Around the world schools, cafés and restaurants have all closed as we self-isolate to slow the spread of coronavirus. But shut doors don’t mean that the music dies. And now The Roop — Lithuania’s Eurovision 2020 act — have proven the point once more, offering their own take on the Eurovision Home Concert concept.
Vaidotas Valiukevičius, Robertas Baranauskas and Mantas Banišauskas may not be headed to Rotterdam, but they are definitely still going places — and taking their fans with them. We recently caught up with the band for a video interview (we’ll publish it on Sunday morning) about the cancellation of Eurovision 2020 and their thoughts on entering next year’s national selection. Afterwards they kindly filmed themselves performing “On Fire” from the comfort of their respective homes.
Despite not being in the same room, they still burned bright — unleashing a wave of positivity and charisma…not to mention one very recognisable magnifying glass.
This abridged take on their tune carries an important message for all of us right now: “Through the clouds there comes the sun.” Stay at home and hang in there!
The Roop sing “On Fire” LIVE during quarantine
The Roop at Eurovision 2021?
On March 31, Lithuanian broadcaster LRT confirmed that Lithuania will still hold a national selection in 2021. That is perhaps not a surprise, as Lithuania hasn’t made an internal selection since 1994.
However, Deputy Director General of the LRT Gytis Oganauskas added that they have offered The Roop a direct pass to the grand final of Pabandom iš naujo 2021. He noted that they had attempted to find a creative solution that did not deprive The Roop, but also did not deprive other Lithuanian performers the opportunity to continue creating new songs:
“We are all saddened by this situation – ‘On Fire’ was one of the main contenders to win [Eurovision 2020]. It received much sympathy both in Lithuania and abroad, but unfortunately can’t appear on the big Eurovision stage.
“Eurovision is first and foremost a song contest, which is gaining popularity every year in Lithuania, stimulating the creation of new songs and performances, thus attracting many who wish to try their hand at music producers and performers. We were looking for a solution to not deprive them of this opportunity, and at the same time not to deprive The Roop.
“As a result, we have made a somewhat non-standard decision. We will be preparing for a new national selection, and The Roop will automatically appear in its final. We greatly appreciate and thank The Roop for taking a responsible approach in preparing for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.”
Although LRT have made the offer to The Roop to compete in the grand final of Pabandom iš naujo 2021, the band have not yet decided whether to accept. Vaidotas Valiukevičius, the group’s leader, states:
“We understand that a variant was found that would suit the LRT and the group. Will we be involved in the screening, albeit on an exclusive basis? We don’t know yet. It’s only been a month and a half since winning the song “On Fire.” Everything is going very fast. Too fast. We need to think and make the decision much later.”
Vaidotas is so hot, I melt.
THE ROOP . my pesonal band of the year. my winners 2020.
I love On Fire 🙁 So sad that I won’t be seeing it on stage!