Turkish pop favourite Yaşar is heading to London this autumn, bringing his distinctive romantic pop sound and a back catalogue spanning three decades to Islington Assembly Hall on Wednesday, 7 October.
The concert forms part of the singer’s 2026 European tour and is being billed as a celebration of the enduring Turkish pop hits of the 1990s, with classics such as Kuşlar, Birtanem and Divane expected to feature prominently.
Born Mehmet Yaşar Günaçgün in Adana in 1970, Yaşar first developed his passion for music while playing in his school orchestra. He later moved to Istanbul to study Business at Marmara University, followed by a master’s degree in International Finance, while simultaneously building his experience as a live performer.
His big breakthrough came in 1996 with his debut album, Divane. The record produced several songs that would become staples of 1990s Turkish pop, among them Kumralım, Birtanem, Gel Benimle and the title track. Its success earned Yaşar a Gold Record and, the following year, the Best New Male Artist prize at the Kral TV Video Music Awards.
He consolidated that early success with the release of his 1998 album Esirinim, which was packed full of hits, including the much-loved Kuşlar and Sebepsiz Fırtına.
Over the years, Yaşar’s warm voice, melodic songwriting and often wistful, romantic lyrics have given him one of the most recognisable sounds in Turkish pop.
Among the other songs to become fan favourites are Acıtmıyor Sevdan, Hatırla, Beni Koyup Gitme, Hayırdır İnşallah, Sevda Sinemalarda, Nara and Aşk Bozumu, alongside his popular interpretation of Ebruli.
From Divane to Deniz Şarkıları
Nearly 30 years after his recording debut, Yaşar remains musically active. His most recent studio album, Deniz Şarkıları, arrived in December 2024, seven years after Şehir Yalnızlığı.
The 13-track record comprises 11 new songs and two remixes, with all the songs written and composed by Deniz Özçelik and arrangements by Mehmethan Dişbudak. Tracks include Merhaba, Bir Selamlık Yerdeyim, Acılar İçinde, Hisset and Ateşlere Aşinayım.
The London show promises to mix this newer material with the songs that first made Yaşar one of the defining male voices of Türkiye’s 1990s pop boom – and should provide plenty of opportunities for the audience to sing along.
Performance Details
Date: Wednesday 7 October 2026
Time: 7pm
Venue: Islington Assembly Hall, Upper Street, London N1 2UD
Admission: Tickets are priced £53.71 including booking fee. This is a 16+ event.
Tickets: Available via the official Islington Assembly Hall website and DICE.
Main image, top, of Yaşar live at Bostancı Gösteri Merkezi, Istanbul, on 28 March 2026. Photo © Nur Burduroğlu
