Ailafar – Shining Star 2025

Ailafar, a melodic rock band hailing from Thessaloniki, Greece, was founded in late 2006 by John Tzortzis with the purpose of bringing his musical compositions to life. The band has evolved over the years, both in terms of lineup and musical achievements, making significant strides in the rock music scene both locally and internationally.

The journey began with the recording of their first demo in May 2009, followed by the commencement of their debut album, Long Way to Imagery, in September of the same year. This album, completed in August 2011, was a self-released collection of 12 songs, all written, arranged, and produced by John Tzortzis. It also featured an additional track recorded in 2012. To promote the album, Ailafar performed numerous gigs in bars and clubs around Thessaloniki and made appearances on local television and radio shows.
After a brief hiatus in 2013, Ailafar started recording their second album in May, completing it in February 2015. This album, released worldwide by AorBlvdRecords (UK), comprised 13 tracks and included guest vocals from notable artists such as Stephan Kammerer (Frontline, Stereotide, Germany), Paul Jackson (Roadhouse – Pete Willis Band, UK), and David Saylor (Push UK, Wild Rose, UK), alongside local vocal talents like Tatiana Economou, Alexandra Mcay, Olga Katsenidou, and Elisabeth Mari. The album received critical acclaim from major magazines and webzines globally and reached the number two spot on a major US radio network.
In 2016, Ailafar began work on their third album, Heartbeat, which was completed and released in 2017 by Perris Records (US). Featuring 12 tracks, this album included a special guest appearance by Steve Overland of FM (UK) on the song “Dreamdate,” which topped the charts of a Thessaloniki rock radio station for three weeks. The album also garnered excellent reviews worldwide, including in Japan.
The band’s fourth album, State of Mind, commenced recording in 2019 and was released in 2021 by Valve Studio Records (Thessaloniki, Greece). This album featured the return of Tatiana Economou on lead vocals and included 12 tracks performed by the band with contributions from local guest artists. The album received positive reviews from European, Japanese, and American publications and webzines, and the track “It Means Nothing to You” achieved a top 10 position on Rock Radio in Thessaloniki.
In May 2024, Ailafar signed with Lions Pride Music, setting the stage for the release of their fifth album in 2025. The band continues to engage with their audience through local acoustic shows while actively working on new material, sustaining their dynamic presence in the rock music landscape.
Ailafar’s commitment to their craft and their ability to collaborate with both international and local artists has solidified their reputation as a formidable force in the rock genre, continually pushing the boundaries of their musical expression.

1. Integrity
2. The Ghost Of You
3. Together We Go On
4. Dancing For Keeps
5. The Right Person
6. Piece Of The Puzzle
7. Something About You
8. These Moments
9. Your Avoidant Kind Of Love
10. Hope
11. Your Star Will Shine (CD bonus track)

Tatiana Economou (v)
John Tzortzis (g)
Kostas Mavroudis (b)
Daniel Charavitsidis (d)
Vangelis Valis Papageorgiou (pi, k)
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Nicoleta Xouri (vi on 11)
Dean Mess (v on 4)