Your live music agenda for May

Dear Canım Istanbul readers,

It’s the beginning of the month, the time our friend çizenbayan shares her live music picks with you. Be sure to listen to the featured artists on the Canım Istanbul SoundCloud.

If you want to buy tickets for any of the shows, you can use the affiliate links at the bottom of this post.

Enjoy!

Cizenbayan dancing at an outdoor music festival with her Canim Istanbul friend

May has arrived as a precursor of summer that will be filled with festivals and open-air concerts! As the weather gets warmer and the sun begins to show its face almost all day every day, concerts are beginning to move outdoors and open-air festivals are approaching fast.

On Tuesday, May 3^rd, Nil Karaibrahimgil will meet fans at Zorlu PSM after a long hiatus.

Nil Karaibrahimgil

On Wednesday, May 4^th, Turkey’s up-and-coming female vocals will be singing from a boat while touring the Bosphorus. Burcu Tatlıses, Nilipek, Sena Şener and Selin Sümbültepe’s performances will begin at 9pm. Concert goers will be picked up from the Arnavutköy ferry stop at 7pm, Kabataş at 8pm, and Beylerbeyi at 8.30pm.

Müzik Bogaz'dan gelir

On Thursday, May 5^th, we’ll need to make a tough decision between two amazing women who have velvety voices and amazing lyrics. Kalben will be at Babylon Bomonti, which is becoming even livelier with the warm weather, and Yasmin Levy will be at Zorlu PSM.

Kalben

Yasmin Levy

Friday, May 6^th will be reserved for some serious dancing. Alex Metric and Aeroplane, who bring together their distinct styles with their back to back DJ performances that they call Metroplane, will be at Babylon Bomonti.

Metroplane (Alex Metric and Aeroplane)

Istanbul’s alternative music scene’s familiar name Vera began performing again after the release of their new album and on Saturday, May 7^th they’ll be at garajistanbul with Gece.

Gece

That same night, a truly original party concept will be realized all over the city for the third time. During SELEKT Festival III, festival goers will be able to attend over 30 DJ performances with one ticket in 6 different clubs and 8 separate stages. DVS1, Agoria, &Me, NTFO, Ruede Hagelstein, Tyladomid, Vivek & Dego Ranking as well as local electronic music stars like Murat Uncuoğlu, TANGUN, Cure-shot, Ah Gülnihal, Hello Alien, Clunkmunk, and Carbone will be performing.

Selekt Festival

Berliner music producer Monolink will be at Topless’ terrace on Friday, May 13^th. On that same night, Ellen Allien and Charlotte de Witte will be at Kloster’s terrace.

Monolink (photo: Anne Wessels)

Ellen Allien (photo: Simone Arena)

The Fg Digital series will come to an end with legendary progressive house and trance DJ Markus Schulz’s performance at garajistanbul on Saturday, May 14^th. Fisherman & Hawkins duo will be accompanying the master.

Markus Schulz

Fresh from Berlin’s electronic music scene, the up-and-coming Wankelmut will perform at indigo on May 14^th.

Wankelmut

Once the first half of May is over, music will spill out onto the streets.

The season’s first festival Parkfest will take place on May 15^that Küçükçiftlik Park. Azealia Bank (one of the most sensational names of late) , Israeli musician Riff Cohen, Jain (the new Zaz of French music), Hey Douglas, who edits old Turkish pop songs into unique sounds, and retro pop singer Gökçe Kılınçer are among the names who’ll be at the festival. Aside from music, there’ll be art, design, hand-picked boutiques, food and drink, and lots of fun at Küçükçiftlik Park.

Parkfest

Adamlar will be at Hayal Kahvesi on Wednesday, May 18^th with great guitar sounds and unique lyrics.

Adamlar

Those who believe that Wednesdays are the new Saturdays will be at Klein on May 18^th with London-born Berlin-based producer George Fitzgerald.

George Fitzgerald

On Friday, May 20^th, we’ll have to decide between two amazing names again. Electronic music master John Digweed will be at Klein, Stephan Bodzin will be at indigo. We’ll be saying farewell to indigo for the season with this last performance.

John Digweed

With the end of May fast approaching, Istanbul will be home to a whole new festival. On Sunday, May 22^nd Küçükçiftlik Park will host Casio G-Shock #24hoursistanbul City Festival with Fatima & The Eglo Live Band, Henry Wu presents Yussef Kamaal Quintet, Catching Flies, My Expansive Awareness, Lara Di Lara, Nilipek, Can Kazaz, Can Güngör, Palmiyeler and Islandman. There will be nonstop music for 12 hours with Analog Kültür playing in between sets.

G-Shock 24hoursistanbul

On Friday, May 27^th melancholic group Tindersticks will be at Zorlu PSM. On that same night, Istanbul’s top jazz musicians will pay tribute to famous jazz guitarist Wes Montgomery at Salon as part of Garanti Caz Ağacı events.

Tindersticks

On Saturday, May 28^th Beirut will be at Küçükçiftlik Park with a crowded orchestra.

Beirut

On May 28^th and 29^th, the year’s most anticipated event, the 11^th Chill-Out Festival, will take place at Istanbul’s best festival spot, Life Park. Those two days will be filled with good music, nature, dance, yoga, colors, and fun. The festival lineup includes the best names from a variety of music styles including Bedouin, Chairlift, Chico Trujillo, Ah Kosmos, The Field, Temples, Cigarettes After Sex, dOP, Fakear, Life on Planets, Nico Stojan, Oceanvs Orientalis, Islandman, and Nilipek.

Chill-Out Festival 2016