For years it was the venue where stars performed, and where ordinary folk could come and watch, rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous. When Taksim’s Grand Maksim Gazino finally closed its doors in 2004, its fate was unknown. Earlier this month, the remodelled site opened to the public as a high-end hotel. Part of […]
If you’re after a hybrid mix of psychedelic rock, funk, and electronic, wrapped in a heavy Anatolian twang, look no further than Lalalar. This trio of multi-media musicians-cum-producers aim to bury the borders between the Middle East and the rest of the world without “harming any species” as they create fresh psychedelic vibes plucked from […]
Gaye Su Akyol’s critically acclaimed first international album Hologram Ĭmparatorluğu (Glitterbeat, 2016) established her as one of Turkey’s most compelling new voices, her music effortlessly straddling diverse genres such as rock, folk and Turkish classical music. She spent the next few years touring the globe with her band, showcasing her vibrant live abilities: a surreal, […]
A musical virtuoso from Turkey is one of three rising stars performing at a classical music concert in London later this month. Award-winning Salih Can Gevrek will take to the stage at St James’s Church on Wednesday, 27 November, as part of a special programme by music charity Talent Unlimited. Already an accomplished solo pianist […]
Oriental dub legends BaBa ZuLa’s extraordinary live performances are a legend unto themselves. By mixing traditional instruments such as the darbuka, electric saz, and spoons with electronics and dub, BaBa ZuLa create a unique sound. Known as the “Kings of Istanbul psychedelia”, their style of ‘rock’ rolls in a way that Westerners haven’t heard since […]
A former X Factor Turkey [Star Işığı X Factor] finalist and favourite to win before the channel took the show off air, pop star İlyas Yalçıntaş’s electrifying performances on national television and song writing ability proved his star quality. His debut single, İncir, which he had penned and sang live on X Factor in 2014, […]
On their debut album ‘On’ (Bongo Joe Records), Altın Gün showed what happens when you open doors between Turkish folk songs on the one hand and a dirty blend of funk rhythms, wah-wah guitars and analogue organs on the other. The Amsterdammers who come from various backgrounds (Turkish, but also Indonesian and Dutch), comfortably create […]
Not seen live in the UK since Wembley Arena 2008, after a long break Tarkan is set to return to Britain to light up the stage at the Apollo Hammersmith on 6th October. For those not familiar with the multi-million album selling megastar, Tarkan was born in Alzey, Germany, on 17 October 1972. One of […]
Olcay Bayır’s music is a natural marriage of her time-honoured Anatolian heritage and the vibrant, eclectic sounds of London. Classically trained in the UK as a soprano, collaborations with musicians from all around the world have informed Olcay’s music as much as the rich folk traditions of her youth. Expect a rhythmically powerful, soulful, rooted […]
The British capital is a hotbed of musical fusions, as epitomised by Don Kipper. The multi award-winning ensemble play a wide range of musical forms reflecting the cultural diversity of their North East London home, from Romani, Turkish and Greek Folk, to Klezmer, electronica and jazz beats. While born of traditions that surround them and […]
