MUSIC
The island nation confirmed that a singing contest will decide who will represent Cyprus in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon. This new approach focuses on fresh talent and budding vocalists to see who is right to enter the competition next year.
All Cypriots can apply, whether they’re island or UK Cypriots. People are saying that this is a brilliant chance for ambitions British Cypriot artists to showcase their talent to the masses as well as giving them the opportunity to fly the Cypriot flag at Eurovision.
Broadcasters CyBc announced that the Cypriot sing-off contest will air in January 2018. At LGR we’ve been looking over the ‘rules’ of the new singing contest. Firstly, each applicant has to submit a video audition via a private YouTube link that only CyBc can see and the singers can choose which song they want to sing. Afterwards, a limited number of entrants are chosen to audition for the judges. The judges will pick the finalists advancing to the Cypriot sing-off which will be aired on TV. The deadline is already looming for acts to enter the competition – all videos must be submitted by the 20th October 2017.
The public will vote for their favourite act and the jury will also decide which artist deserves to win. The votes will be combined to determine who will represent the country at Eurovision.
The Eurovision tune is expected to be recorded weeks after the Cypriot song contest final and will most probably be released in March.
The award-winning composer Alex Papaconstantinou, also known as Alex P, has been asked to compose the song. The Greek-Swedish producer is based in Stockholm and has co-written hits for Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez, Enrique Iglesias and loads more. Mr Alex P is known in Eurovision circles with a few Euro-stompers under his belt. He was responsible for Ivi Adamou’s ‘La La Love’ in the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest and Sarbel’s ‘Yasou Maria’ in 2007. His best result, which placed in the top 3, was for the Azerbaijan duo Aysel and Arash.
The Cypriot Eurovision delegation has said on Facebook that they’re hoping this new contest gets Cyprus into another Eurovision final.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
YOU all know them best as our Cyprus entrant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Minus One rocked the Stockholm stage with their hi-tech killer set, which included computer-generated ‘wolfs’ and barred cages, which both still linger in our memories.
Minus One visited London Greek Radio during the Eurovision warm-up tour and demonstrated to show our listeners what they’re made of.
The ‘Alter Ego’ band put out an April announcement stating that both their lead singer Francois Micheletto and bass player Antonis Loizides would be leaving the group at the end of May. In turn, the group have invested in making essential changes and welcomed new lead vocalist Andreas Kapatais, as well as bassist Max O Matic. Despite the band’s shake-up, the changes looked seamless. However, as the boys have wasted no time getting back into the recording studio and indeed have recorded their new song. To sum it up, Andreas and Max have joined existing band-mates Christopher Ioannides, Harrys Pari and Constantinos Amerikanos.
Their new track, ‘The Other Side Of The Mind’, unveils this new exciting line-up. The overall style is definitely a mix of up-front electric-rock and ‘dramatic’ hook-lines to one that creates a more ‘laid-back’ tune. In this reviewer’s opinion, it is a charming song… and a bouncy little number for sure. It’s a touch of sublime simplicity, and the ‘hook’ instantly grabs the listener’s attention. The lyrics are overtly positive in substance stating life is to be lived absolutely joyfully, stating happiness is everywhere.
Check out the video with the lovely elderly couple bopping away while vacuuming and boogieing down the street. I’m sure you would agree with us this is resolutely a feel-good number that will make you smile…
London Greek Radio would like to wish Minus One the best of luck with their brand new song and looking forward to future successes.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Arleta, the iconic singer songwriter of the New Wave Movement of the 1960’s ‘Neo Kyma’ has died at the age of 72. She passed away in the intensive care unit of an Athens hospital where she had been receiving treatment after suffering a severe stroke.
Arleta was born in Athens in 1945. Her real name was Ariadne Nicoleta Tsapra. She studied at the Athens School of Fine Arts. She published her first album of her own creation (A Hat with Songs) in 1960. She is well-known for the songs ‘Mia Fora Thimame’, ‘Serenata’, ‘To Leei Kai To Tragoudi’, ‘Ta Mikra Paidia’, ‘Ta Isiha Vradia’, ‘Bar To Navagio’, and ‘Tsai Giasemiou’.
Amid the early 1960’s launching her music career, she had collaborated with famous Greek composers like Mikis Theodorakis, Giannis Spanos, and Manos Hatzidakis.
Her songs have been performed on the alternative Greek music scene ‘Bouat’ in Athens.
Article written by London Greek Radio
The X Factor Greece Final, which aired on July 20th on Skai Greek Television, produced this year’s series winner; he is Cypriot singer Panagiotis Koufogiannis. He landed a recording contract with FeelGood Records and he drove away on the night, with keys to a brand new car. Well, that’s an extra perk, you won’t ever likely see on the UK’s X Factor…
The host, pop legend Sakis Rouvas announced the result, which coincidentally turned out to be an all ‘Cypriot’ Top 2 finalists line-up, between fellow Cypriots Panagiotis and the second-placed Soula Evaggelou; trailing third were the group Deevibes.
The judges comprised famous Greek singers Tamta, Giorgos Papadopoulos and Bambis Stokas – but Panagiotis had the winning coach, in the shape, of none other than acclaimed Greek artist Giorgos Mazonakis. He managed to beat his coach rivals upon making his debut as a mentor on the X Factor programme.
Born to Cypriot parents in Strovolos, our victor underwent his music studies at the well-known, prestigious, favourite to many Cypriot artists and locals musicians, the Berklee College of Music in the States.
The 28-year-old first competed at the Cypriot Eurovision heat stages in 2015, finishing as the runner up to John Karayiannis. He would one day like to fly the Cypriot flag at the Eurovision Song Contest. We guess then, achieving a very famous X Factor victory will certainly, be a very good thing for his chances…
Here at London Greek Radio, we would like to congratulate Panagiotis on being crowned the X Factor champion and wish him all the very best for the future.
You can watch his X Factor performance here, with Panagiotis giving us a cover rendition of ‘Can’t Feel My Face’ by The Weeknd:
Article written by Tony Neophytou
With the dust barely settled to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest since the elapse of a few months, the Cypriot broadcaster CyBc is expected to be announcing very soon the launching of a nationwide song contest, as a way of selecting our Cypriot tune, at 2018’s Eurovision Song Contest to be held in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
The drawing up of the specific rules for our Cypriot national final will be soon to be officially released, and it’s believed, this will be as quickly as August or in the autumn. We here at London Greek Radio have also learnt some information about what shall comprise the local competition. The public contest will be applicable to Cypriot singers, ‘maybe’ also songwriters and composers… We ‘insert’ here… another option… the powers that be are seriously thinking of appointing a well-known ‘composer’, to pen our Cypriot tune. Our very own UK Cypriot songwriters, producers and singers of Cypriot origin, will have eligibility to be entering the race (only in the case of an ‘open’ final). In years gone by, our talented British Cypriot artists have noticeably left a strong impression on it, taking advantage of their chance to be entering Eurovision finals on the island.
Now, as Cyprus regroups and looks towards the future let’s take a moment to reflect on the last couple of successful years. This year’s finalists ‘Hovig’ came 5th in the semi-final, continuing the qualifying streak, as we cannot forget the achievement of the up-beat Cypriot band Minus One in 2016. In 2015 John Karayiannis with the song ‘One Thing I Should Have Done’ – written by UK Cypriot Mike Connaris won the only Cypriot final we have seen, in the last three years.
The local Eurovision delegation is certainly looking to make it a fourth qualification Cypriot entry in a row, from the selection procedure they are about to embark on.
With the prospect of having a national song contest to choose our next entrant, the country’s Eurovision strategy for 2018 is starting to take shape.
Head back to the London Greek Radio website for all of the latest developments including the release of the formal rules and regulations for the Cypriot Final, outlining the steps that must be taken to submit your potential entry to the Cypriot song competition.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Giannis Kalatzis, the voice behind the late 60’s and 70’s hit songs like ‘Delfini Delfinaki’ and ‘Kyra Giorgena’, died on Thursday. He was 74.
Songwriter Ilias Philippou announced the passing of the chart-topping singer on his Facebook page.
Giannis Kalatzis was born in Thessaloniki in 1943 and his career as a singer began in the early 1960s when he was a member of Trio Moreno in Thessaloniki. Later he settled in Athens and made his first major collaboration with composer Giorgos Mitsakis.
His rise to fame happened after he began collaborating with some of the most famous Greek composers: Manos Loizos, Mimis Plessas, Stavros Kougioumtzis, Giorgos Katsaros, Yannis Spanos and Tolis Voskopoulos.
He has also participated in music records of many other famous Greek pop singers, such as Giorgos Dalaras, Haris Alexiou, Giannis Parios, Mariza Koch and Litsa Diamanti.
During the 1970s he collaborated with composer Nikos Karvelas while in 1981 he released a record with songs by Tolis Voskopoulos.
In 2013 Giannis Kalatzis was honoured in the Greek version of the television programme Your Face Sounds Familiar broadcast by ANT1 with actor Konstantinos Kazakos impersonating him and performing one of his most famous songs – ‘Delfini Delfinaki’.
His well-known songs – many classic songs during the 1980’s on the London Greek Radio air-waves such as ‘To Palio Roloi’, ‘Paramythaki Mou’, ‘Isoun Oraia’, ‘Tzamaika’.
He released solo albums including the self-titled ‘Giannis Kalatzis’ in 1968, ‘Kyra Giorgena’, ‘Paramythaki Mou’, ‘Ena Taxidi’.
He retired from his singing career in 1984, but in 1985 he took part in a concert dedicated to Manos Loizos.
Kalatzis is considered one of the best singers of the time and his songs have been performed by many artists of the younger generation.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Despina Vandi
On Thursday 22nd June | 7:30PM – DESPINA VANDI WILL BE LIVE IN LONDON
Despina Vandi is considered one of the top Greek and International performers in the world. Beginning her career in 1994, for more than 2 decades she has achieved record sales on her multi-platinum recordings, racked up 25 awards, boasts ten international releases and a Billboard No. 1 as she won the US Billboard Hot Dance Airplay with her album “Geia!” (“Hello!”). She is indeed one of Greece’s largest and most loved commercial exports.
Despina received her first major award in 2000 from the director of Virgin Megastores, London, for the success of her CD single “Ypofero” (“I Am Suffering”), as the best-selling CD of all time in Greece. In 2001, for her album “Geia!” (which went 4 times Platinum within just eleven days) she won World’s Best Selling Artist at the World Music Awards held in Monte Carlo, marking the first time this was awarded to a Greek artist. For the same album and tracks from it, she received prestigious accolades from Portugal and Russia. Despina followed up with more multi-platinum discs, sold-out concerts in Europe, America and Australia, collaborations with international DJs and world-renowned producers such as Armand Van Helden, Milk & Sugar, Nick Skitz, Roger Sanchez and German electronic impresario, Schiller.
Despina Vandi is also a star of the small screen, starting in 1999, in the role of Haroula, in the television series “Two Foreigners” which received raving reviews at the time. In 2013 and in 2014, together with Greek actor Giorgos Kapoutzidis, Despina co-hosted the Greek final song selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. Later, in 2016, she hosted the 6th “MadWalk” (MAD TV) with resounding success! Despina Vandi was one of the four “legend” coaches in the TV talent show “The Voice” of Greece (2014-2015), and was the winner coach in the first year. She returned to the judging panel for a new format primetime TV talent show “Rising Star” of Greece.
From the small screen to the stage, and her participation in the hit musical MAMMA MIA was her first step into musical-theater. Despina Vandi, interpreting her role as Donna Sheridan, grabbed headline reviews and won the hearts of critics and audiences alike, opening a new chapter to her multidimensional and highly successful artistic career.
EVENT INFO
Stalls – seated with mezze dinner £175 (*please note these are sharing tables – 14 people per table)
Balcony seated no mezze £75
Balcony standing (no mezze) £50
All tickets include a welcome glass of champagne.
TIMINGS
Doors 7pm
Dinner served for stalls ticket holders 7.30pm
Support act 9pm
Despina 10pm – 1am (with a half hour interval)
Balcony ticket holders are advised to arrive at 8.30pm.
TICKETS
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AGE
STRICTLY OVER 18’s | ID REQUIRED
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Cypriot singer Hovig will represent Cyprus in the up coming Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place at International Exhibition Centre IEC in Kyiv. He will sing ‘Gravity’ written by Thomas G:Son, a Swedish producer, well-known in Eurovision circles.
Hovig Demirdjian was confirmed as the island’s representative on 16th October 2016, internally selected by the Cypriot broadcaster CyBc. It was stipulated then that G:Son would be responsible for producing the song. The Swede’s involvement in last year’s Cypriot Eurovision entry means he composes the country’s tune for a second year.
Hovig
28 years-old Hovig was born in Nicosia and is a Cypriot artist of Armenian origin. Hovig, whose mother is Cypriot, says he is proud to fly the Cypriot flag at the 2017 contest.
The song’s official video clip, which was exclusively released on 1st March on Eurovision.tv features dancer Natalia Michael. The video was filmed by Emilios Avraam using the CyBc’s studios in Nicosia.
Hovig explained on his Facebook page the idea of gravity in this song, suggesting it’s a concept that can be interpreted to mean different things to all listeners.
“Anyone can relate and interpret “GRAVITY” into their lover, their religion, their family. To anything that gives them support and push to keep going. It’s a bigger power encouraging anyone to continue their path. “I’ll catch u when u fall”. Who comes into ur mind saying this to u? Is it your God? Ur mum? Ur partner? Or maybe even ur own self doing some reflection?”
The reaction to the song was impressive to say the least as it exceeded over 1.000.000 views in the first month since the release on Eurovision.tv. It is a radio-friendly pop track with electronic beats throughout the song.
The information we have about the Cypriot live Eurovision performance, is that Hovig will be joined on stage by a couple of dancers, who have been named as Marios Charalambous and Pavlos Lazarou Kertepene. They will be seeking to re-create the video’s atmospheric feel. It is a team which comprises talented stage director, choreographer Charis Savva, also vocal coach Christos Kyriakides and his costume designer Notis Panagiotou, who is to fit Hovig with his Eurovision’s outfit.
The Cypriot delegation will be quietly optimistic about their qualifying chances for a third year, following the recent successes by Minus One and John Karayiannis.
The Cyprus entry competes in the First Eurovision Semi-Final, which airs on Tuesday 9th May, televised live on BBC 4. Hovig will be hoping to advance to the Eurovision Final on Saturday 13th May 2017.
If you haven’t watched ‘Gravity’ yet, check out the official video here:
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Zoe Tiganouria
The famous Greek composer and singer
Zoe Tiganouria LIVE in London.
Sunday 14th May at 7:45pm.
Also making a special appearance and well known in our community is Elena Hadjiafxendi.
Millfield Theatre,
Millfield Arts Centre,
Silver Street,
Edmonton,
N18 1PJ
Tickets:
Front Seats: £20
Further Back: £15
Telephone for reservations:
Millfield Theatre: 020 8807 6680
For more information call LGR on: 0208 349 6950
Article written by London Greek Radio
Anyone following his career would know that Greek Cypriot singer Kyriacos Georgiou has been enjoying huge success at Spin Records, an independent Greek label. With the release of his latest hit, ‘Κατειλημμένος’ London Greek Radio caught up with Kyri for an exclusive interview about his new single and his exciting plans for the future.
Kyriacos started by talking to LGR about his American tour last January.
“Yes I’ve been keeping myself busy as usual. I have just come off tour from America. I was singing to the Greek Americans on the cruise line Freedom of the Seas by the Royal Caribbean. It was an amazing experience as I got to meet many Greeks from all over America for the second year running.”
His new single ‘Kateilimmenos’ can be described as an up-beat Laiko tsifteteli that has gone straight into the London Greek Radio playlist.
“I just released my new song called ‘Kateilimmenos’ lyrics by Jackpot and music by Giannis Ieremias. I’m happy to be working with this team as we previously worked on many projects before together and we have a great bond and friendship in the studio.
I’m really excited about my new upbeat single and hope that it is liked by my fans and followers.”
The Official Lyric video which was uploaded to the Spin Records YouTube channel has greatly surpassed 100,000 views. Kyri talks to us about its immediate success:
“It’s only just been released but I am getting a really good response and I’m really happy about that! We managed to hit 120.000 views in just under a month and we have only just started promo on it. I hope it carries on like this.”
Kyriacos also revealed that he will be returning to the recording studio soon. He is to follow-up ‘Kateilimmenos’ with a new summer single. He is also in talks with potential venues in Athens looking to confirm where he’ll be performing at the bouzoukia, throughout the up-coming hot season. The work will mean he is often absent from London for long periods and often thinks of home a lot.
“In London I miss my family and friends most but I come over often as much as I can to visit.
Apart from that I want to thank Tony from LGR for always supporting & backing me up in my music career. Thanks Tony & the LGR team for all the support!”
We are looking forward to the new tune and as soon as we have it on our hands, it will be straight on the London Greek Radio air waves. Meanwhile, check out ‘Kateilimmenos’ his current hit, below:
Article written by Tony Neophytou
