Photostory: Παύλος Παυλίδης / PAN PAN / Παιδί Τραύμα

Pavlos Pavlidis returned to Release Athens for an even bigger show, performing in front of thousands of fans across all ages.

The night opened with Paidí Travma, the project of Tasos Kartéris, who presented a large part of his most recent album Deuteri Zoi. His distinctive take on pop music earned warm applause from those who arrived early at Plateia Nerou.

Next up was Pan Pan (Panagiotis Pantazis), who, alongside his excellent collaborators, energised the crowd, with audiences singing at the top of their voices songs that have come to define contemporary Greek alternative pop over the past few years.

Finally came Pavlos Pavlidis, who – as he himself described it – delivered the best show of his life. The night seemed to confirm that statement, with a rich, expansive set that served as both a concise and deeply moving reflection on one of the most important careers in the Greek alternative scene. Before him stood generations of music fans, gathered to hear songs from the era of Xylina Spathia (“Fotia sto Limani”, “Twra Archizo kai Thimamai”, “Oi Symmories tis Asfaltou”, “Trofí gia ta Thiria”, among others), through to the more recent “Brancaleone”, as well as new material from his forthcoming album, expected to be released by the end of the year.