DAVID BYRNE | Great Lawn SNFCC, Sunday, June 21
GORILLAZ | Plateia Nerou, Thursday, June 25
Release Athens Festival and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) are joining forces once again to connect Greek audiences with two of the most innovative and influential acts in contemporary music, who have left an indelible mark on the sound and aesthetics of recent decades. Our successful 2023 collaboration is dynamically renewed in 2026 (a landmark year for Release Athens Festival, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, and for SNF, which is celebrating its 30th), promising two days filled with musical spectacle.
On Sunday, June 21, the one and only David Byrne will put on an extraordinary show at the Great Lawn of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) as part of his Who Is the Sky tour that began in September, filled with legendary songs from his time leading the Talking Heads and solo career to date. On Thursday, June 25, Gorillaz, Damon Albarn’s groundbreaking project, are coming to Greece for the first time ever to treat us to an explosive audiovisual experience at Plateia Nerou.
More acts for both concert dates will be announced soon!
To celebrate 30 years of philanthropic work, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is collaborating with Release Athens to bring music and culture closer to everyone. Thanks to SNF’s contribution, ticket prices are 40-50% lower than is typical for similar events.
Although best-known for his groundbreaking tenure fronting the new wave group Talking Heads, David Byrne is also acclaimed for his adventurous solo career, encroaching upon such diverse arenas as world music, filmmaking, and performance art in the process. After Talking Heads disbanded in 1991, Byrne branched out with numerous projects, including solo albums, film and stage productions and his Luaka Bop label, which played a crucial role in introducing innovative South American and African artists to Western audiences.
Over the course of his incredible career, David has received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, and a Special Tony Award; he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2017, David launched Reasons to Be Cheerful, first an online compendium of news stories, now a curated online magazine designed to be a “tonic for tumultuous times.” In October 2024, “Reasons to be Cheerful” hosted a variety show in New York City, featuring performance, music, comedy, and inspirational storytelling.
Follow David Byrne:
Created by musician Damon Albarn and artist Jamie Hewlett, Gorillaz is singer 2D, bassist Murdoc Niccals, drummer Russel Hobbs and Japanese guitar prodigy Noodle. The BRIT and Grammy-winning virtual band formed following a collision of mishaps, meetings and pure luck to blow up a pre-digital world with their colourful backstory and ground-breaking virtual ways. Based at Kong Studios, Gorillaz settled into a life of musical innovation with an eye-wateringly exciting roster of collaborators, a list that includes musical legends, geniuses and future stars from Elton John to Little Simz, MF Doom to Jean-Michel Jarre, Grace Jones to slowthai, Kali Uchis to Sidiki Diabaté, plus so many more.
With eight albums to their name, Gorillaz (2001), Demon Days (2005), Plastic Beach (2010), The Fall (2011), Humanz (2017), The Now Now (2018), Song Machine: Season One – Strange Timez (2020) and Cracker Island (2023), Gorillaz is a truly global phenomenon, achieving success in entirely new and unique ways, touring the world from San Diego to Syria, Montevideo to Manchester and winning numerous awards including the coveted Jim Henson Creativity Honor. The band’s recent acclaimed run of London shows to celebrate 25 years of Gorillaz saw The Guardian declare: “Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett’s cartoon band are still riveting and relevant”, with London’s Evening Standard adding “Albarn and Hewlett are still legions ahead of the pack,” and The Observer headline proclaim “Gorillaz stun in star-studded show of lush visuals and borderless music.” Gorillaz’ new studio album The Mountain will be released in 2026.
Follow Gorillaz:
Presale starts on Wednesday, October 15, at 11:00 a.m. Tickets for David Byrne & more to be announced start at €40 and go up to €45 and €50. Tickets for the Gorillaz & more to be announced start at €50 and go up to €55.
Tickets available:
By phone at 211770000
Online / releaseathens.gr + more.com
Retail at: https://www.more.com/el/physical-spots/
All information (prices, schedule, access) is available at releaseathens.gr & snf.org
*Ticket proceeds go exclusively to Release Athens. The Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) is a philanthropic organization that makes grants to nonprofit organizations. SNF does not accept funds from private individuals, corporations, or any other organizations.
Ticket availability for persons with disabilities:
The Festival ensures access for persons with disabilities by offering a special area with an unobstructed view of the stage. The special area is wheelchair accessible and has seats, separate toilets, and free parking.
To purchase tickets for persons with disabilities, please send your request electronically to [email protected], attaching your disability card. To enter the disabled areas, you will need to show this card upon arrival at the Festival.
More about Release Athens 2026
Since its inception in 2016, Release Athens has evolved into one of the most significant summer music events in Greece. This year, to celebrate its 10th anniversary, the festival is returning to Plateia Nerou to write a new chapter in its history. Over the past decade, Release Athens has hosted some of the biggest names in international music, including Arctic Monkeys, Iggy Pop, Massive Attack, Pulp, Slipknot, The Offspring, PJ Harvey, Pet Shop Boys, Kylie Minogue, The Prodigy, Judas Priest, London Grammar, Alice in Chains and Liam Gallagher.
With the slogan “Making Memories Together,” the festival remains faithful to the main principle that has been its inspiration since day one: artists, music fans, and our staff all shaping, together, the unique experiences and memories that will stay with us forever.
Follow Release Athens:
More about the anniversary SNF Nostos 2026
SNF Nostos 2026 will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). In this context, the music program is just one aspect of this multifaceted, open event. The most dynamic SNF Nostos in recent years will take place from June 21 to 28, not only at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) in Athens, where it is usually hosted, but also at other locations throughout the country, from Northern Greece to the Peloponnese, so that people can learn about the Foundation’s activities in a practical and hands-on way.
Under the central theme of “Focus on People,” which is also the central message of the SNF, the established SNF Nostos Conference, the SNF Dialogues, and the SNF Nostos Run will return. Along with them will come a series of new experiences, such as an interactive digital installation that will take visitors on a virtual journey through the Foundation’s activities, special performances by the Greek National Opera (GNO), a magical intermission, and much more to be announced throughout the year. Stay tuned!
Follow SNF Nostos:
