Olcay Bayir – Elixir Festival 2024

Fri 19 April, 20:00
£17 + bf

Join us for an uplifting evening of music from the Kurdish-Anatolian singer-songwriter as she fills our space with her “heart-stoppingly beautiful and emotive voice” 

Championed by The Guardian as one of the finest, most intriguing singers on the British world music scene, Olcay’s velvet voice seamlessly blends her time-honoured Anatolian heritage with the dynamic grooves and funky rhythms of her current home, London.

Olcay Bayir’s compositions move from her Alevi and Kurdish origins, drawing inspiration from the Anatolian songbook with a nod to Mediterranean and Balkans sounds from flamenco to rebetiko. She will perform in Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian and Greek.

Olcay will be joined on the evening by Burak Ersöz  (Drum/percussion), Cenk Şanlıoğlu (Guitar), Doğu Ekin (Kopuz, Saz, Fretless Guitar), and Levent Canen (Bass Guitar).

The evening is presented by Grand Junction in association with Arts Canteen as part of Elixir Festival 2024.

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ARTISTS:

Olcay Bayir

Described as “one of the finest, most intriguing singers on the British world music scene ….” Robin Denselow, The Guardian, 2019. London-based Kurdish singer-songwriter from Turkey, Olcay Bayir combines Anatolian folk traditions with dynamic grooves and funky rhythms, singing in Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian and Greek. 

Nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2015 Songlines Music Awards for her debut album Neva, Olcay is also a recipient of a PRS – Women Make Music Award. 

Olcay was born in southeast Turkey not far from the Syrian border, Olcay’s soul was always rooted in the Anatolian musical tradition. As a teenager, she moved to London with her family.

She went on to study operatic singing at a London University, but realised that classical music was not her path. Instead, she brought the power of a trained voice to the music of her homeland in her first album “Neva–Harmony” (Riverboat, World Music Network, 2014), sung in multiple languages spoken within Anatolian geography. Her second album “Rüya – Dream” ( ARC Music, 2019 ) featured her own songs. Both albums were well received in industry press. Nominated for best newcomer in the Songlines Music Awards 2015 for her debut album Neva. Olcay also released a 4 track EP during pandemic was funded by Help Musicians Uk. Artist is currently working on her new album which will be published in the first half of 2024. 

Burak Ersöz – Drum/percussion

Cenk Şanlıoğlu – Guitar

Doğu Ekin – Kopuz, Saz, Fretless Guitar

Levent Canen – Bass Guitar

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Arts Canteen

Established in 2010, we curate and produce events, exhibitions and festivals that support emerging, mid-career and established artists from the Arab world and surrounding regions, bringing their work to new audiences in the UK and beyond. We now have an international reputation for excellence and innovation in our work.

Date: Friday 19 April 2024

Start Time: 20:00

Doors: 19:00

All tickets are unreserved seating, allocated on a first come first served basis. Please arrive early before the concert starts if you have preferred seats.

Bar:  Open from 19:00. We serve a selection of craft beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks that can be taken to your seat.

Length: approx. 2 hours

Tickets: £17 + bf

We recommend pre-booking tickets to guarantee entry. Booking on the door will result in an additional fee of £1.

Venue: Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Rowington Close, London W2 5TF

Closest Stations: Royal Oak (Circle and Hammersmith & City line) 0.3 miles

Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo line) 0.4 miles

Paddington Station (National Rail services and Circle, District, Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City line, Elizabeth Line) 0.9 miles

Buses 18, 27, 28, 46 and 6 buses all stop nearby.