I had heard many good things about Pagan and the live show they deliver. So, their concert at Kyttaro was the perfect opportunity to see for myself what it’s all about and whether all the buzz around them is justified. This particular show was also a special one for the band — celebrating three years since their very first live appearance at the same venue — making it meaningful both for Pagan and their fans. All the more reason, then, to be there at Kyttaro on that Sunday night, November 2nd, 2025.
by Dimitris Zacharopoulos
photos by Iro Kalligeri (@irokalligeriphotography)
Seeing Pagan on stage gave me some thoughts I’d really like to share.
First of all, the show was sold out, and even before the concert began, Kyttaro was already packed to the brim. Clearly, the audience has embraced Pagan wholeheartedly, regardless of musical background or stylistic preferences. In the crowd you could see rock fans, metalheads, lovers of Greek music, ethnic/folk listeners, and plenty of people who simply enjoy music without fitting into any particular category. Pagan have managed to bring together music lovers of many different worlds — people who come to their shows to have a good time, to feel inspired, and to get carried away, even intoxicated, by the sound itself.
Secondly, what Pagan are doing is very close in spirit to Heilung. Their live shows are mystical — a Dionysian, traditional musical celebration where Greek folk roots meet the electric sound. They use traditional instruments and create a folk-meets-rock feast: a vibrant blend of music, dance and theatrical performance. Pagan present not just a concert, but a ritual — a living ceremony in which tradition comes alive before our eyes. Music, movement and light intertwine, captivating the senses. We find ourselves participating in a musical-theatrical rite — uplifting, lyrical, melodic and deeply transportive.
Thirdly, Pagan’s songs include their own compositions, but also reinterpretations of well-known traditional Greek folk songs, brought back to life through smart, fresh arrangements. These songs are infused with rock and heavy rock elements, expanded through improvisations and jams, becoming the musical vehicle that carries us across different corners of Greece. Folk melodies and electric instrumentation merge into one, allowing us to reconnect with our musical heritage, with nature, and with the Greek soul itself. Here, there is no room for political or religious divides — Pagan sing, dance, and take us along with them to places both radiant and dreamlike.
All these thoughts were circling in my mind while I was part of the celebration, and even later, after we left Kyttaro. It wasn’t just a concert from an ordinary band — it was an immersive experience, something that awakened old memories and reconnected us with our past. A different kind of performance, one we will remember for a long time, from a band that suggests the future lies in returning to nature, to the earth, to our culture and origins. For almost three hours, through a multitude of instruments — both electric and traditional — we heard the Greek soul alive before us.
