For Kurds worldwide, no introduction is needed to the legendary Şivan Perwer. The 67-year-old singer-songwriter and musician from Viranşehir, Şanlıurfa, in southeast Turkiye, has been the cultural voice of his people for decades.

In a career spanning over 40 years, Perwer has recorded over 20 albums, which includes many songs set to the words of the late Kurdish poet Cigerxwîn, who was well known for his poetry about the Kurdish struggle, and also Kurdish culture and history. Perwer’s own compositions continue in the same vein, which in turn have helped to fan the flames of Kurdish nationalism.

A target for the authorities because of the political tones of his music, Perwer decided to leave Turkiye in 1976. He has lived abroad ever since, bar a brief visit to Diyarbakır in November 2013 to support the Kurdish-Turkish peace process.

Perwer’s songs have been banned in Turkiye, Iraq and Syria, yet his appeal and influence remains as high as ever.

You can hear this acclaimed Kurdish poet, writer, and performer live when he appears at Indigo at The O2 in January 2024, as part of a world tour that will see him travel to 12 different destinations including Tokyo, Tel Aviv, and Malmo for concerts.

Concert Details

Title: Şivan Perwer

Date: Sunday 28 January 2024

Time:  Doors open at 7pm. The concert starts at 8pm

Venue: Indigo at The O2, 205 Peninsula Square, Greenwich, London SE10 0ES

Admission: ticket prices start from £47 and go up to £114. There is a limit of 6 tickets per card holder on this event.

Tickets: buy online from the venue’s ticketing partner AXS – click here to access.

Main photo, top, via Facebook/ Şivan Perwer