Faruk Eskioğlu is one of the most respected writers and journalists from the UK’s Turkish speaking community. Originally from Turkiye, Eskioğlu set up online Turkish newspaper Açık Gazete in 2004 to give an independent voice to stories ignored by mainstream Turkish media. That voice is more important today than ever. As an ethical newspaper, Açık Gazete […]
Embark on a musical tour of Turkey with pianist and composer Fazıl Say, as he explores his connection to the people, places and poetry that have shaped him. For his forthcoming Barbican concert, Say will open his programme with Dört Şehir, as he takes us on an evocative expedition around four cities in Anatolia, drawing […]
Kaan Tangöze has been at the forefront of Turkish indie rock for the past two decades. The singer songwriter found fame as the lead singer of seminal rock band Duman, which he helped found in 1999. While the band continue to perform live, new material has not been forthcoming. Instead, Tangöze has been focussing on […]
One of Turkiye’s most influential contemporary music artists, Mabel Matiz, is set to make his London debut at the Barbican. The singer-songwriter has crafted his own sound with his distinctive vocals that overlay his fusion of Turkish classical ‘maqam’ music, urban and electronic pop with Anatolian folk melodies. Matiz has released four studio albums to […]
As we head into autumn and things start to get a little chilly, why not transport yourself back to warmer days with this brilliant list of summer Turkish hits? Our top 5 below is taken from the playlist compiled by the world’s biggest music streaming platform Spotify. Under the title Yaz Hitleri [Summer Hits] it’s […]
Istanbul is one of the world’s greatest metropolises. This one-day event in East London at the end of September is a chance to indulge in the city’s delicious street foods and immerse yourself in its fantastic music culture. Brought to you by Mehmet Ali Alabora, Akin Olgun and Tan Morgul (the trio behind the UK’s […]
As international Turkish music events go, they don’t get more spectacular than this November concert featuring iconic singer-songwriter Zülfü Livaneli, who will be performing live with the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra at London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Livaneli has composed some three hundred songs, a rhapsody, performed and recorded by London Symphony Orchestra in 1999 […]
Olcay Bayır digs deep into her Anatolian roots, combining powerful vocals in four languages with a tight 5-piece band that builds intense, uplifting grooves with Mediterranean and Mesopotamian vibes. Eschewing the retro Anatolian rock style that is experiencing a revival, Bayır goes for stunning contemporary arrangements that are jazzy but not jazz, folky but not […]
B Young’s reputation as one of the UK’s most gifted singer-songwriters continues to grow with a slew of hit songs including Jumanji, Been Wavey, 079Me, Gucci Demon and Wine. Last year he dropped his debut album Differences, which reflects the melodic rapper’s signature blend of Dancehall, R&B, Hip Hop, Afrobeat and Bashment with his unforgettable […]
If you’re aged 18 to 35, of Turkish Cypriot heritage, in London and keen to meet people from your own ethnic background, then Okkupied Events is for you! In their first post on Instagram on 1 May, Okkupied Events co-founders, Demel Mehmet, 23, and Yasemin, 25, promise parties with “no history lessons, no politics and […]
