Kültür Istanbul, as part of their 34 Calling series, invite post-rock veterans Godspeed You! Black Emperor to take center stage at Harbiye Cemil Topuzlu Open-Air Theatre on Wednesday 13 July. Set for 21:00, tickets are on sale now via Biletix.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor are debatably the most influential post-rock musicians of all time, having influenced the era and genre in ways undoubtedly still felt today. Their string of albums F#A#∞ (1997), Slow Riot For New Zero Kanada (1999), Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven (2000) and Yanqui U.X.O. (2002) were a series of releases that put the Montreal-based outfit on the global radar and that continue to be widely discussed and beloved as classics. While largely doted upon in more niche music circles, F#A#∞‘s ‘East Hastings’ appearance in Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later (2002) won them a wider audience (and was a masterful use of the typically long format of their songs), but it was also around the time the band appeared to go on hiatus with side-projects like A Silver Mt. Zion (also led by Efrum Menuck) taking the limelight.
A decade later saw GY!BE re-emerge, picking up right where they left off and continuing to put out the same reflective, inherently political, and long-form conceptual albums that fans have always loved. The nostalgia of their earlier releases tend to still represent their most iconic music, but recent releases have much to offer, and demonstrate an evolution to their sound that’s been an absolute pleasure to follow over the years. Allelujah! Don’t Bend! Ascend! (2012) was a perfect re-entry into the band’s second era of sorts, and was (and still is) impossible to separate as a soundtrack to the state of world affairs. Their most recent release G_d’s Pee AT STATE’S END! is perhaps the most impressive of their last few releases, offering a clear and cohesive project whose highs are immense and satisfying.
For those unfamiliar with the band and looking for an entry point, I strongly recommend a full listen to the album Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven, as this author finds it as close to being a masterpiece as albums come, with tons of analysis and insights to pour over if you do end up making a deep dive into the band’s discography.
—
For more information, check out the official event page. Tickets are on sale now via Biletix.
Harbiye, Taşkışla Cd. No:8, 34367 Şişli
