It’s the Nordic nation whose fortunes at Eurovision have taken a turn for the worse in recent years. But Finland is taking steps to get its groove back. Entries for national final UMK 2018 have now closed and the broadcaster has shown off a fat hard drive, packed with this year’s entries. But what is on the disk?
The broadcaster shared a photo of the slick white hard drive to social media, with a tantalising pink label reading #UMK18.
The photo was accompanied a message thanking the submitting artists for their entries, and promising all would be contacted by the end of September.
“The UMK18 search just closed. SUPER MEGA HUGE THANK YOU to all the people who sent in songs. You were many and without you we wouldn’t have the whole contest! Now downloading all the songs to this hard drive, which will be the centre of UMK’s attention, the heart and the most expensive treasure. All people who have entered a song will be connected by the end of September. Here it goes yyyaaahhhh!! #Euro #Music contest #crazy #just #glitter #boom”
Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (New Music Competition) is one of the earliest national finals to kick off. The 2017 edition presented the ten finalists in late November and released full music videos shortly after Christmas.
The contest is also known for is eclectic line-up. The #UMK2017 final included the rock ‘n’ roll extravaganza of Knucklebone Oscar, the outrageous club kids Club La Persé, the sleazy lounge pop of Günther, and the “wooden dance music” of Emma. #UMK15 was won by rowdy punk band Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, while young soul diva Sandhja won #UMK16.
But despite the diverse acts that come from UMK, Finland hasn’t fared well in recent years. While Lordi triumphantly won in 2006, Finland has stayed near the bottom of the grand final scoreboard, and in the past three years has failed to qualify for the final at all.
In Kyiv, despite being fan favourites with their gothic ballad “Blackbird”, the duo Norma John missed out on qualifying.
But hope is high for UMK18 to deliver the goods and get Finland back in the Eurovision grand final. And somewhere on that hard drive will be ten lucky acts who will take Finland one step closer.
What do you think? Who would you like to see on the UMK18 lineup? Share your thoughts below!
What about Lyel?? Haven’t heard from her for a while and think she has such great magic in her vocals, I love her live performances. Such a shame there has not been a platform yet were she would display her talents more. ? #sad
I love her! Has she even applied this year?
Usually the Finnish selections are the best of the Nordics…the most original, innovative, daring and “alternative” set of songs, many rock songs etc….But this year was a disappointment! Actually the worst Finnish final I have heard for many many years..! For a stratet…they skipped the semis. NOT a wise move…fewer songs, less excitment and fun. And it all was so CHEESY. Usually their finals are quite “tasteful”, but so much kitsch and cheesyness this year. Like the song “My Little World”. Horrid song, even more awful presentation of stage! Probably the WORST of all NF 2017 songs! Even the rock… Read more »
I’d like to see Emma with another great entry, such as “Circle of light”.
Hopefully, with a better stage performance..
But she was really robbed last year, so I really hope she could get another chance next year.
She cant sing live
I think last time anni(Reach out for the sun), Alva(Arrows) and that ‘circle of light’ girl were fighting for the same votes resulting in effective cancelling of televotes . Good songs with variety and not variety of songs half of which are trash should be the motto.
I loved Anni Saikku’s Reach out for the Sun, she had an amazing live performance. Alva was average, while Emma’s live sucked a lot, but I love the song. But I was happy Norma John won.
Hopefully NOT Krista Siegfried as a presenter…she is almost as bad as Petra MEde!
Either Mikael Saari (who has sent at least 2 quality songs to UMK already and is long overdue to represent) or Sara Forsberg (who has built a résumé of her own and has written for K-pop artists).
Can we have Saara Aalto as an internal selection? haha
OMG. I love it.
Not another ballad for Finland in 2018, hopefully…. But I’d like Mikael Saari to be the Finnish representative
He should’ve gone last year!
Send Anna Abreu please!!
It would make sense since she’s Portuguese!
Hopefully, the external hard drive pictured above isn’t the only one storing copies of those songs in case something bad happens, like say having it dropped straight into a bucket of water for some reason. lol
It may become a case of blackbird blackbird don’t sing
I’m sure the songs are backed up on something more secure but less pretty, with this just being a convenient image.