LIVE REVIEW + PHOTOS: LOREEN AT EVENTIM APOLLO, LONDON 19/03/2023
Full photo gallery here.
Loreen took over the magnificent Eventim Apollo venue in London for a concert where powerful vocals and mystical stage presence were aligned to transport the audience into a different world. The two-time Eurovision winner confirmed that she is not only an icon of the Song Contest, but also an experienced performer who knows her craft, through raw emotions, soaring vocal capabilities and impressive on-stage performance.
After two memorable support acts well in tune with the headliner’s intentions, Czech singer THERA who at 17 year old is already taking the world by storm amassing over 3 million streams across TikTok and Spotify alone and LUNA who represented Poland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 and got the crowd suitably warmed up, the lights went out and the room was filled with a mysterious atmosphere.
Dressed in an impressive silver armour alongside her trademark long nails, Loreen gently graced the iconic stage amid smoke and low lighting in front of a giant ring of light, a portal into her world representing the soul, the spirit and everything beyond the human experience, before the performance kicked off with ‘’Jupiter Drive’’ followed by the 2024 single ‘’Gravity’’. The audience was instantly enthralled with the first couple of songs, but the catchy track ‘’Forever’’ is when the fans could catch a better glimpse of Loreen’s face, out from the shadows, the artist connecting with them with a smile.
Having already won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012 with her iconic song "Euphoria", the Swedish singer went on to become the winner once more 11 years later with her song "Tattoo" at the 67th edition. With this achievement, Loreen became the only woman to win the competition twice, making history.
But the Scandinavian superstar has established herself as more than ‘’just’’ a Eurovision winner, and the show tonight is a testament of that. She is a true performer, with her vocal prowess, mystical stage presence, unparalleled aura captivating the audience throughout the entire set. Similarly to her performance of ‘’Tattoo’’ at the 2023 Eurovision Song Context, every move is intricately choreographed, carrying emotions and tenderness through spiritual, transcendent energy displayed by the multi-platinum and award-winning artist. During ‘’Statements’’ Loreen also incorporated elements of Pink Floyd’s ‘’Another Brick In The Wall’’.
There was also a sense of absolute unity as Loreen performed through her carefully curated 12-song set, with her beloved fans showing unwavering support at all times. Sharing on Instagram earlier this month, ‘’Connection is more than just a bond between people; it is the energy that weaves together our existence, a reminder that we are not solitary beings’’ Loreen said, and connection is what we felt with the artist for almost an hour and a half.
While Loreen is known for her high-energy, dance-worthy anthems such as the unreleased new song ‘‘Coming Close’’, as a vocalist she also has a wide array of softer, more intimate melodies in her arsenal. The slower renditions of ‘‘My Heart Is Refusing Me’’ and ‘‘I’m In It With You’’ offered the crowd a chance to pause, sway, and fully appreciate her vocal capabilities.
Loud cheers and deafening applause resonated when the first notes of the 57th Eurovision Song Contest winning anthem ‘’Euphoria’’ echoed in the room. The ‘‘Mother’’, as fans call her, teased the song for a couple of minutes, stating ‘‘it’s like a gym workout’’, before getting the crowd singing and moving moments later, bringing the house down. Loreen escaped for a few moments in the shadows, before launching into the encore with the 2023 release ‘’Is It Love’’ with the same electrifying power. The energy reached its peak with the highly anticipated electropop infused thune ‘’Tattoo’’ which got the crowd dancing in a frenzy, lyrics belted out from every corner of the room. The echo of the audience reflected their enthusiasm as hundreds of voices screamed the words to the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest winning song, ending the night on a high note.
It wasn’t just a show - it was a journey to another dimension, and Loreen was the guide, leading the crowd through a whirlwind of emotions. It is evident this is just the beginning of an exciting new era for Loreen, as the Eurovision pop sensation has firmly found her devoted fanbase for the long run.
Words and photos by Florelle Servageon.
Full setlist below:
Jupiter Drive
Gravity
Forever
Warning Signs
Hate The Way I Love You
Statements
My Heart Is Refusing Me
I’m In It With You
Dreams
Coming Close
Euphoria
Is It Love?
Tattoo
