TWO brothers who opened the Eurovision final and will perform on Britain's Got Talent this weekend described the experience as 'surreal'.
Kieran Maclaren, 26, and Cameron Elliot, 20, are from Ridsdale and both attended Studio K dance studio in Hexham before moving to Liverpool to study performing arts at the prestigious Jelli Studios.
The brothers were picked as part of a group of 20 other students to open the Eurovision final on Saturday night (May 13) alongside the 2022 Ukrainian winners, Kalush Orchestra.
They had to learn how to play the drums and were taught by The Drummers Company.
Cameron said: "Getting picked to do this piece I didn’t believe it at first. I was shocked and it didn’t seem real until I got into the arena for my first rehearsal.
"The amount of excitement that came to me when I had been selected was so overwhelming and just an amazing feeling. Performing with my brother is what I think makes that moment so much more special for me and it made the overall experience much better.
"I remember getting into the arena the first time and I just said to him 'Oh my god'. I was absolutely stunned at the sight, and how surreal the whole thing felt. I remember I wanted to cry when I came off I was so happy and I remember just hugging my brother.
"Nothing will compare to that day as it’s one of the biggest jobs I will ever do in my lifetime, but getting picked for this will definitely open some doors for me and my brother," he said.
Kieran described the feeling as 'surreal' while they waited on stage. "It was so strange to be a part of. We could see people talking to the audience and getting them energised, their wristbands glowing and everyone's cameras were out. It was just surreal."
The drumming performance lasted for approximately 30 seconds before Kalush Orchestra performed Voices of a New Generation.
Kieran said after their performance, he and his brother played ping pong while still in the venue.
"We actually played with one of the musicians from Ukraine, we didn't realise at the time until his face popped up on social media," Kieran said.
"You bump into famous people but we were told not to 'fan girl'. I walked past Sam Ryder and just said hello to him. They would stop and chat with you like you're a professional performing with them."
Once the performance finished, Kieran watched the show from home.
"I don't think it's hit that we've been on that stage. About a year ago, I came down to Liverpool to audition to get into Jelli where I'm training currently and we watched Eurovision on the night."
The brothers will also dance as part of a group from Jelli Studios as contestants on Britain's Got Talent on Saturday night (May 20).
"That is another surreal experience I get to share with my brother," Kieran said.
Watch their performance here.
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