In less than four months, we will find out who The Rasmus´ successor will be!
Finland´s highly popular pre-selection show UMK (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu) will air it´s finale next year on the 25th of Febuary. This is where we will find out who will represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. After competing with some outstanding pop/rock songs in the last two years and doing fairly well in the contest, Finland is going all in again. Head of the UMK jury, Tapio Hakanen, gives us fans a little hint of what to expect:
The seven finalists include familiar faces and new, up-and-coming talents. We have, among others, the best dance song in UMK history sung by an unbelievably strong new singer, a song that just oozes sexuality by a well-known artist, a heartbreakingly beautiful ballad by one of Finland’s biggest export hopefuls, well-known and up-and-coming bands, and one of the strongest rap bangers in UMK history.
Tapio Hakanen
I guess we can all raise our expectations even higher now?! We will have to be patient for a little while, as the partcipating artists will be announced on January 11th.
The finale will take place in the Finnish city of Turku, where cultural venue Logomo will host the exciting fans coming to support their favorite acts. The tickets have already been sold out, after only being on sale for a day.
Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Making their Eurovision debut in 1961 with the entry “Valoa Ikkunassa” by Laila Kinnunen, Finland hasn’t always had the best time at the contest. Finland didn’t have a smooth start at Eurovision, placing last three times in the 1960s. Marion Rung was Finland’s first success, placing 6th in 1973 with “Tom Tom Tom” – this remained as Finland’s best result until 2006.
Before the turn of the millennium, Finland placed last a further five times while they placed in the top ten on only three occasions. Finland’s fortunes finally changed however in 2006 when Lordi won the contest in Athens with “Hard Rock Hallelujah” – marking Finland’s only win and only top 5 result.
During the semi-finals era, Finland has qualified for the final on nine occasions. The Rasmus became the second Finnish act in a row to qualify for the final with “Jezebel”. In the final, the group placed in 21st place with 38 points.
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