A self-taught performer and songwriter takes the stage at the Nicosia International Festival 2025, bringing with him a raw, unfiltered authenticity that resonates deeply with listeners. Panayiotis Loizou proves that music does not need credentials - it needs urgency, courage, authenticity, and truth. At the Nicosia International Festival he presents his first solo album, “Two Worlds”, on Friday, 12 December 2025, at the Nicosia Municipal Theatre (20:30), in the framework of the #UNDER30 programme.
Panayiotis stands out for his distinctive voice and his personal yet unconventional approach to singing, making him one of the most promising emerging voices bridging tradition with the contemporary era. He writes lyrics and music, he plays guitar and the Cretan lute, both of which he taught himself during the pandemic. With deep cultural roots, he embodies the belief that music doesn’t begin in a classroom, but wherever one dares to listen, to feel, to dream, to sing, and to create.
“Two Worlds”
His debut album “Two Worlds” is the distillation of a journey marked by spontaneity, exploration, and self-expression. He lays bare his soul with songs carrying experiences, reflections, and hopes. Beyond songs from the album, the concert will include covers of influential artists’ works, and live performances of unreleased material, creating a rich, multi-layered musical experience where songs become stories of love, identity, memory, and introspection about real struggles, social issues, and political tensions.
As he himself says: “The world is becoming darker, but I’ve chosen to respond with songs. To share my part. Perhaps this way, we can change something together.”
Who he is
Panayiotis’ voice is an expressive instrument that bridges folk tradition and contemporary sound. His music defies categorisation. Alternative folk infused with atmospheric, psychedelic textures, rooted in Greek and Cypriot tradition, they compose a unique combination of contemporary entechno, Greek folk music, and experimental rock. Deeply influenced by the legends of Greek traditional music, he merges Mediterranean and Balkan elements with modern songwriting. “I remember being a child, listening to Gipsy Kings on cassette in the car. The next day I would discover Sokratis Malamas and Thanasis Papakonstantinou. Somewhere along the way came Led Zeppelin, Johnny Cash, Nikos Papazoglou, and many others,” he notes. His music dwells at the crossroads of genres, where folk patterns meet the emotional force of world music and the introspection of entechno. The result is a sound that feels both ancient and at the same time fresh, familiar yet strikingly original.
Artistic presence
Panayiotis Loizou has already captivated audiences with performances in Cyprus and Greece, from intimate venues to major festivals such as Fengaros Reacts and Fengaros Festival. In Athens, two sold-out concerts at a university campus and at “ILION Plus”, confirm his strong presence. Significant collaborations with artists such as Miltos Paschalidis, Dimitris Basis, Pantelis Thalassinos, Fotis Siotas, and Dimitris Lappas further demonstrate that his music has already reached the ears of experts – and, above all, the hearts of listeners.
Credits
Vocals, acoustic & classical guitar, Cretan lute: Panayiotis Loizou
Drums: Vasilis Bacharidis
Percussion & handpan: Vasilis Vasiliou
Bass: Lefteris Moumtzis
Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Bouzouki, Saz, Lute: Zenonas Economides
Cretan lyra: Christina Polykarpou
Backing vocals, Keys, Aulos(Double Flute): Anastasia Demetriadou
Duration: 100΄
Age group: 18+
* The performance includes strobe lighting.
Tickets:
Available online via more.com:
http://bit.ly/4grNxB8 and the Nicosia Municipal Theatre box office (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00).
Ticket prices:
VIP: €14 - €16
ZONE A: €12/ €14
ZONE B: €10/ €12
ZONE C: €10
ZONE D: €10
Reduced tickets are valid for: Children, students, soldiers, pensioners, large families, unemployed, actors, people with disabilities (free) with presentation of relevant ID.
Information: 22797979 (Monday - Friday 10:00-13:00) &
http://bit.ly/3VjZ0ZG
Festival identity
Organisers: Nicosia Municipality, Nicosia For Art
Festival sponsors: OPAP Cyprus, ALTIA, more.com, Cyprus Public Transport Supporters: Travelhouse, UCLan Cyprus, WINECORE, Gate Twenty Two Boutique Hotel, Classic Hotel Nicosia
Media sponsors: DIAS Publishing & SIGMA TV, LOVE FM 100.7, and “KATHIMERINI” newspaper