Singer-songwriter Olcay Bayır is one of the UK’s foremost artists of Alevi and Kurdish origin. Her the Anatolian songbook is inspired with the rich musical tapestry that spans Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian and Greek, fused with the sounds of the Mediterranean and Balkans, including flamenco and rebetiko. Live at Paddington’s Grand Junction at St Mary Magdalene’s […]
Olcay Bayır digs deep into her Anatolian roots, combining powerful vocals in four languages with a tight 5-piece band that builds intense, uplifting grooves with Mediterranean and Mesopotamian vibes. Eschewing the retro Anatolian rock style that is experiencing a revival, Bayır goes for stunning contemporary arrangements that are jazzy but not jazz, folky but not […]
If you’re into live music with global roots or simply fancy listening to something different, check out the scintillating rhythms, gorgeous vocals and uplifting songs of Olcay Bayir. Originally from Turkey, this acclaimed London based singer-songwriter dips into her Anatolian heritage, performing original songs and traditional poems inspired by Turkish, Kurdish, Armenia and Greek culture. […]
Described as “one of the finest, most intriguing singers on the British world music scene” by The Guardian, Olcay Bayir brings her unique style and powerful vocals to Cambridge Junction for her first show in the city. Olcay’s international band comprises of some of London’s most exceptional musicians, who will perform a dynamic, rhythmic live […]
Blessed with a stunning voice and the ability to sing in multiple languages, Olcay Bayır is delights live and in the studio. Last month, she released a new 4-track EP Inside (İçerde) to great acclaim. Four gorgeous tracks rooted in Anatolia, yet soaring to many other different cultural places. Olcay received funding awards from the […]
Led by Essex Arab funny girl Esther Manito as MC, and with performances from Palestinian hip hop star El Far3i (47Soul), Turkey’s Olcay Bayir, and Alia Al Zougbi, and with DJ Nooriyah spinning some tunes throughout, the evening promises to be an arts extravaganza of Middle Eastern-inspired music and storytelling. The setting is London’s Grand […]
Olcay Bayır’s music is a natural marriage of her time-honoured Anatolian heritage and the vibrant, eclectic sounds of London, which she now calls home. Of Turkish-Kurdish origin, her contemporary sound blends elements of folk, jazz and urban music with evocative vocal deliveries through original eclectic compositions that draw from the rich musical heritage of Anatolia, […]
Superb live, expect a rhythmically powerful, soulful, rooted and contemporary live set. Olcay Bayir’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 […]
Blessed with a heavenly voice, Olcay Bayır has been singing for as long as she can remember. She was born in Gaziantep to a Kurdish Alevi family steeped in the âşık (wandering minstrels) tradition, and her career as a classically-trained singer-songwriter is a perfect marriage of her roots and global music experiences following her move […]
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 […]
