Olcay Bayır was named by the Guardian as “an impressive newcomer to London’s vibrant global music scene” for her first release in 2014.

At the end of this month, she drops her long-awaited follow-up Rüya – Dream for Anatolia, produced by award-winning jazz outfit Kefaya.

Members of this global collective of master musicians will line-up alongside Olcay’s band, which includes special guest oud player Baha Yetkin, as she debuts her new music with a concert at St John’s Music Hall in Leytonstone, East London.

It promises to be a night of nu world groove – the perfect backdrop to Olcay’s velvet voice and heartfelt songs in Turkish and Kurdish.

For those yet to hear Olcay’s stunning vocals, the Gaziantep-born singer was opera-trained in London, helping to refine her incredible range and tone. Her musical soul, however, is firmly embedded in her roots and the deeply emotional sounds of Anatolia.

Her father was an aşik singer in the Alevi tradition, where music is highly valued, and she has been writing songs since the age of six.

Alongside traditional songs in sparkling jazzy arrangements, Olcay’s powerful live set presents her own life-enhancing compositions that were awarded a Women Make Music grant by the Performing Rights for Music Foundation.

Rüya – Dream for Anatolia will be released by ARC Music on 29 March.

Concert Details

Title: Olcay Bayır Live Album Launch Show

Date: Friday 12 April 2019

Time: Doors at 6:30pm, music starts at 7:30pm

Venue: St John’s Music Hall, Leytonstone St, John’s Church, High Rd, Leytonstone, London E11 1HH

Admission: Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult

Tickets: Early Bird £9 + £1 bf; Concession £10 + £1 bf; and Advance E-Ticket £12 + £1.20 s/c. Buy online from musichalls.org