Finland FINLAND 2014 - Softengine - Something Better

[12Points]

I wonder if winners like Krista or Pernilla can participate again on UMK, can they?

 

[Joni]

^ I guess they can (but if they will, I won't watch..)

 

[12Points]

Is UMK a competition only for new singers, or does have-been singers can participate on the show too?

 

[Mattan]

Is UMK a competition only for new singers, or does have-been singers can participate on the show too?

As far as I know, anyone can join UMK, but why would an established singer want to participate in a format where s/he listen to more or less qualified judges' comments about what worked, what didn't, and how the performance has developed over the weeks?

If an established singer makes a performance, I assume it will be polished from the moment the cameras turn on. No development process from demo to finished product will be shown for the TV cameras, just a bit of fine-tuning. That's also how I feel an Eurovision hopeful's performance should be, and that's why I dislike UMK, even though the format has produced a good entry in two of the three years we've been stuck with it.

 

[Mickey]

I wouldn't worry too much about this thread being quiet. Softengine were selected a while ago and they haven't been particularly active on the ESC promo tour scene. Their style of music isn't massively popular among the Eurovision fans on this forum and it's not among the first few with the bookies.

What it is, though, is the best rock entry since Lordi. There are plenty of casual ESC watchers who like rock music; my friends that I have my party with vote for the rock song every year. The guy at work who I talk ESC with likes his rock and A Friend In London is his favourite entry ever. This song has a massive audience to tap into. It'll do fine.

 

[sharkan]

As far as I know, anyone can join UMK, but why would an established singer want to participate in a format where s/he listen to more or less qualified judges' comments about what worked, what didn't, and how the performance has developed over the weeks?

If an established singer makes a performance, I assume it will be polished from the moment the cameras turn on. No development process from demo to finished product will be shown for the TV cameras, just a bit of fine-tuning. That's also how I feel an Eurovision hopeful's performance should be, and that's why I dislike UMK, even though the format has produced a good entry in two of the three years we've been stuck with it.

Toni Wirtanen is like A class in Finnish music industry. So I wouldn't discredit him. Aija usually is focused on vocals what is also important. Tomi is there just for the fact that YleX is heavily involved in the process. I don't get only presence of Redrama in the jury. But all in all I find them very competent.

I think it is honest towards viewers that they don't hide that submitted songs are demos or that artists are newbies. In Denmark vast majority of participants of DMGP are also unknown but they are presented as superstars and that is super annoying.

Besides, we don't kow whether UMK will be next year in the same form as in last 2 years. YLE had 3-year contract for it. Maybe there will no document shows (or they will be just available online), maybe jury will not be so present or something ? Who knows.... and I think it is just a matter of time if Jannika B will be involved as a participant

I really like UMK 2013-2014 lots of good songs, great production with specific concept. I like it! I hope it will be maintained in one way or another. This was huge improvement on the domestic level in comparison to last years of Euroviisut [2010-2011], which were just terrible.

 

[Mattan]

The last years of Euroviisut were terrible, but my issue with UMK is that they're competing for a place in an international contest with millions of viewers, not for UMK victory, as YLE seems to like putting it (though the information about Eurovision has clearly been better this year). It's good that they're honest with who is competing, but what would be even better is that all artists, known or not, would have a readymade package from the moment the TV cameras turn on and then the viewers could enjoy watching actual performances and voting for them (I'd like to see 100% televote, by the way) - rather than what UMK is like now, demo performances ad nauseam, the judges saying the same pointless stuff over and over, too many shows where nothing happens (see one eliminated entry per heat for details) and several weeks later twelve songs have become eight and even then the jury can ruin the chances of half of the field right off the bat.

As for the jury members, Toni Wirtanen and Redrama both know what they're doing, the others I'm doubtful about. However, even for the duo I mentioned, they've made cringeworthy comments about songs "being good for Eurovision" and being the human beings they are, they're behind their favourites from day one (and every step of the way is shown on TV), so it's not exactly difficult to see what songs have a chance of winning after the jury is done voting.

Would a rebirth of Euroviisut be better? Considering how bad it was, I have doubts, but since the UMK final actually is the best NF entertainment we've had for a long time, they seem to have the resources to make a good show if they try. It's just that the rest of UMK is plain boring.

---------

On a different note, Softengine's comments about having number 32 in the final had the reason I was suspecting.
When asked about it, the band members said they had heard every country has been given a number for the final running order, and the countries that don't make it into the final will simply be removed from the list. This would mean Softengine performs somewhere near the end. They also mentioned they didn't know if that information was true.

 

[Matt]

On a different note, Softengine's comments about having number 32 in the final had the reason I was suspecting.
When asked about it, the band members said they had heard every country has been given a number for the final running order, and the countries that don't make it into the final will simply be removed from the list. This would mean Softengine performs somewhere near the end. They also mentioned they didn't know if that information was true.

I'm sorry but that is ridiculous. I understand that you don't have to be an expert of a festival or concert that you are taking part in but you should at least know the basics. It just seems rather unprofessional on your end when your blur out random things you heard.

Oh well the fact they have (IMO) the worst song makes me probably bias towards them so touche......

 

[toinou03]

Softengine rock it all !!!

I like the fact that UMK is looking for gifted newcomers. It's somehow more interested than a torrent of has-beens or desperate singers with only musical horizon to take part in Eurovision (wich is worrying as well somehow).

Good if some singers don't care or don't know where they are heading. Even most of our entrants nderstand nothing about Eurovision. And somehow, it shows that they have better things to do.

I think Finnish TV is learning. In 2012, it was quite impossible to understand anything about what was going on. Whole selection was dull. And it was only saved by chosing the rush of fresh air of Pernilla.

2013 was already more simple and great !
This year was even better.

They could make the heats more simple, copying the system of Eesti Laul, but already, it's great, and it's a mark of respect for the artists to propose real showcases and confrontations with real public

And anyway, it's Finnish, so it can't be bad. It's written !

 

[Katinka]

I thought that"The number 32 case" was funny, not a dangerous thing. ESC is not so serious. The Softengine boys are very young and ESC isn´t very popular among all people. That rumour can be simply a misunderstanding.

 

[Joni]

I liked UMK 2013 quite a lot (though not the winner), 2014 not so much. I hope next year there will be... well, something better..

 

[sharkan]

This year there were so many good songs: Mikko Pohjola, Softengine, MIAU, Hukka ja Mama, Jasmin Michaela, Lili Lambert, Lauri Mikkola

 

[cegs5]

I liked UMK 2013 quite a lot (though not the winner), 2014 not so much. I hope next year there will be... well, something better..

I heard or read somewhere that this year's UMK was a flop in audience, as the first edition was. Only last year's filled the expectations and even more...I think YLE should re-think the format because it's boring as hell and lots of money goes for nothing. So many shows for a mediocre performers, I think only one day of competition should be enough...like a festival.

 

[12Points]

I heard or read somewhere that this year's UMK was a flop in audience, as the first edition was. Only last year's filled the expectations and even more...I think YLE should re-think the format because it's boring as hell and lots of money goes for nothing. So many shows for a mediocre performers, I think only one day of competition should be enough...like a festival.

Back to the Euroviisut format?

 

[Joni]

^ I don't know about that but something definitely needs to be changed, who wants to see the same songs played over and over week after another. And we need more songs than just 12, maybe 20 would be good.

 

[sharkan]

I don't have problem that we listen to the same song one week after another. And I like that there is only 12 songs because you can get to know these artists and identify with them.

I don't like selection with too many songs. For example, I am quite discouraged to follow NF when there are more than 15 songs. Usually I like Hungary in Eurovision but I am quite annoyed that they release all 30 songs at once.

I think in UMK elimination element should be increased or they should do just a final. This year I was in the audience and it was amazing

One thing which I appreciate in UMK is the fact that it delivers many not typical eurovision songs and this approach should be maintained.

 

[cegs5]

I think 10 songs in a only one night show would be enough...just like Miss Suomi

 

[Joni]

^ Yeah, if there are GOOD songs. By good I mean top 5 material. In 2013 we had 1 such song, in 2014 zero. That has to change.

 

[sharkan]

Since when the quality of song is measured by the position in ESC ? It is just a matter of taste if these songs are good or not. Last year top 5 was full of crappy songs (the only good one was Norway). It's not gonna be better this while Denmark will be in top 5 again.

I think both 2013 and 2014 UMK finals were very good with plenty of unusual songs for ESC.

 

[Joni]

Yes, I understand your point and agree (about the top 5 and Norway last year and Denmark this year). But it's not fun to be the 25th year after year after year either, so something has to be done differently. We want to send a quality entry. It might be an unusual one, but it should be liked by the European voters as well. Did I make any sense?