Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

The first artist for Burgas 2027 Eurovision song contest is out and it's not a random newcomer but an established artist with a long international career and many albums published: George Perris. George Perris George Perris (43) is a Greek answer to Michale Bubble or Josh Groban at quick glance to his discography: pop, standards, cover, a couple of Christmas albums in various languages: Greek, English, French and Spanish thrown in. He has worked with famous Greek tenor Mario Frangoulis and Eurvision veteran Lara Fabian among others. His career has taken him to Canada and USA where he has done tv-shows and tours not forgetting Australia and Asia.  His discography goes from Greek pop in his debut album to French pop in his French language album to more easy listening standars, covers and Greek more traditional music to Christmas albums and live concert albums. If you are looking for some uptempo songs you need to go to his debut album in 2005 which is pretty good btw. My other favour...

  This week we have two Eurovision veterans and two newbies who could end up at UMK anytime now, Emi and Rosi. The Rasmus is touring South America while releasing a new single, and Blind Channel is making a comeback with a new album and line up. Hokka has left the band and has now his new band, Hokka - already featured in this #Finpop series. Enjoy! ROSI - SULLE, RAKKAUS THE RASMUS - DARK SUMMER BLIND CHANNEL - MESSIAH EMI - OMIA POLKUJAAN

The other selection for Sanremo Giovani, Area Sanremo has revealed the list of 462 artists who have been invited for the live auditions in Sanremo between November 6 and 12. And yes, just like the one organized by Rai ( read more here ) many come from X Factor or Amici or previous participations and yes, one winning it all could end up to Burgas via Sanremo. Out of these 60 will be selected for another auditions on November 14 and 15, and 15 will be selected finally for the final phase along with Sanremo Giovani's 15. 3 + 3 will make the final on December 11 and as mentioned one out of those six finalists will get the ticket to Sanremo 2027 and who knows, Eurovision 2027. Among thse we have several familiar names from X Factor like eroCaddeo (runner up in 2025, the winner Rob is running in the final 15 via Sanremo Giovani). Then we have Kimono (Winner in 2019 and tried Area Sanremo already in 2024 finishing in Top-19). Also from X Factor is Gabriele Esposito (2017), as well as Pabl...

  This week features #Finpop veterans and UMK veterans Benjamin, Bess and Costee, and hopefully soon an UMK veteran Kaukua. Btw a Benjamin/Bess collaboration is heavily rumored for UMK 2027 (tbh like every year) and as a gossip Costee just got married. Enjoy! KAUKUA - VANHOJA MUISTELLAAN BENJAMIN - BADABIM (My kind of terapiaa) BESS - KUUDES AISTI COSTEE - ENNEN SUA

Sanremo Giovani or Newcomers, literally Young has sorted out its first 60 that made it. These 60 will be invited to live auditions and 15 will make it to the televized selection and eventually to the final and the winner will be get the ticket to Sanremo 2027 as one of the 24 Big and who knows, all the way to Burgas Eurovision? (A hat trick previously managed only by Mahmood and in a way Francesco Gabbani). Along Sanremo Giovani there's also AreaSanremo selection going on, each providing 3 of the 6 finalists of Sar?a Sanremo. But how "new" the selected ones are? Eight names have already participated in Sanremo Giovani in 2023-25. Ten have participated already in X Factor inclusing a recent winner and runner up. Seven names come out of Amici reality show. Then we have a name that has already done Eurovision song contest and scored international hits and a couple of names from other festivals or contests like Nuova Scena or Musicultura. Or even Rai's primetime entertain...

A bit over month to go before Stefano de Martino will reveal the 23 Big artists for the 77th Sanremo festival to be held next 16-20 February with the special Eurovision selection show to be held on 19. Stefano De Martino will be first new Artistic director after five years of Carlo Conti, five years of Amadesu and two odd editions in between by Claudio Baglioni.  De Martino is of different generation at 37 than the three others (65-75 years) but the rumored artist list seems pretty much same as every year. Quite a few rappers included but it's clear they all won't make it, it's been the same the past years. It'll be interesting to see how much different the final list will be from this rumored and speculated one published by All Music Italia (and some others). Another thing to look forward and to pay attention is the more focused Eurovision link. I still think the special Eurovision night is not needed and eventually may only end up harming Italy's results in the co...

  This week's dose of #Finpop features already familiar Aliisa and Aleksanteri with newer names Sofia and Niilo. Enjoy! ALIISA SYRJÄ - HULLU NAINEN ALEKSANTERI HAKANIEMI - SULHANEN SOFIA VOLTTI - IHMINEN NIILO - KAUNIITA KAHDESTAAN

Last but not least Cambodia staged its national selection for Eurovision song contest Asia 2026. Seven songs participated and there was the already familiar voting system of 40% jury, 40% local vote and 20% international vote. Only the Top-3 was announced. Monetrey won followed by Koserrr and Nov Dana. Monetrey Ek is an up and coming Cambodian singer-songwriter. He has some ten songs published on Spotify and 50.000+ monthly listeners. Results: 1. Monetrey - I let you go Kesorrr - Goddess Nov Dana - Smoke on the Mekong Goofy - Fly MC Pich - Nor na ke nor (Who's that) Sam Rocker - Angels Satiya - Motherland You can watch the show as usual on eurovision.com's Youtube  Below are some more Monetrey songs:

 #Finpop 2026 with girl power! Four new names to add to this endless #finpop list.  Will they become familiar names from UMK 2027 or after that? Time will tell! ANNIEEVA - MÄ EN HALUU KUOLLA KEIJU - VAIKKA SE VEIS MULTA HENGEN IDA - VÄÄRÄ NAINEN IRA - RAI RAI RAI

Nepal was also chosen for the very first Eurovision song contest Asia. The national final - post boned due to terrible Tibet flood from the origal September 19 to October 7. A total of 11 songs competed and after the already familiar 40% jury, 40% national viewers and 20% international viewers the top was revealed. Pratik Himal Rai won ahead of Allam Aadesh and Bullet Flo with Preeti Kaur. Pratik Himal Rai is a Nepali singer, songwriter and performance and has been around already a decade with experience of television shows including The Voice of Nepal and has impressed the audiences with his blend os different musical genres. Now he's off to his biggest challenge so far: Bangkok 2026.  1. Pratik Himal Rai - Ananta Maya (नन्त माया)  Allam Aadesh - Byakta (व्यक्त)  Bullet Flo and Preeti Kaur - Golden Danfe Amit Baral - Sundar Sansar (सुन्दर संसार)  Amrita Limbu - Madhos Raat (मधोस रात) Beyond - Control Meghna Gewali - Kanchi Nani (कान्छी नानी)  Nirmala Ghale...

       Another dose of #Finpop 2026. This time with UMK veteran Viivi who's new album went straight to #1 with a cover that was waiting for a permission a good four years, do you recognize the song? Then we have another UMK veteran Sara Siipola eityh already familiar Noto and newer names Kielletty Ruusu and Jamie. Enjoy! VIIVI / ELASTINEN - SYDÄN KIELLETTY RUUSU - MISSÄ EI AURINKO LASKE NOTO / SARA SIIPOLA - MITÄ JÄÄ JAMIE - TAKAS SUN LUO

Bangladesh had its national final for Eurovision song contest Asia 2026 on September 30, 2026. After the already usual ESCA voting system of 40% jury, 40% national and 20% international viewers vote accapella and beatbox group Beathomsphere won before Pulak Adhikary who placed second and Vintage Theory third.  Beatmosphere was formed in 2009. Normally a nine-member ensemble, for Voice of Bangladesh they will perform as a six-member group. On stage you'll see Ishtiyak Zobayer (Zardo) and Sayed Ahnaf Tahmid (Glizmo) on lead vocals and harmony, along with Sidratul Mursalin Bhasha (Bhasha) and Mahi Bin Ashraful (Sykoverse) on harmony. Further harmonies will come from Moktadir Dewan (BeatBaksho), also on vocal bass and baritone, while Mahi Hossain Khan (Invalíd) will be providing beatbox and vocal percussion. They have released one single Shob kichu bhalo lage prior to their winning entry Tumi ele.  Voice of Bangladesh results: Beatmopshere - Tumi ele (winner) Pulak Adhikary ...

Mongolia has internally chosen Beck as  their debut at Eurovision song contest Asia. He will perform several songs on the national final show on October 10, 2026 and once again people at home and abroad along with the jury will pick up the song he will perform in Bangkok in November. Beck Munkhbayar is a seasoned entertainer, presenter, actor, model, podcaster and singer in Mongolia having made his singing debut some 20 years ago, and he's been dreaming of doing Euroviison since 2000. Who could have believed just a couple of years ago his dream would become reality and especially for his native country?! Isn't he lucky? Considering his long career it's incredible how little life he has online anywhere, at least in western platforms. Basicly nothing. So let's all be surprised what he's going to offer..... Update: The Mongolian national final took place on October 10, 2026 and it was very 1990's Eurovision national final show type pof a show what came to staging, ...

Also Thailand have staged their national final Thailand's chosen one. Ten songs took part Sunday night voted by professional jury (40%), televote (40%) and international vote (20%). Only top-3 was announced and Mang & Daou won with Aroma. Gam Wichayanee (my favorite) and D Gerrard completed the Top-3.  Piyatida Lekklang aka Mang (26) is a Thai singer who started in a girlband Bamm five years ago before going solo two years ago. She has released one single, Stay strong, before this duet. Pittaya Saechua aka Daou (28) is a Thai singer and actor. His music career started in boyband LAZ1 after winning a talent show in 2022. The year after he released his debut solo single Would you mind. He has starred in two movies and four tv-series so far.  Wonderframe - Girlslikegirls Retrospect - Suriyuprakhon (Eclipse) (สุริยุปราคน) Monica - Kongkruanko i (คงครวญคอย) JMNK - Nonchalant Jetset'er - Oh Yeah Tigger and Tara Viis - Faded Ink Mang & Daou - Glinratree (Aroma)...

  September is nearing the end but #Finpop 2026 keeps coming. The latest interesting releases from 2026. How many UMK 2027 entrants have I featured this season? ELIAS KASKINEN - RAKASTUMISEN OIREET KARIN B - TEATTERII LAGE / ANI - OK RUNO - MURU

Another week, another dose of #Finpop 2026. This time with UMK veteran Kiki, Erika's sister Jennika and already familiar names Ani, Hugo and Alina Burnet - will any of them aim for UMK 2027?  KIKI - KUOLEMANTANSSI HUGO / ALINA BURNET - ENTISEEN ELÄMÄÄM ANI - LIMEE JA SUOLAA' JENNIKA VIKMAN - TAKAS ANJOSIIN

Vietnamese broadcaster  will send Tóc Tién for Eurovision song contest Asia 2026. She was internally chosen but the audience will have a chance to pick up the song at The Sound of Vietnam national final on October 3, 2026 when she presents her five songs by five different production teams. Nguyễn Khoa Tóc Tiên, or simply Tóc Tién (37) is a Vietnamese child star turned into teen idol turned into superstar in her home country. She's besides artist an actress, tv-host, judge at the Voice of Vietnam and Vietnam Idol, multi awarded performer. She has by far the longest Wikipedia page out of artists chosen so far for ESCA. Six albums so far and nearly 30 singles under her belt she's more than ready for Bangkok 2026. Enjoy below some of her previous hits while we wait for the ESCA 2026 entries: Update: She had her final with five songs and the voting was again what seems to become the Eurovision Asia standard: 40% jury, 40% national vote and 20% international vote. In a sleak show she...

Eurovision Asia is using all sort of familiar Eurovision song contest selection methods from internal to national final or like Laos that has opted for selecting the singer and having a song selection final for her where the public will choose one song out of three. All this will happen between September 23 and 24. Thinla, formerly known as Thinlamphone Mahavong, has been around since 2021 and has released some twenty songs already on digital platforms. she mixes in her music traditional music with various genres and has had gigs besides home in Laos also in all around Asia and also Northern America. Eurovision Asia won't be her first time representing her country as she did already so in Busan festival in South Korea, and she has performed in ASEAN summits and  ceremonies. While waiting for her entries enjoy some of her previous songs below, looks like we got yet another interesting talented one for Bangkok: Update: Her winning entry is Bae Her three entries have been revealed:

  Another week, another dose of #Finpop2026.   New names and familiar names including UMK veteran Antti Paalanen collaboration. Enjoy! TYSON BLUE - VIBE AATULOVE - IHMISENPUOLIKAS EGE ZULU - KARISMA DJ OKU LUUKKAINEN / ANTTI PAALANEN - VIELÄ YKSI TANSSI

  Here we go again. This time with Big Names Mikael Gabriel, Sanni and Kaija Koo with slightly smaller up and coming Niilo with Juno. Enjoy! MIKAEL GABRIEL - 4LIFE SANNI - HÄVISIN ERON KAIJA KOO - KANARIANLINTU NIILO / JUNO - VIIMEISEEN TANSSIIN

Another Eurovision song contest Asia 2026 national final has taken place and we have a winner: Junhee has won Korea's Next wave with Deep dive and thus will represent Korea in Nagkok in November.  Park Junhee or박준희 (32) is a singer, songwriter actor and no stranger to entertainment business. He debuted as a member of boy band A.C.E. in 2017 and stayed until 2025 when he started his solo career. He has released two solo  Eps and three singles before Deep dive including La la la lune , Supernova  and Umbrella .  The voting in the final was 40% professional jury, 40% Korean viewers votes and 20% international votes. Only the top-3 was announced: 1 Junhee - Deep dive 2. Sojeong Shim - Eheradiya  3. Angel Noise - Nan Naya! KIK - F1 HuiAe - If I knew love Younghoon Ji - Tiny signal 9278 - MakeItLoud (She barks) Plzy - Toc

Carmelle has won the very first Philippines national final for Eurovision song contest Asia 2026 with Sobra-sobra. And yes it was by far the best entry of the night when mostly it was about big vocals, male make up and drag queen host. And all in all very Eurovision, all cliches added and reminding mostly those 80's and 90's festival songs with big vocals just with a bit more modern touch. Better production than Bhutan but I guess that surprised no one but honestly Bhutan was more interesting and authentic musically to say the least. Carmelle Collado (19) comes from a family of singers and shot to the fame last year winning a talent show Tawag ng Thanghalan. But her career started already at the age of 12 at the World championships  of perfroming arts and lates finishing 2nd in the The Voice Kids and last year she even participated in the Big Brother Celebrity..  Philippine Selection Night final 1. Carmelle - Sobra-spbra (Too much) 2. Saga - Broken beyond repair 3. JM Dela Cer...