Skip to main content

Denmark's Lighthouse X hit the rocks

16 August 2016 at 13:03 CEST
Lighthouse X, the band that represented Denmark in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest, have announced that they are to go their separate ways. Lighthouse X consists of three members; Martin, Johannes and Søren, and had been together for four years. The trio formed the band in 2012 with the aim of helping people who face challenges in their lives. They performed in the Second Semi-Final of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest but failed to qualify for the Grand Final with their song Soldiers of Love.

Lighthouse X were a band with a difference, a band that took social responsibility through music in a new and innovative way. All members were ambassadors for non-profit organisations and worked to inspire and support others. In a statement on Facebook the band explained their reasons for parting ways. The group's last show will take place during Copenhagen Pride. 

With Lighthouse X we have achieved more than we ever dared to dream that we could. The last four years have been an incredibly amazing journey for us, during which we have performed in front of a countless number of people, listened to their stories and done everything we could to make a positive change in the world. All along, we have been side by side with a passionate team at Call me, the fourth member of Lighthouse X. That was our mission when we founded the band in 2012, and we have accomplished it.

What worked in Denmark did not work in Europe

Ole Tøpholm, who has commentated on the Eurovision Song Contest for Denmark since 2011 told Eurovision.tv that Lighthouse X's entry, Soldiers of Love, followed the format of other Danish Eurovision songs.

"A typical Danish Eurovision hit over the past 10 years is a song that you can quickly sing along to, one that puts you in a good mood. That kind of middle of the road song was the style that Lighthouse X tried to continue", he said. "Lighthouse X came a few years too late with this song, it worked in Denmark, but not in Europe". 

Ole added "The guys are known for other things in Denmark, and just because they now go their separate ways does not mean that they will disappear from cultural life in Denmark. They have many projects, and the Danes are going to hear from them again - in their respective roles". 

The group released their first single in 2014 and released six in total, of which their Eurovision entry, Soldiers of Love, was their biggest hit in Denmark. They won Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, the Danish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest with 42% of the public vote, a convincing victory. Lighthouse X went on to finish 17th in the Second Semi-Final of the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest with 34 points.