Best concert in years — Loreen concert 2023 review

 

Credit — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Loreen_melodifestivalen_2023.jpg

Nearing the end of 2023 I honestly thought nothing could top my experience at Eurovision 2023; however, something came a close second, and ironically, it was the winner herself, Loreen. Loreen, soon after Eurovision 2023, posted an announcement of a tour across Europe, and within those stops, one of them was in London. For those of you who don’t know who Loreen is, she is a singer who first gained popularity after winning Eurovision 2012 with the song Euphoria, which gained global popularity. She returned years later to the Eurovision scene in 2023 and won once again, being the first woman to do so.

The ticketing was something that I never took part in since someone from an amazing fandom discord (I’m going to use the name S as a pseudonym) named S gave me an access ticket to get in, which showed how sweet and amazing it was to have that experience. I am going to stress how rare moments like this are for going to concerts. Getting in for free via someone else has only happened twice to me. The ticketing process from word of mouth was very tricky, with tickets being sold out in seconds. However, tickets were 25 pounds, which, compared to what I was used to, was, in my opinion, very cheap for what Loreen offered.

Setting up for the concert at was simple and quick, with S getting confirmation that I was on the guest list. When contacting the venue, they were very quick with answers, and it looked like the venue and organizers were very in sync when it came to their communication. This may be a low bar for many people, but I have experienced and heard of many concerts where the mismanagement between the venue and organizers has made preparing more annoying than an enjoyable experience. Having the organization be smooth helped me enjoy the more fun moments of preparation, like getting to know the people I may see there and planning outfits for the concert.

When entering the venue, the first thing I thought was about how small the venue was. Compared to what was seen in Lithuania, it was evident that a bigger audience was needed, especially since London sold out so quickly. The venue was cozy, but I felt like with an arena venue, the impact would be amplified. The good side of the venue was how the access seats had a good view and amazing accessibility for people who needed it. This is compared to what I’d heard from other venues that are well known for their bad accessibility options that not only have limited views but also make the experience less enjoyable for people who need them.

The venue itself had a bar at the back, with the merchandise section being near it. This was where the smallness of the venue was most evident with how crowded it was, especially when I had to line up for the merchandise. Not only was the line cramped with people who were standing around but also with how close the bar was, it was mixed with people who were lining up for the bar. Having the merchandise line, the bar line and the audience not as segmented and organized could make many people feel stressed and overwhelmed within a busy crowd. Even with the smaller venue, it would have been nice to have the lines more easily organized.

The concert itself was a highlight. Not only did I make amazing bonds with the people around me, making the concert feel like a community, but it also added to those special moments of the show. Loreen interacted with the audience, not only those who were close up but also those who were far away, making sure everyone got attention. Loreen knows how to perform, and this concert fully showed that through her mesmerizing voice and how she was able to use lighting, movement, and sound to create a full package. Each part played into her heritage, which was so refreshing to see for me. She owned the stage and understood how to bring her art to the show.

Loreen had grown since she won with Euphoria and, more clearly, after she won with Tattoo. Many singers stick to a system, preferring to keep how they sing consistent across the tour, which can be understandable. For people who have already seen the artists; it would feel like the same concert but in another location. When it comes to Loreen, however, even though the setlist is the same across the tour, she has a way to make each stop have a different style, whether that be through vocals, the amount of interaction, or the way she performs. This makes each stop feel special and unique, and it made me wonder how I would feel going to multiple tour stops.

The set list had a flow to it, for example, splitting the more energetic songs like Neon Lights and My Heart Is Refusing Me with more flowery songs such as Dreams, Ride, and a slower version of Is It Love. Grouping Dreams and Ride together gave me time to breathe after songs such as My Heart Is Refusing Me. The most impactful part was when she performed a cover of an Arabic song. As a fan who knew how proud she was of her heritage, I was happy to be able to listen to and take in that performance from her. It was a very impactful moment, and I wish that more artists would show more of their lives and heritage through their music and performances.

The ending of the concert brought a level of sadness I had not experienced before, and that said something about how much of an impact the show had. I wanted to go back in time and experience it again. I had been to many amazing shows like BTS and Eurovision, but none had had the same impact as Loreen had. It was also about the community I had met before the show and the friends I had made within the community, and it was something special to meet those people and share those special moments with them. An example was how they were giving out bracelets in the show, which showed the caring community around the fandom. I honestly wish I could go back.