After wining the Eurovision song contest in 2006 with a record 292 points Lordi took the world by storm. Being possibly the most controversial contestant the contest has seen, meant they had lots of problems getting onto the show in the first place. Despite one of their best known songs being called "The Devil is a Loser" they still got called devil worshippers and satanists, by many religious societies as they dress up as monsters to sing.
The first time i saw them live was after their Eurovision win, when people turned up to see what all the fuss was about and hear them sing "Hard Rock Hallelujah". It was halloween 2006 and freezing. I had been waiting for 3 hours in near 
freezing temperatures when finally the doors openened. After waiting for turisas to stop screaming we waited until 9 o' clock and decided they would soon come on. But no. They waited until 9:30 before gracing us with their presence, but boy was it worth the wait! As soon as they came on stage i knew i was in for the greatest performance if my young life. I was only 15 at the time, so hadn't been to a great many gigs before. As they stomped onstage in their costumes everyone cheered 
and screamed and clapped and whatever else they do when something good happens. The stage was fantastic, the costumes were amazing and the songs were even better. Unfortunately, as they came on half an hour later than most bands i missed the end as i had to leave to get my train home, so i didn't hear "Hard Rock Hallelujah" anyway.
freezing temperatures when finally the doors openened. After waiting for turisas to stop screaming we waited until 9 o' clock and decided they would soon come on. But no. They waited until 9:30 before gracing us with their presence, but boy was it worth the wait! As soon as they came on stage i knew i was in for the greatest performance if my young life. I was only 15 at the time, so hadn't been to a great many gigs before. As they stomped onstage in their costumes everyone cheered 
and screamed and clapped and whatever else they do when something good happens. The stage was fantastic, the costumes were amazing and the songs were even better. Unfortunately, as they came on half an hour later than most bands i missed the end as i had to leave to get my train home, so i didn't hear "Hard Rock Hallelujah" anyway.So when i heard they were playing again in London i figured i had to go. Unfortunately, the gig was either barely advertised, or in the wrong places as i only found out when my friends jokingly said we should go as it was on the next
day. I did. Unfortunately, being the next day i had to go to London and hope tickets hadn't sold out. They hadn't. I was so happy. It was at the Islington Academy on Feb 12th 2009, and was once again, cold. When we got in i was amazed at a number of things. Firstly, the fact that they had decided to scrap tour shirts with dates on in prefernece of shirts that simply had a picture of either the group or individual members. I was also amazed at how small the venue was. The Forum only held about 2300 people, and i figured the band must still be at least that big, right? Well this venue held about 1000 people max and hadn't sold out. That gies to show how well it was advertised, right? Well after sitting through 2 bands i had 
never heard of and could barely understand i was about fed up. Until the singer said they had been out with Lordi the night before, which got me thinking about whether they wear their costumes to go out, because surely they want to keep their identies secret from people and stuff? That kept me thinking for the next half hour or so.
day. I did. Unfortunately, being the next day i had to go to London and hope tickets hadn't sold out. They hadn't. I was so happy. It was at the Islington Academy on Feb 12th 2009, and was once again, cold. When we got in i was amazed at a number of things. Firstly, the fact that they had decided to scrap tour shirts with dates on in prefernece of shirts that simply had a picture of either the group or individual members. I was also amazed at how small the venue was. The Forum only held about 2300 people, and i figured the band must still be at least that big, right? Well this venue held about 1000 people max and hadn't sold out. That gies to show how well it was advertised, right? Well after sitting through 2 bands i had 
never heard of and could barely understand i was about fed up. Until the singer said they had been out with Lordi the night before, which got me thinking about whether they wear their costumes to go out, because surely they want to keep their identies secret from people and stuff? That kept me thinking for the next half hour or so.
Along comes 9 o' clock, and i'm sat there thinking, they must come on soon, right? Alas, once again Lordi came on a half 9 and once again i missed the end, but it was well worth the £15 i paid for a ticket. Not only did they play some fantastic songs ranging from their oldest to their newest, but hey gave each member a little stage time to show their backstory kind of thing. Each of them came to the front of the stage and did something, which was both entertaining and fascinating. The amount of time and effort they put into their shows, especially when they're so small is phenominal. Most bands wouldn't bother with a stage show when playing to a crows of 
800, but then you have to wonder if Lordi would be the same without the stage show and the costumes.
800, but then you have to wonder if Lordi would be the same without the stage show and the costumes.Lordi's live shows clearly have a very horror comedy mix to them, as while they are dressed up as monsters singing about monsters going and eating people and running around with homemade chainsaws, they are also quite silly. Not in a comical sense, mind. I'm not sure what it
is about the show that makes it so entertaining, but it is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen. They played such a mix of songs, ranging from their well known songs like Blood Red Sandman and Bringing Back the Balls to Rock they also played some of their less known songs like Haunted Town. The song of the evening had to be It Snows In Hell, though. Not because it's their best, it's not. But because it's the song i had to leave through last time, and this time i got to hear it all the way through with the smoking skull and confetti and everything it was fantastic.
is about the show that makes it so entertaining, but it is one of the most amazing things i have ever seen. They played such a mix of songs, ranging from their well known songs like Blood Red Sandman and Bringing Back the Balls to Rock they also played some of their less known songs like Haunted Town. The song of the evening had to be It Snows In Hell, though. Not because it's their best, it's not. But because it's the song i had to leave through last time, and this time i got to hear it all the way through with the smoking skull and confetti and everything it was fantastic.Even the songs from their new album were done with such perfection as if it was something they had done a million time before. Raise Hell in Heaven, Deadache, Devil Hides Behind her Smile 
and Bite it Like a Bulldog were simply perfect. Even people who didn't know the songs or the words were jumping around and joining in. It was one of those nights when you're just really happy to be a part of something. While i want the band to succeed, i also have to say i love their show, and it is so much better in a smaller venue as you can see everything much clearer. You can't please eveyone in a stadium if your performance relies on your stage show. If people can't see, they don't tend to care as much, which is why i think these guys are more suited to smaller venues.
and Bite it Like a Bulldog were simply perfect. Even people who didn't know the songs or the words were jumping around and joining in. It was one of those nights when you're just really happy to be a part of something. While i want the band to succeed, i also have to say i love their show, and it is so much better in a smaller venue as you can see everything much clearer. You can't please eveyone in a stadium if your performance relies on your stage show. If people can't see, they don't tend to care as much, which is why i think these guys are more suited to smaller venues.One thing i do know though, is that Mr Lordi and the gang really know how to make a memorable night. He can command a crowd to do practically anything he wants to do, be it jumps, clap, be quiet, or just go nuts, it's just such a happy atmosphere, which is odd for a horror themed event, but fantastic nonetheless. If i had any way to improve on the gig though, i would recommend them to come on at 9 so i don't miss as much next time.
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