Vaidotas had a really special day yesterday. First of all, the Honor Guard Company presented its new demonstration program based on the song THE ROOP “On Fire”, which was wonderfully performed by the Lithuanian Armed Forces Orchestra at celebrations at the Presidency, under the observation of Lithuanian Presidents, politicians and foreign guests. Later, the mayor of Kaunas district Valerijus Makūnas awarded Vaidotas for making Lithuania's name famous in Europe. This is pleasantly unexpected. Such an official assessment is a great honor. And finally, the evening’s concert attracted a sea of people and their smiles. Thanks for all these gifts!
Lithuanian Armed Forces Band 's version of "ON FIRE"
Today, July 6, during the celebration of Coronation of King Mindaugas, Lithuanian Armed Forces Band introduced their new programme based on "On Fire" on the Presidential Palace square in Vilnius, Lithuania. We are happy and congratulate everyone with the occasion!
Live version of "Tonight"
Watch live version of our energetic song "Tonight". Every week we will upload a new live video from our concert. You can find this song on "Yes, I Do" EP (CD) or on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, Deezer, etc.
Wish us creative happiness
You wish us to write a better song, a bigger hit, perform better in Eurovision. And that bar is being raised higher and higher. Creators and simply specialists in any sphere, who were really successful, later just stop creating, even fall into depression and isolate themselves from everyone. I have read about such situations many times. Why does this happen? Because they themselves, along with society, raise the bar too high. Creativity or development in any sphere stops being a pleasure and becomes merely a technical or sports thing. Spontaneity, ease, joy of life disappear. And then starts self-harassment, pressure, even self-loathing and disappointment. Eventually one can collapse mentally and lose will to do anything at all. We know this trap. So we propose you not to wish us “an even better song”, but “creative happiness”. This produces really good things. Thank you 🙏
One More
One more 🤓 Now it’s more funny than sad. We got it from TV host Martynas Starkus of TV show “Vakarėja”. Life is interesting, strange and beautiful.
A creative camp in the woods
We had gone to a creative camp far from the city, cars, people, fast life tempo. Getaway from everyday life. Retreat and stay with yourself. Indulge in creativity. That’s how we lived for nearly 2 weeks. Where days lost their hours and names. Where you couldn’t even imagine an evening without bonfires and smoke smell in your clothes. Where bird orchestras would wake you up in the morning. Our studio was in a homestead surrounded by woods. Days went very productively - all that matured new THE ROOP songs. Some tunes were waiting to be finished, and some were just born. We can say that we are extremely thankful to the owners of Miškiniškės homestead who welcomed us with such hospitality. It is a magical place in harmony with nature. As far as we’ve learned, they’re not admitting people who’d want to come for a noisy stay. We really admired that. So we set up our gear and wrote music over headphones. If you are looking for a place where nature is louder than people, visit Miskiniskes.lt Recommend.
First quarantine live show
It happened! Our first live shows, although with strictly limited quarantine audience capacity of 300 people, allowed us to feel that connection we longed for, which can only be felt live. Thank you all for elevation!🙌🌞
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Photo by Jurga Urbonaitė
Remembering our recent trip to Hamburg
THE ROOP from Lithuania are Germany’s ESC winners of hearts. With "On Fire" they prevailed in the show at the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg against Daði og Gagnamagnið from Iceland and Little Big from Russia. THE ROOP also used the time in Hamburg to do some sightseeing. The three band members Vaidotas Valiukevičius, Mantas Banišauskas and Robertas Baranauskas discover the harbor, The Beatles Square, meet fans and take us backstage to the Elbphilharmonie. The band and all team are grateful to NDR.de for this wonderful journey!
THE ROOP is on MTV
There's really something to rejoice in: starting next week "On Fire" video will be played on MTV in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. In a confirmed TV playlist the video will appear 25 times a week!
Double win!
This is just awesome! Double win in ESC Radio Awards 2020! Worldwide fans and followers of the Eurovision Song Contest have cast their votes. We are happy with the results!
Backstage
Thinking about things which are on fire! It was a pleasure to meet Daði Freyr in Hamburg🔥🙌
We won Germany's Eurovision!
It was great honor and pleasure raising Lithuanian flag in the cradle of Germany's culture - Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg! We won the German Eurovision! The feeling is amazing! Thank you for voting! Thank you Lithuania! Thank you Germany! 🏆🔥❤️
The trophy found its home in Lithuania: We like it. GEWINNER DER HERZEN! Germany - we love you and thank you!❤️❤️❤️🔥🔥🔥 Stay on fire!
New show!
Today we would have appeared on the Eurovision big stage in the first semi-final. Life, however, arranged everything differently. Not necessarily for the worse. We are happy that our song continues its journey around the world. Besides, we keep working and very soon we will introduce a new concert we just filmed! We can't wait! 🙌
We have just won WIWIBLOGGS competition
We have just won one of the biggest and well known Eurovision blog WIWIBLOGGS competition. In their scoreboard the bloggers revealed their top songs of ESC 2020 to know who would have won the contest. They went around the world to get their 8, 10 and douze points and determine the winner. We thank you for believing in us! With love, THE ROOP. ❤️🏆
THE ROOP has no intention to stop – the band presents official merch!
Having to represent Lithuania in “Eurovision Song Contest”, yet with the event cancelled, THE ROOP don’t lay down their arms. The song “On Fire” and Lithuania’s name is continuing to spread around the world, while the band introduces merchandise dedicated to people who are on fire and who take control of their lives.
“Talking about the song, it hasn’t disappeared, more and more radio stations are including it into their playlists. This tune will reach its peak in midsummer. Most countries only start discovering this memorable melody and dance,” – told guitarist Mantas Banišauskas.
Having received international attention, but without possibility to go on tour, THE ROOP decided to release unique merchandise which you can see on band’s official website. GO AND CHECK
Artists attract artists. Fiery merchandise was created by Lithuanians – illustration hooligans EGYBOY – whose works are spread all around the world. That’s how “On Fire” drawings were born, and the “EuROOPvision” wordplay invented.
“I admire EGYBOY for their refined style. We want the merchandise to be high quality and sustainable, so we use exclusively organic cotton. And the earrings, the same I wore during the performance, are silver,” – said band leader Vaidotas Valiukevičius.
Great news for fans – the band announced they are continuing to work on a new record, planned to be released in November and to include “On Fire”. It is possible, however, to pre-order the upcoming vinyl and support band’s recording process. In autumn everyone would get a exclusively signed copy of the album.
"Really many people asked how could they support us so we could continue writing music, because concerts are off. Now we have the answer - each and everyone who acquires our merchandise or pre-orders our upcoming album grants us the possibility to move forward," - spoke drummer Robertas Baranauskas.
16 million views!
We calculated and we are glad! Our song "On Fire" has several videos (selection performances, official video) on Youtube, hence views are distributed among all those records. However, the total view count has gone over 16 million! To us it is a lot! Thank you!
THE ROOP has to start from the beginning (one more time)
LRT “Eurovision” working group have come to a decision regarding next year’s Lithuanian “Eurovision” – the National Selection will take place with a spot for “The Roop” in the grand finale.
“We are all upset about the developed situation – the song “On Fire” was one of the favorites to win the contest. It received lots of love in Lithuania and many other countries around the world, however, we won’t have the possibility to perform it on the big “Eurovision” stage.
This is the reason why we came to an unusual decision – we will organize a new National Selection, and secure a spot for “The Roop” in the grand finale. We really value and appreciate “The Roop” for their responsible attitude and preparation for this year’s “Eurovision”, - says Gytis Oganauskas, LRT Deputy Director General, member of “Eurovision” working group.
“The Roop” members are familiar with LRT’s position. We understand that the intention was a solution that suits both, LRT and the band. Will we participate in the National Selection with exclusive rights? We do not know yet. It has only been six weeks since we won with “On Fire”. Everything is happening very fast. Too fast. We have to think about it and the decision will come much, much later”, - says “The Roop” leader Vaidotas Valiukevičius.
THE ROOP press release about the cancellation of Eurovision in Rotterdam
Official news about the cancellation of this year’s Eurovision song contest reached THE ROOP. The band feels upset, yet understands that the current situation forces such decision.
“It is very sad; we don’t want to deny it. But health comes before any contests. We promise not to let our hands down and continue to promote our song and dance around the world. Currently the song is starting to reach foreign radio stations. We noticed that “On Fire” is very well liked and its path to people’s hearts is just beginning”, - says THE ROOP leader Vaidotas Valiukevičius.
The band calls everyone to remain united. Stay in quarantine and spread your good mood with “On Fire” dance at home and on your balconies.
“We managed to create something that unites people and spreads positivity. It is very much needed now. And remember that it is not the contest that gives meaning to the song, but the listeners. So, each and every one of us can be an “On Fire” ambassador and promote it”, - says THE ROOP drummer Robertas Baranauskas.
“This year Lithuania was rated very high and that is an achievement in itself. We already proved that we can be notable, brave, professional and leading. We wish all to remain that way in their lives,” – said THE ROOP guitarist Mantas Banišauskas.
The band is not aware of the future of the contest. Would they have an opportunity to participate next year, or will new selection take place? Everything will be clear in the nearest future. Currently THE ROOP members remain in quarantine and use their time at home for writing new songs. The band does not plan to slow down and will continue promoting their music.
THE ROOP wishes everyone health and unity in this difficult period.
OFFICIAL: THE ROOP won’t be travelling to The Netherlands
OFFICIAL: THE ROOP won’t be travelling to The Netherlands for postcard filming and cancel their upcoming shows abroad
One of this year’s Eurovision favorites – Lithuanian representatives THE ROOP – in reaction to the rapidly escalating worldwide situation around coronavirus cancel their tomorrow’s trip to The Netherlands, where they were supposed to be filming Eurovision postcard video. The band also calls off their planned appearances in London and Amsterdam.
“We don’t want to risk neither our own, nor public health. We are complying with the recommendations of the government to avoid trips abroad. We believe that precaution is the main measure which will allow us to come back to our casual living quicker”, - says THE ROOP leader Vaidotas Valiukevičius.
The band continue their intensive Eurovision preparations and believe that the situation will improve until mid-May and allow them to perform at the main event at full power.
“At this point the world must be extremely united. Now is not the time for fighting or racing, but the time for unity. We can’t wait until we can meet everyone and wish that the only virus spreading around the world would be the “On Fire” dance virus”, - says THE ROOP guitarist Mantas Banišauskas.
“We are very sorry to have to postpone this long-planned trip, however, such decision in this case is the only reasonable move. Fighting the coronavirus pandemic, we must act responsibly and avoid risks and travelling abroad as much as we can”, - says LRT executive producer and head of the Lithuanian delegation in Eurovision Audrius Giržadas.
STAY SAVE!
Visited LATGA
We visited Asociacija LATGA , thanked for the money transfer and their support. We were welcomed with a caramel cake, wide smiles, and had a wonderful chat about Eurovision. Thank you!
