Pete Parkkonen and Linda Lampenius have secured a record-breaking UMK victory with 'Liekinheitin,' but their journey to Vienna 2026 is far from simple. As Finland eyes its second Eurovision trophy, Ben Robertson reports from Tampere on the political pressures, boycotts, and the difficult balancing act facing the artists.

Dude Points examines the power and responsibility placed on Sanremo's Artistic Director. With complete control over the songs, the acts and the presentation, their decisions echo across Italy and the world. Were the right choices made in 2026?

UMK has evolved into an "artist bootcamp" where Finnish technical precision meets a rebellious, no-rules creative spirit. Ben Robertson writes how this National Final puts in an effort like no other to produce each three-minute performance and delivering quality, rather than quantity.

From Ermal Meta’s political lyrics to Luche’s Neapolitan roots, Dude Points discovers what makes Sanremo 2026 a must-watch event for music fans as we preview its 76th Festival della Canzone Italiana.

While most National Finals focus on finding a song, Melodifestivalen focuses on keeping a nation glued to the sofa. This year's Melfest has seen production decisions and scripting been a bigger focus than ever being the source of controversy, but why is entertainment so important to this show?