Brandsta City Släckers advanced to the Melodifestivalen final during Saturday’s competition, but fans are wondering what’s underneath those signature uniforms.
However, the band’s participation in the final is now in jeopardy as member Olle Östberg was recently hospitalized. With just a week to proceed before the Melodifestivalen final, the 66-year-old found himself unable to stand.
“I was going to get up in the morning and put my foot on the floor, but I couldn’t get up,” Östberg explained, according to reports. His bandmates, Mats Nilsson, 66, and Glenn Borgkvist, 64, immediately urged him to seek medical attention. “I just felt ‘Olle, Olle, Olle, stop. This won’t work, you have to go in right away,’” Borgkvist said.
Nilsson drove Östberg to the emergency room, initially fearing a blood clot. “I was really scared,” Östberg admitted. After undergoing x-rays, doctors discovered a significant amount of fluid in his leg. He was diagnosed with what he described as a “mega-infection,” also known as acute gout, a condition that can be extremely painful.
“They stuck a bunch of needles in to drain the leg and it was one syringe after another coming out with fluid,” Östberg said. “I’m pretty tough, but I wasn’t tough here.” The band’s potential absence from the final adds a layer of uncertainty to the competition, which consistently draws a large audience and significant media attention in Sweden.
Brandsta City Släckers’ recent performance, which secured their spot in the final, is available to view on YouTube.
As of March 5, 2026, Östberg is continuing to fight to regain his mobility and participate in the Melodifestivalen final, stating, “It’s a disaster if I can’t be there.”
