Hello to everyone. I attended the Sfakianakis concert near Chicago Illinois November 2009. As he makes his way thru the USA, please, if you can, do yourself a favor and do not go. It is well known that he is very "arrogant" and "self-consumed". I still overlooked this as he makes good music. I was very disapointed. 2 songs into the evening, he was jabbing the crowd to start dancing. He later called the crowd "cold". He was using profanity regarding the poor lighting. He ripped his band members during the show. The guitarist strummed his guitar and had the volume up by accident, Notis turned around with a disgusted look and stated "you will never work..." I couldn't make out the rest of what he said. He also called a few people in the crowd "worthless". One older man was dancing Zembekiko and he said to him "this is what I get", "how about a nice looking girl". During the latter part of the evening he stated are you gonna sing or are you gonna dance? Come on, lets dance. His next 3 songs were ballets! He is sarcastic and cynical. He is very angry person. Instead of ending the night on a high with a great song, he ends it with the song "sheep", with 3 large video screens showing the USA bombing Iraq and children bandaged up from the blasts. Please entertain us not be another political hack. Yet another signer with their crappy political beliefs. He is happy to take our money and the last song, he gives the big "f*ck you" to the crowd. I have seen Petrelis, Glykeria, Ploutarxos, Dalaras, Terzis,Koukinou,etc. all were graceful and sweet. Notis S. does himself a great diservice along with the historic country of Greece, God have mercy on his soul
I would be remiss if I didn't reply to your ridiculous post.
I too attended the same concert you did......but have a different take on the experience.
You and every other pathetic excuse for a Greek that was present deserve to be ripped to shreds. I am glad you though Notis addressed the issue. Now let me try in a less diplomatic manner than he did. That was the most pathetic crowd I have ever been a part of. Absolutely disgraceful and Mr. Sfakianakis was too kind in his comments. I was embarassed to be a part of that. The crowd was late in arriving by over an hour thereby delaying the show....then as Notis stated, it was as if they were in church or watching a play. They never ever got into the performance. They were unaware of his catalogue of songs but for a few hits. They did not know the lyrics well enough to sing along. After the intermission....more than half the crowd was outside the main entrance smoking up a storm.
I have been to plenty of Bouzoukia in Athens and there is no comparison as far as atmosphere and attitude of the people. His performance was absolutely mind-blowing yet it was wasted on a bunch of lame so called Greek Americans like yourself whose minds have been turned to mush by too much American culture. Go watch the Oprah Winfrey show during her farewell tour and leave a Notis Sfakianakis concert to others who can appreciate it.
There truly is a real difference between Greeks in Greece and the water-downed bastardized Greek Amerricans here like yourself. If anyone was cocky, stuffy, and unable to have a good time it was the crowd you were a part of and not Notis Sfakianakis. No offense, but you and anyone part of that crowd that share your views were simply pathetic. I too am offended that you helped create a bad atmosphere for me and took away from my concert experience. You owe me an apology.
Poor baby...your feelings were hurt were they? Were you offended? Maybe Dr. Phil can help you. Rather than posting idiotic warnings in taglines on the internet, why don't you learn what really underlies the Greek culture and spirit and start acting like a real Greek instead of the embarasssment that you are. x: x:!
Come on. The entire crowd can't be wrong and pathetic. As you probably know, Petrillis and Koukinou were just here and it was a blast. Dancing and partying just like in Greece such as the club, Romeo. I do know "Kefi" and Notis did not "bring it". At Thanksgiving yesterday, I talked to my cousin George about the concert. He in fact told me the reason he did not attend. Notis S. played 2-3years ago at the Arie Crown Theatre in which he stated to the audience in Greek: "Kala pou exome tous americanous ta koroitha tous pernome ta lefta" I have known about his arrogance but not at this extent. The older man who was dancing Zembekiko onstage did not need to get "ripped" by Notis. Also, do remember he scolded his band members? He told one of them that he has known him for 30 years and he hasn't settled down or had kids,etc... The person was mortified and embarassed. Mgs_Alx, please don't overlook that, it's just not right for someone to do this. As far as his song selection: it was unorganized. He didn't have more than 2 danceable songs in a row. Trust me at $130-$150 a ticket, no one wanted to sit around, they want to dance and have a good time. He's like the "crazy old uncle", first he's laughing, then he gets cynical and angry. Also, only the floor seats were sold out, the upper venue was empty. Probably about a thousand people there, was does that tell you? Check Facebook as people are boycotting him. Next time around he will play to just a few hundred people, then less for the next time out. If you had a good time, I am glad for you, at least someone out there did. Have a good night Mgs_Alx.
I will concede to you that his song selection was not the best....I couldn't believe he played his two biggest hits...Aetos and Yenelthia in the first half hour of the show....Do you not save the best for last? Had he played those towards the end of the show, they may have brought the house down as the crowd was more into it by then.
As far as his political statements and his views on americans he is entitled. I am a huge fan of his as I think his talent is immense and there is simply nothing he can say or do that would offend me. he heas earned the right to be arrogant....he is simply the best at what he does. Simply a phenomenal artist. Please don't compare Petrilis and Kokinnou to this man...they are not in his league, not even close.
Definately, no comparison. Notis has paid his dues and has made great music. Maybe a good comparison is Axel Rose of Guns N' Roses. Axel stops his shows early, has fought physically with the crowd and started his shows 1-2 hours late. A riot was caused in Canada becouse he simply didn't want to sing that night. Are they great performers, absolutely. Should they abuse the "fans", well, will let the ticket sales show. Notis' ticket sales are suffering. My cousins who live in Glyfatha, Athens tell me he doesn't do so well out there either.
Ploutarxo is coming soon to Chicago, I saw him in Greece in 2001. It was a good show from what I remember. Maybe I'll just stick to Youtube videos of Mitropanos, Monaxos, Glykeria, Kazantzidis, just to name a few, at least I won't be disapointed. Take care and happy holidays!
2 songs into the evening, he was jabbing the crowd to start dancing
sounds like he wanted to get the crowd involved...
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The guitarist strummed his guitar and had the volume up by accident, Notis turned around with a disgusted look and stated "you will never work..
thats just greek humour, he always picks on his band members...
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One older man was dancing Zembekiko and he said to him "this is what I get", "how about a nice looking girl".
its the kind of thing even my dad would say lol again this is greek humour at its best
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he ends it with the song "sheep", with 3 large video screens showing the USA bombing Iraq and children bandaged up from the blasts
i am very aware of Notis Sfakianaki's political views and i think its very brave of him to use his fame to get a message across to the people, more power to him.
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Maybe a good comparison is Axel Rose of Guns N' Roses
your comparison with Axel says it all
I attended the Notis Sfakianakis concert here in Melbourne this year and i was very impressed, as always his performance was number 1.
Notis Sfakianakis has dominated the Greek ˇlaiko˘ charts for over two decades, his a true artist
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though i have neer seen the dude live, sadly.......judging by the comments here...it sounds to me that somebody here has become overly americanized and way too sensitive in defending "mother america" or her sins.....while seemingly lost complete contact with the mentality back home....to the point that now is encouraging us to go nutty and almost go on a protest march
funny thing is......protest marches are the national sport in greece
Judging from friends in Connecticut and the "after scene" following the show in Indiana, most fans were not happy. The Chicago scene mostly reflected negatively with the performance. I must say, the few that thought it was good were Greek-Americans (originally born in Greece)
Greeks just have that cynical style that I cannot get used to. Americans got that youthful optimism and that "yes we can" attitude. That's why the world migrates to the United States of America, God, I love my country.
I guess the conversation can go round and round regarding Mr.Sfakianakis character and performance. We all have opinions...
I am definately "scarred" and "affected" by the performance and will take probably 2 years plus before attempting another Greek concert.
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first of all happy new year to you too and may all that you endeavor come to fruition
scarred? visit a shrink (that is after-all the national pass-time of many an american - how cynical is that of me?)
get serious man
you are completely exaggerating
so you had a concert that didnt go down well with you? it happens, and it wont be for the first time....i have had a couple of duds myself
but to go overboard and try encouraging boycotts? very "youthful optimism" of you
i must say...you addressing greeks in the 3rd person (reference to cynical style) while stating "God, i love my country" just confirms my first impression/conclusion of becoming completely americanised.
is that a bad thing? no. absolutely not. but then it, according to many, not necessarily a good thing either - its all a matter of opinion, economic and political outlook....which is why the world migrates to all sorts of countries besides the States - what you just said above just re-inforces what many think of the americans....arrogance comes to mind
but on the other hand, there is a huge spectrum of americans and respective thought processes that wouldnt agree with your line of thought either
bottom line.....if you feel like going to a concert .....GO and dont feed that bull to yourself and to others about being "traumatized" because i dont buy it
sfakianakis is about rembetika, mostly, and like the equivalent in america, the blues, give certain social/non-social messages and it certainly aint about "yes we can"
you see what i am getting at?
i would like to leave you with this question.....why did you go see a sfakianakis concert in particular,.....if you consider what i said above?
Hello Eyoismos, I was warned before purchasing my tickets about the "hit or miss" concert Notis puts on. After years of listening to his music, I had to see him at least once for myself. When I say "AVOID Notis...", it is to say that any self-respecting American or Greek-American for that matter should be insulted for pushing his liberal propaganda thru his music. Keep it to yourself! I'm paying for entertainment, sing and dance for me! That's what singers and actors do...entertain. I believe after years of performing some artists want to feel self-important and push a message. Spare me. Guys, trust me, I am known as a happy-go-lucky person, easy going,etc... but this stuff irks me, enough to actually write about it. Take care and God bless!
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damn....and i thought i would instigated a good old greek-style argument
i guess i will have to change my baite
but seriously.....all artists, without exception....when they reach a certain level of success, and influence,....like to !express their opinions"
notis is no different
you didnt like it....that cool with me and i respect that
but i am just curious if you have the same approach when any other artist, irrespective of nationality or origin, expresses similar ideals or thoughts or political stances to your own....would your reaction be the same? ie. "I believe after years of performing some artists want to feel self-important and push a message. Spare me."
just curious....or was it purely because in this case they where diametrically opposed to yours?
no..i am not trying to do anything other than start a bit of a debate
sometimes ,....and we are all guilty of that....got over excited and make mountains out of molehills.
music afterall is an expression of thoughts, feelings and moods, ....yes even the "sing and dance" like a performing monkey demands that listeners take the approach of....yet....the "performing monkey" is expressing those very thoughts, feelings and moods through his / her music......and yet some get upset if they verbalize those very same sentiments ...etc....
strange, huh?
i am just trying to start and have a conversation about it,.....and you gave me the opportunity....thats all
Nice reply. Yes, Notis' view is opposed to mine. Heck, he's an athiest. So, I really don't even have much respect for him. Really, the concert in it's whole was poorly put together, songs arranged that made no sense. Could not dance 2 songs in a row, time to hit the bar and catch a buzz to make the night more bearable! The "provata" song was just the straw that broke the camels back. Since my tone cannot be captured just through these messages, I am having fun with this. It's good talking to everyone. Eyoismos, your comments are pretty right on.
Do you remember the Dixie Chicks? They played a concert overseas and did the same thing Notis did (being political) Do you want to know what happened next? They were blasted, records bunred, their fans angry, they had to go on a apology tour and try to save their careers. They appeased the foreigners with how they were ashamed of the President of the United States. It didn't sit to well with their fans. Aren't Greeks nationalistic? How would a Greek signer do if he made comments on how his motherland are "brutal killers"?
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and by the way....a lot of artists apologized for america and her policies of the time, on their international tours
only thing is.....they didnt have records burned or get blasted, etc....which makes one wonder about the category and type of people that follow the dixie chicks
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STOP! USA fans, AVOID Notis Sfakianakis concert 09
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