Thessaloniki is a city of many musicians and artists who have contributed to Greece’s art scene and placed it on the international cultural map. Wanting to celebrate and honour the sounds and voices of this multicultural city is a special concert at DownTown Live this month by several established Cypriot musicians. The Sound of a City concert on Thursday will touch on the various sound trends and artistic innovations that the city birthed and how they became part of social life.

The concert is based on a few great Greek artists, a small selection in proportion to the large artistic scope the city’s musical history has to offer. Six local musicians on stage (Freideriki Tombazou, Demetris Mesimeris, Katerina Paraschou, Demetris Souroullas, Paris Paraschos and Andreas Elesnitsalis) will present music by Nikos Papazoglou, Manolis Rasoulis, Dionysis Savvopoulos, Socrates Malamas, Petros Bagiopoulos, Vaso Alagianni, Orphea Peride, Thanasis Papaconstantinou and Giorgos Kazantzis among others.

Joining the musicians on stage is a five-member orchestra with Giorgos Demetriou on bouzouki and laouto, Giorgos Hadjipapas on the clarinet, blagamas and kaval, Costas Challoumas on contrabass, Giorgos Zenios on drums and Marinos Georgiades on guitars.

Next month, DownTown Live will continue this tribute to Greek musicians by welcoming Greek singer, songwriter and lute player Giannis Charoulis. On February 9, Charoulis will once more bring his blend of Greek folk and traditional Cretan music infused with rock elements and modern sounds to Nicosia.

Sound of a City

Concert by six Cypriot musicians celebrating the music of Thessaloniki. January 12. DownTown Live, Nicosia. 9pm. €12. Tel: 99-810011

Giannis Charoulis

Greek folk singer love. February 9. DownTown Live, Nicosia. 9pm. Tel: 99-810011