We have another date for your calendars, as Finnish broadcaster YLE has revealed that UMK24 will be held on February 10.
419 submissions received for UMK24 and other details revealed
In addition the reveal of the date for next year’s competition, YLE also revealed that they received 419 entries in their search for Käärijä’a successor.
Tapio Hakanen, the chair of the UMK jury had the following to say.
It’s amazing to see how Finnish artists and songwriters, from newcomers to national favourites, are all jumping into the UMK fray. This year, we’re seeing what has to be the all-time best group of entries, which will end up being a truly sensational final seven. Among the finalists we have a talented artist’s first 90s-style dance song, a power song by a true vocal talent, perhaps the best song of an indie favourite’s career, two big name performers doing a surprising duo with a serious refrain, a thunderous rock anthem by a world-touring band, a seriously intense song from one of the most listened-to artists in Finland, and a hard-hitting club banger by a well-known artists making a comeback. This year, viewers will be getting an extremely high-energy UMK in an even bigger arena!
In addition to this, it was also revealed that the competing artists will be revealed on the 10th January 2024, with the respective entries to be revealed from the 11th to the 19th of January.
For the conclusion of the competition, it has been revealed that Tampere will host the show, at Nokia Arena.
Ville Vilén, YLE’s creative director comments:
The Contest for New Music UMK has become a real music institution, which absolutely deserves a much bigger venue. Turku has been such an amazing UMK city for so many years – we’re very grateful for that. This year, the UMK train is heading north, and I think that Tampere and Nokia Arena are the perfect venue for a major Eurovision event. Now’s the time for a really big show and a Eurovision atmosphere that will blow the roof off!
Anssi Autio, UMK’s Executive Producer had the following to say:
Looking back over the entire 13-year history of UMK, I can say that we’re now in a better position than ever before. In the eyes of our Finnish and international audience, UMK has become an unparalleled hit factory and source of top-tier entertainment, whose move to a bigger venue is also served by the massive increase in Eurovision’s popularity
Next year’s venue for UMK has a capacity of 15,000, with the tickets set to go on sale on the 5th of October at 9AM EET.
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 56 times, and appeared in the final 48 times. Finland has finished in the top 10 an impressive 14 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 “Cha Cha Cha” by Käärijä. He won the first semi-final in Liverpool, thus qualifying for the final. At the close of voting, he gained a total of 526 points, earning them 2nd place – Finland’s second best result of all time. Käärijä received 376 points from the televote, and an extra 150 points from the juries.
What do you think of the latest developments in Finland? Who do you think submited an application to participate next year? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky for all the latest Eurovision news.
News Source: YLE
Photo Credit: YLE
