How Finland Got So Good At Eurovision

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Finland have very suddenly gotten very good at Eurovision. But how did they do it?
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[@Neasa16]

Guys I think he really likes Finland..

[@samhartford8677]

Yeah, I think he believes in Finland in Eurovision much more than the country does. Still ice hockey for us over here...

[@lucasxrain]

You might be on to something... 🤔

[@KennethWinberg]

The day after UMK released Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha video everybody was talking about the guy with the green “bolero”, he really made a big mark in Finland from the beginning. And I don’t think that it was any doubt that he would become the publics big favourite this year in UMK. It was a shame he didn’t win Eurovision, getting so close, but then again he became the big favourite with the viewers and audience. And the day after the finale who is going out to buy the artist's music and the concert tickets, I am sure not any of the people in the different country juries bought any music or concert tickets to any of the participating Eurovision artists. But the viewers and the audience did. Käärijä is just a very good example of when everything clicks together, , song, stage performance, costume, color and last but not least his amazing personality.

[@escgabe]

Everything really came together!! Hopefully it will be the same next year

[@KennethWinberg]

@@escgabe I hope so too, but I think he is one of a kind in a very big spectrum. But hope is not lost. 🙂

[@musikkritisk]

Well, sometimes not winning is better than winning and Käärijä is a proof of that. I don't think he lost, actually he is living what Mocedades lived in the 70s (ESC Golden Age) He's worth as 2nd and the time will praise him as one of the best and never be forgotten.

[@Masaim6]

@@KennethWinberg Yeah Käärijä is one of a kind but a Finnish win is coming. Mark my words!

[@KennethWinberg]

@@Masaim6 Yes, I don't doubt it. He made his forever mark on Eurovision so he should be very proud and Finland is very proud of him.

[@doublejayjay]

As a Finnish person I gotta point out that we tend to genuinely REALLY like our own language in music. Like, it's not just UMK songs - Finnish people just often really, really like hearing our own language used creatively in songs. And honestly, I really believe we've got an extremely unique pop music scene when it comes to lyricism and the vibes of the songs, which might partly be because of the style of our language in general. I really want an opportunity to introduce people to Finnish pop classics some day, I really believe we've got an unique perspective on them.

[@samhartford8677]

I think it has to do with the grammar, as in we have the additional benefit to Italians because not only is our language marvelously singable because of the vowels, we also have the benefit on endings instead of prepositions which allows for rhymes and makes it easier to match the language to the beat.

[@kuura345]

So true! Finnish language songs are very popular here. Think about Behm for example. What an artist! Still famous only here in Finland. If she sang in English maybe she would be popular elsewhere too.

[@Eva-mp7xg]

Käärijä is now the winner of MTV EMA 2023 Best Nordic Act award. Something seems to go to the right direction in Finland 🇫🇮

[@dasmysteryman12]

I have never seen so much support for a Eurovision entry from a country as Finland did in 2023. I'm sure it's mostly Käärijä's charisma that's causing this, of course, but along with that is a renewed confidence that they'll succeed in Eurovision. After hearing good things about next year's UMK, I could smell victory for Finland next year. Watch this space.

[@FoxyGuyHere]

What are those good things?

[@kanukki84]

Käärijä dont have any charisma.

[@FoxyGuyHere]

@@kanukki84 Good joke

[@dasmysteryman12]

@@FoxyGuyHere The Finnish head of delegation (I forgot his name) said their line-up for next year is the strongest they've ever had. Let's see!

[@Tollkirschenkind]

Well, the line-up is here and it's...kinda mid? 😅

[@juuuh...]

Käärijä really shows how we finns are kinda small thinking about ourselves. Käärijä came home with the second highest eurovision place ever in finland and the puplic totally on his side, and still he was worried that he betrayed the people by not winning. Gladly finns took him home with a parade and told him he was the winner all along.

[@StarryNight2506-hq5ev]

The people's winner 💖

[@Liljaiines]

Hi, finnish girl here👋 i'ts funny how before when I went to other countries and told someone that I'm from Finland they were just like OK.... And now everyone is like OMG thats where käärijä is from😂😅

[@paulojrneto]

Come to think it, Finland and Portugal have similar histories at Eurovision. - Both countries were at the periphery of the Eurovision geography (together with Turkey), at least before the introduction of the Eastern European countries and their languages were deemed too impenetrable for the core Eurovision audience and judges. - Both countries were always more keen to march to their own beat and send what felt more authentic to them then to impress or to follow trends. As a consequence, their good results were few and far between and several of their overlooked entries have now been retroactively been appreciated. - Both countries had an overdue Eurovision victory that blew everything else out of the water in their respective year. - Both countries have yassified their national finals which now rank among the most prestigious NF, whereas in the past they didn't stand out as much.

[@nervanderi]

Like Portugal and Spain we as Finns Compete against Sweden. Every time Finnland is near podium (top3) Rules has to be changed. Lordi... All time highscore.... Käärijä... Well tbh first time I was pissed of about eurovision song not singing competition.... Sorry I´m too drunk.... UMK 2023 Finalists Reacting to each other with eng sub... kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4mVkmiZial2lck

[@davidkasquare]

As a Finn, I agree. Sweden is our Spain. 😊

[@kaarija.dashcorn]

UMK is by far the best national final. Both Blind Channel and Käärijä made it this way. I'm so proud of both of them. I don't know about Finland winning the Eurovision because it seems the juries have their favourite countries/music genres, and if Käärijä couldn't do it with Cha Cha Cha I don't know what song can win. But I would love for a Finnish win, they are long overdue.

[@lucasxrain]

UMK is also my favourite national final aside from Melodifestivalen

[@tanjanikola9489]

Käärijä's gig last night at Apollo in Helsinki was absolutely nuts! And off to see the dress rehearsal at UMK 2024.

[@escgabe]

I'll see you in Tampere!!

[@kirsij1634]

Tapio Hakanen, the music producer of umk has said that years 2018 and 2019 were really important for the development of umk. For Saara an Darude they concentrated on the quality over quantity regarding of the music videos and stage shows. Even if there were no success in esc, umk team realized that this is the quality they wanna stick with and that came to be the basis of the current umk. Also, when they are able to provide proper support for the artists, it is also more interesting for the artists to join, not to mention the hype the participation brings nowdays.

[@Ruinwyn]

It's very important to remember that when you a trying to do a big change, it might take few iterations to get it right.

[@JSGRanks]

I was also at the Käärijä Roundhouse concert, and I concur with the statement "I regret nothing. I would do it again" cause I simply will.

[@duzzzz94]

It is a mind-blowing feeling that you are talking about my country. Btw in 2022 Bess won Artist of the year, Song of the year with ram pam pam, pop artist of the year and most streamed Finnish song in the national music awards. I think Käärijä is going to clean the table in this year's ceremony.

[@lucasxrain]

I hope to see more releases from Käärijä in the near future, he has great talent and could easily get recognised globally. 🇫🇮

[@rebeccaed2018]

I'm Finnish and have to show this video to my mom this weekend. She heard on the radio that people in the UK were in queue from the early morning, she is so happy about the international Käärijä hype :) We were SO BAD FOR SO LONG. It was just normal for us to expect complete embarrassment.

[@kaarija.dashcorn]

We live in the UK and the ONLY music we listen to is Finnish music, you can thank Blind Channel for that. You have the best music in the world for us ❤

[@escgabe]

I hope she enjoys the video!! And thank you for giving us the silly green man, we like him very much x

[@neymarjr3712]

@@kaarija.dashcornthats weird. As a Finn i think we have the worst music, but somehow spawn a hit every january

[@yellow.pomelo]

i didnt hear about eurovision until 2021 when mum told me my favourite czech singer is going to participate. unfortunately, he didnt do a good job but i fell for blind channel so hard that i got obsessed with eurovision. each year 21-23 i voted for finland and im deeply obsessed with blind channel and käärijä now and im waiting for what finland gives us next year

[@mosalah11thegoat]

they sent some good shit once again 😂

[@uikonimi]

The UMK is moving to an actual arena next year.

[@esterelina]

I'm a Finnish eurovision fan and have been since I was like 5 years old. 2015-2019 were painful years, but the last few years have truly made up for it. I only hope that it will stay that way. Regarding the language thing, I think there has generally been a development in recent years where the Finnish music industry has embraced our native language (or languages) more. Ten years ago there was a strong idea that nobody could have a succesful career abroad by singing in Finnish. But this summer I believe all the top 10 most streamed songs in Finland were in Finnish! And I just think it's so great

[@OlliTamminen]

The name behind new UMK is Tapio Hakanen. Please google him and thank him personally, all who love Finland nowadays. 😂

[@Shalunium]

I love when songs are sung in singer's own language. I hope next year there would be more. I also LOVE that Finland sent a song in the native language [insert Käärijä pronoucing language]. I mainly listen to songs in Finnish and it has saddened me that the entries are usually un English. One of the reasons I loved Stefania was the language (and the flute!) and this year My sister's crown's chorus was awesome.

[@sasuhiable]

I'm Finnish and have always loved Eurovision but I've been so sad about how bad our entry's have been. And the selection process was a joke for years. I can't even describe how happy I am YLE finally got their 💩 together, actually got YLE-X (popular radio channel among young people) involved in UMK and is now the best national final 🥳 Already really looking forward to UMK 2024, too bad the tickets for it sold out SO FAST 😅

[@sharkan44]

Actually YleX was also involved in 2012-2014. 2013 and 2014 were pretty good imo but YLE wasn't patient enough to develop the format and decided to go Eurovision stereotypes all the way in 2015-2017 (2016 to lesser extent).

[@astasnellman5787]

I really am not an Eurovision fan, but...Käärijä is sooo super, I go on his gigs whenever I can, on thursday in Apollo it was pure 🔥💚, and bc of him I bought a ticket to UMK finals in february too...😅, oh dear he has changed my world 💚

[@je.h758]

I love that Finland just sends who they love. Who cares about juries, at the end of the day, its the people who has the power to say whether a song is a banger or not. They are the one who will consume the music

[@ribbitrally]

finland has been one of my favourites in esc for years, i've always been excited to hear their entries, and this year just confirmed my love for them

[@canyouwhenyourdrunk]

This year was the first time I ever watched UMK just to see if Käärijä’ got through. I must say I fully enjoyed the night and was amazed at the other talent that night. Excited for next year.

[@riikaasaa]

Welcome to Tampere in February! Imagine, the biggest indoors venue in Finland... I'll be there, too! 🙌

[@thisislaurine]

I can´t put it in word how much I love this country and their nf

[@heyitsoscar_]

I really hope after this year even more countries start using their national languages. It can actually help you a lot. E.g. last year a song in Ukrainian won (?) Also in 2021 the top 2 Jury songs were both in French which is just amazing!! I hope more countries start using their national language..

[@guillemmartinez9958]

Cannot believe you talked about 2021 and completely forgot to mention the awe-inspiring show that Italian-sung Zitti e buoni brought to the contest, what a disgrace😭😭

[@illliiiiillliii6265]

Im finnish ive never called Finland good at Eurovision. However What we are great at is sending unique and different entries consistently. It can get quite boring watching mid tier EV sogns after another but Finland brings some desperately needed freshness every year, something interesting or different. In that way i think we make the experience of the Song Contest better as a tv program. Our songs might not always be the best but comparing to our neighbor Sweden who sends a similar song every single year designed to win the EVC, you will never know what Finland will send. I mean after the 2000s the only country who has sent songs sang in Swedish is Finland. And even then the majority of Swedish audience disliked it XD

[@ESCHielito]

I am so happy to see UMK has gotten so strong, even if im not a massive lover of Cha Cha Cha i absoletuly adore to see Finland doing great consistently again, like as a spanish i think we can relate too much to this with benidorm fest our eurovision fandom is alive again and we are starting to get better results than the last 10 years, even big names are interested in trying eurovision (hopefully they get into this benidorm fest 2024), this also being similar to Finland, so im proud of Finland and my country Spain for this and specially would love a win from both who could be well deserved with both countries stepping up their game! 🇫🇮❤🇪🇸 O and btw i just discovered “Cicciolina” with this video and im literally OBSESSED and ashamed of finlands jury back then for not choosing this masterpiece, like im just screaming: CI-CCIO-LI-NA! (just a bop everywhere in my spotify now)

[@jenesc]

I would love Finland to send a female artist next year! I'm hoping that the "comeback artist" of next years selection will be Erika or Bess ❤

[@tommilaitinen5555]

I do not believe they are making a come back, but Erika and Bess were the fan favourites of 2021 and 2022. Blind Channel did quite well and it was not a standard song, but The Rasmus was probably sent in because of their international fame as well. Mistake. Finland has not had much luck with THE JURIES either nationally nor internationally.

[@Garbox80]

​@@tommilaitinen5555 Yeah, I wasn't that keen on sending Rasmus that year. Jezebel is a nice piece, but it is a bit generic at the end. They got chosen for their fame for sure. Interested to see what "touring rock band" we'll get this year. And other artists too of course, but I tend to lean on the heavier side myself (and yet I would've chosen Bess before Rasmus).

[@perjus]

My money's on Hanna Pakarinen.

[@christianstre4356]

@@Garbox80 As a metalhead myself I have two guesses about what the so called touring band could be. The first one is of course Lost Society while the second one is Korpiklaani, which has just released a new song ,where some people had commented Eurovision. I think this could be the band since they are currently touring the world and they won't have any gigs between January and May when both UMK and ESC will take place.

[@Kuutti_original]

​@@christianstre4356As a fellow metalhead i have to say that problem is not really the fact we dont have "touring bands". But the fact that our well known metal bands (for examble, Nightwish, Insomnium, Amorphis, Apocalyptica.) gain nothing from the participation in EC. Heck even bit lesser known bands like Turmion Kätilöt wouldnt gain much from it. They are still selling out venues and having the listeners in Spotify, Yt Music etc.

[@carl-johanfougstedt199]

As a Finnish ESC fan I agree with you. I´m already waiting for your next video about Sweden.

[@steinarmogen3166]

But unlike Finland, Sweden is not great. Just overrated and sending mass produced generic sounds

[@OokyDaniel]

I love Cha Cha Cha but my favourite final song from Finland in 2023 was definitely LXandra "Something to Lose" - it was so effervescent and emotive, and I feel like nobody had any time for it. It was really beautiful and the DEFINITION of underrated.

[@salomevirtanen286]

i love how us Finns just take over the comment section on videos about Finland. Welcome to Finland in 2024!

[@juuliawarrior1188]

Käärijä made me proud of my country and also made me realize, that we actually have beautiful language, this year’s Eurovision were definitely one of the best!💚 Btw, I’m also going to next UMK and I’m super ecxited too, it will be amazing! I can’t wait!🤩

[@OZyyyyyu]

This video is amazing, its really sweet you thought about this. :) Also I think you are really on point, on point about finland stepping their game. Cicciolina is just iconic, wonder why didnt it win.... This year didnt go so well, but still im happy about our entry, somehow it gave ne happy feelings and not being so serous how things go. I think Finland has a good change but of course what is most important is to have lovable, talented contestant, and song, show! Person who draws people in. People are unique. not everyone is like Käärijä. thank you for this video, I appereciate

[@pelaajarelaajagaming5904]

this guy literally is underrated! (just got new subcriber) Love from Finland 🤩😍

[@escgabe]

Thank you!!

[@marittamustonen-smith7333]

Fantastic really enjoyed. Joy to my ears as Iam Finnish and so super proud that Finland is finally where it deserves to be. At the top. 💚💚💚💚🇫🇮

[@vop4813]

Käärijä made Finnish people more close to each other (physically and mentaly) that any other act to unite the country would have ever done

[@Sinivalkoseepra-yz1ke]

Yes, and also united people across the world. He made people in the ESC audience unite to chant his name, is making fans form connections and even actual friendships with people from different countries all the time. If the Eurovision is going to have a theme (like this "united by music"), it would be nice if it would be also considered how well the acts fit to that theme.

[@musikkritisk]

With the exception of 2019, I've like a lot the UMK songs from 2010. I'm happy with Finland turning the odds and becoming a contender in Eurovision, there's not little in Europe and Finland is proving it!

[@Vhmvd]

UMK was on my radar since 2017 (except for 2018, and 2019 for obvious reasons). Although Kaarija was not my favorite but he really deserved to win UMK and 2nd place is very respectable. I’m hoping for a Finnish win soon.

[@finnishculturalchannel]

Many of the Finnish entries over the decades are beloved and still played classics in Finland even though Europe never got them. Like Riki Sorsa's 'Reggae OK' (1981, Dublin, 16th), which was composed by a Brit Jim Pembroke, who had a successful career in Finland as a musician and songwriter.

[@henriikkak2091]

Vicky Rosti: Sata salamaa

[@rhoeasie]

@@henriikkak2091 now that is a dancefloor classic

[@ESC_jackqulen]

I resonate so much on what you said about how 7 acts give each artist the proper attention and exposure needed. The system is easy to understand (no semifinals). I've always prefer national finals without semifinals and less than 10 songs (ESCZ, and Germany and Spain in their flop era) MelodiFLOPstivalen hasn't been able to attract people unless you're a hardcore eurovision fan, but UMK has done the impossible of attracting foreign viewers, which give even better incentives for artists to submit songs

[@MrZarewna]

This was so well made and you have under 1k subs.. Damn. Big thumbs up! Editing is brilliant, research is out of this world, just wow. I hope more deep dives are coming in.

[@escgabe]

Thank you!!

[@ninatuomi8731]

Hiya from Finland 😍 One Esc-lover here. Now the UMK-show is going to be held in Tampere, bigger arena. That I heard, there were over 400 songs to choose 😀 Let's see, if people around the world will still like the Finnish enter next year 🤗

[@tuija21]

I’ve been a Eurovision fan all my life and I’ve lived through the times when being a Eurovision fan in Finland was considered extremely lame. 😅 But lately I’ve been having the time of my life! I saw Erika Vikman live at UMK20 and was (and still am) Team Cicciolina all the way. I’ve got tickets to UMK24, so I’ll see you in Tampere in February, yay! 🎉

[@shannonstewart3516]

I saw him in Berlin a few weeks ago, and it was incredible!!!!

[@kristel8991]

I was there too! The energy in that place was incredible, it was SO much fun!

[@styrofoamsoldier]

Yeah I remember Saara Aalto being hyped in every national news outlet for what felt like a couple of years straight. I honestly never saw the appeal and it felt like a super manufactured thing.

[@AyaTalshir]

hi gabe, i know you from ESCunited and i'm so glad you started your own channel! these sort of insightful deep dives are exactly the type of eurovision content i've been looking for. keep up the excellent work!

[@escgabe]

Thank you!!

[@ESCHayden]

Totally agree that it's just a matter of time until Finland win. And really liking your videos - stuff I haven't seen anywhere else. 😊

[@finnlnrd_]

YLE already blowed everyone's minds. They put up an advert for UMK in Malmö plus they upgraded the venue that has more capacity than the Liverpool Arena for Eurovision 2023. Finland is going to be the best country in Eurovision, this decade and even further. I love that my name is the same as the country, that is just the best at Eurovision.

[@viivih3147]

Next year's UMK has the most applicants ever, over 400. Only seven gets chosen and i hope the quality will skyrocket

[@tomast7339]

I have to agree I was shocked by the high level of the UMK in 2021 I was "Wow this year the UMK is very solid" in 2022 "OK UNK this year is so strong" and now "WTF Happened in Finland that made them to have amazing UMK three years in a row?" with the great level the UMK has gotten, the next victory of Finland will be sooner than we think and I hope this victory will be earned by Bess. she was so robbed in 2022 (not throwing shade on the Rasmus but...)

[@escgabe]

JUSTICE FOR BESS

[@punkjay4681]

The Rasmus was so boring. They've had great songs over the years, but this one didn't even sound like them. I think it wasn't actually now that I think about it...

[@Ruinwyn]

But the fact that Rasmus participated, proves the point that there needs to be value in participating. They were making a comeback with new guitarist and wanted to announce it. Lordi was actually participating originally for similar reason. They calculated that the one national final performance would give their new album more exposure than anything else they could afford. They were happily supriced for getting even more free international exposure.

[@TheLatokuivaaja]

I agree, Bess definitely had the best song but the stage show was such a mess I just couldn't go with it. Like, I was in a UMK watch party in 2022 but I was so underwhelmed by all the songs and stage show combos that I actually let someone borrow my phone and give my one free vote in the YLE app to whichever song they pleased (I think they voted for Kuuma jäbä?) In contrast in 2023 UMK all acts had really good stage shows so it was just easy to go with your favourite (in my case Käärijä, although Robin Packalen's trampoline couch was my favourite prop). Because fact is, YLE does generally use the UMK stage show as the base, and then elevate it (or overwhelm like they did with Saara in 2018 by stuffing all the props from all three songs in UMK into the ESC performance). I know this is a song contest but the stage show requires something to make it pop and work with the song, and not look like... Ireland in 2008. I think 2023 UMK was a great showcase of giving all the acts great stage shows, now they just gotta keep it up so that Finnish public can just choose the best song, and know it will look classy at ESC.

[@harry-hp1je]

I’m not so fussed about going to esc this year, I know the real party will be umk, and I need to save money in case Finland wins and I have to try for ESC25 tickets xD

[@Zheviah]

As a fin and an eurovision fan I am now really fearing they will somehow mess up UMK and all the hype will die.. But let's hope everything will go well. It's nice they changed the voting system so that public has more votes, but that means popular artists will win more surely,like with what happened with the Rasmus. They were more well known so they got more votes. Also the second in line in 2023 Portion boys is very popular in finland and that's why (in my opinion) got second even wheren there were other better songs in the list. I personally would like more unknown people to get more fame from UMK than those who are already popular to take part. Because UMK means "uuden musiikin kilpailu" , in english " new music competition" .. new music, new artists. Just like Erica remade her image.

[@emmythefilmnerd2014]

Blind Channel has become one of my favorite bands🙌🏼 they have been on my top 5 artists on Spotify two years in a row now

[@axelcomeguillemin9792]

Ireland: Coinnigh mo phionta Guinness, an mbeidh?

[@nyyminuolivaara]

What a great video, thank you. Erika really changed the game! Your video made me fully understand it. Never really thought about it before. 🎉

[@escgabe]

thank you!!

[@linn469]

10:50 this is so true and has been for way too long, it's still like this in Sweden too believe it or not. Some of the artists that do Melodifestivalen a lot are sort of branded and many don't want that branding, which sucks. Also, what you said about being afraid to fail I think is a strong deterring factor for many Swedish artists (far from everything is as generic as the usual entries, I promise). I think a shift is happening though, all over Europe, and I think it started with Måneskin. Edit: Agreed that a Finnish win is coming soon and I can't wait!!!

[@reislaya]

I love listening to a person with good opinions

[@ocean_she-they_]

With UMK being such a huge success now I really hope that my wish that I literally have for *y e a r s* of Jenni Vartiainen to finally take part will become true!!! Amazing video! Do you plan on discussing other eurovision and national final glow ups like Spain with Benidorm Fest currently or Belgium previously in their 2015-2017 era? :)

[@Rose_Haw]

Oh that could be really cool!

[@mucholicious]

This is really good analysis of umk! ✨

[@escgabe]

thank you!!

[@Nipa96M]

I was active fan of Käärijä for like two years before cha cha cha. He had his fans, but yes, he got a huge growth spurt from umk and eurovision.

[@mnjk1558]

I was queuing 22 hours to his gig last weekend with my friend 😂 Went there at night 00:30 and next people arrived there 4am 😅

[@escgabe]

22 hours!? You're stronger than me. I did 12 and barely survived!!

[@jps8678]

Thanks. This was interesting. I am a finn and you know much more than I do of Finlands Eurovision.

[@pluggedfinn-bj3hn]

Yeah, ESC was barely talked or cared about here, myself hadn't watched it since like 2014. But Käärijä just thrust the whole country into a frenzy and it was all that was talked about. Anything bright green got sold out and pina colada ingredients were tough to find. Felt like the whole country was watching the finals. Don't know if I'd call myself ESC fan still, but I'll probably pay it more attention now than I had before.

[@steinarmogen3166]

They are great because they send more rock Music than any others….! ❤️😃🎶🎸 Sweden should learn

[@OliverDiGeronimo009]

The Portion Boy's song was one of my favorites.

[@lighthouse620]

The fact that Cicciolina would still lose under the current umk jury tele split is actually crazy

[@EurovisionESC]

The winning song was indeed good? Maybe consider that

[@lighthouse620]

Hey I prefer Aksels song too! Im merely saying its crazy how close it was given that even if it wouldve been 25 /75 Erika still would have losr@@EurovisionESC

[@Patralgan]

I like your enthusiasm, but! But... I doubt we can match the success of Käärijä any time soon. Käärijä isn't just your usual artist. He's an anomaly. I don't see other Finnish artist having what he has in order to repeat what happened this year. Käärijä is just something else. He makes virtually all other artists seem boring. I would be very surprised if Finland won the esc in the next 10 years unless Käärijä performs again. I would love to be proven wrong though.

[@amaianita]

god blackbird was definitely robbed. it's not a eurovision winning song, but i loved it so much....

[@allegra3500]

The claim Finland is the fave to win aged like milk with no rules being selected 😭😭

[@je.h758]

You think? It’s one if my faves this year.

[@danieleclementi3310]

I was thereeeeee it was amazing hope you had the best time!

[@ratyjoona]

Ohh, see ya in UMK! Got tickets as well!

[@heijuli18]

Much love from finland🇫🇮🇫🇮❤

[@baekie_]

UMK is literally the major reason why I became so interested in their music (outside of ESC), culture and country overall!

[@Bazu]

I think the moment she lost UMK made whole of Finland realize that they needed to change the voting system so the winner is someone the people like and not selected mostly by juries.

[@riikasointu]

I was so mad when Cicciolina didn't win that I said they should cancel Eurovision song contest all together... hups😅

[@greeenrain]

The man who sang with Darude was actually Sebastian Rejman who had been the lead vocalist in a pretty good Finnish rock band The Giant Leap. Idk what happened to him in Esc... the song I guess...

[@leopartanen8752]

Over the past decade or so, Finnish pop, rock and rap has steadily become more popular in Finland. In early 2000s, bands singing in English, such as The Rasmus, Nightwish, H.I.M., Kwan, Poets of the Fall, Lordi and The 69 Eyes were really popular in Finland. One of the reason for this was that Finnish pop in English was struggling at the time and still is, occasionally someone might become popular once in a while.

[@StarryNight2506-hq5ev]

Obvs Finland got robbed this year and truly would have deserved the win, however hyped for UMK 24!

[@sebastianniittyvuopio5017]

Boycott Loreal😊

[@valkeakirahvi]

Interestingly, Dotter's Bulletproof to me is a song that's so generic that it hurts and makes me angry XD Darude was bad too though. Thank you for the trust in us, I'm already prepared we will never have anything even close to Käärijä again lol. But the perception of Eurovision has changed a lot in the recent years, definitely for the better. Like ESC internationally is more popular, and being a eurofan seems to be sort of mainstream. In Finland UMK is somehow super popular too (the tickets for the show next year sold out in seconds and it's a big arena- in the past years the NFs were held in a small studio and they handed out free tickets), and a lot of new people are watching ESC. Both new as in teenagers, but also adults that never watched it before. As a long time fan, this level of popularity is a bit confusing, but makes me super happy!

[@oonams]

finland world champioooon

[@florenna]

The more pertinent question would be why on earth did Finland always do so badly in Eurovision in the past (pre-2006)?! It was *NOT* because the songs were bad (for the most part, ofc there were a few duds), there were some genuine gems among them!! Everyone said it was because of the language, but I guess current events have proved that not to be the case ;) So it's even more baffling now.

[@florenna]

Here's my playlist with examples of Finland being screwed over in Eurovision, throughout history: ;) kzbin.info/aero/PL6r0EDSgdjIlM2XQOyXbf9sLiTBAWDphY

[@Finnishkebab]

2000, 2004, 2005,2009, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019 terrible choices made by The public🤣 2006 we voted right and perhaps 2008. But 2007 Helsinki we chance to send Thunderstone but we failed..

[@OlliTamminen]

10:55 That was how we Finns were also thinking about 5 years ago. Everything is possible, I’m also watching you, Ireland.

[@kuura345]

Wow, thank you for your words! As a Finn I don't know if I agree with everything you said but it was still very interesting to hear your thoughts. UMK has changed, no-one can deny that, and for better for sure. What you said about Erika Vikman, she was like that before UMK, even though you're right about her being a tango queen. She changed her style I'm not sure when but before UMK for sure. Käärijä is unique. Kuumaa and Portion Boys are popular. It's true that UMK may have been one factor in it but I'm not sure, they might be popular without UMK also. Lets hope good NEW artists get interested in UMK because that is what the contest is about. I don't think the old ones need to attend there anymore. (One reason why Erika Vikman didn't win is that too many people find her too pushy and very irritating.)

[@bahiyyihx999x]

As finnish person im really happy that ppl finally knows finland bc beforw it felt like nobody knows finland so im thankful to käärijä

[@laurijaakkola3762]

Yeah, Bess should have represented Finland in 2022

[@SamOGr]

Thank you Aksel for kicking off the revolution, the true esc winner in 2020 and robbed in 2021 🙏 actually UMK has come on so much and sets the standard now, must watch NF

[@snubbeltraden2]

I really like the UMK format as well, I do think it's one of the best ones out there. Despite I still maintain my position that there hasn't boon a proåerly good song in the competition since 2017. I just kinda hate most of the entries every year 💀 That being said I still love the competition no matter how little I might enjoy the songs. I will even be going to UMK next year as it's now hosted near me again. Let's hope this edition turns out great!

[@domiiinik4320]

Well, now Finland is ending this good streak with whatever shit they have chosen today

[@jijitters]

Considering Finnish people love No Rules, not really. It has been for a while and will continue to be the Finnish style to choose something Finnish people like and not worry about what international juries think about it. UMK being so successful just made it even more clear that they don't have to win anything in order to be popular.

[@domiiinik4320]

@@jijitters Who cares what Finnish people like, Eurovision depends on people from other countries who like the song or not

[@jijitters]

@@domiiinik4320 Well, Finnish people care what Finnish people think, not your snobby-ass juries.

[@domiiinik4320]

@@jijitters But we are talking about Eurovision and you can't vote for your own country so Finnish people's opinion doesn't matter here

[@je.h758]

@@domiiinik4320uhm.. the point of Eurovision is for countries to select their champion. Win or lose, the champion should represent the country chosen by the people. They qualified by being themselves unapologetically ❤

[@simons3688]

Still mad about Finland not choosing Erika in 2020😭Never gonna forget the moment she didn’t win

[@escgabe]

Me too but at the very least she gave us this amazing legacy!!

[@Susan-zl5uk]

Me too!

[@dennislindqvist8443]

I was asked if I wanted to write a song for UMK many years ago. I of course said no, but now it has reached a level where I would probably have a hard time competing against. Even Desmond Child has participated on behalf of Finland and God knows if he knows ESC.

[@iitaiita]

Welcome to Finland! Hopefully Tampere will deliver a good UMK experience

[@sarahenchanted]

if Finland wins in the near future (i think they will) I just know they'd do amazing hosting again

[@smallblueangel]

I go to UMK tooo! Im flying in from Germany

[@belovamagic1749]

3:08 People don't have music taste, she was literally my number 1 favorite that year....and that woman also made a version of Monsters in 34 languages or something, she can do literally anything

[@jelbertie]

I don’t even follow the national finals and I remember that day in 2020…

[@EmoBearRights]

Your friend has excellent taste i love Something Better.

[@peppi7694]

see you in Tampere 🥰

[@escgabe]

See you there!!