Stockholm: KAJ is set to represent Sweden at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest after winning the Melodifestivalen competition with their song ‘Bara Bada Bastu.’ The six-week-long event culminated in the trio securing their place in the prestigious international competition to be held in Basel.
According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, the winner was determined through a combination of public and international jury voting, each contributing 50% to the final result. KAJ’s success in the public vote propelled them to the top with a total of 164 points, edging out Eurovision Song Contest 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw, who came in second with 157 points for his song Revolution. Greczula finished third with 103 points for his performance of Believe Me.
The song ‘Bara Bada Bastu’ was a collaborative effort, written by KAJ members Kevin Holmström, Jakob Norrgård, and Axel Åhman, along with Robert Skowronski, Kristofer Strandberg, and Anderz Wrethov. Sweden’s performance is scheduled for the first half of the first sem
i-final on Tuesday, May 13.
Formed in Vörå, Finland, in 2009, KAJ has been blending comedy and music for over a decade. The group, composed of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård, boasts an impressive discography of seven albums and has also written and performed two musicals at Wasa Teater. Their popularity has led to a major arena show celebrating their 10th anniversary and multiple tours across Swedish Finland, spreading their unique Ostrobothnian humor.
Sweden has a storied history in the Eurovision Song Contest, debuting in 1958 and achieving seven victories, tied with Ireland for the most wins. The country’s most iconic win was by ABBA in 1974 with ‘Waterloo.’ More recently, Loreen secured a win in Liverpool 2023 with her song ‘Tattoo,’ making her the first woman to win the competition twice, after her 2012 win in Baku with ‘Euphoria.’
Swedish broadcasters have had the honor of hosting the contest on each occasion following a victory, with memorable events held in Stockholm, Gothenburg, a
nd Malmö.