Semi-Final 1 of Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2016 has now come and gone. The first six contestants took the stage and tried their best to convince the Finnish public that they deserved one of the three spots in the final. As they debated who to support, the hosts Krista Siegfrids and Roope Salminen performed their duet song with massive show, including a kiss between Roope and a male dancer.

In the end three artists emerged victorious and qualified for the final: Saara Aalto, Stella Christine and Eini. Two of them also were among the Wiwi Jury’s favourites to qualify from the first heat, while you voted these three as the best songs from the first heat.

Our jury had plenty of nice things to say, most especially about Saara. As one juror wrote ahead of the show: “Ethereal and elegant whilst also being catchy, ‘No Fear’ is a well-considered entry from Saara Aalto. Out of nowhere the song transforms into a dancefloor anthem, perfectly ripe for a high-energy dance routine on the Stockholm stage. I can see why some people find Saara’s vibrato on the title phrase slightly grating, but I think the strength of the song makes up for any annoying vocal quirks.”

UMK 2016: First semifinal results

Finalists are in bold

Saara Aalto – “No Fear”
Mikko Herranen – “Evil Tone”
Stella Christine – “Ain’t Got Time For Boys”
Eini – “Draamaa”
ClemSO – “Thief”
Pää-Äijät – “Shamppanjataivas”

Next week six more acts will sing in the second semifinal. They are Attention 2, Cristal Snow, Annica Milán & Kimmo Blom, Rafaela Truda, Ylona and Mikael Saari. Wiwi Jury will once again review all the songs from the next semifinal, starting on tomorrow.

Saara Aalto interview

Read more Finland Eurovision news

 

21 Comments
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Charles
Charles
8 years ago

I am not impressed with any song that was part of this first semi final … my favourite song is in the second one but as always fans will be screaming out of their lungs how much they want a crappy dance tune like Saara to represent Finland at Eurovision .. and I wonder why when crappy songs like hers fails at the voting and thank God they do.

#LittleDrama
#LittleDrama
8 years ago

I think Eini was the queen of the show. She was a diva on the stage, in a good way.

2015
2015
8 years ago

Finland has done the best thing they could’ve done!!!
The reaction of Eini when she went through was amazing 😉

PP
PP
8 years ago

Sara was my favorite, but when I saw video from semifinal, I dont like her hairstyle and parti in song when we saw female backing singer in front and Sarra sing anoying uuuuu

Ewan
Ewan
8 years ago

I didn’t really care for this one but I’m surprised my top 3 for this semi all made it through. Although the only act I really like from these is Stella Christine.

Yudhistira Mahasena
8 years ago

Yay Saara Aalto!

Chris
8 years ago

These three were the ones that I hoped would go on to the finals, but I still think Saara Aalto’s tune is way overrated.

Mar
Mar
8 years ago

My top 3 made it, yay! All I coud think of while watching the performace of Shamppanjataivas was “cheap LMFAO knock off” tbh, it wasn’t even a good joke entry.

David Who
David Who
8 years ago

I’m pleasantly surprised that UMK sent through seemingly the best songs. Stella Christine was awesome live; she was the surprise winner of the night for me.
Saara Aalto is awesome but she did make a few mistakes on the night (mostly timing errors) – she will know this and practise for the final though.
There was a wonderful blooper when Mikko fell off his segway!! Poor guy, but it was funny. 🙂

Noah
Noah
8 years ago

Beyond glad that Stella made it over Shamppanjataivas… Finland learned from last year and I’m happy to see them voting for actual good songs. She’s this year’s Estonia – slow and calm, but fantastic.

Nick
Nick
8 years ago

Clemso was my favourite, but he totally ruined the best song of the night with his bad vocals…

Sparrow
Sparrow
8 years ago

While Saara had strong live vocals that performace was atrocious! I literally rolled my eyes every 15 seconds.

Huh
Huh
8 years ago

Finland learnt from their mistakes.

I only got to watch Stella Christine and Eini a while ago. Glad they advanced!

Laburnum
Laburnum
8 years ago

I am actually sad about Shamppanjataivas!! OMG

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
8 years ago

Well done finland!

DenizNL
DenizNL
8 years ago

I am sorry for the double comment, I thought it didn’t work 🙂

DenizNL
DenizNL
8 years ago

I can’t believe that my top 3 actually made it in Finland. I didn’t expect Eini and Stella to go through, but I am very happy the joke song didn’t make it (cause it definitely looked like they would.) They all performed well and I still can’t believe it. I am so happy!

EF0912
EF0912
8 years ago

:O
Finland ACTUALLY chose correctly. They were literally high last year – I’m glad with the result.

Aleksi
Aleksi
8 years ago

I’m so happy about the results!

DenizNL
DenizNL
8 years ago

I can’t believe that my top 3 actually made it in Finland. I didn’t expect Eini and Stella to go through, but I am very happy the joke song didn’t make it (cause it definitely looked like they would.) They all performed well and I still can’t believe it.

Joane
Joane
8 years ago

OMG! Finland stopped choosing trash songs like Aina mun pitää and Shamppanjataivas! That’s a miracle!