Turkish rock star Haluk Levent will be live at Indigo at The O2 this summer. A key figure in the revival of Anatolian rock during the 1990s, Levent is behind hits such as Aşkın Mapushane, Sevdana Gönül Verdim, and Elfida.
Life could have been very different for the Adana-born star had he have graduated from university, but instead he was forced to drop out for economic reasons. Levent then moved to Istanbul in 1992, working in bars in the popular nightlife district of Ortaköy.
It was here that Levent met a host of figures in Turkiye’s music world that would open the doors to a new life as an artist, culminating in his debut album Yollarda [On The Road] in 1993.
His follow-up album Bir Gece Vakti [One Night Time] struck gold propelled Levent into the mainstream, topping the charts and grossing some 1 million dollars for him and his record label.
Levent has gone on to release 17 more studio albums, including Yine Ayrılık [Separation Again, 1998] and Kral Çıplak [The King is Naked, 2001] after he completed his military service.
In 2005, Levent recorded Annemin Türküleri [My Mother’s Folk Songs] presenting his take on popular Turkish folk music. Seven years ago, he also recorded a well-known military march, İzmir Marşı, dedicating it to those who fought for Turkiye’s Independence some 100 years earlier.
The rock star’s musical fortunes may have been eclipsed in recent years by new kids on the block, but Levent’s public profile continues to soar primarily for his philanthropy.
His charity Ahbab [Friend], established in 2017, was already well regarded, but following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck Turkiye in February 2023, it was one of the most significant NGOs to offer aid and relief to survivors across the 62 cities hit be the tremors.
Levent has also given public support to the Isias Hotel families seeking justice for the Turkish Cypriot school party that crushed to death when the earthquake struck, with the star turning up to stand in solidarity with the families on the first day of the court hearing in January.
Part rock legend, part ppopular hero, Levent’s elevated status saw him recognised as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2023 by Time magazine
Levent’s last studio album was Vasiyet [Testament, 2021]. Expect his London concert to feature many of his biggest hits, making this an unmissable date for UK Turks.
Concert Details
Title: Haluk Levent – Indigo at the O2
Date: Tuesday 11 June 2024 (rescheduled date, originally 30 May)
Times: Doors open at 6.30pm; event starts at 8.30pm, with show expected to run for approx 2 hours.
Venue: Indigo at The O2, Millennium Way, Peninsula Square, London, SE10 0AX
Admission: £59 to £167 (includes all fees). There is a limit of 6 tickets per card holder on this event.
Tickets: click here to buy from the venue’s ticket partner AXS
