The pandemic’s impact is still being felt across the entertainment and events industry, but the Greek Community of Melbourne is among organisers who went for “the show must go on” option, albeit in a COVID-safe version.

Lonsdale Street Greek Music Festival is taking place this weekend 20-21 March, treating audiences to a series of performances with some of the best local Greek bands and musicians.

What to expect – logistics & layout:

– Tickets can be reserved online here but will also be available at the door throughout the weekend

– Downsizing the event means there won’t be need for Lonsdale Street to be closed for the street party – The main stage will be set up at the open-air Daniel’s Car Park.

– The festival will run in a Covid-safe format, with 1-hour long concerts and 30 minutes in between sessions, while the number of attendees will be subject to gathering limits for public events.

– While the two-day event is dedicated to music, organisers promise it “will also be home to Melbourne’s greatest Greek food trucks.”

READ MORE: Melbourne’s Lord Mayor pledges $100,000 marketing boost for Lonsdale St Greek Precinct

So what’s on this weekend?

Check out the brief descriptions below to help you find the right gig for you

Saturday

5:00pm Totally Kicking Brass

‘Halkina’ is their specialty. The group focuses on folk music from northern Greece, commonly heard in Kozani, Florina, and Kastoria, showcasing Anatolian, Balkan, and Rom Gypsy influences.

6:30pm The Philhellenes

Philhellene duo Wayne Simmons and Adrian Close are joined by regular collaborator Con Kalamaras and bouzouki player, vocalist and composer Manolis Amerinos, presenting old laiko and rebetika.

8:00pm Byron and Friends

Byron Triantafyllidis leads the band presenting Greece’s rich tapestry of music, giving audiences a taste of entehno and rebetiko among other genres.

9:30pm Cats and the Canary

Featuring five ‘cats’ and one ‘canary’. A mix of local and Greek-born musicians, putting a spin on Greek swing since 2018. This will be their first big public performance since welcoming their newest lead singer, actress Artemis Ioannides.

READ MORE: Dancing with the cats

Sunday

1:30pm Paskalia Ensemble

Pascal Latra and her trio ensemble promise a mystical rebetiko journey, tribute to iconic female divas like Rita Abatzi, Roza Eskenazi and Marika Papagkika, “as well as the mangkes of the 30s.”

3:00pm Epirotiko Ensemble

The name says it all. Get ready for a ‘taxidi’ to the featured region with a blend of traditional songs about history, love, and hardship.

4:30pm Agapi and Friends

A band known for hand-picking their favourite Greek classics from an extended period running from the ’40s to the ’70s. Expect tributes to artists of the likes of Haris Alexiou, Marinella, and Glykeria.

6:00pm Sifis Tsourdalakis

A must-see for those appreciative of Cretan sounds. Sifis has built a reputation in Greece and beyond for his booming voice

8:30pm Anagennisi
The band prides their “dedication to all things ‘laiko'”. But you might also hear them experiment with a range of, dimotika, rebetika and modern classics.