Sarbel: In conversation

Vasilis Panayi (Interview), Andrea Mallouris Gerolemou (Report) - Sunday 1st of June 2008

"My performance at the Cyprus Wine Festival (in London) is my chance to give something back to my community" (Sarbel)

The handsome Sarbel popped into LGR House for a chat on Saturday 26th April.

Arriving 30 minutes late and worrying everyone at LGR that he wouldn’t turn up, he entered LGR House with a beaming smile, glad to be back home in London. He arrived with his father and cousin, all three looking forward to a relaxing Easter break.

The show was hosted by Vasilis Panayis on 'Mesivrianes Selides'. However many people popped into the live studio during the course of the interview, to say hello to Sarbel including LGR’s Sandra Bilika, Paris Tsoulfas, Tony Neophytou and the up-and-coming singer songwriter Athena Andreadis, from Thessaloniki. A joint interview took place between Athena and Sarbel throughout the three hour show.

"I do look forward to performing in my home town, in London"

"I have planned lots of suprises for the festival because it my first ever major concert in the British capital".

Many aspects of Sarbel’s career were discussed; including his early years performing with his dad and his musical influences when he was younger, and his performances in London at the Royal Opera House and at the English National Opera. Sarbel went on to explain the recent path to his success which included performing on cruise ships and how he ended up in Crete. It was his love for the performing arts that led him to study ancient theatre at university. He also mentioned some of the many jobs he had before becoming a singer, including being a lifeguard.

Vasilis then went on to ask Sarbel to share a few details of his Eurovision Song Contest experience. Sarbel obliged and enlightened us with a little gossip – his disappointment that ‘Maria’ in the filming of the ‘Yassou Maria’ music video, was neither Greek nor Cypriot. Sarbel had complained during the filming as the actress was half Italian and half Chinese. Although this was a small detail, Sarbel believed it was an important point as he pointed out that there are many beautiful Greek and Cypriot women.

Vasilis and Sarbel then exchanged opinions on the Cypriot entry and the Greek entry for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest.

When asked about any upcoming dates to put into our diaries, Sarbel exclusively told LGR that he had two offers on the table at the moment. The first was an invitation to present the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in Limassol later on this year with Zeta Makripoulia. The second offer was an invitation from London’s Parikiaki Newspaper to perform at the Cyprus Wine Festival at Alexandra Palace, later in June 2008. Sarbel has now confirmed that he will be performing at the Cyprus Wine Festival on the 28th and 29th June.

Cyprus Wine Festival - what are the expectations for a great show?
"I do look forward to performing in my home town, in London"

"I have planned lots of suprises for the festival because it my first ever major concert in the British capital".

He has yet to confirm whether or not he will presenting the Junior Eurovision but said he was thinking about the offer very carefully, adding he was honoured to have been asked.

Throughout the show we heard a number of songs from both Athena and Sarbel, including Sarbel’s latest single ‘Exo Trelathei’. Sarbel explained how hard he had worked on his new album and that he believed it is one of his best so far. Whilst Sarbel is putting the finishing touches to the album, he hopes to release it towards the end of the month. No doubt this album will be as successful as previous ones!

Sat 28 June: 11.00am - 11.00pm
Sun 29 June: 11.00am - 9.00pm

Adult: £5.00, Senior Citizen: £3.00, Child (under 12 yrs) Free

•   Advertisements