Samu Haber has revealed as the host for Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023.
Yle, the Finnish national broadcaster, revealed this morning that Samu Haber will host the 2023 edition of UMK. He will also perform during the show.
Samu Haber is best known as the former lead singer of Sunrise Avenue. The band was formed in 2002 and had their breakthrough with their 2006 single “Fairytale Gone Bad”. After five studio albums, two live albums, three live DVDs, a best-of album and 21 singles, the band went on a farewell tour earlier this year. Samu then began a solo career with Finnish-language music. His debut solo album “Pelastetaan maailma” (Let’s save the world) was released in September and was certified gold. Apart from recording music, he has also been a coach on The Voice of Germany and has taken part in two series of the Finnish music show “Vain elämää”.
Samu is eager to host UMK and do everything to make sure that the artists enjoy their experience:
“I’m working for UMK and I’m part of the machinery that serves the artists. They’re very nervous, so a big part of the job is getting everything we can out of the performers together with the directors, lighting techs, costumers, and other staff.
This UMK gig is the cherry on top to an unbelievably good year, which has included the Sunrise Avenue farewell tour, my new album in Finnish, and the sold-out tour that followed it.”
Samu has previous experience at Eurovision and UMK. He attended Eurovision in 2016 and 2019 and worked behind the scenes at UMK 2022, serving in a management capacity for runner-up Cyan Kicks.
“There can never be too many carnivals in the world, which is why I have always enjoyed Eurovision and the national finals. Finland has entered some really wonderful songs to Eurovision and there’s a genuine dedication to putting on the best possible show. Especially over the past few years, UMK has grown into something that’s truly spectacular. There’s a sense of pride and real showmanship. We’re so over the Eurovision traumas of the past.”
Samu is currently planning his UMK 2023 performance and he promises that it will be memorable.
“A guy with a white t-shirt and guitar might be a bit too run-of-the-mill for the Logomo stage. At UMK, I can definitely go a bit bigger with the sunglasses and a bit heavier on the glitter.”
The seven acts that will participate in UMK 2023 will be announced on January 11. The competing songs will be released on separate days from January 12 to 20. The final of UMK 2023 will take place on February 25 in Logomo in Turku. Logomo will play host to UMK for the second year in a row and the third time overall.
Image Source: Yle/Nelli Kenttä | Source: Yle
Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest
Finland first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1961, they debuted alongside Spain and Yugoslavia. Finland has finished last in the contest on 10 occasions and has received ‘nul points’ three times. It wasn’t until 2006 that Finland won the Eurovision Song Contest. Lordi represented the country in Athens with the song “Hard Rock Hallelujah” scoring 292 points, a record total at the time.