London Greek Radio

London Greek Radio [LGR] Events Presents An Evening of Classic and Modern Laika on Friday 14th June 2019, at the Cypriot Community Centre. LGR line-up featuring George Gregoriou (Kokis), Nikos Savvides, Giorgios Yerasimos, Elizabeth Chapman and Katerina Neocleous. This is the 30th anniversary since obtaining our FM license, what better way to celebrate than with local acts.

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Join us at the Cypriot Community Centre, Earlham Grove, Wood Green, N22 5HJ.

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Admission £20, with mini meze included.

Drinks & refreshments available to purchase at low prices.

For more information and tickets please call London Greek Radio on 0208 349 6950!

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In 2019, our time has also been spent putting together events, such as this one, where all members of our community could come and celebrate our culture together. Live music, and dancing, entertainment in a friendly atmosphere.

We look forward to seeing you all there.

This event is sponsored by Auto Deutsche, German car specialist in Camden Town, & Varosi Lettings and Estates, with guaranteed rental scheme.

Article written by London Greek Radio

London Greek Radio is pleased to announce that we will be joining thousands at this year’s Cypriot Wine Festival and Business Expo on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June. See us at Stand B39 nearest to the stage… 

It’s back for the 37th year and we understand that it’s going to be bigger and better than ever!

For everyone who loves food, drink, culture and tradition, mixed in with business opportunities and a fun-filled party vibe, #CyWineFest is the place to go.  Thousands of people attend over the two-day event each year.

Last year, LGR returned to #CyWineFest and this year, we have teamed up with the organisers, Parikiaki, to play a bigger part in the event.

The listeners have a chance to meet a few LGR personalities, and win prizes in our lucky draw.

The top prize is to WIN A PAIR of return tickets to Cyprus courtesy of London Greek Radio.

Ask an official LGR CyWineFest19 member of the team for details! 

The event also includes a fantastic entertainment programme of both traditional Cypriot dances and musicians, and in true CyWineFest style, they are “topping the bill” with Peggy Zina attending from Athens.

#CyWineFest reveals line-up with Philhellenes Dance Group (South London dance group; Elizabeth Chapman (singer); Marathovounos Community Choir (from Cyprus); George Germanakis (singer); Alex Jacovides (bouzouki player); Katerina Neocleous (singer); Bi-Communal Music and Dance Association “Cyprus” (dance group from Cyprus); Tiana Lydia (singer), Platinum Performing Arts, Roger Grech (singer); Bambas Shaouna (Britain’s Got Talent); Mario Christou (dancing zeimbekiko), Eleni C (singer).

The thousands who attend can enjoy unlimited wine tasting with some of Cyprus’ award winning wines.  They can also visit the CyWineFest Cocktail Bar, Laiko Kafenio serving Cypriot coffee and frappes, as well as souvlakia, traditional toasted sandwiches, kalamari, kleftiko, koubes, loukmades, ice cream and a whole range of sweet and savoury treats to try and buy.

Entry tickets start from £6.00 and tickets for the concert start from £25.00.

This year, the event takes place on Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd June, 11.30am – 11.30pm, at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre, Lee Valley Leisure Complex, 61 Meridian Way, Enfield N9 0AR.

London Greek Radio (LGR), official supporters of #CyWineFest.

We are looking forward to seeing you there. Come and say hello!

Article written by London Greek Radio

Cyprus’ Tamta and Greece’s Katerine Duska compete in the Eurovision Song Contest Final on Saturday at Tel Aviv Expo both countries made it via the semi-finals this week.

Cyprus sings in the number #11 slot, Greece #13 in the running order of 26 tonight.

Eleni Foureira was confirmed as a special guest interval act, last year’s Cyprus runners-up; she takes part in a tribute segment to former Eurovision entries.

The UK’s entry Michael Rice, with ‘Bigger Than Us’ is set to perform #16 in the line-up.

LGR’s Eurovision guru Tony Neophytou said, “Cyprus and Greece qualified and that is a great achievement, for patriotic reasons; Eurovision is increasingly competitive, and this year is no exception”.

Cyprus’ qualification streak continues for a fifth year, long may this continue. Greece made a strong comeback to the final following last year’s shock exit at the semis.

Tamta, performs infectious-catchy ‘Replay’ track, up-tempo pop-banger with a horns-fuelled chorus. Tony says, “The brass, or instrumental parts, are the biggest asset to this song, and no doubt gives it a slight edge.”

‘Replay’ shot to number one on the London Greek Radio, (LGR), Airplay Chart this month.

The song’s composer Alex Papaconstantinou, aka Alex P, was the man behind Eleni Foureira’s ‘Fuego’ – last year’s unlucky runners-up in the competition. He collaborates on the tune with Sweden-based songwriters, Geraldo Sandell, Viktor Svensson, Albin Nedler and Kristoffer “Bonn” Fogelmark.

The Greek pop singer  struts the stage and the choreography is slick and on-point, with Sweden-based dancers Lamin, Kenny, Niklas and Benjamin.

Sacha Jean-Baptise, the creative woman behind ‘Fuego’, is in charge of the staging, and no doubt elevating the good modern radio-ready song.

Cyprus’ qualification streak continues for a fifth year, long may this continue.  Greece made a strong comeback to the final following last year’s shock exit at the semi-finals.

Katerine Duska with mid-tempo pop ballad, ‘Better Love’. Another relevant and radio friendly, lovely melodic track.

Tony’s view is that “the songstress has a unique and distinctive voice and doesn’t hold back.  ‘Better Love’ features strong vocals and that trademark soulful rasp, with melodic hooks swirling beneath the orchestral drums.

She nails the live vocal in the routine, especially the long high-note as the track climaxes, which earns high marks, with expert jurors.

Canadian-Greek indie-pop artist Katerine Duska co-writes Greece’s entry, ‘Better Love’ with Greek-British musician Leon of Athens and Scottish songwriter David Sneddon.

Reviewing the performance, Mr Neophytou said, “Katerine is in an ‘Edwardian’ frock with her ballerinas and her fencers on stage to tell the story, which is aesthetically pleasing. Flowery prop on stage, girls in yellow-frocks, it is pop-art, that’s brave staging, as it asks the viewer to interpret the elaborate stage, and indeed, focus on quite a few things.”

Tony looks at a few other contenders…

Netherlands with Duncan Lawrence ‘Arcade’, is a well-crafted ballad, with a genuine and sincere vocal. The type of slow-song which cuts to the soul. In March, after a 41 songs marathon, Tony picked out The Netherlands and Italy, as potential front-runners.

Italy (Mahmood, ‘Soldi’), is a hip hop track, sung in Italian, with a line in Arabic. The song is about his dad who walks out on him as a child; there’s a sad, moody feel to it; incredible good beat, with catchy refrains and peak moments in this well-made song.

Switzerland with (Luca Hänni, ‘She Got Me’) a “ethnic” pop song with exciting ‘clarinet’ breaks, and infectious beats.

Sweden, John Lundvik with ‘Too Late For Love’ and gospel-choir, very polished staging, catchy song, Sweden’s the usual Top 5, or there-about for years.

Azerbaijan (Chingiz, ‘Truth’), ethnic and modern fusion, just think of Greek-pop Laika, it’s sort of like that, Azeri-style. Some wicked effects his ‘body’ descends during the break-down part; digital robots, laser surgery on his broken heart, visually gripping.

Australia with Kate Miller-Heidke’s song, ‘Zero Gravity’, infuses operatic style with a pop beat. It covers a dark subject: her post-natal depression after giving birth to son Ernie. Kate, and two dancers are flying on poles above the ‘earth’ and is eye-catching staging.

Russia with Sergey Lazarev ‘Scream’, a dramatic ballad, is composed by Dimitris Kontopoulos and the man behind the creative staging is Fokas Evangelinos both Eurovision veterans.  The stage with mirrors/holograms, multiple images each aspect and emotion of his personality. In short, a strong Greek team is behind it, with the same people as the 2016 second-placed Sergey entry.

The Eurovision Song Contest Final airs tonight on BBC1 at 8pm GMT.

London Greek Radio wishes Cyprus and Greece the very best of luck in the competition.

Article written by Tony Neophytou

Cyprus’ Tamta and Greece’s Katerine Duska have qualified for the Eurovision Song Contest’s final following a high-energy semi-final in Tel Aviv.

Australia, Iceland, Belarus, Serbia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, San Marino and Slovenia will also compete in the 26-strong event on Saturday.

A total of 17 international acts took to the stage on Tuesday night but only 10 moved on to the final following a 50-50 vote split between the public and music experts jury.

This result means Cyprus’ qualification streak continues for a fifth year, long may this continue. Greece made a strong comeback to the final following last year’s shock exit at the semi-finals.

Tamta was the opening act with infectious-catchy ‘Replay’ track, an up-tempo pop banger, that’s current and radio-friendly. The song builds to a horns-fuelled chorus with a thumping bass-line. LGR’s Eurovision guru, Tony Neophytou says, “The brass, or instrumental parts, are the biggest asset to this song, and no doubt gives it a slight edge.”

‘Replay’ shot to number one on the London Greek Radio, (LGR), Airplay Chart this month.

Georgian-Greek singer, Tamta Goduadze, 38, agreed to do the Eurovision gig last December and fulfilled a long-time ambition to participate in the event.

The song’s composer Alex Papaconstantinou, aka Alex P, was the man behind Eleni Foureira’s ‘Fuego’ – last year’s unlucky runners-up in the competition. He collaborates on the tune with Sweden-based songwriters, Geraldo Sandell, Viktor Svensson, Albin Nedler and Kristoffer “Bonn” Fogelmark.

Tony believes, “Both entries were qualifying worthy; with strong production, catchy hooks, melody, creative and thoughtful staging, exciting camera-work, with credible performers to support the entries.”

The Greek pop singer worked the stage with a cutesy charm; whipping up excitement in the crowd at Tel Aviv Expo. The choreography was on-point, with Tamta, centre and front of stage with dancers Lamin, Kenny, Niklas and Benjamin from Sweden.

Sacha Jean-Baptise, the creative woman behind ‘Fuego’, is in charge of the staging, and no doubt, the slick routine, elevated, a good, modern radio-ready song.

Katerine Duska came on number 16 in the line-up, she performed mid-tempo pop song ‘Better Love’. Another relevant and radio-friendly track which, the reviewer believes “the song has hit-potential that goes far and wide. It forges the idea that Greek music has multi-versatile styles, genres, sub-genres, with this lovely, melodic indie-pop track.”

Canadian-Greek indie-pop artist Ms Duska co-writes Greece’s entry, ‘Better Love’ with Greek-British musician Leon of Athens and Scottish songwriter David Sneddon.

Tony’s view is that “the songstress has a unique and distinctive voice and doesn’t hold back.  ‘Better Love’ features strong vocals and that trademark soulful rasp, with melodic hooks swirling beneath the orchestral drums.”

The stage act is colourful with blossoming flowers, pinks and purple-like tulips. Greece have no camera-effects or tech gadgets as part of the show, instead a song, Katerine interprets with an honest and sincere vocal.

Reviewing the performance, Mr Neophytou said, “Katerine is in an ‘Edwardian’ frock with her ballerinas and her fencers on stage to tell the story, which is aesthetically pleasing.”

The Greek pop industry should continue to invest in good, quality acts, and for sure it is scratching the surface. Tony believes, “Cyprus and Greece have a wealth of song-writing talent, that could put their foot forward at Eurovision. The composers, producers, that write high-impact, ethnic pop songs, every-day hits, that are extremely popular on LGR, would no doubt be rated pretty high at Eurovision, with creative staging”.

UK residents could not vote in this round but will be able to during the 18-act second semi-final on Thursday and the final on Saturday.

The Eurovision Song Contest Final is broadcast on Saturday 18th May on BBC1.

London Greek Radio wishes Cyprus and Greece the very best of luck in the competition.

Article written by Tony Neophytou

The Eurovision Semi-Final 1 airs on Tuesday 14th May at 8pm UK time with Cyprus and Greece competing among 17 countries. The aim is clear-cut: a Top 10 finish guarantees qualification to the final on Saturday.

As Eurovision week begins at the Tel Aviv Expo in Israel, Cyprus and Greece are well-fancied ‘favourites’ in the first semi-final to qualify.  Katerine Duska is slightly edging it at 2/1 ‘first favourite’ to win the semi-final for Greece.  Both countries are Top 12 to win the Eurovision outright and seize the 2019 trophy.

Tamta and Katerine Duska have entered the London Greek Radio [LGR] official Air-Play Chart this month.  The tracks, ‘Replay’ and ‘Better Love’ are proving popular with listeners, which reflect their cross-over potential, as hits and radio-friendly songs.

Cyprus is opening the first semi in slot number one, officially launching Eurovision this year.

Tamta performs ‘Replay’, an up-tempo dance track that has a horns-fuelled chorus with a thumping bassline. LGR’s Eurovision guru, Tony Neophytou says, “The brass, or instrumental parts, are the biggest asset to this song, and no doubt gives it a slight edge.”

Georgian-Greek singer, Tamta Goduadze, 38, agreed to do the Eurovision gig last December and fulfilled a long-time ambition to participate in the event.

The Greek star who is very popular in her hometown, could be quite popular in Tel Aviv.

CyBC chiefs felt that the Georgian-born singer was right for this year’s contest as the up-tempo tune compliments Tamta as a singer and performance-artist, comprising that “complete package”.

The song’s composer Alex Papaconstantinou, aka Alex P, was the man behind Eleni Foureira’s ‘Fuego’ – last year’s unlucky runners-up in the competition. He collaborates on the tune with Sweden-based songwriters, Geraldo Sandell, Viktor Svensson, Albin Nedler and Kristoffer “Bonn” Fogelmark.

Sacha Jean-Baptise, the creative woman behind ‘Fuego’, is in charge of the staging and “it looks like it will no doubt be an elevated, good, modern radio-ready song”, according to Mr Neophytou.  Tony has had a sneak-peak of the rehearsal footage and the Cypriot staging “is on-point, very slick, and professional.  It appears that many disciplined hours, weeks and months has clearly gone into this and they hope it will pay-off.”

He added, “It’s a slick black, white and blue presentation with smart camera work and quick shot changes. Tamta is the pop-star oozing confidence, sexiness and a cute smile; front and centre of the stage, with four dancers Lamin, Kenny, Niklas and Benjamin from Sweden.

“It is street-dance, choreographed and rigorous, for three minutes, which are highly entertaining.  Tamta is in a white and black outfit, black pleather boots snaked all the way up to her thighs; with a nice Eurovision “trick” of a costume-change adding a dynamic element to the stage show.

“For the “replay” lyric, we get the repetitive camera tricks as we see in Tamta’s music video, with some smoke pyrotechnics for the final chorus of the performance.”

Canadian-Greek indie-pop artist Katerine Duska co-writes Greece’s entry, ‘Better Love’ with Greek-British musician Leon of Athens and Scottish songwriter David Sneddon.

Tony Neophytou’s view is that “the songstress has a unique and distinctive voice and doesn’t hold back.  ‘Better Love’ features strong vocals and that trademark soulful rasp, with melodic hooks swirling beneath the orchestral drums.

Her soaring vocals and catchy chorus give the tune that feel of a “competitive” package and a possible game-changer, as Greece embarks on a comeback to the Eurovision final, after a shock exit at the semis last year.

Tony continued, “The pop-art staging is colourful, with flowers blooming and romantic overtures that suit the song.”

Katerina said, “I’d like to keep it [the song] open to interpretation”.  Tony added that the song has great-depth lyrically.  “It’s a mid-tempo track, ethereal that in essence, is about purist and unconditional love”, Mr Neophytou concluded.

One interesting theory behind the inspired-staging, suggests a painting of renaissance from “Garden of Earthly Delights” by Hieronymus Bosch.

Reviewing the performance, Tony Neophytou said, “Katerine is in an ‘Edwardian’ frock with her ballerinas and her fencers on stage to tell the story, which is aesthetically pleasing.”

Backing-vocalists Erasma Markides and Eleni Ponzantzidou, along with dancers Dimitra Vlachou and Fania Grigoriou complete the line up for Greece.

The Eurovision first Semi-Final airs on Tuesday 14th May at 8pm on BBC4.

The Eurovision Song Contest Final is broadcast on Saturday 18th May on BBC1.

Tamta performs in the running order of 17 at slot number #1.  Meanwhile, Ms Duska is at #16 second to last.

London Greek Radio wishes Cyprus and Greece the very best of luck in the competition.

Article written by Tony Neophytou

Cypriot broadcaster CyBC confirmed in December that Greek star Tamta would fly the flag at the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Georgian-Greek singer, Tamta Goduadze, 38, ticks-off Eurovision on her wish-list; that’s right a song contest she has thought about doing for absolute ages. Tamta came agonisingly close to achieving it – not once, but twice and denied the chance which is lucky for Cyprus as she said ‘Yes!’ to the Cypriot proposal this year.

The pop up-tempo track ‘Replay’ is very current and very radio-friendly.

Her catchy song reigned number one on the London Greek Radio, LGR, Official Air-Play Chart this month.

It’s very upbeat, very infectious horns-fuelled chorus with a thumping bassline. The brass parts are a big asset to the song and no doubt gives it a slight edge.

CyBC chiefs felt that the Georgian-born singer was right for this year’s contest as the up-tempo tune compliments Tamta as a singer and performance-artist comprising that “complete package”.

The song’s composer Alex Papaconstantinou aka Alex P was the man behind Eleni Foureira’s ‘Fuego’ – last year’s fantastic runners-up in the competition. He collaborates on the tune with Sweden-based songwriters Geraldo Sandell, Viktor Svensson, Albin Nedler and Kristoffer “Bonn” Fogelmark.

The music video is portraying Tamta within a very urban and industrial context, that seems to fit accurately the modern song. It’s very slick and well-made, with Greek director Giannis Michelopoulos piercing together a lot of fast-paced shots and costume changes. If you blink, you will miss Tamta alternate a street-wise lass, to “dominatrix”, and casual-girl-next. The pop-idol is playing the role of an enchantress who’s spinning ‘a man into a state of infatuation’. A fun act/entry oozing that “sexiness” x-factor, so on trend with a particular type of pop-genre now.

Sacha Jean-Baptise, the creative woman behind ‘Fuego’ last year is in charge of the Cypriot staging and no doubt will help to elevate Tamta’s staging and song on the left side of the scoreboard.

Tamta starts rehearsal week at the Tel Aviv Expo which hosts Eurovision this month. The singer confirmed four dancers will join her on stage, all-Swedish professional dancers,  Lamin, Kenny, Niklas and Benjamin and no doubt will give it that strong visual element to compliment the track. It’s slick, stylish, with tight and creative camera-work, that helps create that strong visual impact on stage.

Cyprus is opening the First Semi-Final in slot number #1 with a show-stopper routine to officially launch Eurovision this year.

Cyprus has qualified to four-consecutive finals and Tamta is hoping to emulate that success, with a well-deserved fifth-finalist. The Cypriots have a great form and one that is a very proud achievement for the country.

At the time of writing, Cyprus are virtually neck-and-neck with Greece ‘first-favourite’ to win the Semi-Final. It is a Top 10 ‘seventh’ to win Eurovision, and seize the 2019 trophy. The nation is somewhat a “Eurovision power-house” lately so it’s a winner in our books; and it puts to the centre, and forefront, Cypriot and Greek pop music to a huge audience.

LGR’s Tony Neophytou said, “The Top 10 is potentially theirs; a competitive line-up this year. The Netherlands, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and Russia’s comeback with Sergey Lazarev. Interestingly their composer is Dimtris Kontopoulos with fellow-Greek Fokas Evangelinos staging Russia’s effort with Eurovision pedigree under their belt.”

Cyprus competes in the Eurovision First Semi-Final which airs on Tuesday 14th May at 8pm GMT.

She performs in the running order of 17 at slot number #1.

The Eurovision Song Contest Final is broadcast on Saturday 18th May at 8pm GMT.

London Greek Radio wish Tamta and the Cypriot delegation the very best of luck in the competition.

Article written by Tony Neophytou

Think Zumba take on a 8.5 mile charity walk from East Finchley to Westminster on Sunday 5th May as part of a North London Hospice Big Fun Walk.

The group will don sashes, charity t-shirts and trainers to take on the ‘annual’ challenge. In the preceding years of 2017 and 2018, Think Zumba in Barnet have collectively raised £11,000, and these funds have been earmarked for the North London Hospice. Every penny that is raised has directly gone to support the work of this fantastic place.

The group have been helping raise money for the North London Hospice as an appropriate charity to raise funds for, to help patients become more comfortable whilst having terminal cancer.

We would be ever so grateful to anyone who would give even the smallest donation to help the group raise the necessary funds.

Here is a link to their MoneyGiving Page: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/THINKZUMBA

Here is a link to their MoneyGiving Page: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/THINKZUMBA

Article written by London Greek Radio