William: No surprises here. Finland’s Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät (PKN) — the first punk band to make it to Eurovision — have largely kept their performance from Finland’s national selection. We see lead singer Kari rocking in place centre stage while the others rock out on the drums and guitars. The fast-paced, quickly changing camera angles work so well to give this energy and life. I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but I find this performance stirring despite the lack of musicality. In fact, the more I listen to this, the more I do see a melody — and one that is kind of pleasant. Yes, it’s loud. Yes, it’s a bit brash. And yes, the lead singer kept cursing in between takes. But it’s that rawness that gives this appeal.

Padraig: My poor head! The performance remains practically unchanged from UMK save for a few stone pillars in the background. Despite the punk, I found myself glazing over. The staging does nothing to grab me, and the rest is just noise. Although, it’s nice to see the group are perfectionists, in between takes there was frequent swearing as they dealt with technical issues.

Finland’s first rehearsal: Reactions and Reviews

Sami: Hearing the song once is actually okay. Hearing it seven times in a row, always performed in a different way, that made my head hurt and ears cry. PKN wanted to add more smoke to the performance and that they did – now you hardly see the band members. Kari kept forgetting lyrics (which is nothing new), but I guess only people who understand Finnish heard it.

Chris: I am shocked at just how much I liked this. Well, I say “like” – I was able to enjoy it, at least. PKN are who they are and they don’t make any excuses – Kari was swearing the house down in between rehearsals, but so it was. The band seemed to grow in confidence (judging by the noise) as they went on. As much as I still don’t want it to qualify over more deserving songs, this took a big step to having a deserved place in the final today for me.

Finland’s Meet and Greet

You can read our reviews of all of the rehearsals by clicking here.

Photo: Andres Putting (EBU)

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Per
Per
8 years ago

Its so mutch better than Slovenia, Georgien, Australia and Russia.

Donna
Donna
8 years ago

I don’t know, but they have constructive swearing unlike Silvia Night (even though we know she’s a fictional character). To be honest, I’m sick of the people who say they only won because of pity votes or punk has no place in the Eurovision because to be honest, PKN is kick-ass. People feel frustrated probably because they sang mostly in Finnish or maybe because they’re hearing a song that isn’t in the usual genre for a Eurovision song. But seriously, the same thing happened with Lordi and Greenjolly when they entered, both were not given a positive reaction at first… Read more »

Diane
Diane
8 years ago

Well what is the meaning of “lack of musicality”? These guys bring real music. The song is very alternative, the staging is also great. I see nothing wrong in their performance.

Kaz
Kaz
8 years ago

“There may be trolls who will let this song qualify. Just think of Greece 2013…”

Alcohol is Free was one of the best, most enjoyable songs in the entire competition.

mocosuburbian
mocosuburbian
8 years ago

they literally didn’t change anything since UMK
that’s not okay

Oostenrijk
Oostenrijk
8 years ago

Kati Bellowitsch does a terrible job as conference host and she should have taken some English classes in order to sound less excited and to put off her strong accent. There’s nothing embarrassing about PKN at all, but Kati really is embarrassing. So glad she didn’t get the big job, the show hostesses are much more professional than Kati.

Amerivision
Amerivision
8 years ago

It stood out. That’s all I’m going to say about it.

Daniel
Daniel
8 years ago

Ha! The video did it was Estonia! Um, anyway…I thought that was awful.

Maltish
Maltish
8 years ago

I pray to the Eurovision gods everynight that people are wring and that this song will flop and fail and stay in it’s semi.

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

I still like them for who they are (not about their “disability” but their stage presence)

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

There may be trolls who will let this song qualify. Just think of Greece 2013…

Freyah
Freyah
8 years ago

Still not a good song, but they stage it decently

lollalo
lollalo
8 years ago

Finland will qualify and I am very happy for this. They make this year more interesting and colourful. Thank you Finland, you sent in Eurovision big stars with great punk song!

Jerome
Jerome
8 years ago

I’ve come to accept the real possibility that this will have a place in the final. (sigh) Nonetheless, have an awesome time PKN!

Otna
Otna
8 years ago

Nothing they do could make it sound better. Waste of 30 seconds watching that video, srynotsry!

Aleksi
Aleksi
8 years ago

Not bad 😀

bavarson
bavarson
8 years ago

Here is my prediction for final of ESC 2015:
1. Russia 220
2. Sweden 215
3. Norway 186
4. Poland 171
5. Azerbaijan 158
6. Spain 145
7. Australia 133
8. Estonia 121
9. Italy 109
10. Denmark 97

Calvin
Calvin
8 years ago

Maybe it’s just that I’m tired of hearing “they only won because of their disability” or “they don’t play real music,” but this is in my top 10.