The next stop of Christos Dantis tour in Australia is Sydney on Friday 19 January, with a unique concert at The Arena, Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL, followed by another concert, the last of the Greek singer's Antipodes tour, on Saturday 20 January at Trak Live Lounge at Kinisi, in Melbourne.
Despite the fatigue of the ongoing concerts in Adelaide and Melbourne, and the schedule ahead, the popular Greek singer was happy to talk to SBS Radio's Greek Program, talking about the tears that come to his eyes from the love that the people of Australia show him.
"The feelings are very strong because you are moved when you know that there are so many people who miss their own music, the music of their homeland so much. I always when I play to the expatriate Hellenism, when I go out I say 'Hello my homeland, Hello my Elladara'. This is a greeting, because for me it is also touching to be outside Greece and to meet Greeks so thirsty for music, for their homeland. Greeks who still may not even know who I am, because the youth, the young kids, they don't know, they have assimilated more foreign music than Greek music, but they come together with their parents or because they are used to go to Greek events. And you see the participation of the people as if they have known you for years, as if they know you, as if they know the songs, they have heard them somewhere, but maybe they haven't adapted them. But he participates so vividly and with such love that your emotions are so intense. A lot of times I can't hold back my tears while I'm singing and they are tears of joy."
Although he has counted more than three decades of career, having received immense love from the world, Christos Dantis does not hide that he still feels anxiety before every concert.
"You are never properly prepared. Never. Because I always have the anxiety of presenting what is appropriate for each place I appear in. That's what happens to me in my concerts in Greece. The night before I almost don't sleep, because I'm looking back and taking stock and saying I've prepared everything that I need to, the songs are ready, the songs that need to be heard. There is a possibility, let's say, if they ask me for something else, I have it together. I'm never properly prepared. I never feel prepared properly," he said.
Fatefully, a conversation with Christos Dantis could not have led to Eurovision, as the only first place that Greece counts, the one with Elena Paparizou's "Number One", bears his signature on the lyrics and music, along with Natalia Germanou.
The great singer described this song as a bit sly, explaining what he means by this characterisation.
"It was a little bit sly, it was a little bit cleverly sly, that is, it had the elements of the Pontian with the Cretan lyre that caressed the ears of the Pontians and the Cretans, who are numerous all over the world and all over Europe. Because I had to appeal to Slavic people more, because most of the European countries that vote are Slavic and they had to have very easy words. So there was my input there. I found some words so beautiful and a little bit poor, so to speak, so that everybody could understand and comprehend them. Of course the presence of Elena Paparizou both vocally and aesthetically and in terms of performance, but also the choreography of the whole thing, the staging, were the things that helped. So I think that this victory should be divided into three. That is to recognise the contribution of Elena Paparizou, the contribution of Fokas Evagelinos who staged it and then ours who wrote it.
Christos Dantis also mentioned whether he would choose to participate in the popular european music competition again.
"I think that when you have won the first place, the only best thing you can do is to participate as a singer. We tried it with 'No Madonna', it didn't sit right. I'm not going to do it again. No."
Christos Dantis next concerts are in Sydney on Friday 19 January at The Arena at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL.
Only a few tickets remain at the bar and bookings can be made on 0418 451 481 or via the booking website partnered with the production company of popular .
In Melbourne, Christos Dantis last concert at Antipodes will take place on Saturday 20 January at Trak Live Lounge at Kinisi. For information and seat reservations call 0422 472 006.
Listen to the full interview with Christos Dantis by clicking Play on the Podcast in the main photo.
