Meet the DJ

Christos Nikas (Showtime DJs & Event Lighting)

Christos Nikas's venture into DJing was due to something more spiritual than just 'liking music', he wanted to share the feeling he got when he listened to music with others. What more can you ask of a DJthan that? The Greek DJ explains: "I started DJing at the age of 17, guided by a deeper need to the share with others the same feeling I had when I listened to good music."

Since then, Christos has flourished as a professional international wedding DJ. Based out of Athens, he performs "wherever our amazing couples choose to have their wedding celebrations, nationwide or worldwide". Recent gigs have included playing on popular Greek islands like Mykonos, Paros, and Santorini, for guests from around the globe. Unlike many DJs, Christos's mode of transport isn't just the usual van: "Since there are some small islands in Greece (like Ydra), where no vehicle is allowed and we have to load all of our equipment onto small boats and mules(!) to transport it," he tells us.

As well as music, his company, Showtime DJs & Event Lighting, also provides 'lightscaping' services and an amazing portfolio of atmospheric effects. This lighting aspect of Christos' company is something that he feels will help it become "one of Europe's best 'boutique style' wedding entertainment firms" and at the heart of the company's lighting setup is ADJ. "Inspired by some of the world's best wedding DJ companies, we upgraded our services with upscale lighting: more fixtures, better and more powerful lights, and more creative computer-based programming – all from the ADJ group," Christos tells us. "We love lighting and the way it can transform an ordinary room into an extraordinary hall, straight out of a fairy tale, setting the right mood using wonderful ambience or high energy effects."

According to Christos, the reaction to these lighting effects from customers and guests varies between positive comments to awestruck 'wows'. "This gives us the strength to push the bar higher, to invest more and do better, wedding after wedding," Christos says. "Lighting makes people want to participate in the celebrations, and it gives you the opportunity to shape their mood more easily."

Christos speaks from experience when he explains how stylish lighting, rather than speaker brands or technical specifications, has helped Showtime DJs & Event Lighting grow as a business. "Brides just want their wedding to be perfect; their vision is for everything to be beautiful and to have a packed dance-floor, so the photographer and videographer can capture those amazing memories," explains Christos. "By presenting and delivering extraordinary and unforgettable results, our elegant lighting options make us stand out from the competition, help us become leaders in our market, and lead to us to booking more weddings at a higher price point."

It can't be all about the lighting though; music, of course, plays a huge part in Christos's success as a wedding DJ – and is the reason he started DJing in the first place. He loves music which really gets the party going, favoring "mainstream dance, international top 40, and Greek music – because this is when the real party begins!" Songs that usually make it into his set include 'Don't Stop Believing (Starlab remix)' (Newton's cover of Journey), 'Vivir mi Vida' by salsa supremo Marc Anthony, and 'Zorba's Dance' (a dance reworking of a Greek favorite) by Aroma.

Despite his successes, Christos is endearingly humble. "My most memorable time DJing has nothing to do with fame or glory," he says. "The most memorable gigs are each year, when I DJ, pro bono, for homeless children. I have never seen a Revo Burst, a Jelly Fish, or a Galaxian laser create such enthusiasm! It's priceless." Clearly his original love of sharing music with others and gaining fulfillment from their enjoyment is still at the heart of what Christos does as a DJ.

Christos, who received an MA in Graphic Design, runs Showtime DJs with his brother Konstantinos. "My brother is my business partner, and he is a very talented wedding DJ," Nikas fondly said about his brother.

Does he have any sound words of advice for all those up and coming DJs out there? "Think big, dream bigger, invest smart, do more!"

You don't get much more positive than that!

Find out more about Christos and Showtime DJs & Event Lighting on their
website:
www.showtime.com.gr

Connect with Christos and co. via social media:
Facebook – www.facebook.com/Showtime.gr
Vimeo – www.vimeo.com/showtimedjs