# Akylas

**Akylas** (Ακύλας; full name Akylas Mytilinaios, Ακύλας Μυτιληναίος) is a Greek singer, songwriter, and performer from Serres who represented Greece at the [Eurovision Song Contest 2026](https://www.edgepedia.org/eurovision-song-contest-2026) in Vienna with the song "Ferto", finishing tenth in the grand final.<sup>[1](https://www.eurovision.com/eurovision-song-contest/vienna-2026/participants/akylas/)</sup> He rose from the Athens underground indie scene and viral TikTok covers to become one of the most discussed new names in Greek pop.<sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup>

| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Akylas Mytilinaios (Ακύλας Μυτιληναίος)<sup>[1](https://www.eurovision.com/eurovision-song-contest/vienna-2026/participants/akylas/)</sup> |
| Born | 1999, Serres, northern Greece<sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup> |
| Eurovision 2026 | "Ferto"; 7th in the first semi-final, 10th in the grand final in Vienna<sup>[1](https://www.eurovision.com/eurovision-song-contest/vienna-2026/participants/akylas/)</sup> |
| National selection | Won Sing for Greece 2026 on 15 February 2026, taking the top points from the domestic jury, the international jury, and the public vote<sup>[3](https://www.eurovision.com/stories/akylas-sing-for-greece-vienna-2026/)</sup> |
| Debut album | *Press Start*, released 21 May 2026 on Minos EMI; 8 songs, 21 minutes<sup>[4](https://music.apple.com/us/album/press-start/1896410106)</sup> |
| First single | "Fthinokraso" ("Cheap Wine"), 2021<sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup> |
| Identity | Openly queer artist whose music blends pop, electronic, and Greek and Balkan influences<sup>[5](https://www.athensmusicweek.gr/artists/akylas-gr/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[6](https://www.minosemi.gr/artists/5017/)</sup> |

## Early life and training

Akylas was born in 1999 in Serres, a town in northern Greece, and grew up in a family under economic strain; his father became disabled when he was young and his mother largely supported the family alone.<sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup> He has said that this childhood shaped the way he writes music.<sup>[7](https://www.rainews.it/amp/articoli/2026/05/chi-e-akylas-il-cantante-greco-di-ferto-tra-difficolta-economiche-tiktok-e-il-sogno-eurovision-c3c9e918-3bd8-455e-b087-baaedd98ee66.html)</sup>

His formal training began at the Music School of Serres, where he studied music theory, singing, and composition, and he later sharpened his stage skills in theatrical workshops in [Thessaloniki](https://www.edgepedia.org/thessaloniki) before moving to Athens to pursue music professionally.<sup>[1](https://www.eurovision.com/eurovision-song-contest/vienna-2026/participants/akylas/)</sup> Before music could support him, he worked in restaurants, studied cooking, sang on the street, and spent roughly two years as a singer on AIDA cruise ships, performing daily across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia; he has described the cruise work as a practical school that prepared him for the Eurovision stage.<sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://www.ant1live.com/zoi/prosopa/664128_akylas-poios-einai-megalo-fabori-toy-ethnikoy-telikoy)</sup>

## Career beginnings

**TikTok and The Voice.** Akylas first became widely known through viral covers on TikTok, many performed with a ukulele, which drew attention from both the public and the music industry.<sup>[1](https://www.eurovision.com/eurovision-song-contest/vienna-2026/participants/akylas/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup> In 2021 he took part in the eighth season of *The Voice of Greece*, reaching the live galas on Panos Mouzourakis's team, and released his first original single, "Fthinokraso" ("Cheap Wine"), about his early life in Athens.<sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup>

**Breakthrough.** The turning point came in 2024 with "Atelié", a collaboration with the producer Papazo that had significant radio reach and marked his first major step under Minos EMI / Universal.<sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[8](https://www.ant1live.com/zoi/prosopa/664128_akylas-poios-einai-megalo-fabori-toy-ethnikoy-telikoy)</sup> His label describes his sound as electronic pop merged with Greek and Balkan influences, and he has performed at events such as Athens Pride and on national television.<sup>[6](https://www.minosemi.gr/artists/5017/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[5](https://www.athensmusicweek.gr/artists/akylas-gr/)</sup>

## Eurovision 2026

In January 2026 the broadcaster ERT announced Akylas as a contestant in Sing for Greece 2026, the national selection for the contest, with the song "Ferto".<sup>[9](https://www.eurovisionuniverse.com/encyclopedia/akylas/)</sup> After two semi-finals, the final on 15 February 2026 awarded points from a domestic jury (25 percent), an international jury (25 percent), and the public vote (50 percent); "Ferto" received the top points from all three and won.<sup>[3](https://www.eurovision.com/stories/akylas-sing-for-greece-vienna-2026/)</sup> The song was composed by Akylas, Papatanice, and TEO.x3, with lyrics by Akylas and Orfeas Nonis.<sup>[3](https://www.eurovision.com/stories/akylas-sing-for-greece-vienna-2026/)</sup>

**The song.** "Ferto" translates roughly as "bring it"; the Associated Press described it as an infectiously catchy party rap song about overconsumption.<sup>[10](https://apnews.com/article/e666a561598d8fe4a2242960b92b65d3)</sup> On the surface the narrator demands money, luxury, and success, but the lyrics also address Akylas's mother and recall the financial hardship of his childhood, framing the greed as a response to earlier deprivation.<sup>[11](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/melodifestivalen/a/bOXQbg/akylas-tavlar-for-grekland-i-eurovision-2026-sjong-pa-gatan)</sup> The song is mostly in Greek with phrases in Spanish, English, and French, and its production combines techno beats with elements of the Greek folk-pop genre Laïkó.<sup>[2](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[12](https://taz.de/ESC-Teilnehmer-Akylas/%216178315/)</sup>

**In Vienna.** Akylas performed in the first semi-final on 12 May 2026, placing seventh, and finished tenth in the grand final on 16 May at the Wiener Stadthalle.<sup>[1](https://www.eurovision.com/eurovision-song-contest/vienna-2026/participants/akylas/)</sup> His staging, directed by the veteran Fokas Evangelinos, recalled a video game, with a knit cat-ear hat, tiger-striped shorts, a scooter, and human statues on stage.<sup>[13](https://as.com/tikitakas/musica/quien-es-akylas-el-representante-de-grecia-en-eurovision-2026-con-ferto-f202605-n-2/?outputType=amp)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[14](https://apnews.com/article/eb9d219d95b4754d47c6df85b74bacdf)</sup> Before the contest he sat in the top three of the betting odds, behind Finland and Australia.<sup>[11](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/melodifestivalen/a/bOXQbg/akylas-tavlar-for-grekland-i-eurovision-2026-sjong-pa-gatan)</sup>

## Press Start and touring

Shortly after Eurovision, Akylas released his debut album *Press Start* on 21 May 2026 through Minos EMI, a division of [Universal Music Group](https://www.edgepedia.org/universal-music-group).<sup>[4](https://music.apple.com/us/album/press-start/1896410106)</sup> The eight-track, 21-minute record is an electro-pop project with club-ready production and hyperpop textures, and "Ferto" serves as its central reference point.<sup>[6](https://www.minosemi.gr/artists/5017/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[15](https://www.ertnews.gr/ert-protaseis/akylas-stin-ert-i-eurovision-irthe-san-pyrotexnima-sti-zoi-mou-kykloforise-to-proto-tou-almpoum/)</sup> At release he counted more than 1.5 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and promotional videos for the album had gathered over 9 million views on TikTok.<sup>[16](https://www.minosemi.gr/press-start-to-%CF%80%CF%81%CF%8E%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BC-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-akyla-%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%B3%CE%BF%CE%BD%CF%8C%CF%82/)</sup>

He followed the album with the Press Start Tour, a summer 2026 series running from 23 June to 20 July across Greece, Cyprus, and international stops including Vienna, with a high-profile show at Technopolis in Athens on 30 June.<sup>[17](https://www.tovima.com/culture/akylas-embarks-on-press-start-tour-across-greece-beyond)</sup>

## Artistic identity

Akylas identifies openly as a queer artist and uses his music and platform to carry messages of acceptance, self-expression, and social justice; he has said he sings for people who do not fit within norms.<sup>[5](https://www.athensmusicweek.gr/artists/akylas-gr/)</sup><sup> • </sup><sup>[18](https://www.lifo.gr/culture/music/akylas-tragoydo-gia-ta-atoma-poy-den-horane-se-normes)</sup> His performances are deliberately theatrical, influenced by [Lady Gaga](https://www.edgepedia.org/lady-gaga)'s stagecraft, and his visual identity mixes traditional Greek elements with high fashion.<sup>[18](https://www.lifo.gr/culture/music/akylas-tragoydo-gia-ta-atoma-poy-den-horane-se-normes)</sup> A LiFO review of *Press Start* noted that his Eurovision moment rested not only on an extravagant image but on a sense of authenticity behind the irony, and credited the production of "Ferto" by TEO.x3 with fusing hyper-techno, rave energy, and traditional Greek sounds, including the Cretan lyra over a pentozali rhythm, without sounding either folkloric or forcedly modern.<sup>[19](https://www.lifo.gr/culture/music/o-akylas-den-afise-stigmi-na-paei-hameni)</sup>

## References

1. [Akylas – Greece, Vienna 2026, Eurovision Song Contest official site](https://www.eurovision.com/eurovision-song-contest/vienna-2026/participants/akylas/)
2. [¿Quién es Akylas? Analizamos el contexto de la candidatura de Grecia, ESCplus](https://www.escplus.es/eurovision/2026/quien-es-akylas-analizamos-el-contexto-de-la-candidatura-de-grecia-en-la-primera-semifinal-de-eurovision-2026/)
3. [Akylas will 'Sing for Greece' in May, Eurovision Song Contest official site](https://www.eurovision.com/stories/akylas-sing-for-greece-vienna-2026/)
4. [Press Start – Album by Akylas, Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/press-start/1896410106)
5. [Akylas (GR), Athens Music Week](https://www.athensmusicweek.gr/artists/akylas-gr/)
6. [AKYLAS, Minos-EMI](https://www.minosemi.gr/artists/5017/)
7. [Chi è Akylas, il cantante greco di "Ferto", Rainews](https://www.rainews.it/amp/articoli/2026/05/chi-e-akylas-il-cantante-greco-di-ferto-tra-difficolta-economiche-tiktok-e-il-sogno-eurovision-c3c9e918-3bd8-455e-b087-baaedd98ee66.html)
8. [Akylas: Ποιος είναι το μεγάλο φαβορί του εθνικού τελικού, Ant1 Live](https://www.ant1live.com/zoi/prosopa/664128_akylas-poios-einai-megalo-fabori-toy-ethnikoy-telikoy)
9. [Akylas, Eurovision Universe](https://www.eurovisionuniverse.com/encyclopedia/akylas/)
10. [Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to a Eurovision Song Contest that embraces linguistic diversity, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/e666a561598d8fe4a2242960b92b65d3)
11. [Greklands artist sjöng på gatan – utmanar nu om vinsten i Eurovision, Aftonbladet](https://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/melodifestivalen/a/bOXQbg/akylas-tavlar-for-grekland-i-eurovision-2026-sjong-pa-gatan)
12. [ESC-Teilnehmer Akylas: „Ich passe mit meiner Musik in keine Schublade", taz](https://taz.de/ESC-Teilnehmer-Akylas/%216178315/)
13. [Quién es Akylas, el representante de Grecia en Eurovision 2026 con 'Ferto', AS.com](https://as.com/tikitakas/musica/quien-es-akylas-el-representante-de-grecia-en-eurovision-2026-con-ferto-f202605-n-2/?outputType=amp)
14. [The Latest: Bulgarian singer Dara wins this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/eb9d219d95b4754d47c6df85b74bacdf)
15. [Akylas στην ΕΡΤ: Η Eurovision ήρθε σαν «πυροτέχνημα» στη ζωή μου, ERTnews](https://www.ertnews.gr/ert-protaseis/akylas-stin-ert-i-eurovision-irthe-san-pyrotexnima-sti-zoi-mou-kykloforise-to-proto-tou-almpoum/)
16. [Press Start: Το πρώτο άλμπουμ του Akyla είναι γεγονός!, Minos-EMI](https://www.minosemi.gr/press-start-to-%CF%80%CF%81%CF%8E%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%AC%CE%BB%CE%BC%CF%80%CE%BF%CF%85%CE%BC-%CF%84%CE%BF%CF%85-akyla-%CE%B5%CE%AF%CE%BD%CE%B1%CE%B9-%CE%B3%CE%B5%CE%B3%CE%BF%CE%BD%CF%8C%CF%82/)
17. [Akylas Embarks on 'Press Start' Tour Across Greece & Beyond, To Vima](https://www.tovima.com/culture/akylas-embarks-on-press-start-tour-across-greece-beyond)
18. [Akylas: «Τραγουδώ για τα άτομα που δεν χωράνε σε νόρμες», LiFO](https://www.lifo.gr/culture/music/akylas-tragoydo-gia-ta-atoma-poy-den-horane-se-normes)
19. [Ο Akylas δεν άφησε στιγμή να πάει χαμένη, LiFO](https://www.lifo.gr/culture/music/o-akylas-den-afise-stigmi-na-paei-hameni)

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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Musicians and ensembles › Individual musical biographies › Pop and R&B singer-songwriters › Pop singers, 2000s to present*

*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*

*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*

License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license