The second Mousik-i Festival, held on Saturday, November 30, at the Northcote Social Club in Melbourne, offered an exciting glimpse into the vibrant future of the Greek Australian music scene.
Four bands, each representing a distinct musical genre, came together for a one-of-a-kind evening that had something for every music enthusiast.
The night kicked off with Delyrium, led by the well-known musician Paddy Montgomery, who guided the group, played the lyra, and sang. Songs from Crete, performed with the band’s unique approach, began to warm up the audience.
Next on stage were Anatreptix, who delivered a special set featuring guest artist Iríne Vela. The group revisited classic rebetika from the 1930s-50s with finesse and a strong female presence, which bandleader Katerina Stevens proudly highlighted. Their performance infused the night with a mix of nostalgia and heartfelt emotion.
Cats and the Canary, the only band to have performed at both instalments of the festival, delivered a lively set blending Greek Swing with jazz, rock, and blues influences. This time, they surprised the audience with two 1960s-inspired Greek Disco tracks. Fronted by Alkistis Pitsaki for the second time, their energetic performance and song choices made patrons dance from disco to syrtos.
Closing the night were the electrifying H Division, the Melbourne-based rap group that had the crowd buzzing with their high-energy set. Performing mostly original tracks, they captivated the audience, many of whom sang along. The performance also served as the unofficial launch of their member Skee latest album, Puzzle, recently released on digital platforms, creating a buzz about the group’s bright future.
Once again, the Mousik-i Festival proved to be a vital platform for celebrating and promoting the diversity and creativity of the Greek Australian music scene. The future looks bright for this musical showcase with plans already underway for the next festival in spring 2025.
