After his great success at Synch Festival ‘09, Mulatu Astatke, "the father of ethio-jazz," returns to the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece for an explosive live show on 17 April. Mulatu Astatke is one of the most important and influential African musicians of the 20th century. He is considered the "father of ethio-jazz," as his music combines jazz and Latin influences with traditional Ethiopian music.

Just a few months before their scheduled live appearance at the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece on April 14, the British band Editors from Birmingham released their third album, In the Light and In This Evening. They consider this new studio album a new chapter. The Editors have decided to enhance their sound with more electronic elements without deviating from the personal style that has earned them so many fans. Enjoy the Editors live at the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece.

Kim Lenz, the boisterous singer, composer and guitarist with the orange-brown hair has established herself as a very modern, rockabilly vocalist with two albums that have both received rave reviews and with appearances in Europe and the US that left audiences ecstatic. Enjoy Kim Lenz and the Jaguars at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece from 9 to 15 April.

Perhaps the most influential progressive metal band of all time, Fates Warning are coming to the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece on 27 March to present live all of their Parallels album, as well as few more of their legendary songs. Fates Warning essentially created the genre back in 1984, combining elements of heavy metal with traditional progressive rock.

One of the most emblematic figures to emerge from the British scene in the last 30 years, Peter Hook comes to Athens, Greece for an explosive DJ set at the Rodeo Club on 20 March. Hook was the founding member of Joy Division and the inspiration of New Order, with whom he earned worldwide recognition. He will present his book, The Hacienda - How Not to Run a Club, and perform a unique DJ set.

The Jan Lundgren Trio is a contemporary Swedish jazz group that will be hosted by Technopolis in Athens, Greece on 20 March for one concert. Music by Kraftwerk, Michel Legrand, the Beatles, Francis Lai, Juan Luis Guerra, Kurt Weill, Krzysztof Komeda and many others - plus Scandinavian folk songs - will all be presented by this modern Swedish jazz trio. The Jan Lundgren Trio, with European Standards as an album but mainly as a live programme, broadens our musical horizons and aesthetic enjoyment. Enjoy them at Technopolis in Athens, Greece.

Promising singer Robin McKelle will be appearing for a few nights only at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece from 26 March to 1 April. Robin McKelle has an ambitious style that recalls and pays homage to the Big Band sound of the 1940s, creating a playfully erotic atmosphere. Strokes of rhythm and blues reveal her sparkling side, while her ballads are simply gems.

Bassist Miroslav Vitous, one of the founders of Weather Report, one of the best known modern jazz groups, will be appearing live at the "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall on 28 March. Vitous has made a significant contribution to shaping the group's profile with his free compositions and high-level improvisation, where instruments enjoy equal treatment and participation. During this period of time, some of Vitous' executions have been described as phenomena in the history of jazz.

The creation of maestro Ivan Fischer, the exceptional Budapest Festival Orchestra will once again captivate audiences at the "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall on 22 and 23 March with a programme that will feature Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony nos. 4, 6, 7 and 9. The strong partnership between Fischer and the orchestra has resulted in its exemplary function.

Yuri Bashmet, the first viola in the world, is coming to the "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall for a concert on 27 March. Bashmet was first heard in the Friends of Music Hall in 1991, changing the cultural landscape of Athens, Greece. Since then, the Athens Concert Hall has always been on Bashmet's calendar, and this time he returns with the Moscow Soloists while retaining the role of soloist and maestro for himself.

Rob Swift will be setting the Bios turntables on fire on 24 March in Athens, Greece with a special music set and scratch techniques. Rob Swift is a musician DJ/turntablist who, in addition to his technical skills, appears to love the rhythm and soul of Black music. The evening will be opened by DJ Sparky T, award-winning DJ of the Greek DMC and an experienced turntablist with more than 20 years behind the Greek decks.

Dionne Warwick, with five Grammys, 45 albums at the top of the charts, 68 songs at No. 1 and more than 60 million in album sales, is one of the most successful singers in the world. We will be able to enjoy her in Athens, Greece on 15 March at the "Megaron" Athens Music Hall. The Golden Lady with the characteristic voice will bewitch the audience with songs like "Don't Make Me Over," "Walk On By," "I'll Never Fall in Love Again" and many others.

Gagarin 205 in Athens, Greece will once again welcome the ever-popular Marc Almond on 19 March. The great artist, onetime vocalist and leader of the famous Soft Cell and Marc and the Mambas, is coming to Athens, Greece three years after his last appearance with a new album and brilliant career behind him, both as a member of the abovementioned lineups and as a solo singer, composer and performer.

Alison Moyet will appear for one concert in the Friends of Music Hall at the "Megaron" Athens Music Hall on 20 March. With this year's "Revisited" tour, Moyet marks a career spanning three decades. It is the career of an important musician and great singer that began when she and Vince Clarke formed the famous Yazoo, one of the most popular bands of the early 1980s. It continued with her solo appearances and recordings that elevated her to an idol on the world pop scene.

Vassilikos, composer, lyricist and vocalist for the band Raining Pleasure, will present his personal work for the first time titled *Vintage at the Mikro Pallas Theatre in Athens, a masterful musical project with uniquely reworked classic and well-loved songs from past decades of English-language music. It will be a musical experience from Vassilikos of Raining Pleasure that promises vintage swirls of yesterday's melodies that sound more contemporary than ever on 14-15 and 21-22 March at the Mikro Pallas Theatre in Athens, Greece.

The Subways return to Athens, Greece for one show at Kyttaro live on 18 March. This tremendous threesome from Hertfordshire in Great Britain returns to Greece after the sensation their live appearances caused in Athens last year to drive home what "live show" really means. "Kalifornia," from their successful album All or Nothing, "Obsession" and dozens of other songs will be heard on Kyttaro's sound system, no doubt causing the audience to sweat it up with every one.

It is like going on a date to the cinema with a dream: music from the soul for the soul, because that is the only thing can see and hear clearly. The Piano Magic collective meets the ambassadors of French "post rock" Kwoon, with the participation of Greek natives Misuse. If you like Dead Can Dance, Sigur Ros and Mogwai, you mustn't miss Piano Magic on 20 March at the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece.

A dramatisation of George Frideric Handel's oratorio, Theodora, a story of love that ends in sacrifice, will be presented at the "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall on 13 March. Giorgos Petrou will conduct the Camerata of the Friends of Music Orchestra (with period instruments), while Paris Mexis is responsible for directing and for the visual production of Handel's masterpiece with images and interventions which infuse the work with a fresh approach and the technology of animation as a vehicle.

He has been called the "workingman's hero of jazz, a true man of the people." Houston Person drew international attention with a series of soul albums recorded in the '60s for Prestige. He became more widely known for his legendary, 30-year collaboration with the great singer Etta Jones. From 12 to 18 March, we will have the opportunity to enjoy the Houston Person Quartet him at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece.

The Balkans are knocking at our door. We don't know how many times we have seen or heard Fanfare Ciocarlia, but every time they come to Athens, Greece they give us a music history lesson. There are no kings in the Balkans any more; only gypsies, and Fanfare Ciocarlia are the kings of the gypsies. The caravan that has been a sensation all over Europe and the world will be knocking at the Gazarte door in Athens, Greece on 11 and 12 March with drums and trumpets.

One of the greatest bands to emerge from the romantic-new wave world of Great Britain, Sad Lovers & Giants will be back in action for a one-of-a-kind appearance on 12 and 13 March at the Rodeo Club in Athens, Greece. Sad Lovers & Giants are legendary, not only for the melancholy youths of the '80s and '90s, but for all true music lovers.

Misia, one of the best-known performers of fado contemporary Portuguese music, will be appearing at the "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall for a night of poetic melancholy and absolute theatricality on 8 March in Athens, Greece. Misia will be presenting her new show "Ruas (Roads)," based on her new CD, singing with nostalgia and taking us to the dream of her homeland, Lisbon.

The Bios creative team, in cooperation with Innersense Productions, will host Metalheadz, the best-known drum'n'bass recording company, presenting a rare performance by two living legends of the genre. Goldie, Metalheadz owner and one of the leading and recognised personalities on the international electronic music scene, will do DJ battle with Randall, one of the oldest and most respected drum'n'bass DJs, on 5 March at Bios in Athens, Greece.

Gorillaz Sound System is coming to Athens, Greece for the first time with an unbelievable audio-visual show, the likes of which has never been seen before. During the 80-minute show, you will enjoy Gorillaz hits mixed with beats from their new album, as well as Gorillaz remixes into big dance floor classics. The evening will be opened by the Glimmers, Mickey Moonlight and Cyanna. The ultimate spring party is a fact with Gorillaz Sound System on 6 March at the Faliro Sports Pavilion (Tae kwon do) in Athens.

On Saturday 6 March, the creative team at Bios will present for the first time in Athens, Greece the music producer-phenomenon of the world electronic hip-hop scene, Flying Lotus, in a live audio-visual performance. Also appearing will be The Bug, one of the biggest contemporary electronic music producers, live with his lineup, King Midas Sound. British dubstep and hip-hop producer Jamie Vex'd has also been invited for what promises to be a night full of music and dancing at Bios in Athens, Greece.

The romantic, mysterious and fiery Emma Shapplin will present a concert of her music at the "Megaron" Athens Concert hall on 6 and 7 March. Emma Shapplin combines the intensity and emotional tension of opera with the sensuality and directness of pop music. Her voice constitutes the most powerful proof that music cannot be categorised and refuses to obey conformist rules.

The Half Note Jazz Club in Athens will host Figli di Madre Ignota from 5 to 11 March. The eight Italians from Milan who make up Figli di Madre Ignota describe their music as "spaghetti Balkan." The music sounds like a Balkan brass orchestra playing with a pure rock band. They started out by adding an electric sound to Italian folk music and along the way they found their true inspiration in the Balkan brass orchestras and melodies, which they combine with a dynamic rock style.

Datarock, the synth-pop quintet from Norway with its matching work overalls and trademark sunglasses have been invited by the Self Preservation Society for a unique concert on 4 March at the historic Kyttaro Live in Athens, Greece. Datarock are the musicians who made pretentious kitsch their standard, naming their sound and their philosophy in general "retrofuturism." Each of their albums is a tribute to the 1980s, giving new life to the most misunderstood musical decade.

Fiery Furnaces, one of the most distinctive and creative pop rock musical groups in New York at the moment, will be playing in Athens, Greece for the first time at the An Club on 2 March. After about 10 years on the scene, nine records and continuous live appearances worldwide, siblings Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger will make Athens their last stop on their first European tour of 2010. The lineup includes Jason Lowenstein of Sebadoh on bass and Bob d'Amico on drums.

The creative team at Bios and the Outro team have invited Alden Tyrell, one of the representatives of The Hague's electronic music scene, for a live appearance on 27 February. Also appearing will be Italian Alexander Robotnick for a DJ set featuring Italian disco and electro tracks. The evening will be opened by NO. Don't miss Alexander Robotnick and Alden Tyrell at Bios in Athens, Greece.

One of the most notable figures on the British scene in the last 20 years will be in Athens, Greece after many years. Ian Brown, former vocalist with the legendary and universally recognised Stone Roses and with his successful danceable album My Way under his belt, comes to Athens to remind older fans and teach new ones all about dance indie with attitude and to show them what a true rock star looks like on stage. Welcome Ian Brown at the Fuzz Club on 27 February.

The Mingus Dynasty was formed in 1979 with the aim of continuing the musical legacy left by composer and bassist Charles Mingus and to make his work known to the general public. Mingus (22/04/1922-05/01/1979) was one of the most important figures in American music in the 20th century. Athens audiences will be able to enjoy the Mingus Dynasty at the Half Note Jazz Club from 26 February to 4 March.

The Gathering, one of the most important representatives of the alternative music scene, this year celebrate 20 years of music history and are visiting Athens, Greece more rejuvenated than ever. In the fall of 1989, the two brothers, Hans and Rene Rutten, along with their friend Bart Smits, decided to create the Gathering. At that time, they had no specific plan or strategy but only the desire and enthusiasm to compose and play music. Don't miss them live on 28 February at Gagarin 205.

Solisti Veneti first took the stage at "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall in 1993, when it was featured in the Chamber Music Series, and since then it has held the public's captive interest in its appearances. Solisti Veneti was formed by Claudio Scimone, a student of Dimitris Mitropoulos, in 1959, and it was immediately recognised as one of the best chamber music ensembles in the world. Solisti Veneti will be appearing at "Megaron" on 1 and 2 March with a different programme each day.

IAMX (I AM X) is the solo project of Sneaker Pimps singer/instrumentalist Chris Corner. Consisting of highly dark, erotic, 1980s-influenced electro, IAMX's music is primarily concerned with subjects such as outlandish sex, death, narcotic intoxication, bisexuality, obsession, alienation and vague allusions to politics. He will be in Athens, Greece for one memorable line at Gagarin 205 on 27 February.

What do Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Jay McShann, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, John Hammond, Jimmy Witherspoon and Dr John have in common? Why, Duke Robillard, of course - guitarist, band leader, composer, singer and producer. All of the above have recorded and shared the stage with this artist who is considered a blues legend. On 25 and 26 February at Gazarte, Athens will have the change to enjoy one of the most highly recognised masters in the history of the blues.

Richard Hawley (ex-Pulp guitarist), one of the greatest contemporary British songwriters, a top guitarist and undoubtedly the best crooner of our time, will be in Athens, Greece 20 February for a unique concert at the Fuzz Club. Hawley continues the tradition of major rock 'n' roll musicians and creates his own sounds through rich orchestrations and a chillingly honest voice.

A team of DJs who are the pioneers in the genre of mash-ups and bastard pop, 2manydjs, are Belgian brothers David and Stephen Dewaele, who also head the alternative rock-electro band, Soulwax. The Dewaele brothers will perform as 2manydjs in Athens, Greece in an unforgettable DJ set at the Venue Club February 19.

What happens when jazz meets funk and some hip hop is added? For British music scene fans, the answer is probably easy and goes by the name of Herbaliser. They will be appearing on 20 February at Kyttaro in Athens, Greece. Herbaliser is a nine-member band who pooled their efforts with hip-hop producers Jake Wherry and Ollie Teeba (DJ) in 1995. The result is an explosive mix of jazz, funk and hip hop.

The Bios creative team presents two of the greatest British producers on the dubstep and grime music scene. On 19 February, Joker, the producer-revelation of 2009, will be appearing alongside pioneer Kode9 for one show at Bios. The 21-year-old Joker is being invited to live up to this reputation as the most important new producer on the dubstep scene and Kode9, the producer and owner of the label Hyperdub at Bios in Athens, Greece.

The Hertz Festival, an event joining both Greek and internationally recognised artists in experimental music, is being launched in Athens. Creators such as Austrian Fennesz, Greek Novi_sad, French electronic music innovator Eliane Radigue and Thepersonwhodidthis, appearing for the first time in Athens, Greece, will experiment in a classic space where the unique acoustics will play a determinant and interactive role in the endeavour. The event is being held 19 and 20 February at the Parnassos Literary Society Concert Hall in Athens, Greece.

Famous diva and bewitching femme fatale Ute Lemper presents a new show dedicated to the legendary Astor Piazzolla and the "eternal passion" of tango for two nights in Athens, 20 and 21 February, at the Megaron, Athnes Concert Hall. It promises to be a musical journey from Buenos Aires to Paris, Berlin and New York aboard the most erotic songs in the world. It is tango by the great Argentine bandeonist, as well as by Jacques Brel, Kurt Weill, Klaus Schulze Sara Leib and Edith Piaf.

After 20 years of worldwide acclaim, nine studio albums and their 10th masterpiece being released shortly, plus countless live shows, Gamma Ray indisputably constitute one of the most prominent bands of the German heavy metal scene. Gamma Ray will be in Athens, Greece for an unforgettable gig at Fuzz Club on February 19.

Coming from both sides of the North Sea, Laura Vane and the Vipertones are a new group of musicians with Dutch and English roots that combine their skills for a traditional funk and soul outcome. They will be appearing at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece from 5 to 11 February, bringing with them their funky mood and groovy rhythms.

Bios in Athens, Greece will host three personalities from the international electronic and beat scene on 12 February: Austrian boy wonder Dorian Concept and British DJs and radio producers Mary Anne Hobbs and Pinch. Gizmo will open the show with a DJ set for a night of hip-hop, funk, jazz, original beats and above all, dancing, at the Bios multi-purpose venue in Athens, Greece.

Manu Dibango is not just famous; he is a top musician. He is said to be the last living legend of Afro beat along with Femi Kuti. The best entertainment to be had is to personally experience this unique performance featuring the unbelievable energy and passion of Dibango in Athens, Greece for three appearances at Gazarte on 10, 11 and 12 February.

Tanguarda Quartet is a new sound on the tango scene and has already taken the musical world by storm. The quartet will be appearing at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece from 12 to 18 February. The group's repertoire covers a broad range of styles, from traditional tango to Astor Piazzolla to more contemporary tango, and is expected to release its first album in the near future.

Two talented duets, Emil Jonason and Peter-Friis Johansson and Pascal Schumacher with Jef Neve, will be appearing at the Megaron, Athens Concert Hall on 10 February as part of its Rising Stars series. The series is a joint effort to lend the support of the Concert Hall to new artists and music ensembles. The series' goal is to promote cultural exchange and to showcase and publicise musical creativity.

The young twin-sisters Ferhan and Ferzan Oender have established themselves as one of the most promising piano-duos of the younger generation in the world concert circuit through their electrifying playing. They will appear at the Megaron, Athens Concert Hall on 16 February performing works by Sergey Rachmaninoff, Franz Liszt, Igor Stravinsky and Witold Lutoslawski.

French music diva Patricia Kaas will be making her first appearance in Athens, Greece 6 February at the Badminton Theatre with her own "Kabaret". The cabaret with a "k," meaning cabaret à la Patricia Kass, is a unique show bringing to the stage all the magic of the inter-war period with a unique, personal but contemporary look through the eyes of this soulful singer.

The New York Ska-Jazz Ensemble was formed in 1994, and after five albums and appearances all over Europe, Canada, the United States and South America, they are now an internationally recognised group. They have earned the devotion of audiences with their boundless energy, their authenticity and their talent for adapting familiar jazz pieces with a dance ska rhythm, as well as their powerful combination of dance, reggae, classic rock and jazz. Hear them at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens from 29 Jan. to 4 Feb.

With a full stock of tracks marking a 40-year career - and almost as many lineup changes - and unlimited amounts of energy, the fathers of progressive rock, Uriah Heep, return to Gagarin 205 in Athens, Greece on 6 February. Uriah Heep started composing their own music history at the end of the '60s. They have released 21 studio albums and had countless No.1 hits in Europe, while five of their albums made it to the US Top 40.

On Saturday 6 February at the Fuzz Club, we will enjoy Club des Belugas featuring their new album Zoo Zizaro that was released in November 2009. Club des Belugas is one of the leading lounge and nu jazz projects in Germany, perhaps in Europe. They combine contemporary European lounge and nu jazz styles with Brazilian beats and American black soul of the '50s, '60s and '70s with a unique creativity and intensity.

Κ.Vita, always picky in his live shows, returns with his band, after almost two years for a performance at the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece on 5 February. Κ.Vita stood out in the contemporary electro music scene from the beginning when he was a founding member of Stereo Nova. Now, 14 years after their breakup, Κ.Vita continues to create his own characteristic music accompanied by his poetry.

Jojo Effect, an outstanding lounge, Latin and nujazz band that charms, impresses and relaxes with its melodies and the unique skill of its musicians, will be at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece from 22 to 28 January. Jojo Effect is the brainchild of German producer and musician Jaycay, Maxim Illion, and vocalists Anne Schnell and Brenda Boykin, the latter of whom received the best female vocalist award at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2005.

Music lovers will be able to enjoy the Haydn Trio Eisenstadt, an Austrian chamber music ensemble dedicated to the work of Joseph Haydn, on 30 January at the Megaron, Athens Concert Hall. Prepared since their founding to observe the 200-year anniversary of the great composer's death (1809), these three talented musicians decided to tour the world playing his works and serving as ambassadors of his music with their unsurpassable sound.

Fans of Edith Piaf will be able to enjoy a tribute at the Megaron, Athens Concert Hall on 31 January, as the life of the French singing legend is presented through a musical theatre performance that has swept Paris. This unique dramatisation of a musical biography, filled with Piaf's immortal songs, will recreate her life in a manner that is entertaining and at the same time moving. Jacques Pessis, journalist, author and music historian, recalls Piaf's career by focusing on key points in her life in an entertaining way.

Giulia Y Los Tellarini will be appearing at Gazarte in Athens, Greece on 29 and 30 January, presenting a programme of flamenco with an Italian flavour and a scent of the Mediterranean and Andalucía. The story of Giulia Tellarini is a bit like an Italian spaghetti western. While in an alleyway in Barcelona, accordion in hand, she met guitarist Maik Alemany. This fateful meeting launched Giulia into the studio to record her first studio album, Eusebio.

There is not a music lover alive who does not associate a personal memory with one of the Stranglers' hits. With 23 songs and 17 albums in the British Top 40 over a career spanning four decades, this popular band constitutes one of the pivotal chapters in the history of modern music, if judging by criteria such as quality, recognition and longevity. Don't miss the Stranglers live on 22 January at the Fuzz Club in Athens, Greece.

With yet another album added to their discography and a new line up, My Dying Bride are coming to Athens, Greece to present their own musical journey through poetic, dark and melancholy tales on 31 January at Gagarin 205. My Dying Bride have without a doubt been the leaders of doom metal since the 1992 release of their first album on Peaceville Records, As the Flower Withers.

Therapy? are coming to Athens, Greece with a "greatest hits" set to mark their 20-year presence on the music scene on 21 January at Kyttaro. Therapy? formed in Northern Ireland exactly 20 years ago and are one of the most notable bands to emerge from that country. With 14 albums and dozens of singles to their name, they are one of the few bands that remain after the dominance of grunge/alternative rock in the early '90s.

A fascinating tribute to Baroque music through the work of English composer Henry Purcell will be part of the "Ancient Music-Innovative Interpretations" series at the Megaron, Athens Concert Hall on 23 January. Widely known counter-tenor Michael Chance will be accompanied by the Baroque Sinfonia Ensemble, one of the oldest Baroque ensembles in Greece, in leading the tribute.

Noiz Art & Music Productions raises the bar to the highest level by inviting Run-DMC member Darryl DMC McDaniels to Athens, Greece for a live appearance. A major figure on the world hip hop scene and a pioneer in this genre, he will be in Athens, Greece at Bios on 17 January. McDaniels is one of the three founding members of Run-DMC, which in 2009 became one of the few hip hop artists to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In a performance featuring a unique collaboration, Margarita Zorbala, the vocalist with the captivating voice, will present a special musical retrospective highlighting her journey through the countries, languages and cultures she has experienced. She will be joined on stage by the exceptional fados singer Helder Moutinho. They will be appearing from 8 to 14 January at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece.

Greg Wilson, one of the leading figures in British electronic music and developer of Electro-funk, will be appearing at Bios in Athens for the first time 9 January, playing one of his characteristic DJ sets with a classic Revox B77 reel-to-reel. The show will be opened by another Brit, Paul Bennett, and closed by Bad Spencer. Don't miss this amazing event at Bios in Athens, Greece.

Bellevue Cadillac is a band with many generations of musical experience characterised by joy, comical elements and audience participation. They are the funniest stage show on tour at the moment. Imagine Cab Calloway, James Brown, Barry White, Lyle Lovett, Garth Brooks and Steve Martin with flying trombones, swiveling trumpets and screeching saxophones jumping around the stage and dancing with the audience. See them in person from 28 December to 7 January at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, Greece.

The new year will be hailed by Urban Disco at Bios in Athens, Greece on 2 January, the first Saturday of the year, with a huge party. The evening will be hosted by Chevy and manning the decks will be DJ friends and colleagues representing a variety of musical schools and joining forces to present sets that cover a wide range of dance/electronica and more.

Looking for something to do New Year's Eve in Athens? Put on your best holiday clothes and dancing shoes and come to Gazarte. Music will be courtesy of the Cosmopolitan Big Party Band, meaning "party till dawn." From the Motown sound of soul and jazz to swing from the '30s and '40s, New Year's Eve and on 1 & 2 January with the Cosmopolitan Big Party Band promises to be unforgettable evenings to usher in the new year.

This New Year's Eve, the event attracting the greatest attention is the party at the Athenaeum InterContinental featuring top DJs Sasha and James Lavelle for an unforgettable night of music and dancing to usher in the new year. For the last four years, this has been the established Detox party, which this year is bringing two top DJs whose names alone guarantee you will still be talking about the event this time next year.

Christmas in Athens would not be Christmas without the scent of fun and enjoyment, and the Swing Cannons are just the ones to provide it. They will be appearing for the first time in Athens, Greece at Gazarte armed with music, dance and a good cheer, always one step ahead of the crowds. The Swing Cannons will be in Athens 24-26 December and will "shoot 'em up" till dawn until even those who have never danced in their life get up on their feet.

The 20-member Mosaico Vocale will present a concert in the spirit of Christmas on 18 December at the "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall, featuring a variety of a capella music. The selections will include choral works by Renaissance composer Francisco Leontaritis, Romantics Anton Bruckner and Johannes Brahms, 20th century composers Benjamin Britten and Francis Poulenc and contemporary American composer Morten Lauridsen.

The most famous gospel group in the USA, the Chicago Mass Choir, will present gospel and Christmas melodies at the Badminton Theatre in Athens, Greece on 14 and 15 December. The choir consists of 25 singers who give soul and vibration on stage, offering a unique audiovisual experience. Dynamic sounds, African-American colours and an impressive stage presence will compose the mosaic of a festive atmosphere. African-American and Christmas dance rhythms, fancy costumes and unique performances to warm us up for Christmas in Athens, Greece.

Gogol Bordello, the multi-ethnic band from New York that has captured the hearts of audiences on both sides of the Atlantic with its unique sound, will be at the Fuzz Club in Athens Greece on 17 December. Their uniqueness has not stopped surprising audiences since its beginnings in the mid-'90s. It is no coincidence that the band has worked with some of the major names in music, including Manu Chao, Dub Trio and even Madonna.

Mando Diao, the five-member Swedish band, is coming to Athens, Greece in December as part of its world tour for a show you will remember for a long time to come. They will be appearing at Gagarin 205 in Athens, Greece on 11 December. For those who draw a blank at the name "Mando Diao," we have just three words: "Dance with Somebody." The widely known dance floor anthem has been on the Top 10 charts of most European countries over the last few months.

The Swedish titans of progressive metal return to Gagarin 205 in Athens, Greece on 5 December for an unforgettable show. Opeth are a unique musical phenomenon that surely does not leave anyone indifferent. It is a band that always manages to evolve, experiment and mature over time. Having recorded nine albums, the most recent being the amazing Watershed, they are characterised by their artistry in harmoniously interweaving different kinds of music, but with death metal as a base.

Minino Garay is considered the "magician of percussion" and has already been awarded the Django d'Or for Best Composer of Traditional Music in the world. Talent and music go together, but Garay also throws his vocal virtuosity into the mix. His music recalls the good old days of the city of "good winds" and the city of lights -- Buenos Aires and Paris. He is appearing at Gazarte in Athens, Greece for two nights 4 and 5 December.

The public will be able to enjoy two reggae legends - Jah Shaka from Great Britain, the indisputable king of Sound Systems and leader on the British dub/roots scene, and Gregory Isaacs from Jamaica, an authentic star of reggae music, on Dec. 5 at the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre. The Sunshine Reggae Concert will be opened by the Greek band Jamerllada, a new group that combines reggae and hip hop.

With her guitar, her songs and her presence, Barbara Luna has already conquered the world music scene. She will be appearing at the Half Note Jazz Club from 27 November to 3 December. Luna has acquired fans from all over the world after major appearances, such as WOMAD, playing all aspects of acoustic Latin music: candombé from Uruguay, milonga and chacarera from Argentina, habanera from Cuba, joropo from Venezuela and lando from Peru.

The French diva of soul, Sophie Delila, returns to Athens for two unforgettable nights on 27 and 28 November at Gazarte. Delila is the serene power of soul. She is the French music scene's answer to British and American soul. Her maiden album is Hooked, and her second is anxiously awaited. Her single, Nature of the Crime, is already being played everywhere and is a European hit.

Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis was born to play music. They say he is the man who "invented funk" and, from 20 to 26 November, he will be appearing at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens with his band, featuring Fred Ross on vocals. The Pee Wee Ellis Assembly in Athens for hot funk nights at the Half Note Jazz Club.

The American heavy metal band W.A.S.P is appearing at Gagarin 205 in Athens on 21 November for a unique performance. The legendary Blackie and his noisy company return during their world tour "Beast of Babylon". Obviously rejuvenated and including new material in their own musical Babylon, W.A.S.P. - the personal group of the great rock ‘n' roll hero Blackie Lawless - will not leave their loving Athenian audience unsatisfied at Gagarin 205.

Miucha, one of the world's top bossa nova artists, will appear live for the first time in Athens at Gazarte on 26 November. It will be an evening dedicated to the essence of Rio, to genuine bossa nova rhythms and to Brazilian jazz. Her name may not be known to everyone, but anyone who has delved into Brazilian music will surely know the woman who has worked with some of the major composers of our times, making her vocal mark on the works of the major artists in Brazil.

Diamanda Galas, one of the greatest artists of our times, returns to Athens following last year's sold-out concert to appear at the Pallas Theatre on 24 November. Her voice easily covers four octaves, while she is deeply knowledgeable about the avant-garde scene of the last 40 years. She has a particularly soft spot for Greece and her fans.

The Pet Shop Boys, the princes of dance-pop, are coming to Athens 20 November as part of their world tour to appear at the Metropolitan Expo with a mesmerising, multi-media spectacular production. The group with more than 50 million in sales which redefined pop, presaged dance and salvaged the '80s returns to Athens after seven years to perform songs from their new album, along with old best-of hits in the biggest audio-visual show they have ever done.

Al Di Meola, one of the most talented guitarists of the last 30 years, will be appearing at the "Megaron" Athens Concert Hall Nov. 19 for one performance. No other jazz guitarist in the world has earned more awards; after 21 albums, three gold records, numerous awards and sales exceeding 6 million, he has emerged as one of the most distinguished virtuosos of contemporary music over the last three decades.

The Estoudiantina Orchestra is celebrating its 10th anniversary and will be the protagonist of a music festival dedicated to the folk soloists and composers of the Balkans. On 20 November, Estoudiantina joins forces with acclaimed Balkan musicians on the stage of the Badminton Theatre, Athens to present a unique and original musical collaboration called Balkan Express. The concert will feature distinguished artists from Albania, Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria.

Winner of multiple Grammies and the WC Handy Award, Joe Louis Walker is one of the most talked-about blues artists of our times. He will be appearing in Athens at the Half Note Jazz Club 13-19 November. Joe Louis Walker is a true guitar virtuoso, a unique singer and a prolific composer who has toured the world throughout his career and managed to acquire faithful fans everywhere he goes.

Top jazz vocalist Kurt Elling will be appearing for the first time in Athens on 16 November at the Pallas Theatre. With his wide-ranging and clear voice and his unrivalled musicality, he is one of the elite in the challenging and sparsely populated field of jazz vocalists. He has been nominated for a Grammy eight times over the lustrous course of his career and earned numerous awards as best jazz vocalist.

Yann Tiersen, one of Europe's most important composers, is coming to Athens for a once-only appearance at the Fuzz Club on Saturday, Nov. 14. The worthy successor of Nino Rota, Nicola Pioani and Eric Satie, he has been influenced by some of the major movements in contemporary lyrical music and has created a uniquely personal style that brings high-brow music to the everyday listener.

China Moses, the explosive singer, writer, composer, producer and MTV presenter with the unique stage presence, is coming to the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens for seven one-of-a-kind shows from 6 to 12 November. Her career began at the ultra cool French label Source and she worked with the top French musicians, including Camille, Etine De Crecy, Diams, DJ Mehdi and director Jean.

The Morgenstern Trio will play live at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron), performing compositions by Beethoven, Brahms and Fremde Szene III, on 10 November. The Morgenstern Trio joined forces in 2005 at the Folkwang Academy in Essen. In 2007, after only two years of intensive collaboration, the trio was awarded several important prizes: first prize at the International Joseph Haydn Competition in Vienna and second prize and the audience prize at the prestigious ARD Competition in Munich, among others.

Bela Fleck and the Flecktones will meet Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White on 9 November at the Pallas Theatre for a celebration of jazz. Bela Fleck and the Flecktones are one of the most innovative bands on the current scene, having won multiple awards. Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Lenny White, members of perhaps the best-known electric jazz band of all time - Return to Forever - have decided to explore common ground by creating yet another super-group.

Branford Marsalis and his exciting quartet return to Athens after many years to appear at the Pallas Theatre 3 November for a one-of-a-kind show. The eldest of the Marsalis brothers, Branford Marsalis is a major personality of our times and of jazz music. The composer and saxophonist has earned three Grammies.

The queen of the stage, sexier and wilder than ever, is coming to Athens for the first time. Beyoncé will be appearing at the OAKA Indoor Basketball Arena, Athens on 8 November as part of her "I Am..." world tour. The tour title refers to her latest double album, the first CD of which is called I Am... and the second, Sasha Fierce.

Peter Murphy, the ultimate rock prince of goth, will be appearing at Gagarin 205 on 8 November in Athens Greece. Murphy will remain known as the vocalist for Bauhaus, the band from Northampton, England, considered to be the mother of goth rock. Bauhaus did not last more than four years (1979-1983), but that did not stop them from influencing entire generations with their music and image or from leaving a legacy of a few classic songs (Bela Lugosi's Dead).

The Sonics from Tacoma, Washington, will play two live shows on 6 and 7 November at Gagarin 205 in Athens. The Sonics play garage rock and are a group that rocked the boat like no one else in the music industry in the mid-60s. Their unique sound forced music critics to invent the term "industrial punk." Their appearance is part of the 5th "Athenaeum Cave, the annual mod-60s happening staged by Belle Vue. The second show was added after tickets for the first night sold out.

Percussionist Mahmoud Fadl, one of the most important percussion musicians in the Arab world today, will be at the Half Note Jazz Club from 23 to 29 October. Fadl is from a country which no longer exists, though its historical and cultural legacy does - Nubia, which in the early 1960s was made into an artificial lake to serve the energy needs of Egypt. The rhythms and musical colour of Nubia remain today and continue to enrich contemporary world music - thanks to Fadl.

A unique tribute to jazz legend Miles Davis and his incomparable album, Kind of Blue, will take place at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron Mousikis) October 24. In the 50 years since it was first released, Kind of Blue has gone quadruple platinum and continues to sell 5,000 copies a week. The album highlights Davis' influence by Ravel's Concerto for the Left Hand and Rachmaninoff's Concerto No. 4.

ZZ Top are appearing live in Athens on 24 October at the Faliro Tae Kwo Do Sports Pavilion. Come see the South in all its glory and hear hard rock blues from Texas pulling out all the stops. The smell of bourbon will be in the air and the smoke will limit visibility, but the passion and adrenaline will be there. It will be ZZ Top's unique sound, ours to enjoy for the first time in Athens.

The St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra with Yuri Temirkanov, the oldest music ensemble in Russia and one of the top orchestras in the world will be appearing at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) from 21 to 23 October. The orchestra has managed to maintain its artistic profile throughout the historical changes that took place in Russia and to develop several notable musical personalities. The St. Petersburg Philharmonic will present three major piano concerti by Rachmaninoff, as well as works by Tchaikovsky.

In the history of contemporary tango, the name Astor Piazzolla is intertwined with that of Pablo Ziegler. Ziegler was Piazzolla's beloved pianist and collaborator and a standing member of his group. As such, Ziegler fully comprehends and promotes the idea of Nuevo Tango in all its facets as no one else can. From 16 to 22 October, we will be able to enjoy Pablo Zielger at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens, together with Quique Sinesi and Walter Castro, for a few nights of tango improvisation.

Orquesta Aragon has remained faithful more to the spirit of its founder than to any particular musical style. The artist dreamt of a family that was motivated by its love of music rather than its pursuit of riches. Orestes Aragon's dream has been a reality for almost 70 years and his efforts to communicate his love for Cuba, its music and its people continues today. On Friday 23 October, Orquesta Aragon will be appearing in Athens for one performance at the Fuzz Club.

The English band Paradise Lost will be appearing at Gagarin 205 on 17 October. Paradise Lost, one of the most influential and creative bands in the history of hard sounds, will be visiting Athens for one concert. The inspiration behind and creators of Gothic Metal, Paradise Lost have included Athens in their touring schedule since 1993 and have developed a strong relationship with the Greek public that is reinforced with each appearance.

Kevin Costner and Modern West, a rock/country band which he founded with the encouragement of his wife, Christine, was born from a shared love of music and comprises a tightly knit group of long-time friends. Kevin Costner and Modern West draw their influences from a broad tapestry of American music and beyond. The show itself flows from original material penned by the band to cover songs written by some of music's giants. Don't miss them live at the Badminton Theatre in Athens on 14 October.

Greek MTV celebrates its first year of operation with Tokio Hotel in concert. One year since the premiere of Greek MTV and MTV Day 2008 featuring REM in concert with the Kaiser Chiefs, Gabriella Cilmi and C-REAL, the celebration is on again Friday, 9 October, for MTV Day 2009 at the OAKA Basketball Arena. Tokio Hotel will be appearing for the first time in Greece to introduce live their new and much-anticipated work, never before seen anywhere in the world.

Tonino Carotone will be appearing live at the Half Note Jazz Club from 9 to 15 October to illustrate how his art is evolving in complete concordance with his sensitivity. Anyone who has followed Carotone's transnational pop/jazz/folk musical course can verify that. Enjoy Carotone at the Half Note Jazz Club

The impressive soprano Tarja - also known as the "voice" of Nightwish - is coming to Gagarin 205 in Athens just for one night full of dark melodies on 10 October. With nine successful years with the band Nightwish, collaborations with important metal artists and also with the National Opera of Finland, a successful first solo album and a second one almost ready, Tarja is definitely a music phenomenon.

The hot and funky James Taylor Quartet will be appearing from 2 to 8 October at the Half Note Jazz Club in Athens. Since the mid-1980s, the James Taylor Quartet (or JTQ) has been charting the course for the phenomenon known as acid jazz, which includes all the essence and power of funk and soul.

The celebrated musician Salvatore Adamo will give his first concert in Athens to benefit the Breast Cancer Action Fund at the Athens Concert Hall (Megaron) on 7 October. The songwriter and singer, who has sold 100 million albums worldwide, is performing under the auspices of the Ministries of Culture and Foreign Affairs and the City of Athens. The proceeds of the concert will be donated to the Breast Cancer Action Fund.

Amorphous Androgynous, Cobain and Dougan of Future Sound of London's side project, is visiting Athens for the first time for one sensational live concert as part of the EarthDance Festival. Amorphous Androgynous are an imaginative music collective with astonishing tracks, revolutionary sounds and a daring image concept, a band that simply does not follow any rules. Amorphous Androgynous will play at Building 56 of the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre on 26 September.

Violinist beauty Vanessa Mae has come to Athens Greece several times and her concerts are always sold out. After a five-year absence, she returns with an amazing line-up featuring all her material. The violin queen will be appearing at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus - Herodion on 24 September. But this time, she will be accompanied by a six-piece band, an orchestra and a huge team of technicians to present a unique show never before seen in Athens.

Electronic music fans have every reason to celebrate as the ultimate dance event, 4G Festival - The Rebirth, will take place in Athens on Saturday 19 September. The event is dedicated to trance, techno and progressive music and will take place on the same day on three different stages of the best Athenian night clubs -- Iera Odos, Vox and Odyssey, located next to each other so that music fans can access any stage any time using the same ticket.

Amadou & Mariam, one of the most notable African groups, will be appearing live in Athens 18 September at the Papagou Garden Theatre. The history of their life and career sounds like a movie script. A man and a woman meet at a school for the blind as students and fall in love. Both musicians, they manage to overcome all obstacles to become international stars and ambassadors of Mali's musical tradition throughout the world.

Legendary tenor Jose Carreras returns after four years since his last appearance for a concert with the ERT National Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of David Gimenez, on 19 September at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus - Herodion in Athens. Part of the revenues from ticket sales will be given to Floga, a Greek association of parents of children with cancer.

Asian Dub Foundation will be in Athens on 12 September at Gagarin 205 for a uniquely stimulating musical experience. The Asian Dub Foundation collective made its entrance in London 16 years ago with a series of music technology seminars aimed at young Asian immigrants. Many years have passed, over which the band has been called various things, such as "active political group," "one of the best live bands of the last 30 years" and "the last angry band of Britain." Enjoy Asian Dub Foundation live at Gagarin 205.

Luz Casal, Pedro Almodovar's muse who gained world-wide fame through the film High Heels, returns to Athens for a major concert on 13 September at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus (Herodion). The great Spanish singer will take the audience on a musical journey of the senses with her uniquely tender though passionate style, whether it is pop or rock ballads, blues or flamenco. She remains one of the most exuberant, warm and sensitive voices of her time.

Archive, the much-loved representatives of progressive rock's new wave, whose latest album titled Controlling Crowds went straight to the top of the charts, are back at the Badminton Theatre. With classic Archive songs like Again and Pulse, as well as new hits like Bullets, Archive will once again prove how they can control audiences with music as their weapon. See them live in Athens on 11 September.

MGMT the band that won over music critics and music lovers all over the planet in 2008 is coming to Athens for a main-event appearance at Technopolis. The reaction of fans on hearing the news of their arrival was swift and enthusiastic. MGMT will appear on 8 September at Technopolis, featuring hits like Kids, Time to Pretend and Electric Feel, as well as new material from their yet-to-be-released new album.

Over the past few years, a new generation of underground Greek dance producers has accomplished something that still remains a difficult feat for the majority of mainstream artists. They have managed to break into the international dance arena through releases under renowned foreign labels and gigs in the most esteemed clubs and festivals around the world. The EnTechno festival will gather many of these artists at a 24-hour dance event in Athens on 5 September at the Hellenic Cosmos Cultural Centre.

The 2nd Athens Hip Hop Festival will take place Saturday, September 5, at Technopolis in Gazi. Last year's 1st Athens Hip Hop Festival featured a number of hip hop groups that took Athens by storm. This year, the most dynamic live event of young people's music returns, ready with an out of control beat, break dance acrobatics and the most finely honed instincts of the city to make their presence known on a day flavoured with the best of hip hop culture.

Are you ready for a memorable concert at the foot of the Acropolis? If the answer is "yes," then get ready for an amazing musical evening with up and coming Calvin Harris. The 5th Mad Live in Athens sponsored by VODAFONE CU presents another live concert with the Acropolis as a backdrop featuring Harris, the artist of the ultimate dance anthem I'm Not Alone, which went to No. 1 on the United Kingdom charts.

Joss Stone, one of the most gifted, young voices of soul, is coming to Athens Greece for a unique concert on 2 September at Pallas Theatre. Those lucky enough to get tickets will have the opportunity to enjoy the captivating voice of this 22-year-old Englishwoman who will lull the audience with hits like Spoiled, Love, You Had Me and her amazing version of the White Stripes' Fell in Love with a Girl.

Rumors have been circulating for a while, but this time they were proven right. Faith No More will appear in Athens for the first time ever on 10 August for one live show at the Vrahon Theatre in Vyronas. After an 11-year absence and without warning, they decided to reunite last spring. In no time at all, their name was headlining some of Europe's biggest open-air festivals and the music press worldwide has been delirious with the impact of the reunion.

The Rocking Athens Festival, the new festival institution that takes place in the city of Athens every year, aims to give the music-loving public the opportunity to enjoy up close some of the most important bands in rock. This year, Rocking Athens is honoured to present: Heaven & Hell, Blind Guardian, Testament, Gojira, Mencea and Descending on 27 July at the Olympic Fencing Centre in Ellinikon.

Following last year's undeniably sensational performance, Linkin Park are back at "the crime scene" which is no other than Terra Stage, Athens, to give us whatever it is they still owe us. UK post-hardcore band Funeral for a Friend will be the opening act of the show. Don't miss this memorable live concert on 21 July at Terra Vibe.

When Deep Purple head to Athens in July, they will give us a true taste of classic rock. Ian Gillan and his unchangeable voice will take us on a voyage that also signifies the return of the strongest line-up of recent years. Fearless, intense, passionate, just like a flame that never stops burning, Deep Purple continue to write history on the hard rock scene, as they have been doing for the past 40 years. Don't miss them at Terra Vibe, Athens, on 22 July.

Mercury Rev will present an exceptional mix of psychedelic avant pop and rock lyricism on 22 July at the Papagou Garden Theatre in one of the most exciting concerts the Greek public will see this year. After almost two decades together, Mercury Rev's musical journey continues to be as captivating as ever without losing any of its brilliance.