Giorgos Xintaris

The typical music style on Skopelos is called ‘Rebétiko’ ot ‘Rembetika’, and its roots are found in the Greek music of the middle 19th century on the West coast of Asia Minor and Constantinople. It developed in the underworld of Greek cities like Athens or Siros, after the catastrophe in Asia Minor and the expelling of the Greek from the place.

The name of this music style has to do with that underworld origin, as stated by its own meaning referring to those low-class men living in the cities’ suburbs. Although ‘Rembetika’ is the name of the typical Greek music in general, it is now considered as distinctive of Skopelos island and its popularity gave place to the concept that it is in fact the Greek version of the American blues.

The Skopelian Giorgios Xintaris is one of the biggest exponents of rembetika, and he can usually be seen performing on typical taverns and rembetika clubs with his son, or other musician friends. The cadence of this beautiful music sounding in the taverns at night usually communicates and old vibe that makes a very special atmosphere.

When summer opens, this ‘rebeti’ artist usually plays in an open air restaurant placed on the top of Skopelos castle. Although he is one of the last remaining icons of rembetika, some relevant singers of the size of Eleni Tsaligopoulou and Eleutheria Arvanitaki came out from Skopelos remberika clubs, which aids interest to this tradition. Other taverns that do not offer live performances, use to play some Giorgios Xintaris records, among with other rembetika music at late evening.

Although Skopelos island has not the reputation of offering many night activities, the available options are just enough to satisfy the demands of tourists staying for a while. In fact, the combination of music like rembetika played by Giorgio Xintaris and other gifted musicians.