Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (”New music contest”) brings together 18 Finnish acts who compete for the chance to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest in May.

The contest, which is organised by the Finnish broadcasting company YLE, is held for the fourth time this year. Last year’s winner, pop rock band Softengine, received 72 points and came on the 11th place (Finland’s best position since 2006, when hard rock group Lordi won the Eurovision Song Contest).

This year’s contestants present a wider array of different genres than ever before, from Ooppera Skaala who combine opera and EDM to Solju, whose music combines contemporary pop with Sami yoik. Other exotic candidates include Norlan El Misionario, a Cuban artist singing in Spanish and Shava, who are most likely the only group in the world to combine Indian bhangra music with Finnish suburbia vibes. 

Pertti Kurikan nimipäivät, the punk band consisting of handicapped men has received plenty of media attention ahead of the contest: The Independent wrote an article about the band, and Death and Taxes Mag’s article was shared by Dead Kennedys. The band, who played in SXSW and Eurosonic in 2013 (and won the Film Audience awards in the aforementioned event with their documentary film The Punk Syndrome) is considered a strong candidate in the competition. 

The first semi-final is held on Saturday February 7, where three acts out of six will head to the finals. The winning act is chosen on February 28, and will represent Finland on Eurovision Song Contest on May 23.

Contestants

First round

Hans On The Bass – "Loveshine"
Vilikasper Kanth – "Äänen kantamattomiin"
Norlan El Misionario – “No Voy A llorar Por Ti”
Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät – "Aina mun pitää"
Pihka ja Myrsky – "Sydän ei nuku"
Satin Circus – "Crossroads" 

Second round

Jouni Aslak – "Lions and Lambs"
Eeverest – "Love It All Away"
Otto Ivar – "Truth or Dare"
Ooppera Skaala – "Heart of Light"
Shava – "Ostarilla"
Siru – "Mustelmat"

Third round

Aikuinen – "Kyynelten lahti"
Ida Bois – "Kumbaya"
Järjestyshäiriö – "Särkyneiden sydänten kulmilla"
Angelo de Nile – "All For Victory" 
Heidi Pakarinen – "Bon Voyage" 
Solju – "Hold Your Colours" 

Watch the videos of all the contestants below.