Events
OLCAY BAYIR: London based, Kurdish Anatolian singer-songwriter Olcay Bayir’s music is a mixture of her original compositions and songs based on Anatolian folk music tradition with dynamic, contemporary twist. Looking at her complex history, Olcay’s voice weaves of survival, exile, love and longing and rebellion.
Olcay Bayir is a singer/songwriter from London, of Kurdish Alevi origin from Turkey. Born into a Turkey’s south not far from the Syrian border, Olcay’s soul is rooted in the Anatolian musical tradition. As a teenager, she moved to London with her family.
She went on to study operatic singing at a London University, but realised that classical music was not her path. Instead, she brought the power of a trained voice to the music of her homeland in her first album “Neva – Harmony” (Riverboat, World Music Network, 2014), sung in multiple languages spoken withing the Anatolian Geography including Kurdish, Turkish, Armenian and Greek. Her second album “Rüya – Dream” ( ARC Music,2019 ) featured her own songs. Both albums were well received in industry press. Nominated for best newcomer in the Songlines Music Awards 2015 for her debut album Neva. Olcay also released a 4 track EP which was funded by HelpMusiciansUK during Pandemic. Olcay’s last album “ TU Gul i” released in May 2024 by ARC Music.
Doors open 7pm. Music starts 8.30pm. The venue is mixed seated and standing. Tables are limited, and available on a first come first served basis, so if you’d like a seat, we recommend arriving early!
