Today I want to write a few lines about the unique relationship which exists between
Nikos Economopoulos and his public.
I have already mentioned in earlier article that Nikos, in his interviews emphasizes that the love he feels for the people who listen to his music and come to his concerts is one of the leading forces for his inspirational work.
One story on this matter seems to me especially breath-taking. On 25th July 2009, Nikos was scheduled to perform a concert at the club “Asteria” in Patras. It would be his first performance in his hometown since becoming a star, with two successful albums already to his credit. Rejoicing Patras fans welcomed him as a real hero. When Nikos came onstage, the reception was so tremendous that he could not hold back his tears. To hide his face, Nikos turned towards the orchestra, but people had already seen this display of emotion and some of them exclaimed: “He is crying! Look, he is crying!”
It took a few seconds for Nikos to recollect him self and to start singing in his usual way – with his clear, beautiful and unique sound, perfectly in tune. That concert proved to be a fantastic, long show, with the Patras “nightingale” singing until 5.00am, making his public very happy and of course finally everyone getting up and dancing!
In my opinion this occasion demonstrates well Niko’s feeling towards the people who come to his concerts. His sense of responsibility and dedication helped him in this very difficult and emotional situation, because it is not easy to start singing, when tears are coming up to the throat. In my musical working life experience I have met singers who could easily find an excuse not to sing, cancel performances without any real reason and interrupt their singing because of unexpected tears. Any slightest comment from the crowd could change their mood and could cause them to forget words, stop in the middle or even leave the stage. Nikos Economopoulos is strong enough to give to people what they expect from him and to never betray those expectations. After long and always demanding performances in the night club “Fever” (the extra responsibility Nikos carries there is because he performs with the great Giannis Parios, a very prominent figure in the Greek musical scene) Nikos is spending up to two hours with his fans by signing autographs for them and posing together with each of them for photos.
And the public responds to Nikos with a special love! In Greece displays of affection to performing artists are through showering a singer with flowers. For Nikos the enormous amounts of carnations (traditionally Greeks use just the flower head) sometimes become a problem for moving around the stage, as they reach knee height! One of the most recent examples – Valentines evening in “Fever” - can be found inYoutube videos. The flower “attack” on Nikos that night was heavy and he needed to use almost acrobatic skills to avoid interrupting his singing, while fighting with the flower fall!
Some young people in Greece already follow Nikos’ style, wearing similar clothes and imitating his hair colour. The most popular Nikos double is his countryman Sotiris Trahanis, who was even invited by local TV for an interview, where he was explained, why he likes to look like Nikos Economopoulos. Sotiris’ popularity started with his appearance in Niko’s “Asteria” show, where he and his look-a-like star exchanged a couple of jokes. Now Sotiris is one of the Nikos fan’s informal leaders.
The formal leader of the most popular Niko’s fan club is his countryman Christos Fragos. Together with his twin brother Vasilis, Christos is gathering around his FB site “AYTO TO ASTERY’ many thousands of Niko’s worshippers by regularly updating them with news about their idol and sharing some unique photos and videos.
Nikos occupies a strong position in thousands of girls’ hearts. For his concerts they come from far away places in the hope of seeing Nikos live and getting his autograph. And, of course, they follow him with his concert tours around Greece.
Some write poems for Nikos. I am trusted by Maria Tziveleka Eleysina to share her poetry with the world! She used words from Niko's songs to create her unique garland. Her little dedication written in Greek is made up of a combination of lines from Niko’s songs and her own words between them.
WHAT CAN I DO WITH YOU? ONE SOUL TOLD ME I WILL SEE YOU HERE ... I've searched everywhere but THERE IS NOTHING INSIDE OF NOTHING ..., the ULTIMATE emptiness ...! ONLY GOD KNOWS where you are ... THE BLACK COLOUR was hanging over me ... but now .... I CLARIFIED ... and decided ... through the OFFERING OF THE SOUL that I WANT TO BE YOUR SUPPORT!!! And TO SAY THE TRUTH ... you deserve to be on the top ... so BLOW THEM UP with the PERFECT HIT!!!
" ΤΙ ΘΑ ΚΑΝΩ ΜΕ ΣΕΝΑ? ΜΟΥ 'ΠΕ ΜΙΑ ΨΥΧΗ ΘΑ ΣΕ ΔΩ ΚΑΙ ΕΚΕΙ....σε έψαξα παντού...αλλά...ΤΙΠΟΤΑ ΣΤΟ ΤΙΠΟΤΑ...το ΑΠΟΛΥΤΟ κένο...!!!! ΈΝΑΣ ΘΕΟΣ ΞΕΡΕΙ πού είσαι.... Μέσα μου κυριαρχούσε ΤΟ ΜΑΥΡΟ ΧΡΩΜΑ....αλλά πλέον ΞΕΚΑΘΑΡΙΣΑ...και αποφάσισα… μέσα από αυτή τη ΚΑΤΑΘΕΣΗ ΨΥΧΗΣ...αποφάσισα ότι....ΘΕΛΩ ΝΑ 'ΜΑΙ στήριγμά σου....!!!!!! Και η ΑΛΗΘΕΙΑ ΝΑ ΛΕΓΕΤΑΙ....σου αξίζει να είσαι στην κορυφή....γι΄αυτό ΧΤΥΠΑ τους όλους...με ΧΤΥΠΗΜΑ ΤΕΛΕΙΩΤΙΚΟ!!!!!!!! "
Another dedicated Niko fan is a beauty from Bulgaria, Hristina Andreeva. She is the most passionate photo and video collector of Nikos Economopoulos. In her files you can find many hundreds of images of her beloved singer.
The biggest collection of videos of live performances by Niko (for the most part filmed by herself) is held by Renataki “Love” (some girls prefer people to know them by their nicknames).
I cannot name all the passionate and dedicated Niko admirers in this article, because there are thousands of them. What is clear to me is that the relationship between Nikos Economopoulos and his fans is a true and mutual love in the best meaning of the word. This is the case when an idol of young people is a strong and good person in himself, and that is why his influence on them is very positive.
Nikos not only shares with his fans his love of the Greek song, but he also shows respect to the prominent figures in the national music culture. In doing this, he provides a great example of a talented young artist with a dedicated work ethic, responsibility, purposefulness and strong, well-grounded values.
Lucy Vaganova
Editing: Theo Simeonidis
P.S. Special thanks to Eirini Eusebi for providing the details of Nikos' performance in Patras
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