Back in September, Finnish broadcaster YLE confirmed that the 2019 edition of Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) would again only involve one artist performing a number of different songs. But unlike last year — when Saara Aalto was announced in early November — YLE has been keeping quiet.

But the broadcaster has now revealed that the act for UMK 2019 will be announced on 29 January — just three weeks away.

YLE set the date through a social media post, that promised Eurovision fever would begin on 29 January at 13:00 EET. At that time, the Finnish Eurovision representative will be revealed.

YLE has already confirmed the date of the UMK 2019 grand final. It will take place on 2 March, however the venue for the event has not been announced yet. The broadcaster will also reveal details about the host venue on 29 January.

Following the format of UMK 2018, which saw X Factor UK runner-up Saara Aalto perform three songs — the 2019 national final will also include on act performing a number of different songs. The winning song will be most likely selected by jury vote and televote.

So who is the singer for UMK 2019?

To say there has been discussion about the identity of the act is an understatement. Speculation has been rife, with many of Finland’s leading stars getting named as potential acts — or just fan wishes. Let’s take a look at some of the names.

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.”

Finnish singer Alma — the neon-haired hitmaker known for her single “Chasing Highs” — had praise for Eurovision. However, she confirmed that she wasn’t interested in Eurovision, saying that having done Finnish Idol she wasn’t interested in another competition.

A tantalising tweet from French-Finnish folk-pop duo Eva + Manu caused hype ripples in the fandom in November. But it turned out that the teased spring project was just their new album.

Recently Harriet Hägglund — the lead singer of the Finnish alternative metal band Passionworks — made a cryptic Instagram post declaring “False start towards Eurovision victory 2019”. It’s not clear what this means, but that #Eurovision hashtag is always an attention grabber.

Fans have also been requesting UMK 2017 finalist Emma. The singer was a finalist in San Marino’s 1 In 360 and most recently submitted a song to Spain’s Eurovision gala selection.

There’s also support for UMK 2016 finalist Mikael Saari. While some have noted he doesn’t have the broad popularity to be a headline act at an event held at 2018 venue Espoo Metro Areena, the broadcaster has not yet confirmed where UMK 2019 will be held.

However, despite all the rumours, YLE has not dropped any hints as to the identity of Finland’s act for Tel Aviv. It could be one of the above or it could be someone completely different. All will be revealed on January 29!

Who do you think should be Finland’s act for 2019? What sort of song should they send to Tel Aviv? Tell us in the comments section below!

Read more Finland Eurovision news here

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Liina
5 years ago

Iit is so wrong what Finland is doing. To me Eurovision is all about artist exposure. A way for unknown local artist to get known first in their own country and then in the world. I myself have entered Finland’s contest in 2011. Now that is imposible because of the way they are doing it. It is a way to do iy the cheapeat way possible.

AJ64
AJ64
5 years ago

It’s Robin read the finnish media

Pineaple
Pineaple
5 years ago

Isac Elliot or Benjamin would be my choice for Finland. They’ve sent Ladies, Ladies, Ladies for the last three years. I think we need some sausage. Especially as many of the other countries seem to be going for female acts this year!

Rainer1
Rainer1
5 years ago

Please finland……MIKAEL SAAAAAAAARIIIIIII

MrsJemsGinoble
MrsJemsGinoble
5 years ago
Reply to  Rainer1

Agreeeeee ?

Geo
Geo
5 years ago

Time for Finland to send a decent act:
Mikael Saari :X

AzeriChico
AzeriChico
5 years ago
Reply to  Geo

I would be so happy if they actually sent him.

MrsJemsGinoble
MrsJemsGinoble
5 years ago
Reply to  Geo

He is incredible, he has proved he is the true Eurovision material, plus he is exceptional live. I would love to see him in Tel Aviv ?

mememememe
mememememe
5 years ago
Reply to  Geo

Mikael Saari is unknown in Finland. He has tried before to qualify to eurovision and he has very calm personality so he would become hugely hated. I have a feeling that he could not handle that.

Jack
Jack
5 years ago

Finland should select an Indie band, not just cause Softengine were brilliant and are still their last left-hand side place act but Indie is still a trendy genre across the music world right now.

West
West
5 years ago

I still doubt it will be Tarja – no matter how awesome it would be – I’m pretty sure that instagram post was about the live cd/dvd called Act II. The Rasmus would be also nice. I haven’t heard them in ages.

Fbao
Fbao
5 years ago

Antti Tuisku? Robin? Isac Elliot?

Paul
Paul
5 years ago

Bet Sarra ends up being one of the options for the UK selection..

Mr. Vanilla Bean
Mr. Vanilla Bean
5 years ago

It can almost certainly only get better. (Come on, let’s get this comment up to 30 dislikes, I believe in you fanboys :P)

La Signora
La Signora
5 years ago

There’s another finnish Saara that I love

Umk 2019
Umk 2019
5 years ago

Also some of the rumoured acts according to Finnish tabloids include: -Isac Elliot (18 year old pop singer, was quite popular few years ago among teens, gained some popularity in neighboring countries such as Sweden and Norway) -Benjamin Peltonen (Got famous through Instagram, sings mostly covers and is popular among Finnish teen girls) -Tuure Boelius (Youtuber and singer, not likely the representative but he said he was considering Eurovision) I doubt Emma or Mikael Saari will represent Finland as both of them are not “popular” artists in Finland. Tarja would be a cool choice but i doubt she would do… Read more »

Katariina
Katariina
5 years ago

Famous Finnish musicians don’t want to do Eurovision. Yle got too cocky after Saara Aalto, but after she placed second-to-last it scared off any possibly interested artists. The Finnish press is so mean to unsuccessful Eurovision acts, it’s so hard to find famous Finns who want to do Eurovision (Saara was an anomaly considering it was her dream and she was crazy enough to throw away an amazing mainstream recording career to do Eurovision and become a regular on “celebrity” novelty reality shows). UMK should just go back to being ten or so artists with their own songs. That way… Read more »

Kotik
Kotik
5 years ago
Reply to  Katariina

So Finland is the UK of the Nordics then?

Jonas
Jonas
5 years ago
Reply to  Katariina

How did Saara throw away an amazing mainstream recording career by entering the contest? That’s just not so.