Today the new season of Finlands UMK has started! From today (21st August 2023) until the 24th of August songwriters and artists can submit their entries to UMK. Successful applicants will get an answer in October.
Artists who take part in UMK have the chance to participate in Eurovision’s quickest growing national final, with each of the songs from this year’s contest going on to be successful across Finland and Europe. Other successful artists have come from UMK such as Saara Aalto, KUUMAA, Blind Channel, and Krista Siegfrieds over the past decade.
Head of the UMK panel Topio Hakanen said,
“Interest in UMK among the audience and artists has grown year after year, and last year’s Käärijä phenomenon shot it to unprecedented heights,” and further, “UMK’s status proves that a large percentage of the biggest Finnish music phenomena and hits have come from none other than this open call for song entries. UMK is not just the preserve of big-name artists or recording companies – every year, we also see many incredible indie artists and artists from small recording companies.”
Eurovision is just around the corner again, and the opening of selection for UMK shows how serious countries are taking the contest. Finland finished 2nd last year with Kaarija winning the televote with his Finnish song “Cha, Cha, Cha”. Since Eurovision, the song has gone on to become the most streamed Finnish song of all time.
What acts would #YOU like to see in UMK 2024? Let us know on our forum HERE, or on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok and Discord.
