A record number of songs were offered to UMK, and audience judges were also used in the selection

New a record number of songs were offered for the music competition (UMK) this year: 485.

This is a record for UMK’s current application process

The selection procedure of UMK, which acts as Finland’s Eurovisa qualifier, was reformed this year. YleX’s music manager Tapio Hakanen in addition to the professional panel led by Yle, five audience panels participated in the selection, whose members were invited by Yle from various fields.

Based on the jury’s choices, seven songs made it to the actual UMK final.

According to Yle’s press release, the group includes, among other things, “a continuation of the Finnish pop tradition”, “explosive band energy” and “an epic dance banger”. In addition, German is heard in one song.

UMK final will be held at Tampere’s Nokia Arena on February 8, 2025.

Last year, there was an audience of almost 20,000 people, and 1.9 million viewers followed the live TV broadcast, as well as just under a million foreign viewers via Yle Areena.

Ticket sales for the final will begin on Thursday, October 3.

The final artists will be announced on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. The songs and music videos will be heard and seen by the public from the 9th to the 17th. January. One new final song will be released every day.

The winner of UMK will represent Finland in the Eurovision final in Basel, Switzerland, from 13 to 17. May.