If you were to ask Agiros if he was in Athens or Melbourne last week when he played live, he would be hard pressed to tell you given the audience’s response to his songs. The dancing and atmosphere could have easily been mistaken for a performance in front of thousands of Athenians. As the whole arena sang in unison to ‘Athina Mou’ and ‘Eleftheros’, Argiros stood on stage at the John Cain Arena with his hands on his head and his eyes wide in disbelief. He took a deep breath and took in the moment. It was electric.
Before Argiros took to the stage he was welcomed by GCM President Bill Papatsergiadis at the Greek Community Centre. Neos Kosmos sat with Argiros as he spoke with the Board of Management of the Greek Community and other media outlets about Greek culture in Melbourne and his musical journey.
When speaking with Argiros, you feel his passion for Greek music, its history and its roots. In songs like ‘Athina Mou’ and ‘Eleftheros,’ you hear Argiro homage to past artists as well as his motivation to carry their legacy into the future. He is loved by many.
“I listened to Mitropano because my parents were the ones who played music at home, so my DNA has a lot of Mitropano and a lot of Kostas Hatzis,” he said.
He went on to mention the progressive composer Mikroutsikos and songs by Dalaras.
“I really liked Giannis Parios, and the songs by Kaldaras which have a more classical style. All these songs lived within my family and I studied them, as I developed my identity by playing the piano. I tried to perceive mathematically why these people had success and I understood that simplicity is the key to success.”
Argiros said that Australian audiences, “know what they want, and they want to dance and preserve dances like the Zembekiko.”
“I bring my style and temperament when it comes to music. I am extremely happy and saw it with a lot of love, appreciation, and respect.”
His observation shows why his Elpida tour was a huge experience for thousands of Greek Australians. It had the perfect balance of old and new, and included Argiros’ number-one hits. He detoured down a path that at times felt like a musical time machine, showcasing Greek artists of a bygone era. He lit up John Cain Arena with Zembekiko dances and the exultation of the fans created an incredible atmosphere.
Asked by Neos Kosmos what it was like to have his songs sung back to him from a land so far from Greece he said, “I never imagined this would happen in my life, and it brings me joy because my efforts, my hard work, and my love for what I do is rewarded in this way.
“I am grateful and happy that this is happening, and God give me the strength, I intend to continue doing what I love.”
The song Athina Mou channelled the audience’s love of the city and Greece, which they expressed through dance.
“When I released Athina Mou, was when COVID started, I thought now might be a great opportunity and moment for Greeks, who were locked down – Greeks didn’t concern themselves about what others were doing abroad – it was the only moment in my personal experience where people didn’t care about Italy, America, or anywhere – Greeks united as Greeks.
Even Greeks abroad wanted to return to Greece, they wanted to return to Greece, just like the Italians wanted to return to Italy. So, at that moment, my thought was, now might be the time to give a boost, an empowering jolt with Greek value.”
Argiros’ performance in Melbourne confirmed that the Diaspora here long for Greece’s embrace, of the spiritual motherland. Argiros says he has a responsibility, no matter how modern his music can be, for Greek music to be anchored on some traditions as well as Greek instruments.
“I want to incorporate what I have learned musically, and infuse Greek tradition in a modern approach with respect to Greek elements such as the bouzouki, violin, and other musical instruments that have their roots in Greece.”
Argiros’ live performance, and the rapture of thousands of Greek Australians, young and not so young, is confirmation that the future of Greek music is in safe hands.
