It’s the annual event that celebrates the people’s favourites in Greece’s music industry. And at the 2021 MAD Video Music Awards, plenty of Greek Eurovision stars made an appearance and delivered thrilling performances.
The Greek-Dmutch popstress Stefania performed two songs. Stefania performed her new single “Mucho Calore”, rocking a fiery orange pantsuit. She was joined by a posse of backing dancers who may have been taking inspiration from Go_A’s Eurovision wardrobe, sporting acid green frills on their costumes.
Stefania also turned her Eurovision 2021 entry “Last Dance” into a duet with the rising Greek singer Archolekas. The MAD version presented “Last Dance” as a tender duet, replacing the Eurovision synth-pop sound for a piano accompaniment. Stefania and Archolekas brought a new dimension to the song with their close harmonies.
Greek singer Elena Tsagrinou — who represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2021 — started with her Eurovision hit “El diablo”, serving hellfire fantasy. Elena soon cast off her devilish robe and revealed a metallic bodysuit. She was joined by Dimitris Tatarakis and the pair performed their recent single, the retro club number “Teliká i Zoí Sinekhízetai” (“Finally Life Goes On”).
Eleni Foureira performed her brand new single “Aeráki (To thilykó)” (“Breeze (The female)”). The “Fuego” singer brought a lively Mediterranean sound, with flamenco flourishes mingling alongside a distinctly Greek pop vibe.
The performance included bold choreography that helped bring the song to life. Eleni was joined by a group of female dancers, and in one place had a one-on-one moment with a male dancer.
She also performed her recent release “Boreí” (“It Can”), performed with the rapper Mad Clip. And as it was an awards show, Eleni picked up the Best Modern Singer award.
Greece’s Eurovision champion Helena Paparizou also had plenty of times to shine at the event. The Greek-Swedish singer join The Voice of Greece winner Joanne on her cover of the sultry “Twist in My Sobriety”.
Helena also performed with the Greek singer-songwriter Anastasios Rammos, turning her seductive song “Gia Poia Agápi” (“For What Love”) into a duet.
But it wasn’t all duets. Helena also had the opportunity to perform her recent single “Mi” (“Not”), showing she’s still every bit the diva. And there was a costume change!
Greece’s Eurovision 2019 star Katerine Duska also had her moment. She teamed up with her “Better Love” co-writer Leon of Athens for an alt-pop medley of “Kýmata” (Waves), “Αthenian sky” and “Ela Mia Nýchta” (Come One Night). The performance had a 1980s high school prom theme with same-sex couples.
Also on the lineup, Azerbaijan’s Efendi joined Greek pop star Josephine for a bilingual cover of Efendi’s Eurovision 2021 hit “Mata Hari”. Josephine has released a Greek version of the song.
What do you think? What were your favourite performances? Would you like to see any of these artists return to Eurovision in the future? Tell us your thoughts below.
Everyday I’m more convinced that all the obsession and craze that surrounds Korean pop nowadays, we will see something similar with Greek pop in the future.
Not really. Unlike BTS who are true artists kpop as a whole does not have any craze.. Our mainstream singers here in Greece especially the pop ones are voiceless with meaningless dated recycled construction noise as “music” much like most of kpop compared to BTS so don’t expect the same “craze” unless we send real artists like Melisses some day.
Eleni Foureira is world class – i’m sure she could win if she returns.
The narrative of “the crownless queen who’s back for revenge” might help Eleni in the same way it helped Vicky Leandros, Linda Martin and Dima Bilan.
Eleni said she wasn’t planning a comeback for 2021 because corona… So who knows for 2022…
The only reason I would want people to watch MAD VMA at some point is so they can experience something cringier than Eurovision (since ESC has that reputation, particularly at modern times)
YouTube comment sections can get quite toxic but I haven’t found even one negative comment about stefania, everyone appreciates her or say she is the next Helena, love when a country appreciates its eurovision star
I always love the fact that these Mad Shows feature a lot of Eurovision stars and songs from previous editions. The Eurovision-esh vibe is huge!
Stefania has also performed a duet with Petros Iakovidis.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DyMFsPuDFY
A good reminder how Greece and Cyprus should not be shying away from their beautiful language and ethically authentic performances instead of leanings into the comfort of English language/Spanish-appropriation at Eurovision.
How could you miss that efendi also performed??? She sang Mata Hari with Josephine!
Maybe they are planning a separate article for it, since Josephine actually also released her Greek version of Mata Hari. Otherwise, I have no idea. 🙂
It’s interesting how much the Greek public seems to respect Stefania now. The comments under her performances are so sweet, people have a lot of faith in her and compare her to 19-year-old Helena.
I just hope she stays away from Panik Records cause they will burn her out very quickly.
Oh you’re so right, Panik ruins everyone’s careers nowadays
It’s insane how they’ve failed EVERYONE with potential. They are at the process of ruining Eleni Foureira atm, who is literally their golden woman.
Deny has left the chat…. she has the least views from everyone in the show…
Demy’s bad placing in the contest was a dealbreaker, unfortunately. The label did absolutely nothing to help her bounce back since that. I mean, she’s far from being obscure, but she’s also far from being impactful. She’s just… there.
Isn’t Stefania signed to a different label?
She is not in any of the major Greek labels (Panik, Minos EMI, Cobalt). She is yet to be signed. Supergirl, Last Dance, Friday and now Mucho Calor were released through Kontopoulos’ label, which I guess exists for one-offs only. Panik’s CEO claimed that they helped distribute LD, but I can’t see how.
Stefania will go in a few years again and score top 5, she is such a beauty and talented singer
Efendi, Tamta, Ivi Adamou, and Demy also performed at MAD vma
Also, pls correct the name of the artist who sang with Eleni F. It’s Mad Clip, not Mad Can
will never be over how robbed Katerine was
VMA Awards always seem to pay much attention to ESC-related singers and songwriters and I give them that! Honestly, the whole show gives a Eurovision-ish vibe