Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

  Another dose of #Finpop 2024. We have this time Ilon, already familiar from this #Finpop series with newbie Leeni and a fan favorite for #UMK2025 Tuuli with UMK veteran Robin Packalen with yet another hit single. Enjoy! ILON - UNISSASI LEENI - TYÖN ALLA ROBIN PACKALEN - TÄYDELLINEN EX TUULI - EKAA KERTAA

The past three years the most streamed song on Spotify in Finland has been an UMK entry but not anymore in 2024. Newcomers Mirella, Hugo and Ani took over but Kuumaa was still the second most listened act in general, Sexmane 5th. Their both latest albums made also the list of most listened albums: Pisara meressä (1.) and Hyvikset ja pahikset (6.) The most listened artist was however Turisti , followed by Kuumaa, Mirella, Gettomasa , Sexmane , Ibe , Costi , Taylor Swift, Isac Elliot and Lauri Haav .  1. Mirella - Timanttei 2. Ege Zulu & BEHM - Tunnista tuntiin 3. Mirella & Lauri Haav - Luotathan 4. Mirella - Uuteen eiliseen 5. AHTI & Hugo - Väärään aikaan 6. Kuumaa - Satama 7. Hugo & Costi - Taulut 8. Robin Packalen & Tupe - Häitä pidelly 9. Ani - Jos puhutaan totta 10. Mirella - Sua sattuu In 2021 Blind Channel's Dark side topped the list. Måneskin gave extra Eurovision flavour to the list placing three songs in the Top-10: I wanna be your slave (2.), Euroviis...

Carlo Conti has revealed he listened 280 Big songs, meaning 250 songs didn't make the cut even if a total of 30 songs instead of 24 were chosen. As for the Newcomers 336 songs were submitted for AreaSanremo and 564 for Sanremo Giovani, that's a total of 1.180 songs.  But now as the names are out the betting has also started and in various betting sites the odds seem to be the same for the Top-4 as Elodie, Giorgia, Achille Lauro and Olly in different order, followed by Noemi, Irama and Francesco Gabbani. I personally would love to see Giorgia finally at Eurovision - even if apparently she'd be more likely to say "No, grazie"- or Elodie.  Some authors of the songs have been revealed. Mahmood and Blanco are behind Noemi's song, and Blanco is also a coauthor for Irama and Giorgia.  Tiziano Ferro has written for Massimo Ranieri.  Giorgia comes from a very successful year as X Factor presenter. She has released 11 studio albums and is considered one of the best voca...

Apparently Carlo Conti couldn't decide so the 24 Big artists have become 30! Among them previous winners and Eurovision veterans Francesco Gabbani (2017), Massimo Ranieri (1988) and also Francesca Michielin (2016) and Achille Lauro (San Marino 2022). Other previous winners are Simone Cristicchi (2007) and Giorgia (1995), and among Newcomers Rocco Hunt (2014) and Clara (2024). Eurovision fan favorites Elodie, Coma_Cose, Irama and The Kolors are also back. If Massimo Ranieri (73) is back for the seventh time also another real veteran returns (finally): Marcella Bella (72). This will be her 10th Sanremo.  From last year we have again Clara, Rose Villain, The Kolors and Irama. For the first time ever we have in competition i Sanremo Brunori Sas, Emis Killa, Sarah Toscano (latest Amici winner), Dj and producer Shablo with rappers Gué and Tormento, Joan Thiele, Luco Corsi and Tony Effe. The hot gossip is both Tony Effe and Fedez are in, as Fedez recently divorced Chiara Ferragni, Sanremo...

  Another week, another set of #Finpop 2024. First latest pop sensation Hugo followed by seasoned pop diva Katri Ylander with the song she tried to get into #UMK2024 but didn't make the cut in the end, let's see if she has tried again for #UMK2025?! A name from that or Sex Mane has teamed up with Fabe and finally we have another UMK royalty Kuumaa's lead singer 's lil sister with a song they wrote together, could she be aiming to follow his footsteps?! Enjoy! HUGO - PAINAJAISET KATRI YLANDER - MOSAIIKKI FABI / SEXMANE  - TEHTIIN TÄÄ ELSA BROTHERUS - SE JOKA SUT MENETTÄÄ

UPDATE 4.12.2024: Neonoen have withdrawn and will not go to Eurovision after all. They released the following statement in social medias and RTCG will decide on the new participant in coming days, most probably the runner up Nina Žižić. "“In the best public interest, with the desire to end the uncertainty and once again contribute to the music that we are here for in the first place, we inform you that we are voluntarily withdrawing from participating in Eurovision. RTCG, in accordance with the regulations, will choose another representative, and we will be the first to wish him luck and provide him with full support. “Winning at Montesong brought us publicity whose type and extent we did not choose, nor could we control. We note, and the facts confirm this, that performing the working version of the song live neither jeopardized the Montesong festival process itself, nor could it have influenced its final outcome and our placement. The fact is that there were many similar example...

This week we have newbies Ellimei and Lasse Havu with Ollie that keeps delivering perfect pop songs for years already, wouldn't it be time to play the #UMK2025 card to finally make it to household name? and real veteran group Teleks that also keeps delivering radio pops one after another. Could they be the "oldies" of #UMK2025? Enjoy! ELLIMEI - KERRON SULLE KAIKEN LASSE HAVU - KANTAVAA MAATA OLLIE - SALAISUUS  TELEKS - ELÄMÄ JATKUU 

The ever so popular Vain elämää season 15 this fall had a lot of Eurovision connections as among the ones that gathered together to spend time and cover each other songs were both Hanna Pakarinen and Waldo of  Waldo's People with Eurovision wannabes Eini, Ilta and Marko Hietala of Nightwish fame. Ilta has been a real revelation who has made fantastic covers of everyone's songs. She's certainly one that I'd love to see back in UMK soon! Let's start with Ilta. She covered Waldo's People's Lose control making it a ballad in Finnish as Kiire . And what a heartfelt ballad it became! Not to be less Waldo covered Ilta's Kelle mä soitan . Ilta took also Hanna Pakarinen's Leave me alone and did the same treatment: heartfelt ballad in Finnish as Mee nyt vaan pois   and did it work? Oh yea! But Waldo wasn't yet done with Eurovision as he took also from Eini her UMK entry Draamaa and make it his own. As a bonus here's Waldo and Ilta belting out Hanna Pa...

  Another week, another set of possible #UMK2025 wannabes with their resent #finpop 2024 releases. First we have already established artists Elias Kaskinen and Nelli Matula who are in fact married! They are yet to release something together in duet but I would say these two songs are a kind of distant duet. Then we have Janna, from my eternal wish list for Eurovision, and finally a new name and face, Edvin. Enjoy!  ELIAS KASKINEN - MEIST EI TUU FRENDEI NELLI MATULA - SÄ VOITIT JO JANNA - SYLI EDVIN - UUDESTAAN 

Montenegro is making a welcome return to Eurovision song contest in 2025 in Basel, Switzerland after two years absence. To do so they have reinstalled Montesong contest to pick up the entry. A total of 32 valid submissions were received and they were announced on October 10, and published on November 10, 2024. The Montesong 2025 is set for November 27, 2024 becoming thus the very first national final of the season. Among the artists season's first Eurovision returnee aiming for another go: Nina Žižić of 2013 with Who See and fabulously original Igranka that sadly and undeservedly missed the final placing only 12th in the semi-final.  Below are the entries with my first time hearing generous ranking from * to ***** If in hurry here's a recap Anastasija Koprolčec - Kraj  **** Bend "9" - Stop War  * Boban Rajović - Suze Dolce Hera - Repeat  ** Đurđa - To Ljubav Je  ** Glumci Bend - San  ** Isak Šabanović - Ljeto, Ljeto, Ljeto  *** Kejt - Obala Raja ...

  Here comes another dose of #Finpop 2024 and yes, here's the first officially UMK2025 song as declared by the artist herself, aka a song that didn't make the cut: Sussu's Fake roses. The other artists could easily be also ones that may or may not have submitted a song: Jemina and Kielletty Ruusu newbies waiting for the spotlight and already a seasoned hit maker Suvi Teräsniska who's also employed by Yle in its very popular Elämäni biisi show as one of its house singers. Enjoy! JEMINA - YLPEE SUVI TERÄSNISKA - KAIKKI MUSSA TAHTOO KIELLETTY RUUSU - HULLUKS BAE SUSSU - FAKE ROSES 

Sanremo giovani will be a multi evening affair again and on top of that the separate Sanremo Giovani or newcomers final will be held in Sanremo 2025 festival giving us two winners again in 2025 rather than only one - as it should be if you ask me. Just think about some names that have won the newcomers before making it to the Big category: Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli and Francesco Gabbani. Just to name a few. There will be four heats on November 12, 19, 26 and December 3 presented by Eurovision host Alessandro Cattelan each with six participants, three making it further. The semi-final takes place on December 10 and the 12 will become six.  The final takes place on December 18. The six will become three, and also the two selected by AreaSanremo selection will battle out between them for the last spot. That makes four who will travel to Teatro Ariston in Sanremo in February and have the grand final with new songs.  The Sanremo Giovani selection had 564 submis...

Another week, another dose of #Finpop 2024. This week mostly rather not household names. Costee is the biggest name and is also heavily tipped for possible UMK 2025 participation. NOTO is none other than Italian born Sebastian Noto and the others are talents to be yet discovered by most. Enjoy! GABRI - STARTTAA ÖVERI / NOTO - KAUNIIMPAA COSTEE - SANO VAAN N.E.O. - VÄRITETYS SADUT 

It's finally here. People's champion, Käärijä's second album including a string of hits already released as singles ( Huhhahhei , Kot kot , Sex = Money ) and new songs and the new fantastic single Autiomaa. The album has streamed already triple platinum at its release. The Joost Klein duet TRAFIK! , Antti Tuisku's Auto jää didn't make the cut, nor Toiset samanlaiset with Elastinen.  And before people without sense of humor get upset about the title it simply refers to word play of Finnish champignon/champion as the lyrics go: "When I was little my mom said I would become a champignon, people's champion. I won't get defeated, I stand tall as a mushroom" And indeed he WAS the people's champion in Eurovision 2023 winning the televote. There. And since then has done two sold out European tours with added gigs due high demand, as well as upgraded larger venues. And in Finland he has done probably hundreds of gigs already and all major festivals.  ...

Eurovision song contest winners Måneskin has been a center or split rumors - promptly denied by all members - after Damiano David and Victoria De Angelis both have released solo material and done their own thing.  The most attention is of course on lead man Damiano. He first released Silverlines , a moody ballad and out of the blue right after comes this wonderfully pastel colored Born with a broken heart where he really can showcase his showman and entertainer skills in true Hollywood musical style. Enjoy!

This week we have those Harju brothers again each with their latest offering with added two up and coming female names both tipped for UMK 2025 as well, especially Kiki. I wouldn't mind seeing all of them in UMK if not in 2025 then very soon anyways! FRANS HARJU - MUISTAN KAIKEN  RUNO - POLTAN KAIKEN MIKKO HARJU - ALL IN  KIKI - FOBIA

  Another week, another dose of #Finpop2024. This week only Big names from the Finnihs music industry, all of them numerous hits and sold out arenas with their latest efforts. Could someone of them return or debut to UMK in 2025? Enjoy! (Such a shame the music videos seem to be very rare these days...) BESS - SAANKO MÄ LUVAN ROBIN PACKALEN / TUPE - HÄITÄ PIDELLY SANNI / GETTOMASA - PAPERIHAAVOJA  JENNI VARTIAINEN - VILLIT VEDET

After a break let's relaunch the weekly #Finpop series. And here comes the latest from Eurovision fan favorites Erika Vikman and Käärijä, separate this time but pretty much dealing with the same topic: Sex sells. And what a banger chorus once again from Käärijä! We follow with another Eurovision veteran and another fan favorite, namely Laura Voutilainen (could she be doing a comeback to UMK in 2025?) feeling like a teenager again  and Sara Siipola urging you to love, love, love her. ERIKA VIKMAN - MYYNNISSÄ KÄÄRIJÄ - SEX = MONEY LAURA VOUTILAINEN - TEINI TAAS SARA SIIPOLA - RAKASTA MUA, RAKASTA MUA, RAKASTA

Now that I have finally read Alice's L'Unica via d'uscita é dentro biography, or rather her professional biography as it is very much based on her career and albums rather than her personal life, I can also reveal to those who haven't read it what she thinks about her and Franco Battiato's joint Eurovision song contest adventure in 1984. It's no secret she's not a fan of competitions and festivals. She writes (freely translated): "The year 1984 had been so far very satisfying professionally and marked by two duets. First with German songwriter Stefan Waggershausen and Zu nah am Feur that sold in Germany and other countries over 1,5 million copies and the adorable I treni di Tozeur with Franco Battiato that EMI, our label wanted to send us to Eurofestival with, the poppiest festival in Europe or maybe in the world.  Neither of us was very convinced but decided to play the game. We took it very lightly, as a trip or a little holiday. Zero anxiety, expect...

The Eurovision host city wannabe and UMK 2024 host city Tampere and its Arena are back at it: The UMK 2025 final will be held there again with its pre- and after parties on February 8, 2025 in front of some 20.000 people and yes, the tickets sold out within hours, as did the tickets for the final dress rehearsal earlier on that day. Last year the show was watched on tv by some 1,9 million viewers As before there will be seven entries that will be revealed in January one per day starting on January 9, and the final will have an international jury with 25%  sat in the final results the remaining 75% depending on Finnish televoters.  A total of 485 songs were sent in and in addition to the usual Yle jury of music professionals also five special juries have participated in selecting the seven finalists. Tapio Hakanen, the chairman of the jury says: "This season at UMK, we will see a fine continuation of the Finnish-language pop tradition and a star of the future, who is ...

I treni di Tozeur, the Italian Eurovision song contest entry in 1984 placed 5th and made both Alice and Franco Battiato even more popular abroad but also home in Italy where it was one the Top-20 most sold hits of the year peaking at #3.  The song originally wasn't included in any original studio album of either artist but it was added to the Dutch print of Alice's 1983 album Falsi allarmi, and it was released on CD only in 2005 in Alice's compilation album. Both artists have made their own solo versions of the song: First Battiato with the original arrangement in 1985 Mondi lontanissimi in   Italian , and  Spanish  and English versions in albums Ecos de danzas Sufi and Echoes of Sufi dances, and again in 1986 in Battiato's compilation with a slightly different mix in the end. In 1994 he recorded a symphonic version for Unprotected album.  Alice has recorded the song twice with different arrangements, in both Elisir in 1987 and Personal Jukebox in 2000. ...