On the same day that the EBU revealed that Eurovision 2019 will be held in Tel Aviv, Finland‘s broadcaster YLE also confirmed more details about the 2019 edition of their national selection, Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK).

YLE reported that the UMK final will be held on March 2 2019 — one of the “Super Saturdays” of the 2019 national final season.

The broadcaster has also confirmed more information about the format UMK 2019 will take. The show will use the same concept as 2018: one artist will perform a number of songs and the entry for Tel Aviv will be chosen by the national final vote.

In June, YLE announced that the competition will stay as an invitation-only contest. This decision was made because YLE wants to invest more in the experience of the show.

UMK producer Anssi Autio said on the official UMK web site, “The UMK of 2018 showed that through the invitation contest, we will be able to invest more in performances and other content. We”ll continue to develop the concept now and from this point of view.”

But why limit the national final to just one artist? The broadcaster isn’t saying why, but that format means they can attract a big name to the contest without worrying about the pressure of competing against other local artists.

YLE introduced the format last year when popular singer Saara Aalto was confirmed for UMK 2018. In the national final, she performed three songs, with “Monsters” being the favourite with both viewers and the international jury. However, in Lisbon the song place second-to-last in the grand final, with just 46 points.

So who is the singer for 2019?

Despite the announcement of the UMK grand final date, it is still unknown who the mystery artist is. In June, a lot of speculation gathered around the Finnish queen of rock and metal music, Tarja Turunen, due to an Instagram post where she told fans that she is involved in a “secret” mission in Finland.

Finnish bands Sunrise Avenue and The Rasmus have also kept fans guessing. The Rasmus told Aamulehti last year, “Well, there has been contacts and questions, but we will see. It is not our first goal right now but the 200 million Eurovision viewers are quite tempting.”

Yesterday, when YLE published the date of the national final on the UMK Instagram account, some fans requested that Emma — who competed at UMK 2017 with the song “Circle of Light” and was a finalist n San Marino’s 1 In 360 — be the invited artist.

YLE will reveal more information about UMK 2019 in coming weeks, so stay tuned!

What do you think? Who would you like to see represent Finland at Eurovision 2019? Tell us in the comments section below!

Read more Finland Eurovision news here

32 Comments
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AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

Finally we start getting news about National Finals and what countries will be up to as for Eurovision! So excited!
And yes, I would also love to see Mikael Saari! He should go to Eurovision at some point!

Lynn
Lynn
5 years ago

I want Mikael Saari for2019!

noone
noone
5 years ago

Tarja would be great, but Sunrise Avenue will only go in it to win it. They are well-known across Europe, played every day on the radio, especially in Central EU. If they fail to win or not even qualify, their career is over. They are not going to risk that. The Rasmus have nothing to loose, but I doubt they can win.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago
Reply to  noone

Sunrise Avenue would probably receive 12 points from Germany tho! Everybody and I mean everybody knows them here. Mainly because the lead singer Samu Haber has been a judge on The Voice of Germany for many years and he’s super popular.

Henry
Henry
5 years ago

Probably Krista

Nikko
Nikko
5 years ago

Mikael Saari pls! or Saara Forsberg with a song in Swedish maybe?

Dani
Dani
5 years ago

Please send Mikael Saari to Tel Aviv!!

Sabrina
Sabrina
5 years ago

It made sense when they had Saara as the right star for Eurovision. If they can bring someone which the same potential, great, I’m in. If not, I’m not a fan of this kind of selection process. It’s like internal selection disguised as democracy, especially when the songs share a similar style.

Weißbrot
Weißbrot
5 years ago

Unless it’s Mikael Saari or some crazy finnish rock or punk band I’m so not on board with this idea…

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  Weißbrot

lol I love how so many mention Mikael Saari. It really shows what a great impression he left and how he was wronged. Usually, I’m puzzled with fan favorites (Emma? REALLY? Why? How?) but with Mikael I seem to be in the majority for once.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

I hope it’s some fresh Finnish artist like Evelina or Ellinoora, I’d be disappointed if they recycled an artist we already know.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

As long as it’s not somebody whose only claim to fame is screwing up so badly that she couldn’t even win despite having the only decent song in the entire competition. It is beyond me what some people however few see in her.

Polegend Godgarina
Polegend Godgarina
5 years ago

Omg poor Emma, forgive her already.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

Just being honest, dear. The broadcaster should pick somebody worthy. I don’t have to forgive her, I’m not mad. I think she is just not good. At all. Finland would tank so hard. I want Finland to win.

Regina Phalange
Regina Phalange
5 years ago

I’m not very satisfied with this. This format was fine for one year but now I want the old UMK back. This can get boring :/

Kirby
Kirby
5 years ago

Club La Persé -that’d be interesting.

Kris
Kris
5 years ago

With invitation only events , I feel the drawback is they tend to compose songs that are “good for Eurovision ” ,(sort of middle of the road non-offensive songs which no one would hate but probably not many would pick up their phones for) rather than just good songs, which probably fewer would like but much more would pick the phones for.
Also it curtails the diversity a selection can have.

Zhuz
Zhuz
5 years ago

Please Mikael Saari for 2019!!

Lollo
Lollo
5 years ago

Would love to see a band like Sunrise Avenue or The Rasmus. Since they got some really good music.

james
james
5 years ago

Mikael Saari please. He was robbed both times he entered UMK, and the three songs he would write would almost certainly all be excellent. I’m still bitter On It Goes lost to that trash Sing It Away

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago
Reply to  james

Outrageous! Equally painful: The magnificent “We Should Be Through” losing to the Finnish trash queen herself. Well, one of the Finnish trash queens anyway.

Elias
Elias
5 years ago

I hope it would be SAARA. Her voice is beautiful and she has a personality.

ESCFan2009 (male, 22, German)
ESCFan2009 (male, 22, German)
5 years ago
Reply to  Elias

Oh yes, please Saara again! 😀
Just kidding, I know, that you meant Mrs. Forsberg here 😀

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

Please let it be Mikael Saari. A class act capable of writing his quality own songs would be such a welcome change after this year’s hysterical scream fest.

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

* his own quality songs

Geo
Geo
5 years ago

I’m hoping it’s Mikael Saari. Let’s not forget how succesful was Germany this year, sending Michael Schulte, with a similar musical style as Mikael’s. As expected, Sara Aalto’s performance was good, but the song was crap, not suitable for her amazing voice. Many were extatic about her participation, she being famous in some countries, but overall she was and she is still unknown…

Eastman
Eastman
5 years ago

Emma is an icon in the Eurovision fan bubble but she’s not well known enough in Finland to justify basing an entire TV show around her. UMK is a big deal so they’ll go with a big name.

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
5 years ago

I’d go with Mikael Saari (twice close but no cigar) or Sara Forsberg. If Emma wants it, she may very well get it.

EscAU
EscAU
5 years ago

a bit of jesc news since wb isnt covering it 😛
there are photos on jael’s dad’s fb page in the studio with michael paynter who also produced anja nissen’s where i am + her ep
i’m guessing it’s going to be another fresh pop song for australia 🙂

Gobio
Gobio
5 years ago

I really hope for Mikael Saari .

West
West
5 years ago

While Tarja would be awesome – I highly doubt it. The “secret mission” probably refered to something to do with the Live Album Act II.

DyGh
DyGh
5 years ago

Ok so first of all, Saara’s other 400 points were robbed.

Also, the format is is pretty smart if you ask me: the broadcaster can choose the performer(s) and the public is still involved in the final decision. This way the possibility of a less experienced singer or group is reduced while a larger group is involved to have the final say.