Tangomarkkinat jury sets three criteria for selecting finalists

The jury of the Seinäjoki Tangomarkkinat song competition has outlined three main criteria for choosing finalists: singing skill, charisma, and the contestant’s development during the competition, according to Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The semifinal in Hyvinkää on Saturday will pick eight finalists for the main event in Seinäjoki. Jury chair Marko Maunuksela, the 2010 Tangokuningas, said the competition is not only about tango but about finding an artist with overall potential. “Tango is one of the most difficult genres in popular music and reveals singing technique,” Maunuksela told Yle. “If the basics are not in place, the voice may go out of tune.”

Charisma, he added, is harder to define but essential. “A charismatic performer knows what they are doing and does not come on stage apologising. If the audience pulls out their phone, something is missing.” The third criterion is the contestant’s growth path, which the jury tracks from initial videos through live qualifiers to the semifinal rehearsals and the televised performance. “We don’t look for perfection,” Maunuksela said. “A small mistake or a slip does not matter.”

Maunuksela also noted that jury decisions have sometimes led to threats from fans. The jury, which includes artists Annika Eklund and Maria Lund as well as Yle music journalist Pekka Laine, may disagree during deliberations, but the chair’s vote is decisive. For viewers, Maunuksela suggested a simple test: “Ask yourself if you would pay 35 euros to see that singer’s concert. If yes, there is something special.”