ENTERTAINMENT
Is “Stelios” Coming to the UK? Where to Watch the Stelios Kazantzidis Biopic, with the film released at the Greek cinema this week. We know its distributor Tansweer Productions have ultimately made its films available to watch for Greek Diaspora Communities.
“Υπάρχω” hits Greek cinemas this week in a biopic of the legendary singer Stelios Kazantzidis, with Christos Mastoras taking on the lead role. After months of teasing fans of Kazantzidis and Mastoras with some rather frankly epic trailors, we are excited about the release. We are hoping it will be released soon outside mainland Greek territories to the Diaspora Greek communities worldwide.
The soulful Greek singer resonated with the common man and lamented himself as the voice of the working class. His songs wrestled with heartache, melancholy and angst which touted the real struggles and upheavals of the everyday Greek. In the post-World War II climate, his music defined what it was to be a working Greek man or woman at the time.
The Stelios Kazantzakis story is a real rag to “riches” story of a pontus refugee and his upbringing in Nea Ionia’s refugee camps to his rise as a popular musical artist.
Directed by renowned filmmaker Giorgos Tseperopoulos and written by Katerina Bei, it charts the real rise of the folk icon with a great depth of sensitivity from well-researched and reliable sources of his closest inner circles.
“Yparxo” (I exist) is the 1971 iconic song and film title, rekindling memories when the original London Greek Radio of the 1980s was synonymous with playing Kazantzidis’ songs, such as “Yparcho”.
The music connected the immigrant community and for Cypriot Greeks who had settled in London felt like a connection to home. Listening to a Stelio song was like a safety blanket, a cultural blanket, while evolving identities of living in new place.
The iconic artist is continuing to define Greek identity today with a resurgence of Laika songs on Greek radio. These songs spoke to the soul of a Greek who wrestled with persistent struggles and turbulent upheavals, with a nod to the Diaspora as always.
The long back-catalogue of hits that are still speaking to eager audiences today. Songs like “Το Αγριολούλουδο”, “Γυάλινος Κόσμος”, “Άπονη Ζωή”, “Μάνα Μου” “Εγώ Ποτέ Δεν Αγαπώ”, “Μαντουμπάλα”, “Φεύγω Με Πίκρα Στα Ξένα”, “Ζιγκουάλα”, “Ο Κυρ Αντώνης”, “Το Τραίνο Γερμανίας Αθηνών”.
Mr Mastoras the front man of Melisses looks the decent lead actor with his narration of this enigmatic personality, capturing relationships, and industry disputes.
Watching the trailer, the film looks expensive and epic in equal measure with impressive costumes. Not astonishing really since it was lavished with a budget heralded as the “biggest Greek production” of the year from the same filmmakers of “Eftychia”, a biopic about composer Eftychia Papagiannopoulou.
The supporting cast includes Klelia Renesi, Asimenia Voulioti, Agoritsa Oikonomou, Dimitris Kapouranis, Anna Symeonidou, and many others, with Giorgos Karamichos, Nikos Psarras, Giorgos Giannopoulos, and Yiannis Englezos among the ensemble.
Like any heroic folk singer, the Kazantzidis story is not without its intriguing twists and turns. The likes of which are tragic, artistic disputes, confronting and upsetting industry norms and challenging censorship during his early career.
A singer of Stelios Kazantzidis’ stature will continue to live long in the annals of history and relevant for ages to come with young people and long-time fans alike.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Cyprus Returns to Junior Eurovision with ‘Crystal Waters’ by 11-Year-Old Maria Pissarides
Cyprus is thrilled to announce its exciting return to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest after seven years, represented by 11-year-old Maria Pissarides and her dynamic, rhythmic pop song ‘Crystal Waters’. Written and composed by singer-songwriter Sophia Patsalides (Cyprus’ Junior Eurovision 2014 representative), alongside Swedish producer Armin Highmøre Gilani and Maria Pissarides herself.
‘Crystal Waters’ is an energetic, feel-good song that highlights the beauty of nature and the power of friendship. ‘Crystal Waters’ blends upbeat rhythms with a catchy dance tune. With imagery of the sun, clear blue seas, and a strong sense of unity, the song encourages listeners to cherish both their friendships and the world around them. ‘Crystal Waters’ is a celebration of harmony, joy, and the strength found in togetherness. Its vibrant energy and rhythmic pop sound are certain to resonate with young audiences across Europe.
Maria Pissarides, with her bright and lively vocals, brings this rhythmic song to life, making it an unforgettable track. The song marks Cyprus’ 10th entry in the Junior Eurovision, and it has already surpassed 100,000 views on YouTube, winning the hearts of young and mature across Europe with its irresistible beat.
“We invite you to support Maria Pissarides’ participation and Cyprus’ return to Junior Eurovision.” (CyBC)
The competition will take place on Saturday, 16 November 2024 and the Cyprus entry is song #5. The Live Show starts at 17:00 GMT or 18:00 CET. You can watch the live show on the #JESC YouTube channel.
All viewers in participating and non-participating countries alike can vote using the official Eurovision App or go directly to JESC.tv. Both App and website will provide the correct voting method for all eligible countries automatically.
There will be two rounds of voting for you to take part in:
Vote 1: Online Voting will open at 20:00 GMT on Friday, 15 November 2024 and close on Saturday 16 November 2024 at 16:59 GMT, just before the live show starts. In order to be able to vote, voters need to watch a recap compilation from the rehearsal, and also have the possibility to watch preview videos of the participating songs.
Vote 2: Online Voting will open after the last song has been performed during the live show. Voting will close approximately 15 minutes after. Voters will vote on the basis of the songs as performed during the live show.
London Greek Radio wishes Cyprus and Maria Pissarides the best of luck at the competition.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Cyprus Returns to Junior Eurovision with ‘Crystal Waters’ by 11-Year-Old Maria Pissarides
Cyprus is thrilled to announce its exciting return to the Junior Eurovision Song Contest after seven years, represented by 11-year-old Maria Pissarides and her dynamic, rhythmic pop song ‘Crystal Waters’. Written and composed by singer-songwriter Sophia Patsalides (Cyprus’ Junior Eurovision 2014 representative), alongside Swedish producer Armin Highmøre Gilani and Maria Pissarides herself.
‘Crystal Waters’ is an energetic, feel-good song that highlights the beauty of nature and the power of friendship. ‘Crystal Waters’ blends upbeat rhythms with a catchy dance tune. With imagery of the sun, clear blue seas, and a strong sense of unity, the song encourages listeners to cherish both their friendships and the world around them. ‘Crystal Waters’ is a celebration of harmony, joy, and the strength found in togetherness. Its vibrant energy and rhythmic pop sound are certain to resonate with young audiences across Europe.
Maria Pissarides, with her bright and lively vocals, brings this rhythmic song to life, making it an unforgettable track. The song marks Cyprus’ 10th entry in the Junior Eurovision, and it has already surpassed 100,000 views on YouTube, winning the hearts of young and mature across Europe with its irresistible beat.
“We invite you to support Maria Pissarides’ participation and Cyprus’ return to Junior Eurovision.” (CyBC)
The competition will take place on Saturday, 16 November 2024 and the Cyprus entry is song #5. The Live Show starts at 17:00 GMT or 18:00 CET. You can watch the live show on the #JESC YouTube channel.
All viewers in participating and non-participating countries alike can vote using the official Eurovision App or go directly to JESC.tv. Both App and website will provide the correct voting method for all eligible countries automatically.
There will be two rounds of voting for you to take part in:
Vote 1: Online Voting will open at 20:00 GMT on Friday, 15 November 2024 and close on Saturday 16 November 2024 at 16:59 GMT, just before the live show starts. In order to be able to vote, voters need to watch a recap compilation from the rehearsal, and also have the possibility to watch preview videos of the participating songs.
Vote 2: Online Voting will open after the last song has been performed during the live show. Voting will close approximately 15 minutes after. Voters will vote on the basis of the songs as performed during the live show.
London Greek Radio wishes Cyprus and Maria Pissarides the best of luck at the competition.
Article written by London Greek Radio
Helena Paparizou will announce Greece’s 12 points!
Greece’s Eurovision winner Helena Paparizou will be the spokesperson announcing the Greek jury’s 12 points on Saturday night at the Eurovision Song Contest Finale live at Malmö Arena.
Helena appeared on Thursday nights second semi-final and wowed the arena with a live rendition of “My Number One” during the sing-along medley. We admit to feeling teary eyed with the victorious Eurovision song still sounding as fresh and exciting as ever.
Born and raised in Sweden, Paparizou commanded the stage with her solo act, busting a few Greek dance steps and yelling “Opa!” to the crowd’s delight.
The interval act also featured former Eurovision winners Sertab Erener (Turkey 2004) and Charlotte Perrelli (Sweden 1999).
Greece’s Eurovision entrant Marina Satti with the ethno-banger “ZARI” (Greek word for = dice) went through on the night. Both Helena and Marina at the semis, lady luck, rolling out a couple 6’s at the Greek’s bequest.
Fun fact also, the “My Number One” co-writer is the iconic Christos Dantis, who’ll be headlining our Greekology event in July alongside former Cypriot Eurovision star Konstantinos Christoforou.
Helena has an inextricably close bond to Eurovision: in 2001 she was one-half of Antique with “Die For You”, finishing third in Copenhagen. In 2005, she won the contest in Kyiv and welcomed the world to Athens in 2006. In 2021, Paparizou participated at the “Rock The Roof” party in Rotterdam, in The Netherlands.
Helena who celebrates a 25-year milestone in the music industry, recently released the ultimate “club banger of 2024”. The single “Mavra Gialia” is now on the LGR playlist and fast-tracked to become a mega hit this summer.
She is also soon set to release her eleventh-studio album later this year, mixing pop, dance-floor-rhythms, R&B and the ethnic motif.
Pic (credit): Tryfonas Nakis
Marina Satti unleashes infectious vibes with “ZARI”, Greece’s 2024 Eurovision Entry
Article written by Tony Neophytou
“The Greek instrument of the zournas standing out in the mix. It makes “ZARI” powerful and exciting”.
As Eurovision excitement heats up, Marina Satti’s “ZARI” (Greek word for = dice) is set to take the stage at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Sweden at the Malmö Arena.
Satti will perform in the second semi-final tonight batting for a place at the final on Saturday.
The Eurovision hit song “ZARI” mixes traditional Greek melodies with a modern template. The up-tempo Greek banger feels current and on-trend with Greek music and local charts. It is a unique and original song with a mix of avant-garde and mainstream sounds. It blends ethno-pop with pop-laika, tsifeteli and hip-hop which is very modern and current.
The Greek delegation at Eurovision is setting out to rejuvenate the nation’s fortunes with this entry with a hopeful top 10 finish like classic 00s and 10s’ entries: Songs that were always catchy, super-fun and felt like genuine Greek songs.
Instantly triggering recognition as a Greek song, with the tabla percussion and the zournas standing out in the mix, “ZARI” is both powerful and exciting. It is catchy, contagious and addictive, claims our Eurovision man. It is a production with a strong bassline that reverberates when the volume is turned up full notch with the Ta-Ta-Ta vibrating through the floor at the LGR studio.
Tony Neophytou LGR’s ‘Eurovision fanatic’ says, “Satti is the experimental singer-songwriter and ZARI is a weird and wonderful song. It is brimming with Satti’s personality a little on the ‘brave, bold and brilliant’ side, is the eclectic Eurovision song and not too unlike her hit song “Tucutum” from last year.”
“ZARI” has an elevated ethno female bop with the eclectic Satti style we know, distinctive as a Greek-language song with a true cultural identity, Mr Neophytou views.
“The multiple hooks and a super lush, sumptuous bass are driving a strong song, with the syncopated rhythm demanding your attention. The woah moments and the most unexpected twists and turns have a captivating feel and it’s like a smack or a hit in the gut.” Tony adds. The hook is the useful asset a Eurovision song requires to create a strong impression.
Her closest allies whittled down through 150 songs before landing on this “competitive song” that stands on its feet, as a stage and TV-alluring package. “ZARI” is a hot-take of a Eurovision-engineered song, Satti says.
It is gutsy like lady luck with a dice roll and a fresh track shaking things up. A risky song, it’s like different sides of a zari, or dice, with layers and parts each congruent to each other. This sounds much better on repeat noticing the intricate details in the song. It’s the sort of song “to marinate on all the aspects it stitches together as a studio cut, it’s like a Greek spice with seasoning and feeds our appetite” our LGR ‘man’ says.
“ZARI” mixes up-beat and melancholic vibes – the quieter parts feel introspective. A creeping bass line and subtle drums provide a backdrop for Satti’s head-voice intro that quickly builds up to a fast tumba beat with a climax that feels exhilarating.
Satti blends groovy feels and airy vocals with its crowd-pleasing song. It is mostly sung in Greek, with the “put your hands up” verse switching up with a sweet urban spot.
The studio song is a club and radio-friendly hit for sure. The staging of the performance will be elevated with unique urban visuals and aesthetics with on-point vocals.
A 30-second teaser of the Greek staging is presenting a cohesive stage concept. The long, continuous shot focusses on Satti and the dancers whilst she looks into the camera to connect with the audience. The staging is bright, well-lit with neon colour palette, graffiti graphics and the floor alternates to blue with a nod to the Greek flag. They then pull-out handkerchiefs for a routine to the syrto and kalamatianos, which feels very Greek.
The official music to “Zari” had the quick cuts through the streets of Athens to add to the up-beat vibe to this song. “I am curious at the staging for this and how it channels the infectious vibe to the stage.” Mr Neophytou adds.
Satti’s team is made up of Creative Director Fokas Evangelinos, Mecnun Giasar (Majnoon) is the choreographer, and art direction by NMR.
Satti will perform with four dancers – Huso Cetintas, Vassilis Karagiannis, Yasin AO and Eirini Damianidou. Her backing-vocalist is Erasmia Markidi.
“Zari” was composed by Satti, OGΕ, Nick Kodonas, Kay Be, Jay Stolar, Gino The Ghost, and Jordan Palmer, with lyrics penned by VLOSPA, OGΕ, Satti, and Solmeister.
The official music video had taken a rather quirky slant poking fun at the perceived stereotypes of Greek people and its aesthetics are TikTok-inspired.
“Zari” since its release has smashed stream numbers and gone super-viral. Marina is only the with second female artist ever since Eleni Foureira to top the Greek Spotify chart.
The track released on digital and streaming services hit 10.000.000 streams on Spotify, gaining double platinum one month after its release. The music video surpassed 11 million views, a record-breaking statistic for a Greek Eurovision entry.
Fun trivia also, Greece have a lucky streak at Eurovision in Malmo, with Top 5th and Top 6th finishes, i.e. Koza Mostra featuring Agathonas “Alcohol is Free” (2013), and Cleopatra “Olou Tou Kosmou I Elpida” (1995), to be exact.
Luck, be a lady at the Eurovision semi-final tonight. Satti is rolling a couple of 6’s smashes the tele-vote and qualifies. Satti performs #3 in the running order of 16.
London Greek Radio wishes Greece and Marina Satti the best of luck at the competition.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Tonight Cyprus compete at the Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final 1, which airs at 8pm BST. The song, which will be performed by 17-year-old Australian born Cypriot-Greek rising star Silia Kapsis, will be flying the flag high at Malmö with “Liar”.
Cyprus have a couple of acts, one from 2018, namely Eleni Foureira she will sing a minute-version to “Fuego” opening the semi-finals this year. The current Cypriot act Silia will be immediately on next, song #1!
CyBC made the official announcement last September with Kapsis’ song written by Greek songwriter, composer, and producer Dimitris Kontopoulos, well-known in Eurovision circles. He also collaborates on the track with lyricist Elke Tiel.
The up-tempo Cypriot entry “Liar” is a dance-pop banger, addressing themes of misplaced trust, deception, self-worth, and truth in a world of fake news and lies.
A well-made, radio-friendly and catchy Eurovision number, it is a bombastic production with nice brass elements; the song’s intro siren captures the attention. It ebbs and flows with the punchier bass and a climatic dance break is a strong dynamic to the track.
Silia is a super-talented singer, dancer, and actress, making up a solid Eurovision entrant and will be very promising for Cyprus’ chances. The CyBC hierarchy believe that the singer is the perfect entrant for this year’s contest.
Cyprus has big ambitions for this year’s contest, bringing on board renowned choreographers Kelly Sweeney and Guy Groove including Cypriot creative Charis Savvas.
Cyprus’ official music video “Liar”, the country’s Eurovision promo for this year’s contest, was released on 29th February. Silia is the star of the music video directed by Kostas Karydas, filmed at the City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel in Limassol. It teases her strength as a skillful mover, for the much more elaborate stage routine later at the contest for this song.
The self-aware nods to Silia and her “Liar”, through lyrics “Shoulda known that you are a liar, but I looked the other way”, is coupled with a fearless look, she’s got the sass and power to live her truth.
The CyBC Eurovision page explains the concept. “In the said video… we see through the eyes of Silia Kapsis a series of oppressive situations that a fake world and the negative side of social media often impose. In the second part of the music video, we see Silia Kapsis reacting to these situations, rocking the boat and daring to live her truth while at the same time inspiring others to follow her in a celebration of liberating oneself from such lies.”
LGR’s ‘Eurovision fanatic’ Tony Neo said: “Silia is a likeable soul and a promising act. She is a youthful, exuberant, exciting, and emphatic lively dancer. She’s skillful at urban street dance which is current and now. The hints from her music video to Liar suggest she possesses the skills-set and assets which an energetic Eurovision song requires. Her stage presence and charisma which no doubt help to elevate this song. We’ve been following Silia since last year and we are excited to finally hear the song!”
Silia is simultaneously singing and dancing and her four dancers are all Danish with Theo B. Koefoed, Thomas Hegnet, Sebastian Laurentius Nielsen and Martin Daugaard. The stage concept is imagined by Guy Groove and Kelly Sweeney, while Charis Savvas is in charge of the rehearsal in Athens. Her vocal coach is Victoria Chalkitis, known to work with artists for the big occasion.
Cyprus‘s staging is of well-known Eurovision Creative Director Dan Shipman of Black Skull Creative working alongside Martin Dietmann.
“I have my fingers crossed for the song’s chances. It feels as though a visually captivating treat is on-the cards,” Mr. Neophytou says.
Cyprus competes in Semi-Final 1 at Malmö Arena on Tuesday night the 7th of May at 8pm on BBC 1. Silia performs in slot #1 in the running order of 15.
The Eurovision Final takes place on Saturday 11th May, on BBC 1 and London Greek Radio wishes Silia and Cyprus the very best of luck in the competition.
Btw, UK is tele-voting nudge, nudge, wink, wink… not that we’re hinting don’t you know 😉 🇨🇾
Follow Silia Kapsis on instagram at: @silia_kapsis.
Article written by Tony Neophytou
LGR 103.3 FM is the official media sponsor of Josephine live in London. 🇬🇧 One of the hottest acts on the Greek music scene, Josephine will be appearing at the world-renowned Lola’s Hippodrome Casino Leicester Square, on the 28th of March. This marks her first concert in London after the success of her recent album “Ta Kala Koritsia”.🔥
Josephine has become one of the biggest female superstars in Greek music, releasing a string of consecutive hits.
Her latest album “Ta Kala Koritsia” includes hit songs such as ” Tilefono”, “Berdemata”, “Kathrefti Kathreftaki Mou”, “Poly Poly”, “Eisai Mia Thea (2023 Version)”, “Pirkaya”, “Kyma Mou” and “Geia Sou”.
Get ready for an exclusive night at The Hippodrome Casino with Josephine alongside DJ Andreas Michaelides and DJ George Michaelides plus special guests!🙌
In a whirlwind of excitement and anticipation, tickets for the much-anticipated gig have officially sold out. The announcement came from the official Greek London Live page.
LGR sponsors this Greek London Live event as London’s only official FM-licensed Greek station, and first choice for new music.
This event is sponsored by @going.greek @3wisemonkeys_assos @delphifoods @apollobakeryfinchley @apollobakerycockfosters @archway_steel
This event is supported by @andrewsshipping and KOUNNIS & PARTNERS
Official Media Sponsor: @londongreekradio
@panik_entertainment_group
#londongreekradio #lgr #lgr1033 #greekmusic #greekradio #greeksongs #newmusic #panicrecords #greeksinlondon #cypriotsinlondon #josephine #greeklondon #greeknight #events #london #lgrclubnights #greekology #athens #greece
Article written by London Greek Radio
As Eurovision season gears up, Cyprus have finally revealed the song title for their upcoming entry at this year’s contest. The song, which will be performed by 17-year-old Australian born rising star Silia Kapsis, will be flying the flag high at Malmö with “Liar”.
Vasiliki ‘Silia’ Kapsis was born in Sydney to Cypriot singer Giorgos Kapsis and Greek lawyer and former dancer Despina “Rebecca” Saivanidis from Thessaloniki.
CyBC made the official announcement on 25th September 2023 by stipulating Silia Kapsis’ song is written by Dimitris Kontopoulos, a Greek songwriter, composer, and producer, well-known in Eurovision circles. He also collaborates on the track with lyricist Elke Tiel.
The up-tempo Cypriot entry “Liar” is being teased as a dance-pop banger, addressing themes of misplaced trust, deception, self-worth, and truth in a world of fake news and lies.
Silia is a super-talented singer, dancer, and actress, making up a solid Eurovision entrant and will be very promising for Cyprus’ chances. The CyBC hierarchy believe that the singer is the perfect entrant for this years contest.
Cypriot chiefs confirmed choreographers Kelly Sweeney and Guy Groove shall be crafting the lively choreography. The involvement of the Los Angeles creatives highlights their ambition to impress at the competition.
Kelly Sweeney is a professional dancer and choreographer with an impressive track record of collaborations. She was lead choreographer for NBC’s Dancing with Myself with Shakira, Nick Jonas, and Liza Koshy, Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance and ABC’s Dancing With the Stars, and for the Troll Movie by Dreamworks.
Guy Groove is a professional choreographer, dancer, teacher and creative director whose acclaimed career includes TV shows such as The Middle, The Goldbergs and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. He has also choreographed for Nickelodeon’s JoJo Siwa, and worked on The Kids Choice Awards, Slime Fest, Halo Awards, Live with Kelly and Ryan, and many other major performances for major shows.
Meanwhile, Silia has recently flown to Los Angeles for the first rehearsals. This month, she arrived in Cyprus to shoot the video clip for her official Eurovision “Liar” song. The music video, directed by Kostas Karydas, was filmed in Limassol during her location at the City of Dreams Mediterranean hotel. Elsewhere, SIlia will be back in Athens to step up the rehearsals, with vocal coach Victoria Halkiti.
Adding to the excitement, Silia has recorded the final version of her Eurovision song. The date for the release of the song has not yet been specified for listeners, but it leaves fans in eager anticipation.
LGR’s ‘Eurovision fanatic’ Tony Neophytou said: “In Silia we have a likeable soul and a promising act. Without knowing the song just yet, we know that Silia is a youthful, exuberant, energetic, emphatic, lively dancer, these traits which help the upbeat song. Her Tik Tok videos are next level, she’s skilful at the urban street dance which is current and very now. Silia impresses with the skills-set and assets which a Eurovision song requires. It’s all positive vibes, we’ve been following the young Silia since last year, and are excited to hear the song!”
“The all singing-dancing combo, Silia has the potential to bring her x-factor stage craft to this act.
“I have my fingers crossed it will be a strong pop tune, that is dynamic and edgy enough to do very well. Eurovision competitive song-wise. It feels as though a visually captivating treat is on-the cards,” Mr. Neophytou says.
I’d like to say on-air: Silvia Kapsis’ super-slick staging helps to elevate our Cypriot “Liar” on the Eurovision stage.”
Cyprus has a lot of potential with the creative package they’ve got which bodes well for Cypriot chances for sure.
Follow Silia Kapsis on instagram at: @silia_kapsis.
Cyprus competes in Eurovision Semi-Final 1, on Tuesday 9th May at 8pm GMT. The Top 10 are tele-voted through to the Final on Saturday 14th May at the Malmö Arena in Sweden.
London Greek Radio wish Silia Kapsis and Cyprus the very best of luck in the competition.
Picture: 📸 @monseeworld
February 2024
Cyprus confirms Silia Kapsis as Eurovision 2024 Singer (ARTICLE)
Article written by Tony Neophytou
Marina Satti, renowned Greek singer/songwriter, is set to represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Sweden at the Malmö Arena. The 36-year-old Greek artist, born and raised in Heraklion, is the daughter of a Cretan mother and a Sudanese father.
ERT bosses announced the artist on 25th October that Satti will be their next act at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest, marking the 50th anniversary of Greece’s first participant in 1974.
The song has not yet been chosen as the final song is yet to be chosen, but will be distributed by ERT and Marina’s record label, Golden Records and Minos EMI (a Universal Music Company). From 25th October, writers were invited to submit songs (in accordance with Eurovision Song Contest rules) for Satti by email with the deadline just passing on December 1st.
Satti is a singer/songwriter with roots in alternative ethnic, merging Greek, Balkan, and Middle Eastern influences. She mixes traditional and ethnic elements with pop and urban, hip-hop rhythms and electronic and is one of Greece’s most exciting artists today.
In terms of a Eurovision song Marina is favouring an ethnic modern song that is very relevant and cultural. She hinted that it will be an effective and intuitively catchy song for the Eurovision fan-base and wishes it to resonate with both young Greeks and peers of her generation.
Satti told Greek TV, “I believe a Eurovision entry should champion the culture of the country it represents” (translated). Furthermore, Satti wishes to smash through stereotypes about Greek music by illustrating Greek music can be both diverse and alternative yet still appeal to a wider audience. Her statement reveals that it will be an innovative Eurovision song with cultural and ethnic traits.
The OGAE Greece website, the official Greek fan-site for Eurovision on the selection of Marina, stated that Greece is reinventing its Eurovision identity by reverting back to the ethnic formulae of past years. Ogae said: “Greece re-defines its Eurovision identity by reverting back to its ethnicity roots and heritage.” Furthermore they stated: “On the 50th year of Greece’s Eurovision participation at the contest, the country is precipitating a change in momentum and recreating the Greek and ethnic formula which served them well in the contest for many years.” (translated).
Interestingly, Greece have always gained strong results whenever the contest was held in Malmö, particularly when sending ethnic-conscious songs: with a Top 5th and Top 6th finish for Kleopatra (1992), and Koza Mostra feat. Agathonas (2013).
Satti’s biggest hit so far in her career is undoubtedly ‘Mantissa’, a radio friendly super hit on LGR back in 2017, exceeding with over 50 million youtube hits. Other hits have included ‘Spirto ke Vinzini’ and ‘Koupes’, to name a few.
Her successful debut album, ‘YENNA’, was released in 2022. She also released the short documentary ‘FLABOURO’ as well as ‘TOCUTUM’, a song-commentary on Balkan trap, which became viral in the summer of 2023.
Satti holds a scholarship at the Berklee College of Music, with a creative and diverse background in music. She founded Fones, a female vocal group, as well as Chores, a choir of about 200 young talented women.
She also represented Greece in the EBU’s Euroradio Jazz Orchestra with works by Peter Herbolzheimer; singing at the John F. Kennedy Center, in Washington with the World Jazz Nonet; and participating in the a cappella vocal group The Singing Tribe in collaboration with Bobby McFerrin.
The Eurovision Final will take place at the Malmö Arena on Saturday 11th May with Semi-Finals on Tuesday 7th and Thursday 9th May.
London Greek Radio wish Marina Satti and Greece the very best of luck in the competition.
December 2023
Article written by London Greek Radio
The UK’s first and only 24-hour commercial Greek radio station to hold a FM license in London is celebrating 34 years of success this month, weeks after its unofficial 40th anniversary.
London Greek Radio exists to enlighten, amuse and improve the lives of our community both in the UK and abroad. In preserving our Greek and Cypriot heritage and bringing together London’s vibrant Greek community, the LGR brand is thriving by celebrating its Greek and Cypriot roots.
On 8th October 1983, LGR began transmitting to the Greek and Cypriot community as a pirate radio station and officially joined the FM airwaves on 13th November 1989. Based in North Finchley the station began its official broadcasting in November 1989. However, LGR’s origins stretch back to the early 1980s, when Akis Eracleous and Chris Harmanda launched the pirate station. It was the first-ever British station to target an ethnic minority group with its pioneering service to the Greek and Cypriot communities.
Chris Harmanda entered broadcasting to give the London Cypriot community a voice, which he and Mr Eracleous indisputably achieved.
Akis, who DJ’d under the name ‘George Power’, later became a co-founder of Kiss FM. Before this however, he and Mr Harmanda decided to launch LGR in 1983, broadcasting from Finsbury Park to North London with a Greek music format. Programmes initially came from the studio above the Quality Fish Bar in Finsbury Park, owned by the Harmanda family, and the offices in Akis’ house in N4 Grenville Road. Eventually the station spread its wings across the city, with help from friend and engineer Pyers Easton. They moved transmissions to above a Cypriot delicatessen in Muswell Hill, where LGR’s tall aerial mast took it’s programmes to the whole of the North London area. Even in the early days of its arrival on the airwaves, LGR gathered a dedicated following very quickly.
In 2018 we tragically lost both Akis and Chris, but they left with us their incredible legacies. The perseverance and bravery of these men, who scaled the rooftops of sites, ensuring each morning we all awoke to the sound of LGR, can never be forgotten. At the Haringey office, there was an iconic image that proudly hung of its founders and DJ ‘Kokis’ putting up the FM aerial for the pirate station on a rooftop.
The staff and volunteers endured great adversity and went to great lengths during the 1980’s to keep London Greek Radio on the air.
“Growing up in North London in the 90s, the whole family was listening”. Ask a Greek or Cypriot and this is what they will tell you. LGR’s real timeless traits, which helped trigger a sense of nostalgia and a connection to their culture. This is where LGR plays to its strengths and is the reason why London-born Greeks and Cypriots come back to it. This is the modern legacy of London Greek Radio.
LGR presenter Tony Neophytou mentions that “the Greek speaking community have a penchant for radio because of the strength of their attachment to back home. Whether they come from Cyprus, Greece or the Diaspora, anything that recreates a sense of their roots stirs them emotionally. That’s partly due to the music of course, with its lyric content, but it’s also about the culturally relevant topics we talk about.”
For Mr Neophytou, “family and community” is what comes to mind when thinking about LGR. For many London Greeks and Cypriots, the station has provided “a safe space” to go to, affirming roots and heritage and comforting its listeners 24/7. It’s a ‘safe and secure space’ of a trusted-family member, he describes.
In the mid-1980s, tens of thousands of people signed a petition demonstrating the need for LGR to have a real presence within the community. The signatures were handed to the relevant authorities which subsequently contributed to the station being licensed by the radio authorities.
A number of fundraisers with community artists and DJs, i.e. at the Camden Electric Ballroom had thousands come out in support of the beleaguered illegal pirate station. It took a great deal of documentary evidence, correspondence, press campaigns, and petitions to eventually convince the radio authorities that LGR should be granted a licence.
The pirate LGR left the air at the end of 1988 having decided to apply for one of the new incremental radio licenses. They decided to work together with Afro-Carribean station WNK to share a frequency, winning the North London license with a 12-hour daily allowance.
LGR returned to the air legally as London’s first Greek community radio station in November 1989.
The book, ‘London’s Pirate Pioneers‘ (2015) by Stephen Hebditch tells the story of the capital’s pirate radio stations and the people who helped change the British broadcasting system. He writes about LGR’s undeniable legacy in the eighties and the intense pressures it faced to shut down.
However, London Greek Radio became one of Britain’s first-ever licensed ethnic radio stations upon being awarded its license.
On November 13th 1989, LGR opened its doors as a fully legal station, with offices and a studio located on Vale Road, Haringey. In 2003, LGR purchased a freehold in Finchley and moved to its current studios at the LGR House.
One of London’s first-ever licensed ethnic radio stations began official broadcasting on 13th November 1989 upon being awarded its license, breaking ground in changing the landscape of UK radio.
John Kyriakides, Chairman of London Greek Radio, described the twists and turns in the station’s turbulent history.
“It was a difficult and protracted journey. George Eracleous and Chris Harmanda, two young men who intended to launch a Greek-language pirate radio station in the early 1980s, are credited with founding the station. Eventually, the station became a target for the authorities, who prosecuted the founders and repeatedly threatened to arrest them. Though we had to share the frequency with an Afro-Caribbean channel, Eracleous and Harmanda never gave up, and with the help of the Greek and Cypriot communities, a few directors, and myself, the radio station was given a licence at the end of the decade.
“We were only permitted to broadcast for twelve hours at first, however after five years, the Afro-Caribbean station disbanded, and London Greek Radio was then granted a 24-hour radio licence and became an independent radio station.”
Over the years, LGR 103.3 FM has become steadfast to a wide range of listeners; from maturing-settlers-to-the-UK to the coming-of-age London Greek-speakers – connecting listeners to their roots through a carefully balanced programming of music, speech, entertainment and news.
The LGR DJs who went on-air during the Covid pandemic, felt the responsibility to be not only informative but be a form of escapism. Its enduring qualities during the tough times is a testament to the powerful connection it holds within the community.
It also serves advertising for many Greek and Cypriot run businesses in and around North London. LGR has recently increased its English language airtime encouraging more Greek-speaking young people to listen in, particularly during the daytime, drive time and evenings as part of the schedule. LGR is also recruiting younger presenters, who combine Greek music with discussions on everything from cultural identities to chart trends.
The station is an integrated part of the communities’ social lives, including the organised Greekology events. Mr Eracleous suggested launching LGR nights at a local club, which helped to boost the credibility and impact of the station. In 2012, its debut at the Marquee Club with most notably, Cypriot Eurovision star Ivi Adamou, was sold-out with over 500 people in attendance. LGR Club Nights are currently the station’s biggest event, with more than a few dates in London taking place each year.
Today it is the go-to station for the championing of up-and-coming Greek/Cypriot music talents and recently launched its own LGR Productions. It has provided a platform for young music talents, while welcoming big-name guests such as Konstantinos Argiros, Stan, Nikos Vertis, Helena Paparizou, Giannis Ploutarhos and Michalis Hatzigiannis. The attendance of music stars in recent years sprinkled some stardust at the LGR studios.
LGR has supported charities including Radiomarathon, London Autism Group Charity, UK Thalassaemia Society and Alkionides UK Charity. The Leukaemia Cancer Society even gives the credit to LGR in inspiring the creation of the cancer charity. The charity’s website acknowledges this fact.
“In 1994 London Greek Radio (LGR) put out a mother’s appeal for her son. Flushed with success the group decided to carry on recruiting new donors, raising awareness of blood cancers, and supporting patients with the disease. Within a year of hearing the appeal on London Greek Radio, the group had formed a committee and registered the charity.”
The station gives a voice to charity fundraising initiatives with its scheduling of specialist shows. LGR recently organised National Thalassaemia Day in partnership with #UKTS and its patrons, raising awareness of an issue which affects many Cypriots today.
LGR is a commercial station and survives on the income generated from its loyal and valued customers and whilst this is the case, it offers a free service to local charity and community interests.
The LGR brand is alive and thriving to this very day. In addition to serving the Greek and Cypriot communities on air, LGR has broken into 21st-century broadcasting by joining the Digital Radio platform.
LGR can now be heard in two major cities on DAB+ (digital radio), namely London and Birmingham.
Furthermore, listeners extend worldwide at lgr.co.uk and the station has a free app for mobile devices which listeners can download from the App or Play stores embracing the ‘on-the-move’ audience.
The audience base of LGR, which includes listeners from the Italian, Spanish, Arab, Jewish, Armenian, Bulgarian, and Turkish Cypriot communities, is well-established and diverse.
LGR’s Managing Director, Tony Jay, said, “More listeners are discovering the ever-growing London Greek Radio family every day, not only Greek-speaking listeners but English, Jewish, Albanian, Arab, Bulgarian, Turkish, Russian and many more that frequently tune in.
He added, “LGR is undergoing a revamp with fresh ideas to attract an even wider audience. Exciting times ahead ‘onwards and upwards’.”
LGR’s Chairman John Kyriakides, added, “With LGR’s edgier playlists of the biggest Greek and Cypriot tunes, Modern Laika, Greek Pop, Entehna, Golden-Oldies, Alternative, Folk and Current Chart Hits, we continue to serve the listener. It’s this enigmatic reason that the station remains the preferred choice in most Greek and Cypriot homes, offices, shops, factories, workplaces, vehicles and venues.
In conclusion, he states that “our multilingual programmes–English and Greek–reach a large and diverse audience on a global scale. It broadcasts music, interviews, announcements, community events, local news, Greek and Cypriot news in addition to church services. While catering to the lively lifestyle of one of London’s prosperous communities, the wide range of programmes are made to appeal to all age groups.”
Article written by London Greek Radio
