Theodor Andrei represented Romania at Eurovision 2023 with the song “D.G.T. (Off and On)”. Now, in an exclusive interview with Wiwibloggs, he’s sharing more about his future plans, including his upcoming album and this week’s concert in London. And yes: The tea is still steaming. He’s also addressing all of the questions about his Eurovision journey and the issues with the national broadcaster TVR.

New Music is Coming 

Theodor fondly recalls his interactions with Eurovision fans as one of the most incredible experiences in his career. He expresses his happiness at being able to create a fanbase beyond Romania and feels grateful for the incredible support from Eurovision fans. He excitingly announces his plans to produce an international record, fully in English, dedicated to his international audience.

“Well, maybe not only in English,” he adds. “We will have a Spanish song, a French song, and maybe an Italian song as well.” The international record will consist entirely of original songs, with no covers.

He is currently working on his next Romanian album titled “Echilibru” (Equilibrium). The album will be divided into three chapters. Following the first chapter, there will be an interlude that takes the form of a letter addressed to his younger self, reflecting on dreams, friendships, and the journey of making those dreams come true, including his Eurovision experience. Additionally, the album will feature strong references to the challenges and issues he encountered during his Eurovision journey.

Struggles during Eurovision  

During Romania’s National Final, all contestants were required to present their own prepared shows. After the National Final, Theodor and his team spent nearly two months rehearsing a show in the TVR studios, which unfortunately was not portrayed in Liverpool.

After participating in a radio show in Romania where artists performed acoustic versions of their songs, the national broadcaster suggested that Theodor change his song to a fully acoustic version. However, Theodor rejected this idea, explaining that creating an engaging show with just him pretending to play an acoustic guitar is not a bright idea.

The national broadcast had specific ideas for Theodor’s staging, such as wearing a black kimono and having a palm imprinted on his guitar to symbolize the title of the song “D.G.T” (pronounced “degete” in Romanian, meaning “fingers”). Many of Theodor’s creative ideas were rejected, including his music video script, with the mention that a live performance video from the national final was sufficient.

Despite the hurdles, Theodor took matters into his own hands and, together with his friends, self-financed and produced the music video for “D.G.T.” The national broadcaster was not pleased with the usage of chains and red paint in the video, claiming it did not align with EBU (European Broadcasting Union) standards. They even threatened legal action if the video was posted. But Theodor posted the video anyway.

Theodor felt disappointed with the staging concept proposed by TVR for Liverpool, but he wasn’t even invited to participate in the meeting where it was discussed. TVR refused to send him the staging idea, worrying that he might share it on social media, similar to how he posted the music video without permission. In the end, they only offered him a sneak peek, showing him a phone recording of a laptop screen.

TVR told Theodor in Liverpool that he only needed to focus on singing, as they were professionals and would handle the rest. Theodor confessed that he knew his show’s staging was inadequate and felt hurt that he couldn’t live up to the expectations of those who genuinely believed in him: “I started to think how to distract the attention from the trash part to my stage presence and my singing. How can I make people not look at everything that surrounds me.” 

 

A solo concert in London

He is all set to make a return to the UK for a concert organized by Platform ’96. Theodor will be performing at Stage 002 on 28 July.

The event will be held at The Water Rats, a renowned venue steeped in music history, having hosted the debut gigs of legendary artists like Bob Dylan, The Pogues, and Oasis.

During the concert, Theodor will be joined on stage by two other bands – British alternative rock band Glass Bridges and London-based rock band Minerva. It promises to be a night full of rock’n’roll, making it the perfect occasion to shake away any post-Eurovision blues.

For those unable to attend the concert in person, there are tickets available for live streaming on Discord. Additionally, everyone with a ticket for the online streaming will have the opportunity to participate in a live Q&A session with Theodor before the show starts. Get ready to hear his original songs from his first album “FRAGIL.”, some Eurovision medleys and even some of his new songs! 

You can get your tickets here: outsavvy.com/event/14722/stage002. 

What are your thoughts about the whole issue with the national broadcast TVR? Are you excited to see Theodor live in London? Let us know in the comments below. 

42 Comments
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Forrest
Forrest
1 year ago

This song I knew wouldn’t do well in ESC, but I really like the song. TVR should have treated him better man.

Devito
Devito
1 year ago

I have nothing against Theodor, but it shocks me how Romania picked this stupid song over… literally anything. Romania’s selection had at least a few options, which would have probably pushed the country into the grand final. I hope for changes next year. So far, these songs would have been better options at any time:

  • JaxMan (Bad & Cool)
  • Andrei Dutu (Statues <3)
  • Andreea D Folclor Orchestra (Perinita mea)
Zisk
Zisk
1 year ago

There’s far too many people here who are completely heartless and see Eurovision participants as songs and not people. Yeah, the song was bad. Yeah, it wouldn’t qualify. The man deserved a chance to give it his best effort and even if he still failed, so what. It’s the principle of it.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago

Feel so sorry for him! TVR’s actions disgust me and they should be withdrawn and replaced with a private broadcaster!

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

No

if the toxic fandom can’t learn how to behave normally, then maybe ESC should be cancelled entirely

Karl
Karl
1 year ago

OK. Can we finally get Andreea D Folclor Orchestra next year, please?

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Karl

should’ve been there this year, i doubt Perinita Mea would’ve gotten a 0

but you know tasteless public in romania giving us this pile of nothingness

Ana
Ana
1 year ago

Good songs find their way even when they fail in Eurovision. Where is his song charting? Who listens to it? It just wasn’t a good entry and the empty stage was only part of the problem and not the whole problem like he’s trying to imply.

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Ana

People downvote you because the truth hurts their sensibilities.

Bejba
Bejba
1 year ago
Reply to  Ana

Romania was Dead in The Water no matter how the staging could have been . We all knew that . The same Fans saying we are being mean are the same that Bullied him all year . He needs to learn to Process Loss , The 0 Points is deserved result

Ana
Ana
1 year ago
Reply to  Ana

The same people who downvote me probably didn’t even consider for a second picking their phones and voting for him. Yet they consider me saying that his entry wasn’t good as “a mean comment”. So we should all be stuck in the artificial “all participants are AmAzInG” mood I guess to get the approval.

John
John
1 year ago

Glad he’s gained a lot of fans outside of Romania and experience because of Eurovision. Very talented person with a lot of good ideas. I really liked the creative way he made rock versions of the other contestants’ songs. Let’s keep in mind that DGT was not forecasted to qualify even before Liverpool and the eventual stage performance based on the strength of the song.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  John

He wanted to improve the song and give it a good enough staging to qualify but TVR rejected him.

Leafy
Leafy
1 year ago

Feel bad for him as an artist and performer ….. But, that song really did deserve a zero sonically.
Maybe if they decided switch up the song he could have showcased his talent a bit more.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Leafy

With the right staging and lighting it could have easily qualified. Just look at the second to last performance in the NF.

Leafy
Leafy
1 year ago

I strongly disagree.
The whole tempo of the song felt discombobulated, unfinished and amateurish.

There was nothing to grab on to other than a visual assault and a song that passes you by without a hook.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

With what he went through, I can’t imagine any self respecting Romanian artist would want to work with the broadcaster for Eurovision. I don’t want to see any country withdraw but I wouldn’t be surprised if Romania sat out 2024.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  BadWoolfGirl

All they need to do is change broadcaster. Go to a private one like ProTV.

Bejba
Bejba
1 year ago

The Song and Performance were just No Good . I cringed badly when he was preforming and feel bad for the Others in Romanian Selections that he beat … Why Blame Romanian Television ? There is nothing wrong to admit Theodore just didnt have what it Takes for the ESC

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

TVR should be ashamed of themselves. How could you treat an 18 year old artist like that? This is probably the worst coordination I’ve seen between a broadcaster and an artist, all that 2 month long effort to create the best staging for DGT gone to waste just like that, come up with staging ideas without his opinion on them, and . No wonder why Romania’s biggest artists and rising stars are not going to Eurovision.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

And also the fact that he had to self finance the video is really sad, a clear sign that broadcaster had no support, I forgot to say this.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

He had so much potential too! Better singer than some who qualified!

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

LOL, he can’t sing

ok slightly better than Denmark’s multi-millionaire tiktokker Reiley but still only slightly, at least no vocoder gimmick

and is this a diss at Poland’s Bejba???? i may hope not, Blanka deserved even more than what she got, i wish she would’ve gotten a top 10 result 🙁

Hans P.
Hans P.
1 year ago

No matter how the staging would have looked like, the song was bad and he is a poor singer. This would have never maid it to the final.

Jofty
Jofty
1 year ago
Reply to  Hans P.

I have seen him perform live; take it from me he is an outstanding singer (and why does he need a maid)

Hans P.
Hans P.
1 year ago
Reply to  Jofty

I’ve seen him perform live as well. Twice. Both times he was way off key. No, he is not a good singer.

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Hans P.

Not sure about the song but it is just factually incorrect that he sings badly. He sung better than some singers who got through…

Dirrukje
Dirrukje
1 year ago

That he sang better than some singers who got through is debatable and subjective anyway, and it does not make him a good singer by definition. Maybe just less bad than some of the others (on which point I disagree).

Anamel
Anamel
1 year ago
Reply to  Hans P.

Excuse me, in which world is Theodor Andrei a bad singer? There are a lot of things you can say about Theodor Andrei, but “he’s a poor singer” is none of them. His voice range and vocal skills are actually stunning.

Hayden
Hayden
1 year ago

That 0pts Romania got – it was for TVR, not Theodor.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayden

Yeah, it’s unfortunate theodor had to be the first Romanian artist to get zero points, but Romania was a disaster this year and I feel sorry for him.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayden

poor TVR getting this much hate 🙁

the fandom can be truly toxic

Hayden
Hayden
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

There’s nothing toxic about calling out an broadcaster for the awful way they treat an artist.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayden

well then the public should’ve just voted for more quality, Andreea D was right there, moldovan fun vibes all over, and they ignore it for whatever reason

even Statues was a better song with more chance of at least being a borderline nq maybe

2024 with internal selection hopefully, if public cannot do something right, same here in Netherlands, we cancelled NSF because of tasteless public

Hayden
Hayden
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

Oh, don’t get me wrong, there were better somgs in the NF, but TVR just basically made a bad situation worse.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago
Reply to  Hayden

umm no, TVR just said ”we don’t support this bad public’s choice” and i agree with them a lot

Nils
Nils
1 year ago

Well, I’d say the Liverpool staging was a step in the right direction from the messy national final staging, but still… dafuq is going on with TVR? First they don’t care about the national final’s contestants at all, then they meddle with every single one of Theodor’s decisions, even threatening him? Which Romanian artist is even going to apply next year after all this?

The Voice of Reason
The Voice of Reason
1 year ago
Reply to  Nils

It was actually a step back. The acoustic guitar opening was cringe, the stage felt empty and the lava made NO sense! Chaos on stage! At least the raunchy NF dancers made sense with the ‘played him on her fingers’ meaning!

Nils
Nils
1 year ago

You do have some points there, but the original dancers and the whole striptease thing going on there were just waaay over the top.

Anonymous91
Anonymous91
1 year ago

London concert for Mr 0 points?

how is he not cancelled after that flop result?

BiCHOTA
BiCHOTA
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

Bruh, I can mention a lot of people in different fields who started off their careers in the worst ways, yet managed to have stellar careers

Leo
Leo
1 year ago
Reply to  Anonymous91

I was at this wonderful and incredibly varied concert by a Theodor sparkling of joy. Those who weren’t there definitely missed this unique opportunity. I’m happy when Theodor invites again. 😀