Finnish broadcaster YLE has revealed that Samu Haber will host UMK 2023, the selection show that will select Finland’s representative for Eurovision 2023.
Samu Haber
Samu will also perform during the show. He is already known for being the lead singer of Sunrise Avenue and as a judge on The Voice of Germany. He has now moved to have a solo career, with a new album ‘Pelastäten Maailma‘ being a success since its release in September.
Samu has not hosted UMK before but has been to previous Eurovision shows in Stockholm and Tel Aviv. At UMK earlier this year he was part of the team for contestants Cyan Kicks.
Speaking about UMK Samu said:
In recent years, UMK has grown into a truly wonderful entity. We are boldly proud and flamboyant, and we have really let go of the wisdom traumas of the past
On his appearance for the show:
A white t-shirt, a guitar and a man can be too casual for Logomo’s stage. At UMK, I can definitely wear slightly bigger sunglasses and more glitter than usual, he reveals.
Talking about his dream for the show:
My dream is that in February I will be able to announce the winner at UMK, who will defeat the others also in Liverpool next May
UMK – Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu
Finland’s Selection for Eurovision 2023 will take place on Saturday 25th February and be broadcast on TV and Radio in Finland. This will be the 12th time UMK has been used to select Finland’s representative in Eurovision. This time the show comes from Logomo in Turku.
The contestants for UMK 2023 are going to be revealed on Wednesday 11th January. Finnish Broadcaster YLE had already announced that 363 songs entered into the selection process for UMK.
Previous hosts of recent editions of UMK have included Vesala and Mmiisas, Krista Siegfrids (Finland’s 2013 representative) and Antti Tuisku.
Finland’s Eurovision Journey
Finland debuted in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 10th with Laila Kunnunen’s “Valoa ikkunassa.” Since then they have competed 55 times and appeared in the final 47 times. Finland has finished in the top 10 an impressive 13 times. They have won the contest once in 2006, with Lordi’s performance of “Hard Rock Hallelujah” getting 292 points. Finland’s most recent entry was “Jezebel” by The Rasmus. Qualifying for the final, they gained a total of 38 points, earning them 21st place.
What do you make of Samu as UMK 2023 host? Will Finland pick a Eurovision winner in 2023? Are you going to be watching UMK on 25th February? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we gear up for Eurovision 2023!
News Source: YLE
Photo Credit: Yle/Nelli Kentä
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