London Greek Radio

London-Cypriot singer Kyriacos Georgiou has spoken with London Greek Radio about his new single, ‘Den Mporo’ with Bulgarian songstress, Emanuela. The talented home-grown artist has been leading a successful solo career in Athens for several years and spoke with LGR’s Tony Neophytou.

The music video which was uploaded to the Planeta official YouTube channel has surpassed an impressive 3.6 million views since it was released on 1st October.

The tsifteteli-ethnic pop track with Bulgarian percussion has catchy hooks making it a club and radio friendly hit.  

Kyriacos told his manager his idea to release a new song while in lockdown.

The 27-year-old told LGR: “After one-week release, we managed to surpass 1.2 million views and was number #1 trending on Bulgaria YouTube and ranked first on the Top 50 Bulgarian pop/chalga folk music charts.”

Speaking about his collaboration, Mr Georgiou added, “Emanuela is a pop/folk Bulgarian artist who has had over 20 hits and has been in the industry for years. Our music producer and hit maker in Bulgaria, Daniel Ganev wanted to produce a Greek/Bulgarian duet and suggested it to both of us.  I previously worked with Daniel Ganev on my last hit in Bulgaria, which was Anelia and called ‘Pos Tin Ides’ which has now had 7.7 million views.”

 Both singers worked on the creative and artistic video together, which is implicitly sensual and seductive and compliments the song. 

“We heard the song and thought it would be an instant success.” Kyriacos explained. “I instantly clicked with Emanuela and got on with her really well. We both put many ideas on the table in regards to shooting the video and combining the lyrics together so that they would make sense. It was a pleasure working with such a well-known artist once again in Bulgaria.”

LGR’s Tony Neophytou asked Kyriacos about the creative challenge of life in lockdown and what affect it had. 

“It’s been a very difficult period for all of us; artists, performers, singers, entertainment industry, as you’re not able to perform. A lot of friends and co-writers are really down at this moment in time. You have to stay positive, pray for better days.  We have to get back on the stage, entertain and make people happy, to enjoy life, because life is short.”

He added, “In lockdown I felt myself getting depressed because all of a sudden I went from a sold out summer tour with Natasa Theodoridou and Stan, to then going into a lockdown, not being able to perform or travel, is a big shock. Also not knowing when we, as artists, will be able to perform again was even more frustrating. I am grateful to God I found the energy and enthusiasm to make this new single with Emanuela.”

In his spare time, Kyriacos enjoys the gym and tries to stay healthy.  He also enjoys acoustic unplugged sessions with friends in London.

Kyriacos is patiently waiting for the re-start of bouzoukia, once the social distancing restrictions in Athens are eased.

“I have now booked a tour with Emanuela in Bulgaria and will be travelling back and forth for live shows until things get better and the entertainment industry opens back up in Greece.”

Kyriacos had acknowledged the help of the ‘LGR Music Awards’ of his fledging career. “LGR event opened up a lot of routes for me in terms of getting to Greece, to record labels. Meanwhile, Giorgos Papadopoulos, the Cypriot star singer-song-writer at this event, wrote a couple of singles for me in 2013-14 when I moved to Greece. All this came through LGR. A huge Thank you to LGR for helping me out back then in my earlier days”.

Follow @KyriacosGeorgiou on Instagram for updates.

Greek artist Konstantinos Argiros has one of the biggest hits right now with the beautiful ‘Athina Mou‘.

It’s an emotional ‘zeimbekiko’ with a timeless nostalgia harking back to the golden age of rebetiko and the roots of classic Greek Laika.

The song seems to be a massive hit with our listeners and radio presenters alike gaining a dominate foothold on the London Greek Radio air-play chart.

The melancholic zeimbekiko song has a ‘feel good’ sound with a strong evocation of patriotic sentiment about the Athenian capital and is about searching for a “long-lost love”.

The melody and lyrical depth compliment the sense of nostalgia, although there is a social conscious undertone due to it being released at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. The lyrics and music are written by Lefteris Kintatos whose inspiration was the silenced streets of Athens where local Athenians obeyed the stay-at-home lockdown.

The song starts with a few lines of a rain-soaked Saturday night in the Grecian capital. The verse in the song reminisces this along with a barely audible “barrel piano” from the “jasmine and night flowers smell from the balconies”.

The chorus sings, “It’s been months since you’ve been away from me, and the baby doll I had in my shop window is fading away, but I’m desperately looking for you, in my Athens.”

It is a pain exacerbated with the verse, “The bell at Lampadiaris Church is ringing mournfully, it’s like it’s saying we lost once again today…”

In the music video, Argiros is cast in the role of a working-class man with a deeply felt-sadness as he dances a slow-zeimbekiko in a quaint taverna. The video, directed by Giannis Dimolitsa, is atmospheric and captures the taverna scene with the nostalgia and romanticism that is bellowing beneath the song.

The video appears to be an ode to the classic film “Evdokia” from 1971 by Alexis Damianos from which the legendary “Zeimbekiko Tis Evdokias”, written by Manos Loizos, became known.

Tune in to LGR to hear the song, ‘Athina Mou’ and more of today’s biggest Greek hits on 103.3 FM in London, DAB+ in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow, at lgr.co.uk and here: ‘Alexa, Play London Greek Radio’.

London Greek Radio Official UK Airplay Chart, with some of the biggest, most in demand hits in the chart.

Top 40 Official LGR Airplay Chart.
August 2nd to August 29th inclusive.

1 Konstantinos Argiros – Athina Mou
2 Natasa Theodoridou – Paradothika Se ‘sena
3 Nikos Vertis Feat. Amir – I Lexi S’ Agapo
4 Michalis Hatzigiannis – Horevo
5 Eleni Foureira – Temperatura
6 Giorgos Sampanis – Agria Thalassa
7 Helena Paparizou – Mila Mou
8 Josephine – Ego
9 Panos Kiamos – Dyo Metra Ouranos
10 Petros Iakovidis – S’ Agapao Sou Fonaxa

11 Paola – Flytzani
12 Kaiti Garbi Feat. Antonis Remos – Kivotos
13 Malou – Agyristo Kefali
14 Apostolia Zoi – M’ Agapas
15 Kaiti Garbi feat Alcatrash – Tha Melancholiso
16 Eirini Papadopoulou – Tis Kardias Mou O Erotas
17 Kostas Martakis – Allos Anthropos
18 Nikos Vertis – Poso Me Pligoses
19 Loukas Giorkas – Pame Ap’ Tim Archi
20 Kaiti Garbi – Ilios De Vgainei An Den Peis Kalimera

21 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
22 Josephine – Den Echo Sima
23 Nikos Kourkoulis – Elyne Kai Edene
24 Konstantinos Argiros – Ximeromata
25 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Skase Ena Fili
26 Giorgos Mazonakis – Agapo Simainei
27 Melina Aslanidou – Den Vazeis Mialo
28 Christos Menidiatis – De Mporei
29 Giorgos Kakosaios – Erotas Moiazei
30 Giorgos Mazonakis – Dianykterevo

31 Onirama – Pou Isoun Chtes
32 Christos Mastoras – Den Echo Idea
33 Melisses – Misi Kardia
34 Giorgos Giannias – Kratise Me
35 Les Au Revoir – Oi Thalassies Oi Xantres
36 Stavento Feat. Themis Adamantidis – Na Diadothei
37 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Valto Terma
38 Christos Menidiatis – Dyo Dromoi
39 Alcatrash – Xana
40 Giorgos Papadopoulos – Agapi Mou

Top 20 Greek Hits here: lgr.co.uk/chart/

Information and statistics credited to “Radio Monitor”.

Source: Official London Greek Radio Airplay Chart.

London Greek Radio, Since 1989.  
The Original Station with the sounds of our culture.

One of the greatest Greek singers in the history of popular Greek music, Giannis Poulopoulos died on Sunday night.  He was 79.

It’s understood that the singer had been in intensive care at Attikon Hospital in Athens for serious health problems.

Poulopoulos was one of the biggest stars in Greek music, with a back-catalogue of hits spanning throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s before noting a brief 1990s revival.

In terms of album sales, he is the fourth biggest-selling Greek artist of all time.

His popularity grew with a unique and distinctive melodic vocal tone and ‘elafrolaiko’ romantic style.

Giannis’ songs during the 1980s were to dominate LGR playlists, such as ‘Agape Me’ and ‘Mi Mou Thymonis Matia Mou’.  Other hits included ‘Ola Dika Sou Matia Mou’, ‘Tha Pio Apopse To Feggari’, ‘Mia Fora Monaha Ftanei’, ‘Kamaroula Mia Stalia’ and ‘Pia Nyhta S’Eklepse’, amongst other songs.

Perhaps his most enduring hit was ‘To Agalma’, (The Statue), who remembers him first meeting his love and how the statue starts crying when it hears about his heartache and her wrong-doing.

He collaborated with some of Greece’s biggest composers such as Mikis Theodorakis, Giannis Spanos, Mimis Plessas, Manos Loizos amongst others.

His album ‘O Dromos’ by Mimis Plessas and Lefteris Papadopoulos in 1969 was to become the most successful selling album of all-time, selling in excess of three million copies, a feat that no other Greek album has approached to date.

Poulopoulos also appeared in several films, during the golden age of Greek cinema in the 1960s, such as ‘Oi Stigmatismenoi’, which also starred Giorgos Foundas and Maro Kodou; ‘O Tetraperatos’ with Kostas Hatzichristos; ‘Piraeus’ by Giorgos Katsaros, and in the romantic comedy ‘Tzeni-Tzeni’, where he performed with Tzeni Karezi.

Giannis Poulopoulos was born on 29th June 1941 in the village of Kardamili, in Messinia.  His parents moved the family to the Saint Lerotheos neighbourhood in Peristeri, near Athens.

When he was just five years old, his mother died and he was raised, along with his younger brother Vasili, by his father Giorgios.

He started singing at a young age and worked as a builder, played soccer in Saint Lerotheos and Atromitos, and also painted.

At the age of 19, Giannis auditioned for Mikis Theodorakis, Apostolos Kaldaras, Vassilis Tsitsanis, and Giannis Papaioannou.  Theodorakis was impressed and arranged for Poulopoulos to sing three songs in a theatrical production with Nikos Kourkoulos and Tzeni Karezi in Iakovos Kambanellis’s play, ‘The Neighborhood of Angels.’  He was signed to Columbia Records.

After leaving Columbia in 1964, he completed compulsory service in the army and was discharged two years later, where he started singing in small clubs in Plaka and recording songs again.

In 1966, he sang in a Mikis Theodorakis concert at the AEK stadium in Nea Philadelphia, together with Grigoris Bithikotsis, Maria Farantouri and Dimitris Mitropanos. In the same year he relaunched his recording career.

He retired from music in 1999, and was regularly approached with substantial proposals to sing in clubs and record again, however, the singer declined all offers.

Giannis Poulopoulos leaves behind a legacy of timeless classics and everyone at LGR is saddened to hear of his passing.

London Greek Radio (LGR) is further refreshing its schedule with two new presenters who join the radio station this week.

After a protracted period of training due to the Coronavirus pandemic, both presenters have patiently been waiting to hit the LGR airwaves.

Kostas Voudouris and Stelyo Siderides both have a diverse background and are looking forward to entertaining LGR’s listeners.

Stelyo has been involved in the music scene for 30 years, hosting many events within the community, focusing on Greek and English parties.

He was born in north London and his father, a Greek, originally came from Constantinople. His mother is from Lympia in Cyprus.

Kostas Voudouris is London-based and raised in Thessaloniki, Greece where he was a frequent DJ in several nightclubs.

Kostas joins LGR with a view to bring listeners the latest hits and exclusives, as well as uncovering the hits of the future.

LGR’s Head of Programming, Pierre Petrou said: “Since expanding our coverage across the DAB+ Digital Radio network, it’s great to add to our already experienced team. Our existing presenters have already taken our online listening to an all-time high so the lads have got a lot to live up to! We are really excited to have them join us at such a pivotal time.”

London Greek Radio will shortly be launching their second round of presenter recruitment and listeners are urged to stay tuned to hear what they need to do if they wish to be considered to join LGR!

The new presenters join LGR as the station continues to operate temporary scheduling and for this week, you can hear Stelyo and Kostas for the first time as follows:

Kostas Voudouris: Monday 1-4pm; Wednesday 10pm-12am; Friday 9pm-12am.

Stelyo Siderides: Thursday 7-9pm.

Stelyo and Kostas join LGR during the global Coronavirus pandemic which has seen some temporary changes to LGR’s schedule. As with other radio stations, some programmes on LGR were extended to three-hours and there has been a limited number of presenters available due to the ‘lockdown’.

LGR’s Programming Department has also introduced weekly Covid19 updates direct from Cyprus and Greece, along with features such as the “Recipe of the Week” with George Psarias and “Psychological Support” with ‘Dr Vass’. (Vasos Vasilios Silivistris).

In addition, Anta Murati provides “Entertainment News” each Friday evening, keeping listeners up to date with celebrity news from Greece, Cyprus and the UK.

London Greek Radio is on 103.3FM in London, DAB+ in Birmingham, London, Manchester & Glasgow and online at lgr.co.uk

Top 30 LGR Official UK Airplay Chart.
June 2nd to June 29th inclusive.

London Greek Radio Official UK Airplay Chart, with some of the biggest, most in demand hits in the chart.

The rankings are based on radio airplay detection as measured by the “Radio Monitor” of UK-wide popular stations. 

1 Petros Iakovidis – S’ Agapo Sou Fonaxa
2 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
3 Ilias Vrettos – Mono Ego
4 Konstantinos Argiros – Athina Mou
5 Nikos Vertis Feat. Amir – I Lexi S’ Agapo
6 Panos Kiamos – Tha Perasi
7 Christina Salti Feat. Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
8 Giorgos Papadopoulos – Agapi Mou
9 Natassa Theodoridou – Paradothika Se ‘ena
10 Kostas Karafotis – Afiste Me Oloi Stin Trela Mou

11 Giorgos Mazonakis – Oinopnevma Ftino
12 Alcatrash – Xana
13 Michalis Xatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
14 Stelios Rokkos – Makari
15 Konstantinos Koufos – Parasyromai
16 Kaiti Garbi – Ilios De Vgainei An Den Peis Kalimera
17 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Skase Ena Fili
18 Konstantinos Galanos – Gia Mia Matia
19 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
20 Christos Menidiatis – Dyo Dromoi

21 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Valto Terma
22 Elli Kokkinou – Taxe Mou
23 Stan – Den Ftais Esy
24 Kaiti Garbi Feat. Antonis Remos – Kivotos
25 Josephine – Magia
26 Kostas Doxas – Diva
27 Panos Kiamos – Fotia Me Fotia
28 Mihalis Xatzigiannis Feat. Thanasis Alevras – Saitias
29 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
30 Christos Mastoras – Den Echo Idea

Information and statistics credited to “Radio Monitor”.

Source: London Greek Radio Official UK Airplay Chart.

Top 20 Greek Hits here: lgr.co.uk/chart/ and hear a few snippets, to some of our favourite songs.

Top 20 LGR Chart Hits.

Tune in to LGR 103.3 FM and lgr.co.uk to hear the best new music, and lots of your top-rated favourite songs this month.

London Greek Radio play-lists are constantly adding even more exclusives, promos and new releases.

7th June 2020.

Listen to snippets from our chart: lgr.co.uk/chart/

1. Nikos Vertis feat. Amir – I Leksi S’Agapo/Si On N’aime Qu’une Fois
2. Melisses – Misi Kardia
3. Giorgos Sabanis – Allakse Ta Ola
4. Giorgos Mazonakis – Dianyktereuo
5. Dionisis Sxoinas – Allazo
6. Dimitris Basis feat. Christos Mastoras – Ena Lepto
7. Elena Paparizou feat. Sakis Rouvas – Etsi Einai I Fasi
8. Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Kathimerina
9. Natasa Theodoridou – Hartopolemos
10. Konstantinos Argiros – Ta Matia Sou Eroteutika
11. Petros Iakovidis – S’agapo Sou Fonaksa
12. Constantinos Christoforou feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
13. Nikiforos – Ta Leme To Vrady
14. Antonis Remos – Ola Ta Dakrya
15. Michalis Xatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
16. Kaiti Garbi – Kormia Xamena
17. Ilias Vrettos – Ora Monaksias
18. Lena Zeugara – Oneira
19. Tamta – S’agapo
20. Thodoris Ferris – Ta Amartola Sou Matia

“Celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves”

London Greek Radio (LGR) has recorded a huge increase in listening figures during the coronavirus pandemic.

Along with other local, commercial and BBC stations across the UK, whilst some stations have reported double-digit increases in online listening in recent weeks, LGR has seen our figures more than triple!

London Greek Radio has recorded a significant increase in connected radio listening, with an average increase of 173% with the most notable growth over the Orthodox Easter weekend of 346%.

The figures suggest that people staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic seem to be listening to more radio rather than listening to music apps.

The numbers are from LGR’s online streaming platforms. Some of LGR’s biggest increases have been especially noted across morning and daytime programming – which suggests that people are keeping devices on when they would normally be heading out to work.

Pierre Petrou, Head of Programming for London Greek Radio said: “LGR has been the backbone for our communities for over 30 years and provides companionship and friendship. As a result, solid relationships are formed between the listener and presenter on the radio. During this crisis, our presenters aim to inform, update and entertain.

He added, “We have developed systematic programming which includes regular live updates from Cyprus, Greece and the UK. Understandably, our regular schedule has changed but it seems that people are welcoming this as we are working in partnership with organisations who are providing essential key services to the most vulnerable – from free food packages to ‘a listening ear’.

“We’re also aware that calls, texts and emails have increased, so I think there is a bit of a general rediscovery of radio and how important it can be at times like this.”

Siobhan Kenny, CEO of Radiocentre, the industry body for commercial radio, said: “As the UK acclimatises to a new world of working from home and enforced isolation, radio proves its strength as a hugely valuable source of information, reassurance, company and, most importantly, fun. As one of the most trusted and accessible forms of media, it is perhaps no surprise that so many are tuning in right now.”

Top 40 LGR Official UK ‘Airplay Chart’ this month.

April 1st to April 28th 2020 inclusive.

The biggest, most in demand hit songs in the chart.

1 Nikos Vertis, Amir – I Lexi S’ Agapo
2 Giorgos Papadopoulos – Agapi Mou
3 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Val’to Terma
4 Christina Salti, Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
5 Melisses – Misi Kardia
6 Onirama – Pous Isoun Chtes
7 Alcatrash – Xana
8 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
9 Giorgos Livanis, Areti Katime – Ela Apopse
10 Helena Paparizou, Sakis Rouvas – Etsi Einai I Fasi

11 Natasa Theodoridou – Chartopolemos
12 Kostas Karafotis – Afiste Me Oloi Stin Trela Mou
13 Ilias Kampakakis – Se Synantisa
14 Christos Mastoras, Dimitris Basis – Ena Lepto
15 Despina Vandi – Esto Ligo Akoma
16 Christos Menidiatis – Dyo Dromoi
17 Nikos Apergis – Ego O Dinatos
18 Konstantinos Koufos – Parasyromai
19 Ivi Adamou, Konnie Metaxa – Pao
20 Anastasios Rammos – Se Dyo Mono Matia

21 Michalis Hatzigiannis – Vale Ena Kafe
22 Giota Negka – Oxygono
23 Giota Negka – Diarkeia Mias Zois
24 Michalis Hatzigiannis, Dimitra Galani – Se Poion Na Po To S’ Agapo
25 Ilias Vrettos – I Agapi Mporei
26 Stelios Rokkos – S’ Agapo
27 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
28 Andromachi – Na ‘soun Psema
29 Natasa Theodoridou – Den Me Afora
30 Demy – Ela

31 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Akousa
32 Dimitris Mpasis – Psithiroi Kardias
33 Despina Vandi – To Nisi
34 Dionyis Schoinas – Allazo
35 Kelly Kelekidou – Gia Chari Sou
36 Kelly Kelekidou (Feat. Stamatis Kraounakis) – Vasanizomai
37 Helena Paparizou – Askopa Xenihtia
38 Knock Out – Ach Ntina (Bika Karantina)
39 Josephine – Den Echo Sima
40 Kings – Pio Poly Apo Pote

“Celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves”

Source: The Official Radio Monitor detection, 28 days monthly.

London Greek Radio, Official UK Airplay Chart.

April 1st to 28th 2020 inclusive.

Top 40 London Greek Radio ‘Airplay Chart’

The Monthly Chart, which covers March 2nd to March 30th, 2020.

The biggest, most in demand hit songs in the Chart.

1 Giorgos Livanis, Areti Ketime – Ela Apopse
2 Christina Salti, Ilias Vrettos – Taxidi Magiko
3 Helena Paparizou, Sakis Rouvas – Etsi Einai I Fasi
4 Christos Mastoras, Dimitris Basis – Ena Lepto
5 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Val’to Terma
6 Elli Kokkinou – Taxe Mou
7 Konstantinos Argiros – Ta Matia Sou Eroteftika
8 Nikiforos – Ta Leme To Vradi
9 Stelios Legakis – Perasmena Xehasmena
10 Anastasios Rammos – Se Dyo Mono Matia

11 Nikos Oikonomopoulos – Kathimerina
12 Giorgos Sabanis – Allaxe Ta Ola
13 Ilias Kampakakis – Se Synantisa
14 Josephine – Den Echo Sima
15 Apostolia Zoi, Nino – Esy
16 Andromachi – Na ‘soun Psema
17 Christos Cholidis – Pali Sto Spiti Mou Charamata
18 Petros Iakovidis – Fovamai
19 Konstantinos Christoforou Feat. One – Billy Bam Bam
20 Ilias Vrettos – I Agapi Mporei

21 Stelios Rokkos – Makari
22 Christos Mastoras – Den Echo Idea
23 Nikos Apergis – Ego O Dinatos
24 Peggy Zina – Mesa Mou Kati Egine
25 Giannis Vardis, Giorgos Lianos – Emeis I Dio
26 Nikos Kourkoulis – Eline Kai Edene
27 Ivi Adamou feat. Konnie Metaxa – Pao
28 Zanis Knock Out, Panos Myrianthous – Moro Mou
29 Eirini Papadopoulou, Stamatis Houhoulis – Halali
30 Natasa Theodoridou – Chartopolemos

31 Kings, Giannis Ploutarhos – Oso Tha Leipeis
32 Alcatrash – Xana
33 Kelly Kelekidou – Gia Chari Sou
34 Kostas Doxas – Seri
35 Nikos Vertis – Allaxa
36 Alkistis Protopsalti, Antonis Remos – S’Agapo
37 Christos Dantis – Pros To Paron
38 Stefania – Superg!rl
39 Stan – De Me Xereis
40 Melina, Michalis Hatzigiannis – Love, Love, Love

Celebrating Greek music and creativity on the air-waves

Source: London Greek Radio, Official UK Airplay Chart,
The Official Radio Monitor.

March 2nd to 30th 2020 inclusive