Nestled in the green folds of the surrounding Maçka, against the backdrop of an Istanbul ripe for summer and buzzing with life in the creeping June heat, Midsommar came as a new addition to this year’s festival lineup, put on by the established Beat the Night organization in collaboration with About Nights, Profun Creative Events, and a host of other partners. Starting in the early afternoon, as the sun took its position high in the sky, Küçükçiflik Park lie patiently in wait to receive the crowds ready to commune with nature in the Swedish tradition of celebrating the summer solstice; and what better way to take in the longest day of the year than with an outstanding lineup of live music performances! This year’s debut event featured a satisfying array of talent, infused especially with the Northern European influences of the midsummer concept and expertly balancing a variety of sounds and stylings with the cohesive flow characteristic of a well-curated music experience.
Kicking off the program was duo Club Bangkok, whose indie disco sounds gave way to the funky-smooth stylings of French house producer Darius, setting the tone for the event. By the time Jakuzi took the stage, a sizable crowd had assembled in the venue, donning flower crowns and making themselves at home on cushions from their swag bags or one of several chill spaces, checking out the activities and photo opp spots, or cruising around to grab a bite or beverage from the vendors around the venue. A clear fan base of the punk-esque Turkish synthpop group had gathered up near the stage as well, jamming and singing along to their favorites, awash in the glow of the late afternoon sun. Taking in the originality of the band’s style, the dynamism of their stage presence, and the spectacle of their loyal following in action, it’s remarkable to consider that the release of their debut album was as recent as 2017. As was certainly the case with the artists to come, these guys really knew how to put on a show.
As the sun began its leisurely descent, Roosevelt entered the scene to revitalize our senses and send our spirits soaring with his soothing 80s-inspired, electro-pop sounds. Since the release of his first EP, the Cologne-based artist has attracted a respectable international following and has increasingly been making his way to Istanbul since playing his first show here in September 2017. His performance at the festival was a true showcase of his individual style and itself an artful dance with the sun’s gentle departure. From the hazy dreamscape of “Moving On” to the swelling synths of the popular “Fever” to the appropriately-titled “Night Moves” in the fading twilight, Roosevelt kept us dazzled with his Balearic beats as we swayed along in celebration of the summer solstice.
Roosevelt’s rousing performance was swiftly followed up by Kadebostany, a band one might almost expect to be local based on their name but which, true to the Nordic flavor of the event, hails from Switzerland. The group is no stranger to Turkey’s music scene, having played not only at major music events based in Istanbul such as Babylon Soundgarden, Chill-Out Festival, and at Zorlu PSM, but also in other cities including Ankara, Eskişehir, and Çeşme; nor were they new to the Midsommar venue, Küçükçiflik Park, where they have performed in recent years at 100% Urban Music Scene and Parkfest. The sizable crowd that gathered as Kadebostany took the stage was a testament to their solid reputation for putting on a fantastic live show, and their performance at this year’s Midsommar Festival was no exception. Their musical style – featuring lilting vocals atop a blend of instrumental and electronic elements – together with their acclaimed stage showmanship made for a great concert experience. For all the love that this country has for the group, it was all the more memorable when ‘President’ Kadebostan himself made a point of returning the gesture, saying that of the many places they have played, Turkey is the best.
Sweeping in to carry the momentum of the night and close out the event was Berlin-based Jan Blomqvist & band, a performer known for his singular penchant for bringing a concert feel to the dancefloor. Blomqvist has long been involved in producing music, forming his first band as a youth in a small village in Germany but shifting from more of a punkish rock ‘n’ roll orientation toward electronic music after moving to Berlin, where he began producing his own brand of ‘concert techno’ tracks at a feverish pace. His music career began to take off in 2011 when he played his first major gig at the Fusion Festival and has since led to international tours playing concerts in some of the most esteemed events around the world, including New York’s infamous ZERO parties as well as Burning Man. Istanbul has been on Blomqvist’s circuit ever since, and his show at this year’s Midsommar made it easy to see why he and his band were recently nominated by DJAwards–Ibiza for ‘best electronic live performer’. Blomqvist’s characteristic style of haunting lyrics over minimalist beats and instrumental accompaniment paired with similarly entrancing visual displays massaged our gray matter and kept our bodies moving as the night wore on, and when the group reclaimed the stage for an encore, the crowd was ready for ‘More’.
At the height of the night, the humble venue had transformed into a pulsing festival zone perfectly suited to the setting and summer solstice motif, the infectious energy of the performers matched only by that of the crowd. At a time when the festival scene in Turkey is dominated mainly by electronic music, it’s refreshing to see events with programs appealing to a wider range of musical tastes. For those who wish to enjoy great live concerts in the soft June air, or who would like a more cost-effective festival experience close to the city center, Midsommar is a phenomenal choice. Based on this year’s edition, one might suspect it will soon secure a rightful place among Istanbul’s best-loved annual music events.
Images courtesy of the organizer.
