Inside the ‘passionate’ Turkish live scene
Istanbul-based booker Burak Çekiç has given an insight into the ups and downs of the Turkish live music scene in an interview with IQ.
Çekiç, who programmes 400-cap venue Blind Istanbul and the 10,000-cap Blind Fest, points out that Turkey has defied unfavourable market conditions to attract international acts such as Scorpions, Placebo, Massive Attack, Judas Priest and Ludovico Einaudi this year alone.
“The global economic crisis and rising currency rates in Turkey made the stadium shows almost impossible and booking international acts harder compared to the past,” he tells IQ. “Some promoters focused on local acts after that and this gave local bands the opportunity to find headline shows and festival slots. However, the amount of international acts cannot be underestimated.”
The 26-year-old, who says the local scene is defined by its “passion, energy and community”, speaks warmly of the support offered by his peers, and the camaraderie that exists within the domestic sector.
“I would like to create a world where both promoters and artists – especially at the low and mid-level – earn more money”
“It is a small community, but we always feel that we are a family here,” he says. “Leading people in the industry like our founder Oytun Alatay, my colleague Can Inandim and friends from other companies, Baris Basaran and Derya Artan, have always been protective and supportive of me. This connection and solidarity in between people keep the sector alive in our country.
“I would like to create a world where both promoters and artists – especially at the low and mid-level – earn more money,” he adds. “They deserve to be in a better situation and I know that a lot of talented acts cannot make a living by doing music and even lose money to be able to play in a venue, and it is almost same in all the countries.”
Blind was founded in 2021 in Beyoglu, Istanbul, as an updated version of the iconic Babylon, which hosted the likes of Patti Smith, Marianne Faithfull, Thurston Moore, Macy Gray, Lykke Li and Diplo.
“Most importantly, we preserve and maintain this legacy,” notes Çekiç. “We haven’t changed the historical tissue of the venue such as the stone walls behind the stage and venue plan.
“As we have a limited capacity, we have to increase ticket prices sometimes more than planned to be able to cover the costs but luckily, we have a loyal crowd here willing to discover new music and would like to go to concerts. This crowd understands the reason for the increase in prices and we try and aim to keep prices affordable for everyone.”
“Within the past 12 months, 35-40% of Blind’s shows are international acts”
He continues: “The last 12 months have been memorable for Blind. We’ve been one of the most active venues in Istanbul, hosting live concerts and events five days a week regularly. We have promoted the leading alternative music bands from Turkey and also many international acts from various genres such as Beach Fossils, Portico Quartet, Emma Ruth Rundle, Puma Blue, Nation of Language, Bar Italia, Squid, Bombino and Zola Jesus.
“Many of these shows were sold out and attracted attention around the country. It is amazing that some people come to the city from different countries in the world just to attend our concerts.”
Upcoming bookings include John Maus, Pigsx7, Okay Kaya, Andy Stott, Xiu Xiu and Chassol.
“Within the past 12 months, 35-40% of Blind’s shows are international acts and we want to keep this rate for the upcoming coming years,” adds Çekiç.
Blind Fest, meanwhile, takes place annually at Istanbul’s KüçükÇiftlik Park and has featured acts including Placebo, Balthazar and Oscar and The Wolf.
“We have organised this festival every year since Blind started its operation and aim to bring all early-mid and high level acts on the same stage together with a huge crowd,” explains Çekiç. “Blind Fest has been running for three years since Blind [the venue] was founded. We are still working for the next edition and don’t have a date yet.”
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