Club that helped launch Eurovision star's career

The UK's Eurovision Song Contest entrant Look Mum No Computer will grace the big stage in Vienna this weekend, but his career has far more humble beginnings at a small gig venue in Peterborough.

Sam Battle, who grew up in nearby Yaxley, performed across Cambridgeshire as a solo act and as part of bands Yellow Snow and Zibra in his early days, putting him on the radar of BBC Introducing.

Among the venues he played was The Met Lounge in Peterborough. Steve Jason, its owner, said venues like his were "so important" for upcoming artists as "they have a place to test their material".

"I didn't envision him playing Eurovision but fair play, and fingers crossed he brings home the trophy," he said.

Battle is competing against 24 other countries in the 70th edition of the contest in Austria on Saturday, with his electro-pop anthem Eins, Zwei, Drei.

He attracted attention for the unusual electronic instruments he creates, including organs using Furby toys and old Game Boys.

Jason said the artist had "made progression" after seeing him perform at his venue in the late 2000s and early 2010s.

"The band Yellow Snow was one of the early pop punk bands coming through in the city," he said.

"I do remember him, he was quite an eccentric character back in the day, plenty of life on stage."

He hoped the musician, who now lives in Kent, would come back and play in Peterborough if he won, adding: "If Sam wins and can influence people, then great."

Talking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire presenter Dotty McLeod, Battle said it took about 12 hours to write the song he will perform, which includes big electronic beats and chorus lyrics in German, tied in with British references to roly-poly and custard.

His appearance comes just weeks after becoming a father to his newborn son, Max.

"My mum and dad, I think, are more excited than me, [and] my wife is quite excited as well - and you always get these mad times in your life, and this is a very mad time of my life," he said.

The artist, who was known as the "class clown" at school, said he has loved the song contest since he was a child.

"I have always liked the idea of it - it a massive battle of the bands - and was built in a unique situation," he said.

After finding out he had secured the spot for the UK, he added: "The emotions all hit.

"I am just going to try my hardest for the UK, for me and my mates and family."

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