Success for Ira in Germany

Ira Losco is fast gaining an international fan base and she recently climbed another rung in her ladder of success after performing to a crowd of over 45,000 in Magdeburg, Germany.

This is Ira's biggest performance yet and she recently returned to Malta elated after a successful promotion tour in Germany performing in Cologne, Berlin and Magdeburg.

The tour started off at the Ringfest Festival in Cologne, an annual event that converts the place into a city of music for a week.

Concert stages are rigged in squares around the city and every year the event attracts acts that have gone on to become huge stars. Last year The Rasmus made their debut performance at Ringfest in Germany.

Ira also performed live with a band of German session musicians on the famous RTL Top of the Pops stage, which was broadcast live on RTL radio to an audience of approximately two million listeners.

Belting out two of her most popular songs, I'm In Love Again and Must've Been Good she won the hearts of the crowd present.

She shared the stage with Lenny of Motorhead, Novaspace and Hot Banditoz, who performed later in the evening.

Ira's performance was followed up by a series of interviews and photo-shoots. After a quick detour to Malta, Ira flew to Berlin for what was billed as the largest free open-air festival in Germany - Stars for Free - which attracts tens of thousands of fans.

The two shows in Berlin and Magdeburg are organised by the two RTL radio stations. The campaign kicks off eight weeks before the event, where people phone in to win their tickets.

This year Berlin attracted 17,000 people while Magdeburg attracted a staggering 45,000. The shows are both broadcast live on RTL radio stations to over 11 million people.

On the way to the venue, the number of people attending Magdeburg was announced on the radio.

"We knew that we were playing at a big venue but it was a bit overwhelming when we heard how big it was and I must admit that my heart skipped a beat or two," Ira said.

"When I walked out and saw a sea of people further than the eye could see, I was very excited. I don't think that I have ever played to such a large live audience.

"It was the best feeling ever. From the very first note the crowd made me feel at home and that was very important for me. The interaction of the crowds abroad is so warm and responsive," she enthused.

In previous years famous artists like Michelle Branch, Melanie C, Atomic Kitten, Sonique, Paul Young and Sarah Connor performed on the Stars for Free stage.

After the show, Ira was one of the only artists who took the time to meet the screaming fans, who mobbed her, shouting and clambering for her autograph.

Ira was prominently billed in the line-up, even though she was the only newcomer. Normally, only the chart-toppers are invited to take part in this festival. However, Ira caught the attention of the organisers and was included in the billing.

This year's line-up included Scooter, Kurt Nilsen (She's So High), O-zone (Numai Tu), Natasha Thomas (Save Your Kisses for Me), Patrick Nuo and Jeanette.

As a result of her tour in Germany, Ira's single I'm In Love Again climbed the radio pop charts and is now also in the Top 5 at five in the BB radio charts.

Ira has now returned to Malta for a short well-earned rest before she starts working on new material in the studio.

"It was a terrific experience and I am so happy to be able to perform my music to so many people. I can only look forward to going back again," she said.