Live Music in Athens
Live music in Athens follows the changing seasons. In wintertime, the place to find bands is in the cafe bars and large, indoor stages for bigger acts. As the weather warms, everyone moves back outside and many of the indoor clubs, such as no.2 on are list, the Half Note, close their doors to prepare for the next season starting late September. Not included on the list are any of the dinosaur-era dinner theater shows with traditional dancers and plate-breaking acts: the experience can be expensive and cheesy. We also didn't include live music that could be categorized as classical- which has its very own top ten list.
First on our list is Gazi Technopolis, a venue where small up-and comers as well as bigger acts such as Porcupine Tree and Anethma have performed in front of audiences throughout the year. During the summer it's incorporated into the Athens Festival as one of the main stages. The Gagarin 205 is a choice place for catching rock bands; Afterdark and former Texas Necropolis- now called Seven Sins- are also rock bars but aimed toward a heavier, darker sound. For jazz, blues, and international acts, the Half Note is one of the top choices of locals and visitors alike. Cafe Alavastron and Cafe Boheme both have regular jazz nights with touring artists.
Cubanita Havana Club is THE place for latin dancing, but for more a more native soundtrack, the Stoa Athanaton and Athinon Arena are all about Greek music. The Stoa is where you can catch traditional rembetika and bazouki bands, while the Athinon Arena is more for modern Greek pop stars like Ana Vyssi and Plutarchos. The Arena is a popular venue for Athenians so book early or miss the show.
First on our list is Gazi Technopolis, a venue where small up-and comers as well as bigger acts such as Porcupine Tree and Anethma have performed in front of audiences throughout the year. During the summer it's incorporated into the Athens Festival as one of the main stages. The Gagarin 205 is a choice place for catching rock bands; Afterdark and former Texas Necropolis- now called Seven Sins- are also rock bars but aimed toward a heavier, darker sound. For jazz, blues, and international acts, the Half Note is one of the top choices of locals and visitors alike. Cafe Alavastron and Cafe Boheme both have regular jazz nights with touring artists.
Cubanita Havana Club is THE place for latin dancing, but for more a more native soundtrack, the Stoa Athanaton and Athinon Arena are all about Greek music. The Stoa is where you can catch traditional rembetika and bazouki bands, while the Athinon Arena is more for modern Greek pop stars like Ana Vyssi and Plutarchos. The Arena is a popular venue for Athenians so book early or miss the show.
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