Eclectic music on Babylon stage this week

One of Istanbul's most popular venues, Babylon has a busy program next week, starting this weekend. Radio Eksen's DJs will be at the cabin for the season-end Radio Eksen Party on April 29. The DJs will be playing music from multiple genres ranging from old to new, indie to ska, and alternative music to punk.

On April 30, World Jazz Day, Colin Stetson and Maden Öktem Ersönmez will take the stage. Throughout the weekend, Babylon will welcome the Social Inclusion Band, Kalben, Ayhan Sicimoğlu & the Latin All Stars.


Kalben

Multi-instrumentalist Colin Stetson will take the stage at Babylon as part of Garanti Caz Yeşili on April 30, International Jazz Day. Stetson has worked with acclaimed figures including Tom Waits, Arcade Fire, Bon Iver, TV On The Radio, Feist, Laurie Anderson, Lou Reed, Bill Laswell, Evan Parker, The Chemical Brothers, Animal Collective, Hamid Drake, LCD Soundsystem, The National, Angelique Kidjo, Fink and David Gilmore.


Colin Stetson

Inspired by the bass saxophone, the circular breathing technique and rhythms of avant-garde jazz, the artist wanders on the edges of dark metal, post-rock and modern electronica.

Formed by Sarp Maden, Volkan Öktem and Alp Ersönmez, the jazz trio Maden Öktem Ersönmez, will be on the stage before Colin Stetson's performance. The trio's music forms a unity between various genres along with its main style jazz, rock and blues and touches various different types including drum 'n bass and punk.

The Social Inclusion Band, formed by the Dreams Academy, believes in the power of music to change the world, with their slogan "Artist Don't Know Any Obstacles." The band will be sending out a message for peace, respect for the rights of the disabled and equal opportunities for all on the stage on May 2.

Since its foundation the band has worked with many leading names including Moby, Simon Bolivar Orkestrası, Deniz Güngör, Şebnem Ferah, Hayko Cepkin, Baba Zula, Alfred Menhert, Baki Duyarlar, Sattas, Luxus, Kolektif İstanbul, Selen Selvi, Can Bonomo, Kürşat Başar, Burçin Büke, Bengü, Sibel Köse, Cahit Berkay, Kerem Görsev, Ali Perret, Alp Ersönmez, Bora Uzer, İlhan Erşahin, İmer Demirer, Volkan Öktem and Deniz Arcak, and has the motto "music for everyone."

The rising star of the last few years with their acoustic performances, Kalben is at Babylon one more time as part of the series "Kendine Has Konser" (A Unique Concert) on May 3. The artist, who has a well-viewed video in the form of her song "Sadece" in Sofar Sounds Istanbul, started playing the keyboard at the age of eight. After completing her education, she started performing in Ankara and Istanbul and released her eponymous album in February 2016.

Ayhan Sicimoğlu & the Latin All Stars' tropical rhythms and Latin tunes will be on Babylon's stage on May 5. The night, full of Bolero, salsa, cha-cha and special surprises, will welcome not just Latin sounds but also Turkish songs and will make everyone dance. Ayhan Sicimoğlu and his friends are inviting all music lovers for a fun and colorful night at Babylon.