Olcay Bayir

**About the performance**

Olcay’s music draws on the modal richness and poetic depth of Anatolian traditions, while embracing the cosmopolitan influences of London. Rather than recreating folklore, Bayir reshapes it — weaving traditional repertoire with her own compositions that explore exile, womanhood, memory and belonging. Her voice, both powerful and intimate, is central to her artistic identity. Olcay brings to the stage a performance that is vocally centred, emotionally charged, and culturally grounded — offering audiences a refined yet powerful encounter with contemporary Anatolian-rooted music.

**About the artist**

London-based British-Kurdish singer-songwriter Olcay Bayir is recognised as one of the distinctive voices emerging from the UK’s global music scene. Described as “the queen of Anatolian song” (Heaven Magazine, NL) and praised by The Guardian for her compelling vocal presence, Bayir creates a contemporary sound rooted in her Kurdish-Alevi heritage. Her music draws on the modal richness and poetic depth of Anatolian traditions, while embracing the cosmopolitan influences of London. Rather than recreating folklore, Bayir reshapes it — weaving traditional repertoire with her own compositions that explore exile, womanhood, memory and belonging. Her voice, both powerful and intimate, is central to her artistic identity.

**Olcay Bayir – Voice**

**Cenk Sanlioglu – Guitar**

**Ofer Peled-Kaval – Clarinet**