“It’s probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had” – Theodor Andrei on his concert in London

Theodor Andrei rocked the Liverpool stage at Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Romania, an overall negative experience for him. But now he’s been able to have a positive occasion in another UK city, hitting up London’s The Water Rats during a concert organised by Platform ’96.

In the weeks leading up to his London gig, we had the opportunity to interview Theodor Andrei. He shared his excitement for the event, and now we are happy to provide you with a comprehensive update on Theodor’s successful concert in London as a continuation of our previous interview.

We collected some impressions from Theodor, the organisers and some enthusiastic fans. Read on below for everything you need to know about Theodor’s concert.

Theodor Andrei’s thoughts on his London concert

Despite the challenges faced with Romanian national broadcaster TVR, Eurovision opened incredible opportunities for Theodor. As he candidly shared in our interview, it served as a significant chance for him to establish an international fanbase. The London gig presented a perfect occasion for him to connect with some of his international supporters.

Theodor’s setlist featured songs from his debut album Fragil., including his Eurovision entry “D.G.T. (Off and On),” along with tracks from his upcoming album. There were additional covers of well-known rock and pop songs, as well as his Eurovision medley. This included songs from past Eurovision participants, such as Måneskin’s winning song “Zitti e buoni” as well as the Italian band’s hits “I Wanna Be Your Slave” and “Beggin'”.

During his concert, Theodor also included a rendition of the famous Eurovision track “Fairytale,” the song that brought victory for Norway back in 2009, originally performed by Alexander Rybak. He further showcased his versatility by delivering a performance of Rybak’s “That’s How You Write A Song,” the Norwegian entry for Eurovision 2018. Interestingly, Theodor had previously performed this song during his participation in X Factor Romania several years ago, which makes this track a special one for him.

Theodor’s concert was a showcase of his exceptional talent, both in his original compositions and in his unique interpretation of cover songs. He infused his rock ‘n’ roll energy into every cover he presented. During some of his performances, he was accompanied on stage by Diana, his girlfriend, and also his Eurovision dancer.

Theodor admitted to feeling absolutely fantastic in London and was genuinely touched by the affection he received from his fans. He found joy in hearing them sing in Romanian and was thrilled by the diverse international audience that attended his show. He also shared some insights about his experiences in the UK and expressed his profound satisfaction in being part of a concert that granted him artistic freedom:

“I felt absolutely amazing in London! The Platform ’96 team did a great job organising this show. I was extremely excited to perform and the energy was sky-high. Most of the people knew my lyrics in Romanian, we had dance surprises, abrupt musical-genre changes to create a unique performance, we danced, we rocked The Water Rats, and we even opened our hearts to ballads. It was really fun. There were people who came all the way from Denmark, Germany and Poland just to see us. The opening acts, Glass Bridges and Minerva were really really cool, and I just can’t wait to perform next time in London.

“We had a great time exploring the city with Vlad, from Platform ’96. We’ve seen a Musical Theatre show which completely amazed me, we visited my friend since Liverpool – the Tesco Market =)) I even got to sign CD’s and take photos with everybody in the audience. I am extremely grateful to the organisers, the fans, the audience for making this possible, we even had an online livestream for people couldn’t come to see the live experience. We had a great time, rocking with you, dancing, laughing and showing you a performance made with heart for making other hearts shine. It’s probably one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.  Thank you! Love freely and long live Rock’N’Roll! I love you! Make love not war!”

The organisers and the opening acts

The organisers of the show, Platform ’96, were impressed by Theodor Andrei’s musical journey, prominently highlighted during the Eurovision season, and they wanted to help him in further promoting his music. They openly admitted their aspiration to revolutionise the music scene with authentic events, with their primary focus being on prioritising the artists themselves.

“From the carefully selected venues to the curated line-ups, everything about our events is designed to elevate and celebrate the artistry of the performers. We value the artists. We value their music. We work tirelessly to create an environment that allows them to truly shine.

“Platform ’96 is doing what other event organisers fail to do: let artists be artists. We’re there to see every event through, from conception right down to being there on the day itself, ensuring everything runs smoothly. Many artists will encounter organisers who are money-driven, for their own gain. We are here to change that. With over £1000 given back to artists across two events, we’re just getting started. The bigger our events get, the more we can give back to the talented artists performing on The Stage.

Platform ’96 conveyed that Theodor Andrei’s performance on Stage 002 completely aligned with their mission, given the remarkable feedback received from the enthusiastic fans who attended the event.

Theodor Andrei had two opening acts during his concert: the rock bands Glass Bridges and Minerva. Josh, the bassist of Glass Bridges, shared his excitement, describing the show as fantastic and praising the incredible energy emanating from the audience. He and his bandmates were pleased with the way in which the organisers were promoting their participation in the event, stating that it’s refreshing to find people who care so much even when it comes to promoting small bands. 

The members of Minerva also conveyed their gratitude for the show, describing it as a gig with a smooth flow. They expressed their delight in participating and interacting with the loving audience, as well as in appreciating their fellow artists’ performances. They were pleased that the venue was packed with enthusiastic fans and they also extended their thanks to the hardworking organisers. The organisers’ dedication to exploring innovative ways to promote the event and their attention to each artist involved were particularly acknowledged. In line with Theodor’s sentiments, they also emphasised the significance of artistic freedom:

“The event was full of energy and had a great environment, sending a clear message about the artist industry. This event felt better organised and promoted than usual, which as an artist made it more meaningful and exciting and for the people, this generates expectations for a high-quality show.”

– Pablo (drummer of Minerva)

The fans’ reactions

The fans who were present at The Water Rats concert expressed great satisfaction with Theodor Andrei’s performance. They were delighted to witness his return to the UK and were impressed by his presentation during his first solo international gig following Eurovision. They appreciated the diverse range of musical styles showcased during the concert, spanning from rock to pop, rap to soul, the inclusion of a captivating Eurovision medley and even some musical numbers, such as “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” from the movie Dirty Dancing, adding to the overall enjoyment of the event.

A fan who travelled from Poland to see Theodor’s concert stated:

“There is not a single place that I’d rather be on 28 July 2023! The event was an absolute blast! It was an immersive experience that transcends mere music. The energy of the people at The Water Rats was palpable throughout the night. The spirit of rock’n’roll, freedom, and passionate singing alone made it a thrilling event where the barriers between performers and audience dissolved, leaving everyone united in the love of music. It was an absolute delight to come together with such a wonderful group of people, in which everyone was welcome, all united by their shared love and passion for music.

“I had an exhilarating time and enjoyed all three acts, their performances were captivating and enthralling. Minerva was a nice warm-up, Glass Brigdes stole my heart, and Theodor Andrei totally slayed! His setlist was unreal; Frank Sinatra’s and Eminem’s songs in one set, both performed flawlessly? That’s something you can only experience at Theodor Andrei’s gig. The highlight of the evening were his original songs, but all the additions made the performance even more exquisite. Diana is a gem, she belongs on the stage. The magnificent live voice of Theodor was an unparalleled musical experience, one that made flying across the continent absolutely worth it. The chance to witness this exceptional talent on stage was a unique opportunity that I couldn’t miss, considering that Theodor rarely performs outside of Romania. The soul-stirring performances, coupled with the electrifying atmosphere, created memories that will stay with me for a long time.

“A massive thanks to Platform ’96 for organising the incredible rock gig with the stellar line-up. Everything was flawlessly executed, creating an unforgettable experience for all attendees. Your hard work and dedication truly shone through, and it’s evident that you’re passionate about bringing the joy of live music to people. Thank you for providing us with a night of pure rock ‘n’ roll magic. I’m already looking forward to the next event you put together! Rock on & D.G.T.! :)”

– Anna Antecka

Other fans described the event as a magical night and they only had praise words for Theodor, stating that:

“He was owning that stage, he owned the stage and it went beyond the singing, we had a whole performance, there was storytelling, there was dancing, it was artistic, it was beautiful, there was so much variety and just pure talent and I knew he was good, but seeing him in person was just ‘wow, he’s really good’.”

– Lucy Ball-Wood (@Lastlaplucy)

The event managed to embrace the Eurovision joyfulness and also Theodor’s original style. Fans are waiting for even more similar events.

“The event itself was really well organised, always providing a sense of security and familiarity at the same time. Also what makes you as organisers special in comparison to others is that you were always within reach for us (the audience) which gave the event somehow a feeling of closeness and personality. Like, we could have always talked to you or asked you something if that was necessary.

But let me now say something about Theodor’s amazing show. Starting off with his gripping opening he brought to us a wide range of songs from totally different genres and performed them in diverting and really enjoyable medleys. For example, his setlist included both famous English songs as well as hits from the Eurovision Song Contest and from his own album, all performed by him in his own special version. Those good extremes of his show got by surprise supported perfectly by captivating dance parts (by and with the wonderful Diana Colea) between and during the songs, which were both powerful and tender, fitting to the overall atmosphere. But for me the best moment of his concert came when he sang a magical and rather quiet version of his own song ‘Artist’ with its lyrics all translated into English. That really touched my heart.

“Overall, you all as organisers and Theodor as the star of the show created an extraordinary and outstanding event that will remain unforgettable for me.”

Fans who couldn’t attend the event in person expressed their appreciation for the chance to watch Theodor’s concert via a Discord livestream, allowing them to engage from their homes. Those who viewed the show remotely found this convenient approach to be quite appealing, and they shared heartfelt comments such as:

“I had the online concert experience. Platform ‘96 sets itself apart from other organisers because they took the time to set up a stream for all the fans that could not support in person. The attendees looked like they were having so much fun and the chat had the best vibes. The bands’ energy was amazing and, of course, Theo brought the house down. He shines and Platform’96 let him do his thing. He could be himself and slay.”

Seeing the success of former Eurovision artists is always a source of joy, as we anticipate witnessing numerous artists relishing the well-deserved achievements that come after their Eurovision endeavours.

What are you thoughts on Theodor Andrei’s London gig? Were you part of his audience? Are you waiting for his next album? Let us know in the comments below.