“In Orbit v.5”: City’s musical alternative scene over the course of three days at the Dome of the SNFCC

Music that ranges from hip hop to electro and rock, indicative of the city’s ever-changing musical universe.

Something magical happens when a small group of people turn on their mics, hit the strings, and switch on the loopers on small stages, in basements across Athens. In Orbit Vol. 5 dives into the local alternative scene and presents the city’s musical potential over the course of three days. 

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, October 4, 5 & 6, the Dome of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) is hosting well-established and up-and-coming artists in a diverse program, featuring music that ranges from hip hop to electro and rock, indicative of the city’s ever-changing, ever-expanding musical universe.

In Orbit Vol. 5 is staged with free admission, thanks to a grant by the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).

The program of the Festival:

Friday, October 4 | Hip Hop

Buzz Capitano

Buzz is a Greek rapper from Peristeri, who has been active in the genre since 2013 as member of the famous rap duo Zoro & Buzz. He is distinguished for his realistic and expressive verses, but also for his intense interaction with the audience during his live performances. He boasts collaborations with renowned artists, such as Anser, Eversor and ΔΠΘ, while a landmark in his career was the album I Dinami Pou Den Ipologizane (2019) with Zoro & Buzz. So far, he has released two solo albums: his debut Leoforos Kavalas (2021), which established him as a solo artist, and Street Business (2023), which denounces the new era with an intense battle rap element. 

LADELE

Greek-Nigerian rapper LADELE was born and raised in Thessaloniki. In 2022, she made her debut in the Greek rap scene, combining new wave sounds, poignant lyrics, and a dynamic presence on stage. She has released 2 EPs and is already collaborating with major hip hop artists, such as Tsaki, Xara, Grizzle, Split, etal. 

Mira

Mira’s hip hop journey began at the age of 15. At 17, she stood out with her appearances at the Dozen Minds Sessions on YouTube, and in 2023 she released her old-school rap debut album Aradia. Subsequent releases of now 23-year-old Mira were enriched with soul elements, always retaining her poignant lyrics. Her collaboration with El Sistema Greece on the Lullaby project was a milestone along the way, while in her last single, Chula Cypher, she collaborated with Spanish rapper Santa Salut and Greek rappers Vikkie, Ms. Morris and Lunar. 

Dolly Vara

Dolly Vara’s music combines hip hop with pop and electronic sound, while her lyrics propose her approach to the queer experience. She combines electrifying trap beats with experimental elements, and her lyric pounce on modern social issues. She has released three mixtapes (MOOD, To Manteio Ton Adelfon, Ti Koitas Re M***a), while her last album, I Hronia Tis Skyllas, was released in 2023. 

Saturday, October 5 | Electro

TURBOFLOW3000

A project that was kicked off just before the pandemic and the tough days of the lockdown. Their first album, UFO, was released in 2023 by Veego Records, combining guitars, loops and quick rhymes in an electro-punk idiom with synth-pop aesthetics and Greek lyrics. An out-of-box audio mix, recorded with a laptop and mobile phones, that will set your feet on fire.

OLINA

Athenian pop with soul elements and familiar lyrics, at times melancholy, and yet always leaving a hopeful aftertaste. OLINA tells short coming-of-age stories, written by a child who was late to grow up. At the Dome of the SNFCC, she plans to transform into a “leopard-print cat” under the “blue melancholy” sky, and present, along with her mellow band, songs from her first EP, Cats on CBD, released by Mellowsophy Music. 

Kalliopi Mitropoulou  & Nikos Veliotis

Kalliopi Mitropoulou is presenting her debut album Between, produced by Nikos Veliotis, as well as part of previous recordings by Veliotis, from the album Anases Ton Lykon (in collaboration with Giannis Aggelakas) and In Trance 95. The two musicians appear on stage with their main instruments, violin and cello, but also use the synthesizer to build real-time loops and Mitropoulou’s voice as a balancing beam bridging the hollow with the luminous. 

Bhukhurah

Bhukhurah is a music producer, sound engineer and multi-instrumentalist based in Athens. He was a key member of CHICKN and The Callas, with whom he has performed in music scenes in Greece and abroad. His debut album, released in February 2024 by Black Caramel Records, combines neo-psychedelia and indie rock with dream pop. 

Sunday, October 6 | Rock

Moa Bones

This is the personal project of songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer Dimitris Aronis. In 2001, he took his first steps as the singer and guitarist of Modrec, but he has also released four solo albums. In his latest work, Gimme A Hand, the songwriter’s distinctive alt-folk style is enriched with some “tweaked” synth and neo-psychedelic elements that further electrify his acoustic compositions. Boasting extensive experience in live performances, he has shared the stage with international-caliber artists, such as Wovenhand, Calexico, and City of the Sun.

Lemonostifel

The Lemons (as they are widely known) started their journey from Thessaloniki in 2007. Now, with four albums in their luggage, they tell musical stories with Mediterranean-Balkan elements that intertwine with rock, punk and jazz ambiences. In their latest album, 4 (2022), they add lyrics to their music for the very first time, while flying guitars, colorful synths, an impulsive dance mood and nostalgic tunes carry us along to seashores and speakeasies. 

Commuter

Primarily influenced by Canada’s post-punk sound and UK’s newer wave, and having released their first EP, the Commuter are preparing to release their debut album in 2024. Blistering guitars and nostalgic punk compose the sound of the newly formed quartet, which has already performed live abroad and has shared the stage with international artists of the genre, such as Unschooling, SONS, Dry Cleaning, and Protomartyr. 

Come

A rock trio born in 2024 out of the romance of a pagan wedding and the madness of a summer adventure in Mykonos. The newly formed trio has only released two singles, but their debut album is expected within the year. Explosive punk guitars, psychedelia and pure rock ‘n’ roll philosophy characterize their sound and live performances.