A music promoter has recalled the time German Eurovision act Lord of the Lost rocked Newcastle, proving such a success that they were quick to return to kick-off a new UK tour from the city.
The dark rock-industrial metal band, representing Germany at the international song contest in Liverpool, first played to a Geordie crowd in 2017 when they went down a storm. Back then the band, fronted by Chris Harms, were supporting fellow metal group KMFDM and were not well known over here. But they made such an impression that their new fans could not wait to welcome them when they came back the next year on what was their first UK headline tour.
Both Newcastle shows - the first at Think Tank and the next at The Cluny - were promoted by Kev Morris who well remembers the impact they made. He also remembers the band as professional musicians and "great guys - with a good sense of humour and really easy to work with".
Read more: TV timings for Eurovision
Delighted that they've been picked as Germany's entry, he'll be watching their progress closely this Saturday in the Eurovision Song Contest, where they have already performed new track Blood & Glitter - from their album of the same name - in the first semi-final. Kev has even placed a bet on them - admitting he was given 200-to-one odds - as he says it is nice to see a band he's worked with up there in the spotlight.
When he heard Lord of the Lost will be following up Eurovision with a tour supporting Iron Maiden, he had been keen to secure another show in his home city but has been told there are no plans at present to add extra dates. But "anything could happen!" he points out.
And it they actually win, he says they will no doubt need to book those extra dates - and bigger venues. Describing the band as "kind of gothic but also not", with a mix of influences, he recalls their 2017 debut in Newcastle which came about after he had been contacted by a UK booking agent.
By then, he was already a fan himself, having seen them play several times in their native Germany at a music festival he regularly attended, although their only previous UK appearances had been very small gigs in the Midlands in 2010. But he says: "I thought there was a good chance if people came to see them they would enjoy them."
That first support act gig at Think Tank, part of Digital, was part of the band's first proper tour but it was KMFDM, on a first Newcastle visit in a 35-year career, that music fans had come to see. Some even left before Lord of the Lost's came on.
However they left a lasting impression on those who were watching and, on the back of their success, there followed a new 'Thornstar' album and their 2018 headline tour: the first date of which was in Newcastle. And this time, says Kev, "I was blown away by the interest. I know they got absolutely mobbed on the merchandise.
"It was a really good show and they are great guys; professionals in their work and just super-fun people." It's not easy, he thinks, for a band from Europe, singing in their own language, to make an impact on the UK music scene but Lord of the Lost were really pleased to have the opportunity and find so many people turn up to see them.
When Kev himself first saw then perform in Germany, they had one of the worst festival slots going - at 11am for just 20 minutes. Having seen their rise ever since, he is full of praise for everything from their professional videos and production quality to their savvy social media presence, which included them teasing a new album - out of the blue - on Christmas Eve; getting people talking right up to the Song for Germany contest which saw them emerge a clear winner for Eurovision contender.
Kev, who has worked with many bands over the years with upcoming commitments including locals Metal 2 The Masses, is actually expecting Sweden or Finland to win on Saturday night but he reckons England has another strong song too. He was unable to secure tickets to attend the contest in person so will be watching it live on the big screen in Times Square.
Of Lord of the Lost he adds: "I think it will be nice to see them finish in the top half of the table - they would be really happy."
Read Next:
