Festibağ returns for its fourth edition on Saturday 12 September and Sunday 13 September at Swissotel the Bosphorus and Chalet Garden, bridging seasonal grape harvest traditions with a curated weekend of live pop, rock, and electronic music paired alongside artisanal gastronomy workshops, courtesy of common culture. The outdoor gathering frames the transition into autumn through interactive craft sessions, regional tasting panels, and a broad musical lineup that balances contemporary indie-rock hits with nostalgia-heavy pop retrospectives. Positioned as a immersive lifestyle weekend, the festival pairs day-long acoustic and DJ sets with open-air masterclasses ranging from blind tasting sessions to hands-on candle making and body art studios. Tickets are available via Biletino.
The musical program kicks off on the first day with modern alternative outfit Dolu Kadehi Ters Tut leading the bill. Formed in 2014 by vocalist Uğurhan Özay and guitarist Mürsel Oğulcan Ava, the duo established themselves as pioneers of the independent Turkish movement through self-released projects like Polseparation and their defining 2017 album Dünyanın En Sıkıcı Adamı. Their signature sound fuses funk, synth-pop, and sharp narrative songwriting, securing them a massive following across digital platforms and outdoor festival circuits. Joining them on the opening date are rising acoustic-focused acts Deniz Özdoğru and Soul Grinders, alongside high-energy sets from select local selectors.
The second day shifts focus toward classic domestic pop and rock heritage, anchored by legendary folk-rock collective Yeni Türkü alongside prominent nineties pop figures. Established in 1977 by Derya Köroğlu, Zülfü Livaneli contemporaries, and poet Selim Atakan, Yeni Türkü reshaped the landscape of Anatolian music by combining traditional acoustic instruments like the ud, kanun, and bouzouki with Western modern arrangements. Across landmark releases such as Bu Buğday Denizi ve Melekler and Yedikule, the ensemble built a legacy of literary songwriting that bridges generations.
Rounding out the closing evening is a nostalgia showcase highlighting defining performers of the nineties boom, including Çelik, Yonca Evcimik, Ümit Sayın, Ferda Anıl Yarkın, and Mansur Ark. Rising to prominence during the decade that catalyzed modern Turkish pop infrastructure, these artists dominated radio charts with rhythmic dance hits and sentimental ballads. Supported by classic pop sets from veteran selector DJ Hakan Küfündür, the programming provides a thorough retro perspective that contrasts the contemporary sounds of the opening day, grounding the harvest gathering in broad musical nostalgia.
To stay up to date make sure to follow Common Culture on Instagram. Tickets are available via Biletino.
Vişnezade, Acısu Sk. NO 19, 34357 Beşiktaş/İstanbul
