After many months of speculation, broadcaster YLE has finally confirmed who will represent Finland at Eurovision 2019. Iconic DJ and producer Darude — best known for his 1999 single "Sandstorm" — will represent Finland in Tel Aviv.
The dramatic announcement was made this afternoon in a live stream hosted by Finnish Eurovision commentator Mikko Silvennoinen, Eurovision legend Krista Siegfrids, and Christoffer Strandberg.
TÄSSÄ HÄN ON Suomen menestynein DJ Darude on Suomen euroviisuedustaja 2019 ja kilpailee UMK:ssa kolmella kappaleellaan. Tänä vuonna viedään klubikulttuuri viisulavoille! 2.3.Turun Logomossa selviää, mikä kolmesta biisistä edustaa Suomea Eurovision-mittelöissä toukokuussa. Pysy matkassa mukana UMK:n somekanavissa, tästä tulee hieno kevät!
Darude — otherwise known as Ville Virtanen — will compete at UMK 2019 final with three different songs. The Finnish public and an international jury will vote for the the one they think should go to Tel Aviv.
But Darude won't be doing it alone. The superstar DJ will be joined by vocalist Sebastian Rejman, lead singer and guitarist of band The Giant Leap.
The three competing songs will be released in coming weeks, on February 8, 15 and 22. The three songs will then be performed at the grand final of UMK, this year held in the city of Turku on 2 March.
Darude is best known for his 1999 instrumental trance single "Sandstorm". The track was an international hit and charted around the world, including the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK singles chart.
In recent years, "Sandstorm" has found new life as an internet meme. Thanks to its popularity in gaming videos, this led to the development of a meme where any request for a song title gets the response Darude – "Sandstorm". It looks like that wish has partly come true.
But it is important to recognise that there's more than just that one single in Darude's repertoire. The accomplished international DJ and producer has released four albums and numerous singles.
With a career spanning over two decades, Darude remains a respected musical artist. Most recently he released the single "Timeless", featuring JVMIE.
Sebastian is the lead vocalist, guitarist and songwriter of the Finnish rock band The Giant Leap. The group were most active in the 2000s and the group released two albums. Rejmann also plays with his own band, Sebastian & The 4th Line Band.
What do you think? Are you excited that Darude will represent Finland at Eurovision? What sort of songs should be take to the UMK final? Sound off in our comments section below!
Read more Finland Eurovision news here!
Well my Eurovision experience taught me there is no point of judging artist's participation as we have no song. I have seen both legends deciding to perform nothing interesting and "almost amateurs" that did very well. Good luck, Finland. I will judge it when songs will be uploaded.
I like Finland so much, but this decision makes me puke!
I really don't expect much….he hasn't done anything relevant for the past 20 years….still, I wish Finland all the best.
We have enough bangers, bops and whatnot. Give us more good ballads.
If the University of South Carolina could vote in Eurovision, they would give their 12 pts. to Finland "Sandstorm" is their unofficial fight song.
Despite some early disappointments, 2019 looks lit.
I'm Finnish and i don't see him as big star.
He hasn't had hit songs for decade and many people don't even know him, or if they know, it's only Sandstorm. He is a one hit wonder.
I understand, though Eurovision's one interesting way to wake Darudevil up again.
Yes. I've heard that about you.
So most already know my attitude so far about choices so before people start with the dislike I'm just going to wish Finland good luck. Hopefully the song is captivating and memorable!
Eurovision history is full of examples of artists that had big international careers before they competed in Eurovision long after their peaks – DJ Bobo, Cascada, Bonnie Tyler, Kate Ryan, Münchener Freiheit, Las Ketchup, Nicky Byrne – they all flopped. The biggest exception to the rule is perhaps Katrina and the Waves. I really want Finland to have a good result so I hope they can defy history.
The first time I heard of him was in 2002, and it was by way of "Feel The Beat", which I think is one of quite a few follow-ups that I think is better than the lead-off singles.
He's the reason Finland jumped from 28 to 9 in the odds today. Obviously high expectations about the songs?? We shall see…hope they are bangers!
Bingo! If the guys from Cascada, and even JOWST, were brave enough to try their hand at Eurovision, why not let another DJ try his luck?
Is the first time I agree with Salvador Sobral. This is torture.
See you in 2020 again Finland hopefully with something more inspiring and less desperate or less "we just gave up".
Well, Norway sent a DJ in 2017 and they got top 10.
You know, the last time Finland gave up on trying to win, they won in 2006… so who knows what's gonna be up this year??? ??
No, I don't think you're selfish at all.
LOL… I know, right?… That's actually funny! I guess I have to pop in some aspirines… and let everyone else enjoy the show.
I'll wait until the tracks are released before jumping to conclusions. Both Poland and Norway have tried a DJ + vocalist combo like this recently, with wildly different outcomes.
You presume djs like Darude are not capable of making timely tunes just so they are known for making hits in the past. Maybe wait for the release of his music.
Yea, that's why JOWST came 10th in 2017, right?
Would you say that if PvD had decided to bring his steel to the stage for Germany?
Well, Garrix for Netherlands, Guetta for France and so on 😀 Good choice, he's a legend! Heard the news, got so excited.
captain? what's the artist and the song title?
Brave choice! That's going to be super interesting!
Don't forget we had DJ Bobo for Switzerland in 2007and he got stuck in the SF. It could work either very good o very bad. His music sounds very late 90s, that might be a problem.
Salvador Sobral sounds very 50s and that wasn't a problem.
2007, you say? They should have sent Tatana, who was more famous in Switzerland at the time.
DJ Bobo didn't even DJ. He just jumped around like an idiot.
Wow I love that Finland is being very ambitious this year by choosing such a big name to represent them at Eurovision! I know it's way too early to decide who will qualify but I'm pretty sure Finland will be one of the qualifiers this year.
Ambitious??? It's (YLE) as lost as always! UK had tried this (yesterday's pop-stars) and Finland is now even more late.
Iconic? More like Legendary. This is amazing, and I think that countries like Australia and Belgium in SF1 are going to vote for him.
I'm kind of hopeful. Their song called "Moments" is pretty good so maybe we'll get something similar. Finland is not going to win but probably going to the final.
You can't say they aren't going to win. If they have a winning song, Finland will win!
Now, we know that Finland is strong contender to open First semi final.
Sandstorm is extremely played song. Its maybe most used song in sport events ever and still keep on played everywhere around world. He does not have to make hit like that to do very well. Most known finnish songs are 1. Darude -Sandstorm 2. Bomfunk Mcs -Freestyler. Both are epic songs so this is very nice.
And so Darude becomes the part of Eurovision Memes Pantheon, with Epic Sax Guy on his left, and Verka Serdushka on his right. I'm a bit suspicious, but I believe he's going to make Euroclub go crazy with his song.
What if he got the 1st place! I mean the epic sax guy got 3rd, Verka 2nd and maybe he will be 1st this year!
Very impressed by Finland's effort recently, this year and last year they've selected two of the countries most successful international music exports and I hope it pays off for them!
Saara Aalto is known in britain. She is entertainer but does have any kind of own hits. HIM, Rasmus, Sunrise Avenue, Bomfunk Mcs, Nightwish, Alma comes in mind. Saara Aalto has very untypical career, british has not only saved her career but also gave her career. She is basically british entertainer who has born in Finland.
She has recorded an album in Chinese and did tour with Botticelli. I think that is huge for a Finnish artist.
It would be a bit too late, as it was released in October of 1999.
That doesn't stop him/her from imagining it, though. It's not real!
I'd legit never heard Sandstorm in my life before now, it's the classic example of an early 00s dance hit that was a smash hit everywhere except for Italy. Either way DJ+singer combo is always good, I would've wanted a female vocalist for a change but I have high expectations from this anyway.
I thought I'm the only one who has no idea what this is.
Finland almost always send a good song and deserve credit for taking the show seriously again. I'd love it if some or all the vocals were in Finnish. I love listening to the language even if I don't understand it. Good luck and give us a great dance tune.
It's going to be an EDM song… the chances of it not being in English are slim.
Nice choice, interesting to see if they can win meme votes. Moldova succeded in 2017 but then again the meme was a person on stage.
But whats his song name tho??
I was expecting for some rock from Finland. Maybe Sebastian's presence will mix things up a little bit? I'm not an EDM girl (or a gamer) so I don't think I've ever paid attention to the name Darude before. Though of course I've danced to "Sandstorm" and probably did the same to other of his songs. This will make many people happy and this reason alone makes it a good addition to the lineup.