Glykeria needs no introduction. A Greek national treasure, her 30-year career has made her beloved amongst Greeks and non-Greeks internationally. With over 22 album releases to date – many reaching multi-platinum success – she is one of the top Greek female artists. And at her show in Melbourne last Saturday, she exceeded all expectations.
Glykeria came out like a firecracker; full of life, ready to entertain the audience with a performance that was energetic from beginning to end. She promised a night of kefi, and that’s what she delivered.
The set began with some of her newer tracks, which for Glykeria’s 30-year-career could be anything from the 90s onwards. Familiar with the Greek Australian audience – she has performed here many times, most recently the Antipodes Festival in 2009 – she promised early on that she would get to her much-loved classics later in the night.
For anyone who wondered whether her voice had changed since her earlier years, their doubts were quickly quashed. If you closed your eyes, you would think that you were listening to I Glykeria Stin Omorfi Nyhta (Glykeria On A Beautiful Night), a tape on constant repeat in every Greek car in the 80s. Early on, she impressed with a haunting rendition of Anathema Se. In her signature style, she extended out each syllable with her undulating hypnotic voice, leaving the audience mesmerised. She couldn’t contain the crowd for long, as everyone was itching to get on their feet. She referred to the dire economic situation in Greece more than once, but never left anyone a chance to dwell on this. So when she launched into Ta Lefta Einai Daneika (translating to Money Is All Borrowed), everyone erupted in dance, in defiance, or denial, of the picture being painted of Greece’s economy. Her fans were awestruck when she left the stage to walk amongst the tables, singing Frangosyriani Glykia followed by Omorfi Thessaloniki.
In a testament to the legend that she is, she was treated with respect by all as she slowly toured the room. There was a sea of flowers, respectful handshakes and hugs, and people clapping in unison. It wasn’t long before she pulled out the crowd pleasers, classics like Piga Se Magisses, Ah, As Borousa, Kaneis Edo Den Tragouda, Giftopoula Sto Hamam, Piga Se Magises, To Diko Mou Paploma, Ti Se Melei Esenane … the list goes on.
Everyone with a pulse was on their feet, the crowd were absolutely elated. When she uttered the words ‘ela panagia mou’, heard on the classic album that sent ripples around the world, she sent the room into a frenzy. Glykeria is a true professional, and all class. She consistently connected with the audience through small gestures; making eye contact, catching flowers that were thrown to her, dancing with a diehard fan, feeding off of the kefi around her. A very giving performer. It would be remiss of me not to mention her talented band, maintaining the momentum of the performance with bouzouki and violin solos and mirroring Glykeria’s professionalism.
The great singer finished with an all time classic Sinefiasmeni Kiriaki that left the crowd singing and swaying in unison. For those lucky enough to be in attendance, it truly was an omorfi nihta.