Banda Entopica (GR) x Arda and the Giannena (GR, TR)

On Wednesday, 2 December 2026, Banda Entopica takes the stage at ACU Utrecht: a street band from Thessaloniki bringing the restless energy of the Balkans.

Banda Entopica emerged on the streets of Thessaloniki, transforming traditional music into a collective celebration. Clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, accordion, percussion, davul and vocals blend into a vibrant sound that moves between Macedonia, Thrace, Epirus and the wider Balkans. The music is rooted in tradition, yet never stands still: familiar melodies gain new momentum through improvisation, rhythmic intensity and the energy of a live band.

This is not a concert to watch from a distance. Banda Entopica's performances are physical, spontaneous and focused on connection with the audience: a melody begins, the rhythm builds, and the boundary between stage and hall dissolves. You'll hear traditional numbers, original compositions and songs in various Balkan languages - music to dance to, sing along with and experience together.

The band's name refers to "entopica", the local language, reflecting musicians who celebrate the many voices, histories and traditions of the Balkans without turning them into borders. Their musical world is multilingual: Greek, Slavic, Bulgarian, Turkish, Serbian and Roma influences converge in one exuberant celebration. The band themselves say: "Our music is here to unite the whole world."

Banda Entopica first played on the streets of Thessaloniki, where direct contact with passersby became part of their musical identity. According to the band, they simply started playing, noticed the music resonated with people, and "simply fit together." This second European tour builds on the success of the first, bringing Banda Entopica's sound to a wider audience.

Line-up: Billy Maleganos (percussion), Konstantina Kioulou (vocals), Christos Kiriazis (clarinet/saxophone), Argyris Karagounis (trumpet), Nikos Foutakis (accordion) and Giannis Gkountanos (sound).