Join me tonight for a live coverage of the first heat of UMK 2013. Six artists will be on stage, voted by the jury and the public for the first time. Two will secure a place in the final, one will be sent home. The others will still have hope alive to get the final ticket from the semifinal. Anssi Kela is the guest star tonight.
Coming live from the sold out Circus in Helsinki. Watch it live here from 19.45 CET.
19.40 The backstage UMK+ has just started. With a black screen and nonsense talking. Apparently eveything's not working out as it should have :-)
19.45 Ok, it all restarted with the view, too. Maybe it was better without. The presenters Ile & Anni are now interviewed and they confess being a bit nervous. Then they go and chat with Diandra, who sits in the make-up. She tells what she's been up to since presenting the demoversion to the judges. Mert Otsamo who designed her dress and Ville who takes care of her make-up and hair had a chance to wave, too. She says she's not sure her entry will be included in her new album....Then they talk with Anssi Kela and this blogger wonders why he's here? Ah, to promote his new single and album. Of course. And he has courage to say he has never watched any UMK episodes... Oh well. Then we chat with Rautakoura, who come across as boring as always. But now it's time to drop this plus from UMK and get to the business itself!
20.01 Here we go! The stage is simple and rather small, but this is a nightclub after all. The look is already familiar from the earlier presentation shows. The judges are presented and they are familiar already as well, their vote counts 50% tonight, the other half is the televote. The voting is already open. And without further a do it's time for Iina!
19.40 The backstage UMK+ has just started. With a black screen and nonsense talking. Apparently eveything's not working out as it should have :-)
19.45 Ok, it all restarted with the view, too. Maybe it was better without. The presenters Ile & Anni are now interviewed and they confess being a bit nervous. Then they go and chat with Diandra, who sits in the make-up. She tells what she's been up to since presenting the demoversion to the judges. Mert Otsamo who designed her dress and Ville who takes care of her make-up and hair had a chance to wave, too. She says she's not sure her entry will be included in her new album....Then they talk with Anssi Kela and this blogger wonders why he's here? Ah, to promote his new single and album. Of course. And he has courage to say he has never watched any UMK episodes... Oh well. Then we chat with Rautakoura, who come across as boring as always. But now it's time to drop this plus from UMK and get to the business itself!
20.01 Here we go! The stage is simple and rather small, but this is a nightclub after all. The look is already familiar from the earlier presentation shows. The judges are presented and they are familiar already as well, their vote counts 50% tonight, the other half is the televote. The voting is already open. And without further a do it's time for Iina!
Iina is dressed in golden minidress and sport wild blond curls. She has her three backing boys as well with their funny choreography. A good act, she sings well. Me likes. Toni Wirtanen liked it, too. Aija agrees it was much better than before, especially stage presense and the production. Tomi agrees the song is better and so is the presentation, maybe even more contact with the audience though. And Redrama agrees with all the others. Judges like, I like... but will televoters like it?
The boys have changed their look and really look good tonight, very fitting to the song. And it's much, much more energetic than in the presentation show. Aija says they look great and the live audience set them on fire. A little critic on vocals though. Tomi agrees they need live audience to show what they've got. Redrama praises their interaction with the public and Toni liked this already before. The reproduction has highlighted the chorus and it sounds much better. Well done Pandas!
He's left the pullover home and dressed in a smart suit, with live musicians on stage and sings very well. The first presentation was so magical it's hard to top that but this is so good anyways! Maybe not so intense but good. Applauses during the song, and a huge one after. Great stuff indeed! Tomi confesses he didn't get this song at first, but has now had a complete change of heart, worh cold shivers all over his body. Redrama says he has nothing to better, it's perfect as it is. And he should never change. Toni agrees with Tomi, he has changed his mind about this and loves it now. He warns him not to get too proud and lose it. Aija continues praising him. So, the judges love him, so do I. Soon we will know if the televoters agree....
The rockshow on stage and a lot of long hair. I must admit I still don't care much for this. THis is supposed to be funny (with lyrics) but I find it only rather stupid. Maybe I don't have sense of humor then. Obvisously this works much better on stage than only hearing it but still... Quite entertaining, but that's it for me. Redrama says it's energetic, good singer but he just doesn't like this song, he has tried but no. I agree. Toni says they look good, girls like it but... Aija also praises the group and his singing. Tomi who insisted having this in top-12 doesn't seem to be sure anymore either. Hmm, no votes from judges here me thinks.....
Rautakoura - Ilmalaivalla
Ok, this was much better than before. On the other hand the presentation gig was so bad it's hard not to do this better. Still I find this annoying and totally unsuitable for Euroviison. These guys would pee their pants on stage in Malmö. Not for me. The audience went quite wild though. Toni is a bit confused as well. He thinks this is maybe the best song here but the band is so unsexy it hurts. Aija wonders their success in Circus as well and they have improved a lot. Tomi says this is music for mothers who were ready to throw their undies to the stage, against all odds. He thinks they finally shined on stage. Redrama likes the song and says they have improved hugely. Hmm, I'm afraid now. They might be the shocker qualifier here tonight?
Totally new look for Diandra, and she even has two male dancers on stage. Not sure if they add to the song but at this point they will do. Diandra sings well for sure. Aija likes her hair and look and thinks it fits her well. She also likes the re-production and her concentration on stage. And yet she is sweet. Tomi states she is a pre-contest favorite and wonders if it gives her extra pressure. Tomi praises her voice and has even learned to like the song. He wasn't sure about the dancers and thinks she will go far. Toni says they all thought she would walk this but it isn't so sure anymore, she has to fight and work for it and she says she will.
Now we have a ittle break and the show continues after the break. You can follow the backstage in UMK+ in YLE Areena though....where Iina and Ilari are being interviewed. The host asks them to do a duet; rock cock and soul sister. Then he's off to Last Pandas and asks why they have a such a sad name and where is the famous Panda eyes? (They might return on later stage). Then some talk about reindeers and how proud they are to represent Lapland and the northern Finland. And next we have Mikael Saari, Finland's Adele (??). Mikael tells this is not about his ex and it's not about his own life. Ok. And then we have Max Perttula, a guy who invents perfumes.... And that has to do with UMK?
21.05 We are back. The voting is still on and here comes another recap. And then the judges give their votes.... Toni gives full points to MIkael. So does Aija! Also Tomi gives highest points to Mikael! And finally so does Redrama....
Jury votes: Mikael 38, Diandra 32, Iina 29, Last Panda 27, Rautakoura 26, Ilari 21
21.15 The voting is now closed. Anssi Kela takes the stage.... So it looks like Mikael and Diandra will make the final as I believe they both get also a lot of televotes. Ilari will most likely be kicked out tonight as I suspect Rautakoira will get more votes from the public. But let's wait and see....
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