🇦🇱 Albania: Festivali i Këngës, first evening tonight

Road to Vienna: Greece. We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Greece. Akylas: Emerging Greek Pop Artist Making Waves Akylas Mytilinaios, known as Akylas, is a fast-rising Greek pop artist from Serres. Born in 1999, he transformed a challenging upbringing into creative motivation. He developed his sound through formal training at the Music School of Serres and early theater experience. He later gained international stage experience as a cruise ship singer, performing across multiple regions. This helped him refine both his voice and stage confidence. In 2021, he reached a wider audience on The Voice of Greece. Although he didn’t win, the show significantly boosted his visibility in the Greek music scene. Building a strong online presence, Akylas gained momentum through TikTok, where his viral cover songs attracted thousands of fans. His debut track “Fthinókrasso” introduced his storytelling style. The real breakthrough came in 2024 with the indie-pop hit “Atelier,” produced with Papazó. Ferto: A Bold Take on Ambition and Modern Luxury Culture Akylas’s track Ferto explores ambition, excess, and the constant drive for success. Drawing inspiration from pop and hip-hop, the song highlights wealth, luxury, and visibility as modern symbols of achievement. At its core, Ferto focuses on materialism and status. It celebrates success and indulgence while revealing a deeper truth—the endless desire for more. This contrast exposes the tension between outward confidence and the emptiness linked to overconsumption. Ultimately, the track captures the dual nature of ambition. It feels both empowering and, at times, unfulfilling. Through this lens, Ferto delivers a sharp and relevant commentary on how identity and success are shaped in today’s image-driven, material world. Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest Greece has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 44 times since its debut in 1974. The country achieved its sole victory in 2005 with Helena Paparizou‘s “My Number One.” In recent years, Greece has experienced varying results, with a notable return to the final in 2024 when Marina Satti’s “Zari” placed 11th, and a 6th place last year in Basel, with Asteromata, performed by Klavdia The Bookmakers Akylas Mytilinaios’ Ferto climbs to 5th place  in the bookmakers’ ranking. Could this rising Greek pop star be heading for the win?