d like to mention Ska’lman, a great reggae band, quite famous in town, even if they didn’t make to the final. Different atmospheres for the second night. After Zink, hitting the stage with their powerful, under-estimated hardcore metal performance, the rest of the night sounded pop and intimate till the end. Pop like the Swedish one from Mono, the only hundred per cent girl band, and the only one singing in Swedish, which created a closer connection with the audience who really appreciated that. Second place for the Scope …let’s see if they can show something more in the final. Much more surprises during the second last night: very interesting voices, like the lead singer from Granvista (second place), but apart from the winners (Rewind, Olivia and Granvista), who really deserved going on to the final, the real show of the night was from Spacesuite Ballet Dancers: ten people for a perfect mix of great music and fun. Pure entertainment, just a step behind cabaret, but great attention to the quality. And when too many good bands are playing during the same night it can happen to loose on the way something special as Wonderland Dementation Department. Same feeling for Valinor’s Tree, playing during the last night, but no regrets at all thinking about the winners: Deadbeat Moses, hard rock inspired from the 70’s and a great attitude to be on stage, and Muloka … which make me think that ..yes, Gothenburg is definitely the city of Metal!!” The 6th of June the stage of Musikens Hus will give another chance to the finalist: Who will be the one going to Stockholm showing off the sound of Gothenburg? The dream of Taubertal is possibly waiting for one of them. See you on the 6th: