Video: Big crowd at Joost Klein's first performance after Eurovision disqualification
Just over a week after his disqualification from the Eurovision Song Contest, Joost Klein performed for the first time at the Freshitval in Enschede. The tent overflowed with fans, and many had to stand outside to listen to Klein, NOS reports.
Klein briefly mentioned his disqualification but gave no explanation. “Mijn naam is Klein, maar je kunt me niet klein krijgen,” he said in Dutch, which translates to: “My name is Klein, but you can’t get me down.”
The Dutch performer was disqualified from the Eurovision Song Contest on the day of the final due to an incident with a camerawoman in Malmö after his semi-final performance. Sources told newspaper Aftonbladet that Klein became agitated by the crowd of photographers and videographers closing in on him and lunged towards one of them with a fist. Although he reportedly did not strike her, her camera was damaged and she was treated for a laceration, the newspaper reported.
Broadcaster AVROTROS said Klein only made “a threatening movement” towards the woman who allegedly filmed him against the agreement. The broadcaster called his disqualification disproportionate. Klein may have to appear in a Swedish court in June.
Fans enjoyed his performance at the Freshitval, telling NOS it was “great,” “amazing,” and “legendary.” In the coming period, Klein will perform at several other festivals in the Netherlands and Belgium, including Concert at Sea, Rock Zottegem, and the Zwarte Cross. In August, he’ll be at Sziget in Budapest.