Pete Parkkonen

About Pete Parkkonen

Pete Parkkonen is a Finnish singer known for his work in Finnish pop, iskelmä, and Finnish rock. He gained prominence after participating in the fourth season of the Finnish Idol competition in 2008, where he finished third. Following his time on Idol, he launched a successful solo career, releasing his debut album "The First Album" in 2009, which quickly topped the Finnish Albums Chart. In his latest endeavors, Pete Parkkonen has made significant international headlines. He is set to represent Finland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 alongside violinist Linda Lampenius with their song "Liekinheitin" (meaning "Flamethrower"). They won Finland's national selection contest, Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK) 2026, with a record-breaking 570 points. Their song, "Liekinheitin," blends pop and classical influences and features spectacular staging, including jets of real flames. The duo successfully qualified for the Eurovision 2026 Grand Final in Vienna after performing in the first semi-final on May 12, 2026. The Finnish delegation even secured special permission for Linda Lampenius to play her 18th-century violin live during the performance, as instruments are typically prerecorded at Eurovision, arguing that her violin acts as her voice in the duet. Their collaboration is highly anticipated, with many considering them early favorites to win the contest. Parkkonen also released the single "Tytär" in 2024, featuring ANI, Anna Puu, Ujuni Ahmed, and Vilma Alina. His last album, "PETE," was released in 2018.