Yesterday Finnish broadcaster YLE confirmed that Saara Aalto had been internally selected as Finland’s act for Eurovision 2018. But it has left fans wondering: what happened to all the entries sent into Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu?

Earlier in the year, YLE launched the 2018 edition of its national final Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK). Entries were accepted in the first week of September. Up until yesterday’s announcement, there was no reason to suspect that anything with the national final would be different this time.

Later in September, UMK posted a pic of a hard drive to their social media accounts. It contained, they said, all the entries received for UMK 2018. UMK thanked all artists for their submissions and promised that all would be contacted by the end of September.

But with the internal selection of Saara Aalto, it seems the only message these artists received was a “no, thanks”.

Fan @os_esc was wondering what happened to all the entries and put the question to UMK on Twitter.

The broadcaster revealed that they had received over 300 songs. They noted that “the applicants are free to publish their work and some most likely have already published it by themselves.”

The issue was also addressed in a FAQ on the YLE website. The YLE says that they ran the open submission for UMK 2018 to “give everyone an equal opportunity to participate”. However, the broadcaster wasn’t happy with the entries received.

YLE noted that Finnish viewers expect big stars in the competition, and evidently the submissions for UMK 2018 did not measure up. Specifically, YLE said, “there were no suitable candidates for the search”. Ouch!

Wanting to avoid a fourth year of non-qualification, YLE took the opportunity to revamp the national selection.

But while things will be very different this year — UMK 2018 viewers will choose one of three songs performed by Saara Aalto — it won’t be like this every year.

The broadcaster says that they are open to the national final being developed. One potential option may be to take inspiration from Melodifestivalen and have 50% established artists and 50% new artists.

In the meantime, there are now 300 Finnish pop songs ready to be unleashed on the world of music. Some of these artists may wish to take their chances with San Marino’s new open national final. However, to date, no artists from Finland have entered 1 In 360.

What do you think? What should happen with the unwanted UMK entries? Should they go to San Marino? Share your thoughts below!

READ MORE FINLAND EUROVISION 2018 NEWS

 Photo: YLE/Mikka Varila

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Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
6 years ago

If they are unwanted in Finland it probably means they are unwanted elsewhere as well…… Take your losss and don;t try San Marino as you will only be laughed at.

Hebbuzz
Hebbuzz
6 years ago

If they are unwanted in Finland it probably means they are unwanted elsewhere as well…… Take your losss and don;t try San Marino as you will only be laughed at.

Lazarevfan95
Lazarevfan95
6 years ago

Finland are one of my favourite Eurovision countries. I don’t know what they will do for a NF (If they decide to have one) now they have done this as i can’t imagine anyone wanting to write a song for them now they have basically shoved the writers efforts back in their faces to get Saara. Also who do they think they are trying to kid when they say that none of the 300 entries weren’t suitable? that is utter rubbish. Finland have sent good, interesting songs to ESC and i can’t imagine Saara’s efforts being any better than my… Read more »

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago
Reply to  Lazarevfan95

I agree

Stian F
Stian F
6 years ago

Thats what NRK said in 1991 as well… the only year there was no MGP. One of the not suitable songs was “I Evighet” , u know, the one that came 2nd in Eurovision 5 years later….

Jaccobabe
Jaccobabe
6 years ago
Reply to  Stian F

No way!!!!! Is this true?

quirky girl
quirky girl
6 years ago

@Ugnius – Saara managed to come second in the one of the biggest talent shows in the world

This could be a trap. X-Factor-UK is just like any talent show anywhere. There are screaming voices, rock voices, boys for boy-bands, girls for girl-bands, novelty acts, Honey G’s, Bratavio’s, Slavko’s, etc. Saara is very talented, no doubt, but she’s not one in a million. It’s all about the song.

quirky girl
quirky girl
6 years ago

In 2017, Nathan Trent was supposed to be in Unser Song, but his homeland Austria offered him internal selection.
This time, Saara Aalto was supposed to be in You Decide, but her homeland Finland offered her internal selection.
At least Austria had no other plans about selection.

TheStellarSeaCow
TheStellarSeaCow
6 years ago

I can’t root for Finland this year. They always seemed like the country that did them every year. Like UMK is its own quirky thing, and Finland always sent songs that seemed like they were sent because that’s what they wanted to. Like that’s what made them so much fun, you never knew what you were going to get, metal, punk, a funky upbeat pop song– anything is possible with Finland. This just comes off as a desperate move because they failed to qualify so many times in a row. Like Greece with Demy in 2017. I just expect a… Read more »

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago

hear hear – I agree with you 🙂

Charli Cheer Up
Charli Cheer Up
6 years ago

UMK needed to take a year off from that format because the quality of songs selected have been lacklustre. Hopefully by 2019 they will have a better line up. For now its best if they select Saara Aalto.

EF0912
EF0912
6 years ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fbrjY1S73E

Something like that song would be perfect for her I think

Music Is the Key
Music Is the Key
6 years ago

I agree with the others – a very bad, and also quite arrogant, decission! So many composers / singers just being written off. And who is to say what is “suitable enough” anyway? Good music is still good music.

I will miss UMK. Which has brought us lots of great, innovative, daring, strong quality songs over the years. Definately the best NF of the Nordic countries

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

It’s a smart decision on the part of Finland to pick Saara. You can’t get a Softengine-type act every year from the national final, and it’s time for them to try going internal with a strong act. Plus, they’ve repeatedly dropped the ball on the structure of their contests. They’ve thrown fan favorites under the bus (Mustelmat, Circle of Light) by putting them first in the running order of their semifinals or finals all the time, used bizarre and lousy voting procedures, and accepted too many novelty acts. Those three songs that Saara sings had better be good, of course.… Read more »

Gav
Gav
6 years ago

I’m a big fan of Saara Aalto. I mean a proper BIG fan. HOWEVER… I think this is really bad from the Finish broadcasters… I’m sure a lot of time, work, effort and money has been invested in some of those songs and to change the goal posts is disgusting. Second. Saara had big sucsuss on X Factor. She is sucsussfull in Finland so why on Earth are we not getting an album to celebrate and build on all this sucsess. Instead we hear of record deals but she is not moving forward and continuing the momentum of the work… Read more »

Hada
Hada
6 years ago

Sure YLE, whatever you say.

They should’ve been upfront and said they saw an opportunity and took it. That way they don’t damage their good will with other artists who might not wanna take part of their NF later.

Purple Mask
Purple Mask
6 years ago

It wouldn’t surprise me if they were cyberattacked and somehow lost all the songs. 😀 Nevertheless I think going with Saara Alto should do well for Finland; it’s a good decision from that perspective.

that one person
that one person
6 years ago

Also what I said kind of makes sense because if you guys follow Emma’s YouTube channel, she said that she applied for UMK 2018 and didn’t get a message.
And in the article here it speculates that they sent everyone a message saying “no thanks”

They just wanted to pick Saara so that UK can’t send her to ESC for themselves.

Sabrina
Sabrina
6 years ago

I don’t buy it. It would be a better excuse if they say that their dog ate the HD! They could just say that they wanted Saara to represent them and they don’t want to miss the opportunity.

that one person
that one person
6 years ago

I believe they just picked her because there were rumours going around that UK’s BBC was planning on choosing Saara Alto as their representative which made the Finns angry so they snatched Saara for themselves.

I’m not saying this is bad, I love Saara and I hope she does well in May.

Amor
Amor
6 years ago

I don’t think UMK handled this well at all. They were so ready and willing to take submissions but as soon as they got Saara they dumped those people and pinned all of their hopes on her. I don’t believe that they did not have a suitable song out of the 300. Chances for that are a bit low. They should have at least apologised to the people and say whether or not they will be having a national selection next year and if those people can still enter.

Bart
Bart
6 years ago

How un-scandinavian from Finland… 300 entries and none were good?… Sorry, something is fishy here…

Jakub
Jakub
6 years ago

That’s… cheap. That’s not what Eurovision is/should be about. And, also, that’s unfair towards people who submitted their songs.

Gav
Gav
6 years ago
Reply to  Jakub

Totally agree. It’s not what the co test is about.

Jp
Jp
6 years ago

Emma from UMK 2017 entered in the San Marino contest.

CircleOfLight
CircleOfLight
6 years ago
Reply to  Jp

Really!? Where did u find that out? If that’s true then i’m gonna be SOO EXCITED for 1 in 360! I loved Circle of Light at UMK 2017 and i hope she’ll bring something even better!

Jp
Jp
6 years ago
Reply to  CircleOfLight

She says that in her latest video on youtube

CircleOfLight
CircleOfLight
6 years ago
Reply to  Jp

Aww she’s so sweet, i wish her the BEST of luck in the competition!

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

I was waiting for this to be explained, so thanks. It makes sense! But I’m surprised none of those 300 songs were good.

West
West
6 years ago

Really? Out of 300 entries not a single one was good enough for them? That’s hard to believe – I bet, they just saw Saara doing well in the X-factor and when they find out she’s interested, they chose her thinking that if she’s doing well in UK it must mean she’ll do well in the Eurovision as well. All that “no suitable candidates” is just an excuse.

Rita
Rita
6 years ago
Reply to  West

I agree with you. It is hard to believe that in over 300 submissions there was “not one suitable candidate.” Not spilling dirt on Saara, though. I, personally, don’t know that much about her but it sounds like she really wanted to go to Eurovision and she jumped at the chance…I just think it is fishy that in over 300 submissions something was not good. Ah well, good for Saara! She got her dream. I can’t wait for her song. People say she’s good.

2018 is the new 2000's
2018 is the new 2000's
6 years ago

Is something wrong about this, I don’t want to be negative, but is too much hope about Saara, just because she did well in UK talent show. This means nothing for Georgia, Serbia, Malta, Hungary, Latvia…..so on. And she needs to change the hair style. Poli Genova had awful look (hair and outfit), don’t make the same mistakes if you want votes.

Monique
Monique
6 years ago

I totally agree with that comment. She may be famous in Finland and UK, but in most of the countries she is nobody, and won’t get any votes if her song won’t be good. Remember other famous artists from previous years (Las Ketchup, DJ Bobo, Cascada, etc) – we all know how low they’ve ranked, in spite their celebrity. Also, let’s not make Saara Aalto an early favorite (like Francesco Gabbani), who started high in polls and betting odds (let’s not forget OGAE clubs and also wiwi jury) and by Eurovision time we all got sick of seeing him as… Read more »

Polyna
Polyna
6 years ago
Reply to  Monique

She’s not even famous in Finland. Nor in the UK for that matter, except among the talent show fans.

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago
Reply to  Monique

Well, is Saara managed to come second in the one of the biggest talent shows in the world, that could probably means she has the right abilities to make a great show etc. 🙂

Ugnius
Ugnius
6 years ago
Reply to  Ugnius

*if

*mean

2018 is the new 2000's
2018 is the new 2000's
6 years ago

Poli Genova could not be higher than 4th because 3rd was Sergey and this was the right ranking in 2016, but what if Saara could do better just with more classic look? I do believe that 2018 is not for the hairstyle she has now.

Héctor
Héctor
6 years ago

If Saara wants her hair this way, who we are to make her change that? An artist should be authentic. In Eurovision, as in real life, one must be true to him/herself, if not, we are advocated to failure. At least that what I think. You may talk about Conchita Wurst who created a character. Yes, Conchita Wurst won by creating a character, but this situation isn’t comparable to making someone change her/his hair and dress style. If she is comfortable with that look and likes it, she should keep it up. I wouldn’t change my style just to be… Read more »

2018 is the new 2000's
2018 is the new 2000's
6 years ago
Reply to  Héctor

I agree with you Hector, but in esc artists want votes. If they knew just one little detail could give them more votes, they will do that detail. This is the reality.
”Look into the TV camera
So the audience can see
That you’re lovable – not desperate
Smile and they will vote for me”

Bring DENISE Back NOW
Bring DENISE Back NOW
6 years ago

Cant even compare them. Poli Genova is incredibly cute. Her smile makes up for anything

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

Blaming her weave for a potential flop like a true Katy Perry stan. <3

Mark
Mark
6 years ago

300 is a lot of submissions, considering Latvia only received 63.