On 12th July LP was in Greece – place very close to her heart for many reasons, but most importantly, that’s the place where it all begun for her to blow up on a much bigger scale. I have written about this incredible story a while back and you can read it by clicking here. Originally, LP was discovered by Manos Xanthogeorgis, who ‘passed’ his discovery to Panagiotis Loulourgas – Head of International @ Heaven Music Greece, who not only realized what incredible talent was in his hands, but he followed up with licensing LP’s songs and putting them out in the radio. Rest, as they say, is history!
For LP, one of very first and important European concerts, took place exactly in Greece. To show you the tempo of how fast the things unfolded, just a very brief summary: Manos discovers LP on 1st February, he sends his discovery to Panagiotis, who sends his request to license the track on 20th February. In March LP’s track ‘Lost on You’ starts charting, with April & May being on top of many lists, LP is in Europe on some promo visits around May/June.
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| via LP’s Insta-story; LP with Panagiotis |
Her first summer concerts are booked (5), two of those in Greece and she gets invited to some festivals, like the ‘Magiczne Zakończenie Wakacji’ in Poland in August. Her first European tour, starts in Novemeber 2016, with few gigs earlier, in September. LP returns to Europe with second, much bigger tour already in March 2017, this is followed up with the tour of her home country, and she’s back in Europe since June 2017, and she will stay here until August 6th! Crazy, I know!! But back to Greece, LP first visited this country in September 2016, she arrived either on 21st or 22nd. She did some promo visits and received her Platinum Award for ‘Lost On You’.
She played her first concert on 23rd September 2016 at Technopolis in Athens, and second one on 24th in Thessaloniki. She was back in Greece on 12th July 2017 with a concert at the very same venue, Technopolis (Gazi). The concert wasn’t streamed live, but from the short videos that I have found, LP was truly happy to be back in Greece, she was almost jumping with joy and so full of emotions. At one point she told the people in the audience: ‘One of most loving and beautiful countries I’ve ever been to in my life, my god! You people! Incredible, thank you’. You can really see in this video that she is visibly moved. Another video of LP’s happiness is here.
During her concert, LP and people were treated to a pyrotechnic show (for ‘No Witness) and at the ending of ‘Lost On You’, sparklers were used, resulting with an incredible view. When they did the same thing in 2016 in Athens, LP ended her performance in tears. You cannot see it in this video but you can deffinitely hear it in her voice. I’ve said it before and I will say it here again, I am very happy for her success, she truly deserves it after so many years of struggle. With her voice, talent and charisma, there’s a long way ahead of her.
Now, time for some quotes, starting with Konstantina (@konstantina.anastas): “There are no suitable words to describe how amazing last night was. The whole concert was great but LP rocked the stage!? Thank you for everything @iamlpofficial ❤ Please come back to Greece soon ? And @laurenruthward please come on stage the next time, we really wanted to see you too dear!?”. Aristea (@aristea_anysi): “she blows my mind <3 No words to say, she’s a real artist. She has so much talent and her songs are so real with so beautiful music ! P.S @iamlpofficial thank you soo much that you wrote on my ukelele ! I know that you were tired but you did it ! The sound will be more beautiful now! Thank you :)”. Zenia (@zeniaolimpiakos): “Her concert was angelic and we felt like we were in heaven … Her sweet but loud voice mede us travel to a magical world. The LP is like the old good Greek wine, it never loses its value. The Greeks love the LP they Have proven it in both of concerts!!!!!!!I took those videos the day of concert!!!She was amazing!! Agapi mou koukla mou efcharisto!! Sagapooo!!❤”.
Update, here’s what’s Anna kindly wrote, after my request for few words about the concert, though I always say, just write how you feel, don’t think about how many words, it’s not important, and as you can see, when it comes to LP it’s hard to limit yourself to only few words, because there are too many feelings. (@anna_tsirimokou): “Athens 12th of July 2017…
A day I’ve been waiting since LP’s concert was announced back in February and rushed to buy my ticket. I remember worrying that I might not find one even though it was only a few hours after the official announcement. Couldn’t believe that I was actually going to see her!
I’m not a concert person, really. I love music but I’m quite content of listening my favorite songs, artists or bands in the comfort of my house. For me, to go in a concert means that the artist is very special to me! Like my first concert back in 2005 when my favorite band of my adolescence came to Athens. Then too, there was no question whether I was going or not. It was a given!
That’s how it was now with LP!
And the day came. With a scorching heat. But that wasn’t going to stop me from going to the venue from 14:00 in the afternoon. Minutes after I arrived I heard the first notes of “Tightrope”! The band was there for the sound check! And I knew that no matter how unpleasantly hot that day was, it was worth it! Somehow all started to feel real!!! I entered the venue and saw the band on the stage. Tried to take some photos but my digital camera had desided not to cooperate with me! After a while I saw LP on the stage for the sound check. From afar! But that didn’t make it any less wonderous!!! When she finished I thought that was it, so I went outside and I missed the opportunity of taking a picture with her as I learned later that she came down and approached some fans that were still inside. Didn’t let that setback destroy my mood ’cause I thought that I might get lucky after the concert. And the waiting started…
The gates opened at 18:45 approx and I rushed inside as I was determined to be as close to the stage as possible!!! And I did it!!! Right in the center, second row!!! And then, lady luck desided to smile upon me again! The mother of a very sweet girl named Zenia, which I’ve met both earlier, allowed me to take her place in the 1st row as she wanted to go further back and I found myself looking at the mic stand!!! I can’t thank you enough Zenia’s mother for your kindness!!! Trully!!!
Finally the concert starts. Angelika Dusk, Lola Marsh, Monophonics.
Although the anticipation for LP to come on stage was increasing as the time passed, I did enjoy all performances. And from the way the crowd was participating, my guess is that we shared the feeling! It was like we celebrated the upcoming appearance of this amazing woman!!! We transformed our desire to see her into song and dancing until she comes on the stage.
And then, there she was! The first notes of “Muddy Waters” and that was it! An electric current went through all these people originated from LP’s presence! And this electricity never left! It took me a few seconds to realise that yes! She was there! I could see her! 3 meters from me. Up there! Took 3 photos with my phone during “Muddy Waters” but my hands were shaking so they are blur. But good enough as evidence that I didn’t dream about it 😉 Of course all this time I was singing my heart out with the rest of the people. Something that kept on happening with all her songs from start to finish, almost 😉 I’ll explain what I mean but not yet 😉 Shot some video too from “Muddy Waters” and “Up Against Me” but that was it. I wanted to fill my mind, my memories, of her presence. Really live those precious moments. Be present! Didn’t want to lose a single move, gesture, smile. Couldn’t do that and taking photos. Between her songs frequently people was shouting to her “agapi moy”, “koukla moy” which means “my love” and “my beautiful” respectively and then she was smiling so sweetly!!! Because she knows these phrases 😉 (she revealed it to her audience in Thessaloniki last September). And she always answered with “s’agapo” (I love you) or, at first, with “agapi moy” “koukla moy” 😉 😉
She was mesmerizing on that stage! It was like her very essence was coming out of her to caress all of us just before her music and voice put us under her spell again and again with every song!!! Yes, she send us to heaven that night and I believe that we gave her back all the love our heart can hold for her! And she felt it! I know she did!
And then it was time for her beautiful “Lost On You” to be heard. Words are really so poor sometimes to describe what really happend. The feeling of it all!!! The tangible tension of heightened emotions! Reaching for its peak with every single note. To say that we went crazy is an understatement. I could say that for the entire duration of her performance!!! She must have been especially touched cause she seemed more intense as she was singing and touching her heart, which she usually does when singing that song but this time felt like she was pressing her hand on her heart! In that song, LP and us became one. One voice. One heart. At least that’s how I felt it…
In a flash, that moment was gone and LP left the stage only to come back a few minutes later as we kept on shouting her name! Even if we knew that she will come out again. Because she always does.
Two last songs. First was “Forever For Now”. And this is the moment to explain the “almost” I wrote further up. In this song we sung too. But not loud. This song is special for her and we respected that. We murmured with her allowing her voice to fill the air. Her emotion to fly in the warm night sky. Her high notes to pierce through straight to our heart. This song always brings tears in my eyes but that moment felt like I was hearing someone praying. And bowed my head with respect. No tears.
The last song was “Into The Wild” to lift us up again and leave us on a high note. And that was it. One hour and a half of this beautiful “communication” and yet it felt like minutes. A beautiful dream that only a charismatic person like LP can offer to her adoring fans!
Thank you LP for this unforgettable night! I will cherish it forever in that special place in my heart that I hold only for you. Thank you for giving me all these best friends that speak the words of my heart and soul: your songs!
P.S. I didn’t get the chance to see her in person and have a photo with her after the concert as she left for the party Gazarte was throwing for their 10 yrs anniversary and I was too physically and emotionally drained to go. But I’m not complaining. All this was more than I could ever hoped for! And who knows? Maybe next time… Because I’ll be there again!”. Again, thank you Anna for your beautiful words!
I also really liked this quote posted by @spiridoula_ntili: “• he who sings, frightens away his ills – Cervantes • “. For official pictures of the concert and a quick review (in Greek), click here. Also, if you somehow missed this news LP released her official video to ‘When We’re high’. You will find the link on blog in ‘Video’ section.
And here’s link that every ‘true’ LP fan MUST listen to, it’s a podcast of interview with LP and Jeremy Maciak, who are explaining the whole process behind ‘Lost On You’ album. It truly is incredible.
Anna from Poland. I have been a blogger for a long time, but more in a royal field. Since 'meeting' LP through her music and as a person, a lot has changed. If I'm not working on my blog, I work as a teacher. I love to travel, read & dance. I sing & play uke when no one listens. Music was always a big part of my life.
